COLCHICUM, korchi-kinn, a genus of herbs of the family. Liliaceie. About 30 species, natives of the Mediterranean region, have been described. They are nearly all autumn-bloom ing perennial plants which produce their leaves in spring from corrns. The perianth, which re sembles but is much larger than that of the crocus, is long and tubular, and varies in color from white to purple (in one species yellow). The leaves, which are broad and long in propor tion to the size of the plants, die in early sum mer, and the flowers appear when nature is preparing for the winter. For this reason the autumn-blooming species are very popular in gardens. They are of easiest culture, the bulbs being planted in late summer and protected in severe climates with a winter mulch of litter or straw, which is removed in the spring. Beds once planted will need no further attention for several years, when they should be dug up, the corms divided and set in fresh soil in a sunny situation. The plants of some species are very acrid and are reputed poisonous, and when cattle have access to them are said to produce injuries of various kinds. The corms and the
seeds have been used in medicine for gout and rheumatism. C. autumnak, the best-known species, is popularly known as meadow saffron and autumn crocus, names also given to other species.
In medicine the corm and seeds of Colchicum autumnale are used. Colchicum has in medicine but one use; that is, in attacks of acute gout These it cuts short, relieving the pain and short ening the attack better than any other drug. The reasons for this are at present unknown, and the remedy is one of the few now remaining in modern medicine that are still used on em pirical grounds only. Poisoning by this drug is not uncommon. The symptoms are those ot an acrid gastro-enteric poison, with great pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. There is marked depression of the pulse and of the respiration, and death is due to shock and collapse. Wash ing of the stomach is the first indication for treatment, notwithstanding the self-conserva tive vomiting. Castor oil, heat, alcohol and mucilaginous drinks are indicated.