Dose  (of  the  corms),  2  to  8  or  9  gr. ;  (of
the  seeds),  2  to  7  gr.,  made  into  a  pill  or  bolus
with  syrup  or  conserve;  chiefly,  as  a  specific  in
gout,  to  alleviate  or  check  the  paroxysm.  This
drug  forms  the  base  of  almost  all  the  adver-
tised gout  nostrums.  It  is,  however,  an  active
poison,  and  its  administration  requires  care.
"  After  all  th«t  has  been  said  respecting  col-
chicum  in  gout,  and  admitting  that  it  rarely
fails  to  allay  pain  and  check  a  paroxysm,  I
would  record  my  opinion  that  he  who  would
wish  to  arrive  at  a  good  old  age  should  eschew
it  as  an  ordinary  remedy,  and  consider  that  he
is  drawing  on  his  constitution  for  a  temporary
relief,  with  a  certainty  of  becoming  prema-
turely bankrupt  in  his  vital  energies."  (Col-
lier.)

Antidote!.    An    emetic    consisting  of   one


488


COIiCOTHAE— COLIC


scruple  of  sulphate  of  zinc  dissolved  in  water,
followed  by  a  brisk  dose  of  castor  oil,  then
stimulants,  and  also  charcoal.
COL'COTHAE.      See  Oxides  ob  Ieon.
COLS.  Sj/n.  Pbi'gus,  L.  The  privation  of
heat.  The  term  is  also  applied  to  the  sensa-
tion and  effects  which  this  privation  produces.
