The (scraped and dried, B.P.) rhizome of Zingiber officinale. West Indies, India, and other countries.

Characters. - Irregular lobed decorticated pieces, three or four inches long, yellowish-white but not chalky on the surface, with a short mealy fracture, hot taste, and agreeable aroma. Powder yellowish-white.

Preparations.

B.P.

Dose.

Confection Opii ..............................................................................

5-20 gr.

,, Scammonii .................................................................

10-30 gr.

Infusum Sennae ..............................................................................

1-2 fl. oz.

Pilula Scillae Composita (vide p. 523)..............................................

5-10 gr.

Pulvis Cinnamomi Compositus .......................................................

30-60 gr.

,, Jalapae ,, .......................................................

20-60 gr.

,, Opii ,, ......................................................

2-5 gr.

,, Rhei ,, .....................................................

20-60 gr.

,, Scammonii ,, ......................................................

10-20 gr.

Syrupus Zingiberis .......................................................................

1/2-1 fl. dr.

Tinctura ,, .......................................................................

15 min.-l fl. dr.

,, ,, Fortior ..........................................................

5-20 min.

Vinum Aloes ..................................................................................

1-2 fl. dr.

U.S.P.

Extractum Zingiberis Fluidum ........................................................

10-30 min.

Olesresina ,, ......................................................................

1-2 min.

Pulvis Aromaticus ...........................................................................

10-30 gr.

,, Rhei Compositus .................................................................

30-60 gr.

Syrupus Zingiberis .........................................................................

1 fl. dr.

Tinctura ,, .........................................................................

15-75 min.

Vinum Aloes ..................................................................................

1-2 fl. dr.

Composition. - A yellow volatile oil and a resin, the former having the odour, and the latter the taste, of the drug.

Action. - Ginger causes a feeling of warmth in the mouth, and reflexly stimulates the secretion of saliva. It has a stimulant action on the stomach, producing warmth at the epigastrium. It promotes the expulsion of flatus.

Uses. - It is used in atonic dyspepsia, also to relieve flatulence, and as an adjunct to purgatives to lessen griping. It is also used as a masticatory to increase secretion of saliva, and in relaxed conditions of the throat. Also used as a carminative in colic.