Chrysophanicum acidum

Volume III — Main text

Acidum ChryBOphanicnill. — An organic acid derived from Rheum and some lichens, Ci^HjqO^.

1. Provings, — i. Schroff administered Chr. acid (obtained from the lichen called Parmelia parietina) in a dose of 8 gr. ; this was followed by eructation of wind and repeated semi-liquid stools, which commenced 24 h. after the dose was swallowed, and continued to recur for 5 d., during which period there were also observed loss of appetite, fulness of head, giddiness, and dull depression. (Other observers have had negative results from such doses as regards intestinal tract.) (Phillips, op. cit.)

2. Mr. AsHBURTON Thompson experimented with " Chrysarobin," by which name he designates the *' Goa powder," — *' a substance found deposited in the wood ol the trunk of Andira araroba" (Brunton) ; and which (he states) contains 80 — 84 per cent, of Chrysophanic acid.

a. On reaching a dose of 6 gr. he experienced, after 4 h., nausea, accompanied and followed by sensations of disturbance in bowels^ and even an abortive attempt at vomiting ; then relief from all the symptoms. After 20 h. a loose stool followed.

b. His brother, having dined at 7, at 8.30 took 8 gr. in pill. Vomiting occurred after 2 h., and recurred after 3^ h., waking him from sleep.

c. He now gave it to 30 children and 60 adults, and found that in doses of 6 or more gr. for the former, of 25 gr. for the latter, it is an emetic purge, neither the vomiting being accompanied with depression nor the purging with griping.

d. He next experimented with Chrysophanic acid itself on 116 persons of all ages and both sexes, and found its action similar to that of Chrysarobin, save that if the dose be small Chrysarobin is most likely to purge alone, while the acid is most likely to cause vomiting only. It (the acid) is very uncertain in its action on children of less than 4 or 5. Whatever the condition of the patient, it causes the evacuation, one way or the other, of large quantities of bile.

t. The resin of Chrysarobin was then tested, and found to act similarly^ but much more powerfully, so that 2 or 3 gr. are a full dose. {Brit, Mid, Joum.y 1877, i, 607.)