=Colchicina (Colchicina), Colchicine, U.S.P.=--An alkaloid obtained from colchicum.
Pale yellow, odorless scales or powder. Freely soluble in alcohol, soluble in water (1:22) and slightly soluble in ether (1:220).
ACTION AND USES: Same as those of colchicum corm.
=COLLODIA, COLLODIONS.=--Collodions are solutions of pyroxylin or soluble gun cotton with medicinal agents, for external application. For the official collodions see under the names of the principal ingredients. In particular, for Collodium, see under =Pyroxylin=; for Collodium Flexible, under =Oleum Ricini=; and for Collodium Stypticum, under =Acidum Tannicum=.
=*Colocynthis (Colocyn.), Colocynth, U.S.P.= (Colocynth Pulp, Bitter Apple, Colocynth Apple).
ACTION AND USES: A powerful irritant hydragogue cathartic. Because of its drastic nature it is rarely used alone. The various compound pills listed below are needlessly complex and therefore irrational. Because of their irritant character, they are especially unsuited for continued use.
_*Extractum Colocynthidis (Ext. Colocynth.), Extract of Colocynth, U.S.P._ (Powdered Extract of Colocynth).--One Gm. of extract represents 4 Gm. of colocynth.
_*Extractum Colocynthidis Compositum (Ext. Colocynth. Co.), Compound Extract of Colocynth, U.S.P._ (Powdered Compound Extract of Colocynth).--Extract of colocynth (16%), aloes (50%), resin of scammony (14%), cardamom seed and soap.
_Pilulae Catharticae Compositae (Pil. Cathart. Co.), Compound Cathartic Pills, U.S.P._--Each pill contains compound extract of colocynth (0.08 Gm. or 1-1/3 grains), mild mercurous chloride (0.06 Gm. or 1 grain), resin of jalap (0.02 Gm. or 1/3 grain) and gamboge (0.015 Gm. or 1/4 grain).
_Pilulae Catharticae Vegetabiles (Pil. Cathart. Veget.), Vegetable Cathartic Pills, N.F._--Each pill contains compound extract of colocynth (0.06 Gm. or 1 grain), extract of hyoscyamus (0.03 Gm. or 1/2 grain), resin of jalap (0.02 Gm. or 1/3 grain), extract of leptandra and resin of podophyllum (each 0.015 Gm. or 1/4 grain) with oil of peppermint.
_Pilulae Colocynthidis Compositae (Pil. Colocynth. Co.), Compound Pills of Colocynth, N.F._ (Pilulae Cocciae, Cochia Pills).--Each pill contains extract of colocynth (0.011 Gm. or 1/6 grain), aloes and resin of scammony (each 0.13 Gm. or 2 grains), with oil of clove.