315. Kamala.—Rottlera.
315. KAMALA.—ROTTLERA. The glands and hairs from the capsule of Mallo'tus philippinen'sis Mueller Arg. Official U.S.P. 1890. A brick-red, mobile, finely granular powder, almost odorless and tasteless, with a gritty feeling between the teeth; excessive grittiness, however, indicates a probable adulteration with earthy matter, which may be detected by floating it in water. It is inflammable, flashing up like gunpowder, with a red flame. Under the microscope the powder is seen to consist of depressed globular, transparent sacs, containing numerous red, hood-shaped vesicles, and mixed with colorless hairs. Almost insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol, imparting a deep red color to the solution, from which water throws down a resinous precipitate. Flemingia rhodocarpa Baker or Warrus, a leguminous plant indigenous to Eastern Africa, has been employed as substitute. The powder is coarser than kamala, is deep purple, in a water-bath becomes black, and has a slight odor. The glands are cylindrical or subconical. Constituents: Resins (supposed to be the active principle) and resinous coloring matters, one of which has been isolated and termed rottlerin, C22H20O6. Vermifuge. Dose: 1 to 2 dr. (4 to 8 Gm.).
Preparation of Rottlerin.—Obtained by exhausting with ether or carbon disulphide, evaporating and crystallizing; occurs in yellowish needles; soluble in hot alcohol, ether, benzene, or carbon disulphide; changes on exposure.
