ACTION AND USES: Prompt and fairly active hypnotic and sedative devoid of serious side-effects.
DOSAGE: 2 Cc. or 30 minims (U.S.P.). Best administered with cracked ice or ice-cold liquids.
=Pareira (Pareira), Pareira, N.F.= (Pareira Brava).--Roots.
_Fluidextractum Pareirae (Fldext. Pareir.), Fluidextract of Pareira, N.F._--Pareira (100%). Absolute alcohol content about 40 per cent.
=Passiflora (Passiflor.), Passion Flower, N.F.= (Passion Vine).--Dried herbage.
ACTION AND USES: Exploited by manufacturers of proprietary remedies for the treatment of insomnia, but probably inert.
_Tinctura Passiflorae (Tr. Passiflor.), Tincture of Passion Flower, N.F._--Passion flower (20%), in diluted alcohol. Absolute alcohol content about 45 per cent.
=PASTAE DERMATOLOGICAE, DERMATOLOGIC PASTES.=--Dermatologic pastes are medicaments for external use. They are ointment-like mixtures containing starch or dextrin with glycerin, soft soap, petrolatum or lard mixed with some active medicinal agent. For the official dermatologic pastes see under the names of the principal constituents.
=*Pelletierinae Tannas (Pellet. Tann.), Pelletierine Tannate, U.S.P.=--A mixture of alkaloids from pomegranate.
A light yellow, odorless powder with an astringent taste. Slightly soluble in water (1:240) and soluble in alcohol (1:16).
ACTION AND USES: Anthelmintic and teniafuge.
DOSAGE: 0.25 Gm. or 4 grains (U.S.P.). May be administered suspended in water. Should be given on an empty stomach followed after one or two hours by brisk purging. Not more than 0.3 Gm. or 5 grains should be given.
=Pepo (Pepo), Pepo, U.S.P.= (Pumpkin Seed).
ACTION AND USES: Domestic anthelmintic; probably inefficient.
=*Pepsinum (Pepsin.), Pepsin, U.S.P.=--Contains a proteolytic ferment or enzyme from the stomach of the hog.
White or yellowish scales, grains, or powder, having a slightly acid or saline taste and no offensive odor. Soluble in water (1:50); nearly insoluble in alcohol. Digests 3000 times its own weight of coagulated egg albumen.
ACTION AND USES: Used to assist in the gastric digestion of proteins. Usually superfluous, since gastric juice generally contains sufficient pepsin to perform gastric digestion. The alcohol of the elixirs and wines may be distinctly harmful in gastric disorders, while the other ingredients of the many complex mixtures need be prescribed only when direct indications for them exist. Many of these mixtures are irrational.