GOUTY DISORDERS. — Colocynth is a favorite remedy in habitual constipation and various dyspeptic conditions; but it is contra-indicated, except in minute doses, in inflammatory conditions of the intestinal canal. In dropsical affections, too, particularly when connected with disease of the liver, it is often effective, particularly if a hyd.ragogue action is se cured by combining with a little ela terium. In fact, in most conditions ac companied by constipation or visceral obstruction the drug is eligible.
Colocynth Is one of the most prompt and powerful remedies for the relief of enteric colic. It makes some very satis factory cures in cholera infantum and dysentery, being especially indicated when the disease is attended by intense pain—when pain is a prominent feature of the complaint. And though the drug seems to influence the circulation of the lower bowel. to a marked extent, it is more a remedy for neuralgic than for circulatory disturbances, and relieves neuralg,ic colic magically in many in stances; however, it is adapted to pain in any portion of the alimentary canal below the cesophagus, and will prove useful in many a, ease of g,astralgia of neuralgic character. In minute doses it is serviceable in the treatment of con stipation in children and delicate females when other remedies would be objection able. 'Webster ("Dynan]. Therap.," '93).
Is a favorite remedy in dropsical con ditions to produce watery stools, in cases in which other resorbents are contra-in dicated. Roth ("Mod. Mat. Med.," '93).
Is a good remedy in passive dropsy from visceral obstruction, provided the patient is not debilitated; also in dys pepsia when there is a bitter taste in the mouth, bloating of the stomach after eat ing, and colicky or sharp, cutting, pains in the region of the umbilicus. For bil ious or worm colic it is a very important remedy; likewise in many diseases of the liver. It does good service in chronic diaxrhcca \viten the stools are slimy and attended with sharp cutting pain and distension of the abdomen. It is serv iceable in some cases of dysentery and again in neuralgias of the fifth nerve. Locke (".':1Iat. Med. and Therap.," '95).
In small doses the drug acts as a stomachic, improving the appetite and augmenting the secretion of the whole gastro-intestinal tract; it is also a de cided hepatic stimulant and eholagogue, and useful to produce abundant watery evacuations, as is necessary sometimes in the treatment of hepatic and renal dis eases where there is constipation and ascites. Gastro-intestinal inflammation, pregnancy, etc., contra-indicate its use. Butler ("Text-book of Mat. Med., Therap., and Pharm.," '96).
The drug has been used to cause the disappearance of long.-continued dropsies and fluid effusions, but this employment is not to be recommended. Griffin (Fos ter's "Frac. Therap.," vol. i, '96).