Colocynth

Colocynth, Citrullus Colocynthis, the bitter cucumber, is a member of the order Cucurbitaceae native to Asia, but now widely diffused. There are three preparations of this drug in the British Pharmacopoeia - extractum colocynthidis compositum, dose 2 to 5 gr.; pilula colocynthidis composita, dose 5 to 10 gr.; and pilula colocynthidis et hyoscyami, dose 5 to 10 gr. Colocynth is a useful purgative for occasional use; it is not adapted for those who suffer from habitual constipation. The combination of colocynth and hyoscyamus is particularly valuable, and this pill is perhaps more often prescribed than any other purgative pill in the pharmacopoeia.