ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE — TO PLANTS INDIGENOUS TO AND NATURALIZED IN THE UNITED STATES. / WHICH ARE USED IN MEDICINE |-- THEIR: DESCRIPTION ORIGIN HISTORY PREPARATION CHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS FULLY — a bg ‘WITH THE PROPERTIES OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MEDICINA “OF OTHER COUNTRIES THUS GIVING INFORMATION UPON OVER ONE THOUSAND “MEDICINAL w Botanist and Artist — \ . é 4 : e f a JOHN HILL MILLSPAUGH PAGER! oo ge Eee ie MY BELOVED FATHER” : oe B : _ TO WHOM I AM INDEBTED FOR WHATEVER I MAY POSSESS = Se OF ART IN DRAWING AND COLORING oye ‘ ; ; ; MWe POATES 6 as |GRATEFULLY DEDICATED — LAINAENTS VOLUME I PAGE ‘ PREFACE ay aah en peor A> ie Ca eamminrs age 1x List oF THE NaTuRAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE PLANTS. .... =... Xiii Fuit-Pace CoLorep PLaTEs wiTH DEscRIPTIVE TEXT TO EACH PLATE . I to 99 VOLUME II Fut_-PacE CoLoRED PLATES WITH DESCRIPTIVE TEXT TO EACH PLATE . 100 to 180 APPENDIX CRDSSARY 5. Ru Se ee ge ar a) 2 Bipttoceeray 2 a a a ee a es BibniOGRAPHICAL IRDES 6 i580 See I Gents GO ee er ee, ag Mee aeiiG GO ye oe a es ee oP BF lence oe Pemicn COMMON NAMES 2 a ee ee a A ae 8 Apeions sup CouRiCuONS <5 6 ee te a Fe TS vil PALEAGE IN preparing for the use of students of materia medica this systematic account of Medicinal Plants in the order of their botanical classification, the Publishers desire to call attention to its important features, and explanation of arrangement, which they believe will show it to be one of the best works of the kind ever prepared, and offered for the use and benefit of the profession. The work occupied over five years of continuous labor, in addition to many years of preparatory work, on the part of the careful and talented author, who besides being a physician, is well known as an accomplished botanist, and artist, and the fact that the coloring and drawings are by his own hand is a sufficient guarantee of their accuracy. The study of botany for medical remedies, or any other purpose, wzthout colored plates would be like the study of osteology without bones, or the study of geography without maps. However comprehensive or practical a text-book may be, its verbal description cannot compare in value with a sight of the thing described, or what is next best, its faithful representation. The following are some of the features and arrangement referred to, viz.: 1°, The 180 beautifully coLorED FULL-PAGE plates, embodying over 1000 minor drawings, illustrating the root, stem, leaves, calyx, flower, corolla, stamen, filament, anther, ovary, fruit, seed, etc., are all made to a mechanical scale, and drawn from the plants as they stood in the soil, by the author, the coloring is ~atura/, without regard to artistic beauty or pleasing fancy, executed from fresh living individual plants, selected with especial reference to typical features, propitious soil, and natural localities, in which he was aided, by po wiamee botanists. 2°. The plants are culeiped in the work in their NATURAL ORDER, given in prominent type, and under the first plant of each order the order itself being described, and the properties of most of the medicinal plants of other countries of the world coming under such order men- moned, Bares giving information ze over ONE oo Meprcwat ee 3°. Then plows the ‘Tere, —should the order a large one, to give a cor- a ‘rect idea of its place. ae Then the Cac is mentioned in black-faced type, oi foot-notes, show: oe mee ae wherever peg the derivation of the name. 7 PREFACE . Then the name of the Boranist who classified it, and lastly, in this depart- ment is given the old, or sexual, arrangement according to Linnzus. 6°. All of this is considered essential, as it is conceded that plants of like botanical, and therefore chemical, nature, have a similar action, giving a class of what we may term generic symptoms, though each has its special (specific) symptoms that characterize it, It is for this reason that the plants here treated of are arranged as above ; for, if alpha- betically arranged, the work would have lost at least one-half its value. 7°, Then follows the BoranicaL and common names. 8°. Then the Synonymy which follows has become necessary, as most species, unfortunately, have received more than one name, resulting mostly from two causes: first, that of different views held concerning ‘the limits of the genera and species; and, second, from an unavoidable ignorance in the discoverer, in a given locality, of the previous discovery of the plant in another. The descriptive binominal system, invented by Linnzeus in 1753, is the earliest date any such names can have, though many plants had been quite fully described before that time. It becomes, therefore, quite a necessity in all botanical works that full mention of aliases should be made, to render reference to earlier writers satisfactory. The Common Names in the English, French and German languages, under which the plant is known in different localities and countries. 9°. Then follows a Description of the plant, which is condensed even at a sacrifice of grammatical construction, using botanical terms freely, but not unreservedly; where several species of a genus occur in sequence, the genus is separately described to avoid repetition, and under the first genus of any order the natural order itself is described in brief. 5 ee. Then the origin of the plant, its geographical distribution throughout the __- United States, its favorite locations and time of flowering; this is fol- lowed by a concise history of the species, and fully. describes the uses of the plant for Medicinal purposes, from the earliest known period, _ according to the Aborigines, and all schools of ioe me” in Medicine. | “Then follows, a y Pr “mention of the: part. tibed: ‘and the various. "preparations ral pharmacopeeias, which are, chiefly according to the st revision, (6th) of the “United States P Pharmacopceia,” es Ame can Homeopathic Pharmacopeeia.” “Tier description: of a the ‘physical | properties is, however, origina and of great Value. Then the ‘Chemica Consrirvents: or nature of the plants. 13". The "Pargocical. action “of abe Se is described symptomatically, o cases of actual toxic =e are duly peated an its ane ba: also. very oe full in Le oma : pee att - PREFACE x1 It contains a Grossary of botanical names. 15°. A Bibliography, and Bibliographical Index to the works consulted in general, amongst which the following are only a few of those con- sulted, viz.: Drs. Robert Bentley, F.L.S., and Henry Trimen, M.B., F.L.S., “Medicinal Plants,’ London. Dr. Wm. P. C. Barton, “Vegetable Materia Medica of the United States.” Dr. Jacob Bigelow’s “American Medical Botany.” Drs. Friedrich A. Fliickiger and David Hambury, F.L.S., “Pharmacographia,’—a history of drugs of vegetable origin met with in Great Britain and India.. Dr. Wm. Woodville, “Aedical Botany,” London. The “American Homeopathic Pharmacopeia.” The “Pharmacopeia of the United States.” Dr. G. Spratt’s “Medicinal Plants,” admitted into the London, Edinburgh and Dublin Pharmacopeeias. “ew Flomeopathic Pharmacopeia” of Buchner and Gruner. Dr. Asa Gray’s “Flora of North America,” and “Genera of the Plants of the United States.” John Lindley’s, Ph. D., F.R.S., “Hora Medica,” London. 16°. A carefully prepared Generat INpEx is given in order to render it easy _ of consultation, whereby any plate, reference or subject matter thereto can be quickly found. 17°. Also a Tuerapeutic INDEx showing the use of remedies for the cure of disease, a very practical and valuable feature of the work, and one that will be found of great assistance to physicians, pharmacists and chemists. 8°. And INDEXES OF Common Names of the Plants in both the French, and German languages, whereby they can be easily found in the work, by the names they are known in those countries. 19°. In conclusion, Tue AvuTHOoR says:—I offer my thanks to many who have kindly contributed to whatever success this work may attain. To the | many authors from whose books, pamphlets, and articles I have drawn, — text will in all cases be found satisfactory. To the late Professor Asa Gray, who, in disinterested kindness, allowed me _ the unreserved — use of his many most valuable works on our American Flora, my _ special consideration is due. To the following botanists who willingly se ae can but generally acknowledge: Mr. J. H. Sears, Salem, Mass.; a : , Elmira, N. Y.; Mr. F. V. Coville, Ithaca, N. Y.; Mr; = , Landisville, N. J.; Mr. J. A. Shafer, Pittsburgh, Pa; Miss -— Cuthbert, Augusta, Ga.; Messrs. J. U. and C. G. Lloyd, eas oo 1 i, On; Mr. James Galen, Rawlinsville, Pa.; Miss M. sy Reynolds, ae Se Augustine, », Fla.; Dr. Thos. M. Wood, Wilmington, N. C.; Rev. E. V. ; 7 Cloud, Mi ine; and Mm: A. B. se Nae ert Mil. I must generalize my obligation, hoping that personal references in the _ lent their aid in procuring many species not growing near my locations, _ = NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE PLANTS INCLUDED IN THIS WORK. DicotyLEDONOUS PHA:NOGAMS. RANUNCULACEZ. Anemonee. Anemone patens, var Nuttal- liana, I Anemone triloba, 2 Ranunculee, Ranunculus sceleratus, 3 repens, 4 bulbosus, 5 acris, 6 fTelleborinee. Caltha palustris, 7 _ Helleborus viridis, 8 Cimictfugea. Hydrastis Canadensis, 9 4 Actza alba, Io Cimicifuga racemosa, I1 MAGNOLIACEZ. Magnolia glauca, 12 ANONACEZ. Asimina triloba, 13 M ENISPERMACEZ. Meniapermane Comets: 14 . BERBERIDACEA®. - Berberis vulgaris, 15 - Caulophyllum: talitrides, 1 16 2 — pelteram, bee | NYMPHACEZ. — = Nymphsea odorata, 13 3 PAPAVERACE-. Argemone Mexicana, 20 Chelidonium majus, 21 Sanguinaria Canadensis, 22 - CRUCIFERE. Brassicea. Brassica alba, 23 nigra, 24 Lepidinea. Capsella Bursa-pastoris, 25 Raphanee. Raphanus Riicetoan: 26. | VIOLACEZ. ' Viola tricolor, 27 ) CISTACEZ. Helianthemum Canadense, 28 DROSERACE. Drosera rotundifolia, 29 HYPERICACEZ. Hypericum perforatum, 3° _ CARYOPHYLLACE.— oo Githago, 31 GE RAN IACEA. Geranium maculatum, 33 "RUTACEZ. ae Genistea. oe | “Trifolica. _Xanthoxylum Americanom, aah SIMARUBACEA.: Ailantus glandulosus, 35 ANACARDIACEZ. Rhus glabra, 36 venenata, 37 Toxicodendron, 38 aromatica, 39 ~ VITACER, Ampelopsis quinquefolia, 40. -RHAMNACEZ. Rhamnus catharticus, 41_ CELASTRACEZ. | Euonymus atropurpureus, 42 -SAPINDACE. | Asculus Hippocastanum, 43 — 44 . _ POLYGALACEZ. pare ities 45 eee - Genista tinct Trifolium: pratense, eG repens, 48° ate Melilotus officinalis, . 49 alba, nice Galegea. aS ee Pseud . XIV Phaseolee. Phaseolus vulgaris, 51 Sophoree. Baptisia tinctoria, 52 Cesalpinee. Gymnocladus Canadensis, 53 ROSACEZ. Dryadee. Geum rivale, 54 Fragaria vesca, 55 Pomee. ; Pirus Americana, 56 CRASSULACEZ. Penthorum sedoides, 57 HAMAMELACE&. -Hamamelis Virginica, 58 _ ONAGRACEZ. ‘ Epilobium palustre, var. lineare, RUBIACE.,. Cinchonee. Cephalanthus occidentalis, 76 Mitchella repens, 77 COMPOSIT#. TUBULIFLOR&. Eupatoriacee. Eupatorium purpureum, 78 perfoliatum, 79 Asteroidea. Erigeron Canadense, 80 Inula Helenium, 81 Senecionidee. Ambrosia artemisizfolia, 82 Helianthus annuus, 83 Anthemis nobilis, 84 Achillea Millefolium, 85 Tanacetum vulgare, 86 Artemisia vulgaris, 87 . absinthium, 88 Gaaphalium polycephalum, 89 Erechthites hieracifolia, go Senecio aureus, gT . Cynaree. -Lappa officinalis, 92 _ LIGULIFLOR. Cichorium Intybus, 93 Prenanthes serpentaria, 94 | Taraxacum, Dens-leonis, 95 -Lactuca Canadensis, 96 NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE PLANTS. PLANTAGINACE, Plantago major, 107 PRIMULACEZ. Anagallis arvensis, 108 BIGNONIACE. Catalpa bignonioides, 109 SCROPHULARIACEZ. Verbascee. Verbascum Thapsus, 110 Antirrhinee. Linaria vulgaris, 111 Chelonee. Sgrophularia nodosa, 112 Chelone glabra, 113 _ Veronicee. Veronica Virginica, 114 LEuphrasice. Euphrasia officinalis, 115 LABIATH. Saturiea. _ Mentha piperita, 1167 _ Lycopus Virginicus, 117 Hedeoma pulegioides, 118 — Collinsonia Canadensis, rIg Stachydea. Scutellaria ateriflora 20 ‘Lamium a, NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE LOGANIACES. Gelsemium sempervirens, 130 Spigelia Marilandica, 131 APOCYNACEZ. Apocynum androsemifolium, 132 Apocynum cannabinum, 133 ASCLEPIADACE. Asclepias cornuti, 134 tuberosa, 135 OLEACEZ. Chionanthus Virginica, 136 Fraxinus Americana, 137 ARISTOLOCHIACE. Aristolochia Serpentaria, 138 PHYTOLACCACEZ. Phytolacca decandra, 139 CHENOPODIACEZ. Chenopodium album, © var. anthelminticum, 140° POLYGONACEZ. Polygonum acre, 141 Fagopyrum esculentum, 142 Rumex crispus, 143 obtusifolius, 144 LAURACE., Lindera Benzoin, 145 THYMELEACEZ. Dirca palustris, 146 EUPHORBIACE. Appendiculate. Euphorbia hypericifolia, 147 : corollata, 148 Lxappendiculate. Ipecacuanhee, 149 Lathyris, 150 —— sylvatica, 151 _URTICACE, Vimace. Celtis occidentalis, 152 Orica: Urtica urens, 153 PLANTS. Cannabinee. . Cannabis sativa, 154 Humulus Lupulus, 155 JUGLANDACE&. Juglans cinerea, 156 Carya alba, 1 57 CUPULIFERZ. Castanea vesca, var. Americana, I 58 Ostrya Virginica, 159 ‘MYRICACE2. Myrica cerifera, 160 SALICACEZ. Salix purpurea, 161 Riese tremuloides, 162 CONIFERA. Abictinee. Abies: nigra, 5. . “Canaensy 164 XV PIS TES 4 2 166. SERIES Plants producing true flowers and seeds. G TU .ad natdelet pimt © ANEMONE PATENS, var. NUTTALLIANA, Gray. N. ORD.-RANUNCULACE&. 1 GENUS.--ANEMON E,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—POLYANDRIA POLYGNIA. Pui PILE A NOUPTALLIANA. PASQUE FLOWER. SYN.— ANEMONE PATENS, VAR. NUTTALLIANA, GRAY; ANEMONE NUTTALLIANA, D. C.; ANEMONE LUDOVICIANA, NUTT.; ANE- MONE FLAVESCENS, ZUCC.; CLEMATIS HIRSUTISSIMA, POIR; PULSATILLA PATENS, GRAY; PULSATILLA PATENS VAR.; WOLF- GANGIANA, TRAUVT; PULSATILLA NUTTALLIANA, GRAY. COM. NAMES.—PASQUE FLOWER (CROCUS, MAY FLOWER, PRAIRIE FLOWER, AMERICAN PULSATILLA, HARTSHORN PLANT, GOSLIN- WEED). A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH PLANT, ANEMONE PATENS, VAR. NUTTALLIANA, GRAY. © Description.—This beautiful prairie flower grows to a height of from 4 to 10 inches, from a branched perennial voot. Stem erect and hairy, encircled near the flower by a many-cleft, silky-haired zzvo/ucre, composed of numerous linnear, acute lobes, which form the true stem-leaves. Leaves upon long hairy petioles, rising more or less erect from the rootstock; they are ternately divided, the lateral divisions sessile and deeply 2-cleft, the central stalked and 3-cleft; all the seg- ments deeply incised into narrow, linnear, acute lobes, smooth above and hairy beneath. /nflorescence a conspicuous, terminal, villous, light purplish-blue flower, fully developed and fertilized before the appearance of the true leaves. Sepals generally 5, at first incumbent, then spreading, answering to petals in appearance ; villous upon their outer surface. /efa/s.wanting, or replaced by minute glandu- lar bodies, resembling abortive stamens. Stamens innumerable, in a dense cir- clet surrounding the pistils ; filaments slender; anthers extrose, 2-celled; pollen with three longitudinal, deep sulci. /%st:/s numerous, in a dense cluster, separate, hairy ; sty/e long and slender, with a somewhat recurved summit; stigma indefinate. Fruit a plumose head, similar to that of Clematis; carpels 1-seeded, with long feathery tails, composed of the lengthened, persistent, hairy styles. Seeds sus- pended. Ranunculaceee.—This natural order is composed of herbs and woody climbers. * Aveyos, anemos, the wind. So named upon the supposition that the flowers of this genus only opened when the wind was blowing. . 1-2 Its genera are various, but easily distinguishable by the acrid juice prevailing to a greater or lesser extent in all species, and by the disconnection of the parts of its flowers. The tribes vary greatly in regard to the sefa/s; in some they are want- ing, and replaced by petal-like organs; in others, very fugacious; while in one only, in this country, are they present in the mature flower. The stamens are numerous, furnished with short anthers, The fruit varies from a dry pod to a fleshy berry; the ovu/es are anatropous, so distinguished by the dorsal rhaphe when suspended; the seeds have a minute embryo, invested with fleshy albumen. The leaves are usually palmately, and generally ternately, divided, and are desti- tute of stipules. This family of plants, many of which are poisonous, contains, beside those treated of in this work, the following species of special interest to us: Clematis erecta, Helleborus niger, Delphinium Staphisagria, Aconitum napel- lus, cammarum, ferox, and lycoctonum, and Paonta officinalis. History and Habitat.—The American pasque flower is found in abundance upon the prairies from Wisconsin northward, and westward to the Rocky Moun- tains, flowering from March to April. Lieberg says* that in Eastern Dakota this plant attains a luxuriance of growth never met with farther east, and that it wholly disappears west of the Missouri. Its habit of being in flower about Easter- t.de gave it the principal distinguishing name, “ Pasque flower;” its peculiar effect upon the nose and eyes when crushed between the fingers gave it another, but local, appellation, “ Hartshorn plant ;”+ and the silky-hariness of the involucre and newly-appearing leaves caused the children in localities to term it “ Goslin weed.” The U. S. Ph. allows the use of this species under the drug Pulsatilla, with or in place of Herba Pulsatille nigricants. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole, fresh, flowering plant is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After thorough mixture the whole is allowed to stand eight days in a well-stoppered bottle. The tincture thus prepared, after straining and filtering, should have a light seal-brown color by —— eee an acrid astringent ume and a decidedly acid reaction. | CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—I am unable to (aid any ae upon this spe- cies. It is said to have been found similar to its European relative, Anemone : ——— which, together with Anemone nemorosa and pratensis ae contains ee Adiaabate, C,,H,,0,.— This say rors’ in lortees klinorhombic prisms, 4 herd an aqueous distillate af the herb when the volatile oil i is present. When dry it has a sharp and burning taste and neutral reaction. It softens at 1 so" (302 O° F), and soon decomposes; it dissolves in hot water and alcohe, Beery also in cold. Anemonic Acid, C,,H,,O,—This diner abies white: pater separates from the aqueous distillate fogs ies with the above and under he. same circumstances. * Bot. Gaz., 1884, p. 104, sie ihe ap ta 1-3 It is a tasteless acid, insoluble in water, alcohol, ether, oils, and dilute acids, but enters into combination with alkalies. (Wittstein.) Oil of Anemone.—This acrid yellow oil separates from the aqueous infusion of the plant, and, owing to the presence of the water, soon breaks down into the bodies mentioned above. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The following represents the general action of the tincture when taken in moderate doses, as reported by Drs. Burk, Duncan, and Wesselhoeft: Profuse lacrymation, with smarting and burning of the eyes, mouth, and throat, followed by mucoid discharges; sharp pains about the stomach and bowels, with rumbling of flatus; pressure in the region of the stomach as from a weight; frequent urging to urinate, with an increased secretion; a tickling in the throat and constant inclination to cough; rheumatic pains, especially in the thighs, with erysipeloid eruptions, especially about the limbs; heat and feverish- ness, with great debility. The action of this drug will be seen to be very like that of Herba Pulsatille nigricants, differing mostly in a less intense action. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 1, 1. Whole plant, from St. Cloud, Minn.,* April 24th, 1884. 2. Full-grown leaf in outline. 3. Sexual organs. 4. Receptacle. 5. Pistil (enlarged), 6. Stamen (enlarged). 7. Pollen x 380. 8. Ripe carpel. g. Fruit. * One of a number of typical living plants, sent me, with their natural soil intact, by Rev, E. V. Campbell, through whose kindness I also procured the full-grown leaf and ripe fruit, | c = pow | = oO el ~< a. lal en lal = a) = Lal a ‘. whose rings showed a growth of 150 years. 42-2 The only other proven drug of this order is the Asiatic Star-anise (///ictum anisatum, Linn.), an aromatic and carminative, often substituted in general practice for the true Aniseed, the fruit of an umbelliferous plant. The South American Winter’s Bark, from Wintera aromatica, Murr., is used in Brazil as an aromatic tonic, especially though in colic. The North American Tilicium floridanum, Ellis, is reputed to have an action similar to that of aromatic tonics in general; and the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera, Linn.) yields a bark that is at once bitter and aromatic, much valued as a stimulating tonic and diaphoretic in intermittents and chronic rheumatism; it should be proven. The Javanese Aromadendron elegans has a native reputation as a carminative, stomachic, and antihysteric; and the wood of Manglietia glauca is supposed to be antiputrefactive, therefore it is used by the inhabitants of the island for the manufacture of coffins. Several other genera furnish aromatic and bitter tonic barks, many of which are used by the natives of the countries in which they grow. History and Habitat.—The Sweet Magnolia is indigenous to North America, from Cape Ann and Long Island southward. At first it keeps to the seaboard, but gradually extends inland the farther south it is found. It grows in swamps, and expands its fragrant flowers from May (southward) to June and August. The use of the fresh bark, cones, and seeds of this species, together with those of M. grandiflora, acuminata, tripetala, and macrophylla, has descended to the laity and general practitioner from the Aborigines, who employed a warm decoction of the bark and cones extensively against rheumatism, and a cold infu- sion as an antiperiodic. The fresh bark has long been considered as a bitter, aromatic tonic, febrifuge, diaphoretic, antiperiodic and gentle laxative, in acute coryzas, bronchial catarrhs, chronic rheumatism, dyspepsia, remittent and inter- mittent fevers and typhoid states, being deemed contraindicated, however, if inflammation be present. The odor of the cut flowers, especially at night in a close room, is very penetrating, unpleasant, and to some insupportable, causing, in susceptible persons, a great oppression of the chest and vertigo. Dr. Wm. Barton “imputed to the odor the power of increasing the pain of inflammatory gout, and occasioning an exacerbation of a diurnal fever.’* It is thoroughly believed in the South that a growth of magnolias in stagnant waters renders them pure and prevents the generation of malarial poisons. The bark is still officinal in the U. S. Ph. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh flowers are chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, © the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol | added. After stirring the whole well, it is poured into a well-stoppered vial and» allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture thus prepared should, after filtration, have a deep brownish-red color by transmitted light, a pet fume much like the wilted flowers, an acrid and bitter taste, and an acid reaction. * W. P.C, Barton, Med. Bot. loc. cit. 12-3 CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The flowers have not been examined: they probably, however, contain a volatile oil at least. The bark of J/. grandiflora was examined by Dr. Procter,* who found a volatile oil, resin, and a crystalline principle resembling /zvzodendrine. | Magnolin.—This bitter principle was extracted from the fruit of WZ. umbrella by Wallace Procter, 1872, as acicular crystals, having a bitter taste. They are insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and chloroform, melt at 80°-82° (176°- 179.6° F.), and emit white vapors at 125° (257° F.), which condense in oily drops, consisting partly of the original principle and of resin. (Wittstein.) PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The effects of the odor of the flowers, as reported by Drs. Barton. S. A. Jones,t and T. F. Allen,t are: Great uneasiness and oppression of the chest, with an inability to expand the lungs, a feeling as if having swallowed a large bolus of unmasticated food which distressed the stomach, and a tendency to fainting. Showing thus a dilation of the vascular system so commonly following the insufflation of strongly odorous flowers in susceptible persons. Magnolia certainly deserves a careful proving of the fresh bark and flowers; the flowers alone can hardly add to our medicament while we have Cactus grandiflorus. : DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 12. 1. End of a flowering branch, Landisville, N. J., July 3d, 1885. 2. Stamen. 3. Section of a carpel. 4. Fruit. | ‘(2 and 3 enlarged.) * Am. Four. Phar., 1842, p. 89. + Am. Hom, Obs., June, 1875. t Zncyc. Pure Mat. Med, vi., 142. _ ASiMINA TRILOBA, Dunal. 15. N. ORD.-ANONACE. 13 GENUS.—ASIMINA,* ADANS. SEX, SYST.—POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA, ASIMINA TRILOBA. PAWPAW. SYN.—ASIMINA TRILOBA, DUNAL.; ASIMINA CAMPANIFLORA, SPACH.; ANNONA TRILOBA, LINN.; ORCHIDOCARPUM ARIETINUM, MICHX. ; PORCELIA TRILOBA, PERS.; UVARIA TRILOBA, TORR. AND GRAY. COM. NAMES.—PAWPAW, PAPAW,+ AMERICAN CUSTARD-APPLE; (FR.) ASIMINIER; (GER.) DREILAPPIGE ASIMINE. A TINCTURE OF THE RIPE SEEDS OF ASIMINA TRILOBA, DUNAL. Description.—This curious-fruited tree attains a height of from 10 to 30 feet, with about the same diameter of foliage. Bark smooth, grayish. Leaves long, thin, and membraneous, entire, oblong-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, and are covered with a rusty-hairiness upon the nether surface when first expanding, but soon become entirely glabrous. /#florescence solitary in the axils of the previous year’s leaves ; flowers dull purple, appearing with, or just before, the leaves. Sepaés 3, ovate, much shorter than the petals. Veta/s 6, spreading, veiny, rounded-ovate, their upper third more or less recurved; they are arranged in two rows, the outer larger, all enlarging after anthesis. Stamens indefinite, arranged in a globular head, thus concealing the ovaries and styles. ists few, their stigmas projecting beyond the stamens than which they are longer. /vwz¢s 1-4, developed from each flower, they are oblong, rounded, pulpy, several-seeded, and resemble in shape the shorter red bananas. Seeds oval, horizontal, flattish-compressed, and sur- rounded by a fleshy aril. Anonacess.—This chiefly tropical order consists of d¢vees or shrubs having naked buds and aromatic or fetid bark. eaves alternate, entire, pinnate-veined, and usually punctate; stipules wanting. stivation valvular ; flowers large, dull colored. Sepals 3, often connected at the base. Petals 6, thick, arranged in two rows. Zorus rounded, hypogynous; stamens numerous OF indefinite ; filaments very short, sometimes just perceptible; anthers adnate, extrorse ; connectivum fleshy, somewhat quadrangular, often nectariferous. Pistils numerous, crowded, and sometimes coherent, especially in fruit; s¢y/es short or wanting ; s@gmas sim- ple, capitellate. Fut fleshy or pulpy; seeds anatropous, one or more in each Ovary; ées/a brittle ; emdryo basal, minute; a/dumen hard, ruminated. * Asiminier, the name applied by the French Colonists, + This name more properly applies to the West Indian Carica Papaya (Papayacex). 13-2 The plants of this family are not generally considered medicinal, but Blume states that many species of the genera Uvaria, Unona, and Zylopia are employed in Java, but require caution, as they often cause vertigo, hemorrhage, and some- times abortion in pregnant states.* The South American /rutia de Burro (Xylopia longifolia) is termed by Humboldt a valuable fruit, for use as a febrifuge, along the river Orinoco. Piper Aithiopicum is the seed of Habzelia Ethiopica ; another species of the same genus (//. aromatica) being used by the natives of Guiana as a spice. The Jamaica nutmeg (Monodora myristica) is said to be similar to, but not so pungent as, the nutmeg of commerce (Myr7stzca moschata), Jamaica bit- terwood (Xylopia glabra) is considered tonic and stimulant. To the arts this order furnishes Jamaica Lancewood (Guatteria virgata), useful on account of its lightness and elasticity, in the manufacture of coaches, fishing-rods, and bows. Succulent fruits are yielded by Auncna Cherimolia (Cherimoyer),and Anona sgua- mosa (Custard-apple). History and Habitat.—The common pawpaw is indigenous to the central belt of the United States from Western New York to the Mississippi and south- ward, It locates along streams where the soil is rich and frosts late. This small tree is a native, especially of the Ohio valley, where it flowers from March to May, according to the season. It is grown in a protected place in Central Park, New York City, but is not hardy north of Cincinnati. The fruit, when ripe, is soft, sweet, and insipid, having a taste somewhat between that of the May-apple and the banana, tending to the former. It was greatly prized by the aborigines,—who eagerly sought anything edible in the vegetable world—and now is occasionally exposed for sale in city markets. When green they have a very unpleasant odor, and are only fit to eat after having been touched by frost, when they turn from yellowish-green to black, and become internally of the color and consistence of custard.t It is claimed that they improve greatly in size, taste, and succulency upon cultivation. Three other species: 4. grandiflora, A. parviflora, and A. pygmea complete the genus north of Mexico. | The former uses of this plant in medicine are of little or no importance. A tincture of the seed proves emetic; the bark being bitter has been considered tonic and stimulant. The chemical properties and physiological action have never been—to my knowledge—determined. | PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The coarsely powdered, fresh, ripe seeds are covered with five parts by weight of alcohol, and allowed to remain eight days in a well-stoppered bottle in a dark, cool place. The tincture thus prepared is filtered off. It has a clear, pale, canary color by transmitted light; an astringent straw-like taste; an odor somewhat like that of the red raspberry, and a slight acidity. All that is known of the medicinal power of this drug is a proving by Dr. * Lindley, Flor. Med., p. 29, + dem, pp. 27-8, t{ Whence the name “ American Custard-apple.” 13-3 Eisenboeg.* A preparation from the seeds, bark, and green fruit might prove of more utility, and possess greater power of action. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 13. 1, End of a flowering branch (several blossoms missing) from North Bend, Ohio, May rsth, 1884. 2. Calyx and torus, after removal of the stamens, 3. A stamen (enlarged), 4. Pollen x 250. 5. Fruit and full-grown leaf. 6. Seed and opened aril. Drawn from living specimens received from Ohio through the kindness of Mr. R. FI. Warder, son of the late Dr. John A. Warder, President of the American Forestry Association, 1881. * Allen, Zucy. Pure Mat. Med., Vol. 1, p. 498-9. 14. a. men ya net? ora ot tas ae “ 7 Y 48 we ie Gms natdlet pint MENISPERMUM CANADENSE, Linn . N. ORD.—MENISPERMACE®, 14 GENUS.—MENISPERMUM,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—DICECIA POLYANDRIA. MENISPERMUM. YELLOW PARILLA. SYN.—MENISPERMUM CANADENSE, LINN.; M. ANGULATUM, MGN.; M. SMILACINUM, D. C.; CISSAMPELOS SMILACINA, LINN. COM. NAMES.—YELLOW PARILLA, CANADIAN MOONSEED, TEXAS OR YELLOW SARSAPARILLA, MAPLE VINE. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF MENISPERMUM CANADENSE, L. Description.—This perennial climber reaches a length of from 8 to 15 feet. Root cylindrical, long, yellow; stem slender. Leaves ample, peltate, with the inser- tion of the petiole near the base, 3 to 7 lobed or angled; /odes obtuse or more or less acute ; venation palmate, the veins pubescent below; fe/zo/es about the length of the leaves. /izflorescence in long, supra-axillary compound racemes or panicles. Sepals 4 to 8, obovate-oblong, arranged in a double series. Pedals 6 to 8, small, somewhat cuneate, fleshy, with a thickened free margin. Stamens 12 to 20 (in the sterile flowers), as long as the petals; //aments hardly thickened at the summit; anthers innate, 4-celled. Fisti/s 2 to 4 (in the fertile flowers), raised upon a short, common torus, usually perfecting but two drupes; stgmas flattened. Fruit a globose-reniform, black, and stipitate drupe, furnished with a bloom, and retain- ing the mark of the stigma; zé//ef more or less lunate, wrinkled and grooved, laterally flattened ; eméryo slender, horseshoe-shaped ; cotyledons filiform. Menispermaceze.—This goodly-sized family of tropical or sub-tropical, woody climbers, is represented in North America by but 3 genera and 6 species. Leaves alternate, palmate or peltate; s/pules none. Inflorescence in axillary racemes or panicles; flowers small, moncecious, dicecious or polygamous ; estivation imbricate. Sepals arranged in two or more rows, deciduous. eta/s usually equal in number to the sepals, hypogynous. Séamens monadelphous or separate, equal in number to the petals and opposite them, or from 2 to 4 times as many, adnate or innate, com- _ posed of 4 horizontal ovoid lobes arranged tip to base, and opening longitudinally See Fig. 6). istils 3 to 6; ovaries several, united or separate, nearly straight; séigmas apical, but looking downward in fruit on account of the incurving of the ripening ovaries. /7vu/a 1-celled drupe; seeds 1 in each cell; eméryo large, long and curved, surrounded by the albumen ; Poe rere Our only proven plant of this order, beside Menispermum, is t : se = Cocculus Indicus (Axamirta paniculata, Cole), a narcotico-poison, used by the (apparently horizontal. seed; the seed being lunate in shape. * Maun, mene, moon; oréppa, sperma, 14-2 natives to stupefy fish, and supposedly in this country and Europe to give bitter- ness to malt liquors. : Many other species are used in medicine, of which the following hold a more or less permanent place: The Brazilian Pareira brava, the roots of Chonodrodendron tomentosum, R. et P., a tonic and diuretic, considered almost specific in its action upon the mucous wieinbranes of the genito-urinary tract; the Indian Gulancha (Zinospora cordifolia, Miers.), a valuable tonic, antiperiodic and diuretic; the African Columbo (¥ateorhiza Columba, Miers.), a bitter stomachic and mild tonic, often used with good effect in vomiting of pregnancy and atonic dyspepsia; the 3 West-Indian False Pareira brava (C’ssampelos Pareira, Linn.), more often used than the true article for the purposes mentioned. The root of the Crayor and Senegal Cocculus Bakis, Guill. is used by the natives in the treatment of their — intermittents and in urethral discharges; the root of the Cochin-China C. fbraurea, lL). C., is used like the former, and also in various liver affections; C. cimerascens and A. platyphyllus, St. Hil. command the same attention by the Brazilians; while the Javanese use C. créspus, D.C, which is powerfully bitter, in like troubles. Cocculus acuminatus, D. C., is considered alexiteric in Brazil. The Malabar and Ceylon Clypea Burmanni, W. and A., is employed, according to Lindley, in inter- mittents and hepatic disturbances, as well as a remedy against dysentery and hemorrhoids. Czssampelos ovalifolia, D. C., in Brazil, and Abuta rufescens, Aubl., in Guayana are used, like most of the members of this. order, as a remedyas in intermittents and obstruction of the liver. History and Habitat.—The Canadian Moonseed is indigenous to North America, where it is quite common on the banks of streams from Canada south ward to the Carolinas and westward to the Mississippi. ae Our first knowledge of this plant as a remedy was undoubtedly handed down from the Aborigines, who are said by Rafinesque to have used the root in scrofu- losis; the early settlers also found it useful as a diuretic in strangury in horses. Its employment generally by early practitioners has been very similar to that of Sarsaparilla, z. ¢., in mercurial, syphilitic, scrofulous and rh umatic diatheses . also as a laxative ied tonic in general debility, atonic dyspepsi ( lrec orders; and as a remedy in pleural adhesions and i in mmation of mucous mon Deane, and REDE ees now officinal,, In the Eelec . are: Decoctum Menispermi, Menispermi Z, an aida “: 7 = 14-3 The tincture, separated from this mass by filtration, is opaque; in thin layers it has a deep madder-lake color by transmitted light; a bitterish odor; an acid, bitter and astringent taste; and acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Berberina. Prof. J. M. Maisch, who first investigated this root,* found a small quantity of this alkaloid, the nature of which is detailed in the next drug, page 15-2. Healso found a second alkaloid, which was afterward named Menispermine.t—A_ white, amorphous, tasteless alkaloid, insoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform. Menispine.|—This second specific alkaloid, determined by Barber in his analysis, differs in solubility and tests from both oxycanthine§ and menispermine. It resulted as a whitish, amorphous, very bitter powder, slightly soluble in water, ether and chloroform; and very soluble in absolute alcohol. Tincture of iodine gives a dark-red precipitate with ‘this body, and with menispermine, a yellow precipitate. | ; Menispermo-tannic Acid.||—This specific tannin gives a dark-green color with ferric chloride. ; : Two yellowish resins, one soluble in ether, and the general constituents of plants, were also determined. | PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Prof. E. M. Hale’s experiments with from 35 drops upward of a tincture of the root, and various doses of the “resinoid” mevis- permine, resulted as follows: Temporal and occipital headache, with stretching and yawning, and fullness of the head; swollen tongue; salivation; dryness of the buccal mucous membranes and of the throat; nausea; thirst; colic; rectal tenes- mus; scanty, high-colored urine; aching of the extremities; itching of the skin ; restlessness and troubled sleep. esis ‘ Excessive doses cause an increase in the rate and volume of the pulse, and excessive vomiting and purging. The action of the drug is that of an irritant to the nerves governing the alimentary tract, resulting in increased secretions from ie mucous membranes 77 : ae et | PTION OF PLATE 14. » Ithaca, N. Yay June agth, 1885. Gm.u nat delet pinxt BERBERIS VULGARIS, Linn. N. ORD.—-BERBERIDACEZ:. | 45 GENUS.—BERBERIS,* LINN, SEX. SYST.—HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. BERBERIS. BARBERR Y. SYN.—BERBERIS VULGARIS, LINN.; BERBERIS VULGARIS, VAR. CAN- ADENSIS, TORR., SPINA ACIDA; BERBERIS DUMETORUM, RAII. COM. NAMES.—_COMMON BARBERRY, BERBERRY; (FR.) EPINE-VINETTE; (GER.) SAURDORN. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT BARK OF BERBERIS VULGARIS, LINN. Description.—This attractive bushy shrub grows to a height of from 3 to 8 ~ feet: the stem-wood, inner-bark and pith are yellow. eaves inversely egg-shaped, short-petioled, closely serrate, and bristly-toothed. Occurring either singly or in a dense fascicle above the spines, they are of a cold-green color and very acid ; spines triple, branched or sometimes simple, minutely maculate and surrounded by the rosette of leaves. nflorescence long, drooping, many-flowered racemes, of pale yellow flowers. Bractlets 2 to 6, situate about the base of the calyx. Sepals 6, deciduous, rounded, the outer three smaller. Petals 6, entire, obovate, concave, with two minute, oblong, deeper-colored glandular spots at the base, inside and above the short claw. Stamens 6, their flaments ligulate, blunt, opposite the petals, but shorter and attached to their bases; azthers adnate. istz/ about the length of the stamens ; ovary-more or less inflated-cylindrical ; s/y/e rarely present, very short; sigma short, flattened, sessile ornearly so. /7vazt a one- to nine-seeded, oblong, scarlet, sour berry, evenly depressed in the median diameter ; seeds erect on a short stalk rising from the base of the cell, oblong, with a crust-like integument. Berberidacezs.—Shrubs or herbs with alternate leaves and perfect flowers. Sepals 3 to 9, deciduous, often colored and furnished with a calyculus of petal-like petals imbricate in two or more rows in estivation Petals as many as the sepals. Stamens hypogy- nous, equal in number to the petals and opposite them (Podophyllum twice as (except Podophyllum) by two many); filaments short; anther sextrorse, opening ‘ valves or hinged lids at the top. Pistil only one, ovary simple, solitary ; style short or wanting ; stigma flattened. Fruit a capsule or berry with either a few seeds at the top or bottom of the cell, or many, situated along the whole extent of the ventral ridge; all anatropous, and furnished with albumen; emdryo small (Berberis excepted). scales, all together with the (Jeffersonia with a single row). * From Amyrberis, Arabic for the fruit. 15+2 History and Habitat.—Berberis was well known to the ancients as a medicine, a dietetic for the sick, and a dye. As a drug it was steeped in beer and given to patients suffering from jaundice, as well as to check hemorrhages; as a food preparation for the sick, the berries were made into a confection, and used as a refrigerant in fevers and burning gastric ailments ; those not sick used the bruised leaves in a manner similar to sorrel as a sauce for meats ; as a dye, the roots were steeped with strong ash-lye, and used to give the hair a yellow color. The same preparation is now sometimes used to dye wool, while by using alum, in place of the ash-lye, it makes a good as well as a beautiful dye for linen fabrics. A jelly made of the berries is still used in lieu of tamarinds as a pleasant refrigerant, as so also is a confection. Its popular use as a remedy—barberry bark and cider— was held in all forms of abdominal inflammation, but especially those accompanied with hepatic derangement and jaundice. : Berberis vulgaris is indigenous to Great Britain and other parts of Europe, | and is becoming quite thoroughly naturalized here, especially in the Eastern States, blossoming from May to June. It is cultivated in many parts of the country as an ornamental bush, on account of its beautiful berries. Our own species, 2. Canadensis, Pursh., is a shrub about three feet high, with /ess bristly teeth to the leaves, a few-flowered raceme, petals notched at the apex, and oval berries. In Berberis proper, upon the summer shoots may be seen a perfect instance of gradation, in all forms, from the leaf as described above, to a fully-developed spine, a fine instance of vegetable morphology. The leaves of the barberry are at times, especially in Europe, infested with a peculiar blight; Aecidium Ber- beridis (Microspheria Berberidis ; Lysiphe Berberides) a member of the coniomy- cetous fungi; order, uredinei. It consists in its full-grown condition of little cups filled with a reddish or brownish powder (spores), formed by a bulging upward and bursting of the epidermis of the leaf, by the parasite developed within. This blight caused much fear at one time in Europe, upon the supposition that it was communicated to grain, which however was very probably false. Berberis, like many other excellent remedies, has been dismissed this year (1882) from the U. S. Ph. In the Eclectic Materica Medica it is still: retained, though not in an officinal preparation. es PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark of the root. This is coarsely powdered and weighed. Then after adding two parts by weight of alcohol the whole is put into a well-stoppered bottle and allowed to stand eight days ina _ dark, cool ‘place, shaking the contents twice a day; the tincture is then strained and filtered. Thus prepared, it has a deep orange-brown color by transmitted light ; and stains the neck of the’ bottle yellow. It has an extremely bitter taste, and a slight acid reaction. : CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Berberin, C,, H,, NO, This alkaloid was first discovered in 1824, in the bark of Geoffroya inermis,* two years afterward in the bark of Xanthoxylum lava Herculis,t in 1851 in the root of Hydrastis Canadensis, | and in 1835 in the bark of Berberis vulgaris ;§ yet, it is only lately * Jamaicin. + Xanthropicrit. t Hydrastin, % Berberin, t 15-3 that its true properties were recognized. It exists in a number of other plants among which of particular interest to us are Coptis trifoliata, Caulophyllum and Xanthorrhiza. Berberin crystallizes in fine yellow needles of a strong and per- sistent bitter taste, losing water at 100° (212°F.), and fusing at 120° (248°F.) to a reddish-brown resinoid, decomposing at higher heat. Berberin is soluble in water and alcohol. Oxyacanthin,* C,, H,,N,O,, (Berbina, Vinetina), This bitter alkaloid exists together with the berberin in the root. It is a non-crystallizable, white, electric powder, but will form in needles upon the addition of ether or alcohol; it turns yellow by exposure in sunlight, has an alkaline reaction, loses 3.13 per cent. weight upon exposure to 100° (212°F-.), fuses at 139° (282°.2 F.), and like berberin decomposes upon subjection to higher temperatures. It is soluble in both water and alcohol, though not freely. (A? supra Wittstein.) The acidity of the leaves and fruit is due to the presence of oxalic acid. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Berberis in moderate doses produces fever- ishness, inflammation of the mucous membranes from the throat to the intes- tines, and dysentery. It causes also a high degree of inflammation of the kidneys with hematuria. It seems to act with much force upon the venous system, causing pelvic engorgements and hemorrhoids. _ Its use in early medicine was purely symptomatic. The action as above given refers to man; upon animals no such effects appear to follow, even though experiments were made with the alkaloid Berberin. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 15. 1. End of branch in flower, with old leaves, Salem, Mass., June 4, 1880. 2. Flower (enlarged). 3. Fruit. 4. Stamen (enlarged). 5. Petal (enlarged, showing glands). - wince cee a eens ne . on * Crategus oxyacantha contains an alkaloid by this name. Gms ratdelet pint © CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES, Michx. » N. ORD.-BERBERIDACEA®. 16 GENUS.—CAULOPHYLLUM,* MICHX. SEX. SYST.—-HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. CAULOPHYLLUM. BLUE COHOSH. SYN.—CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES, MICHX.; LEONTICE THALICT- ROIDES, LINN.; LEONTOPETALON THALICTROIDES, HILL. COM. NAMES.—BLUE COHOSH, PAPPOOSE-ROOT, SQUAW-ROOT,} BLUE BERRY,! BLUE GINSENG, YELLOW GINSENG; (FR.) COHOCHE BLEU ; (GER.) BLAU COHOSCH. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES, MICHX. Description.—This erect, perennial herb, attains a growth of from 1 to 2% feet. Root horizontal or contorted, wrinkled and branched, showing many up- _ right nodules, bearing at their summits the scars of previous stems, and giving a off numerous cylindrical, branching rootlets from the older portions, Stem sim- ple, glaucous when young, smooth when old, arising from several imbricate, membraneous scales. eaves large, triternately decompound, the upper much smaller and biternate (pl. 16, fig. 1) ; eaflets 2 to 3 lobed, obtusely wedge-shape at the base; petioles blending with the stem in such a manner as to render their junction almost obscure. u/florescence a loose raceme or panicle ; peduncle aris- ing from the base of the upper leaf; flowers purplish or yellowish-green. Sepals 6, oval-oblong, with 3 small bractlets at the base. Peéa/s 6, gland-like, with a short claw and a somewhat reniform or hooded body, the whole much smaller than the sepals, at the base of which they are inserted. Stamens 6, overlaying, and about the same length as the petals; anthers oblong, 2-celled, the cells open- ing by uplifting valves. ists gibbous; ovary resembling the anthers in form, 2-celled; style short, apical; sé#gma minute, unilateral. Fruit a 2-seeded pod ; epicarp thin, papyraceous, bursting and withering before fertilization is complete, leaving the naked seeds to farther develop upon their erect, thick funiculi ; pee carp fleshy, deep blue; a/bumen corneous; embryo minute, apical. Read descrip- tion of the natural order, under Berberis, 15. History and Habitat.—The Blue Cohosh is indigenous to the United States, growing abundantly in moist, rich woods, from Canada southward to Kentucky a leaf, the stem resembling the petiole of a large leaf. * Kav\6s, Laulos, a stem; and $6\Xov, phyllon, : + The true squaw-root is Conopholis Americana, Wall. (Orobanc acex). ¢ This vulgarism properly belongs to several species of Vaccinium (Ericacez). 16-2 and the Carolinas. It blossoms from April to May, before the full development of the leaves. The berries are mawkish, insipid, and without special flavor. The seeds are said to resemble coffee when roasted. The aborigines found in Caulophyllum their most valuable parturient; an infusion of the root, drank as tea, for a week or two preceding confinement, ren- dering delivery rapid and comparatively painless. They also used the root as a remedy for rheumatism, dropsy, uterine inflammation, and colic (Raf.). These uses have been proven reliable by all methods of practice since. The root is officinal in the U. S. Ph. The preparations in the Eclectic Ma- teria Medica are: Extractum Caulophylli Alcoholicum, Resina Caulophylli, and Tinctura Caulophylli Composita.* PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, gathered in early spring, should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, and pouring it into a well-stoppered bottle, allow it to stand at least eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture, obtained from the above mass by filtration, should have a deep orange-red color, by transmitted light, a taste at first sharp and penetrating, then sweetish, an acid reaction, and should foam largely on succussion. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Safonin. This body was discovered in the roots of Caulophyllum by Prof. Mayer. A. E. Ebert+ corroborates the discovery, and adds the presence of two resins, one soluble in alcohol and ether, the other not soluble in ether. Caulophyllin.—The mass sold under this name is a mixture of the resins, extracted by simply pouring the partly-evaporated alcoholic tincture into water. Ebert determined also gum, starch, and a greenish-yellow coloring-matter, beside the general plant constituents. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The dust of the powdered root is extremely irritating to the mucous membranes with which it comes in contact, so much so that the Lloyds say,t “workmen dislike to handle it, some even preferring capsi- cum.” This irritation follows the administration of the drug throughout the body, but especially upon the female generative organs. It also exhibits the power of causing contractions of both voluntary and involuntary muscular fibres, the latter showing in the gravid uterus especially ; here it does not cause the long-lasting contractions of ergot, but intermittent and more successful ones. Its spasmodic action on general muscles is somewhat chorea-like, Caulophyllum also causes many forms of constant pains in the small joints, as well as fleeting rheumatic pains in the extremities. There is hardly an American remedy in our Materia * Caulophyllum, Secale, Polygonum, and Oil of Sabina. t Am. Four. Phar., 1864, p. 203. } “ Berberidaceea,” C. G. and Ff. U. Lioyd, 1878, 16-3 Medica that needs, and probably merits, a more thorough proving, upon females especially, than Caulophyllum; and the sooner it is done, the better able will we be to cope with many of our most obstinate uterine cases. CPW AN EY Do DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 16. . Summit of flowering plant, Ithaca, N. Y., April 18th, 1880. Root, rootlet, sheathing scales, and stem. Flower (enlarged). An enlarged sepal, showing the gland-like petal (enlarged). Under surface of sepal, showing bract (enlarged). Pistil (enlarged). Stamen (enlarged), showing open anther-cell. Pollen x 200 (3 views). Section of the root. 17. €m.u nat de et pint PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM, Linn. N. ORD.--BERBERIDACE®. 1 GENUS.—PODOPHYLLUM »* LINN. SEX. SYST.-POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA, PODOPHYLLUM. MA Y-APPLE. ~ SYN.—PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM, LINN.; ANAPODOPHYLLUM CANA- DENSE, CATESBY; ACONITIFOLIUS HUMILIS, Etc., MENTZ. COM. NAMES.—MAY-APPLE, INDIAN-APPLE, HOG-APPLE, WILD LEMON, DUCK’S FOOT, WILD JALAP, PECA, R&ACCOON-BERRY, MAN- DRAKE ;+ (FR.) PODOPHYLLE; (GER.) FUSSBLATT, SCHILDBLATT- IGER ENTENFUSS. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF PODOPHYI.LUM PELTATUM, LINN. Description.—This well-known plant grows to a height of from 8 to 18 inches. Root perennial, horizontal, extending several feet; the annual growths are from 1 to 3 inches in length, distinguishable by the scars of previous stems; they are cylindrical, from 1% to % inches in diameter, and give off a few, nearly simple, fibrous rootlets. Stems single, simple, erect, and rounded, the flowerless ones surmounted by a single 7 to 9 lobed leaf, round in its general outline, peltate in the centre, and somewhat resembling an umbrella; the flowering stems generally bifurcated at the summit, thus bearing two leaves, with a flower, at the bifurcation. Leaves of the flowering stems 2, somewhat one-sided and deeply lobed, the lobes variously incised and toothed; drooping at the edges, and strongly marked by the prominent roundish ribs below. Jnflorescence a single, drooping, pedunculated flower, generally in the fork of the stem, but sometimes varying greatly in its location.t Calyx during the prefloral stage, with three fugacious green bractlets at its base; sepals 6, breaking off from the peduncle as the bud expands, never appearing upon the flower except when, by accident, one of them clings to and deforms a petal. efals either 6 or 9, obovate, creamy-white, and fleshy. Stamens generally 12 to 18, twice as many as the petals ; filaments short ; anthers large, flattened, opening extrorsely by a single longitudinal line, thus forming what might be termed two lateral valves, hinged upon the inner surface ; pollen shaped like grains of rice, and furnished with three comparatively deep sulci. std sim- ple; ovary more or less ovoid, 1-celled ; ovules many, situated in many rows upon a broad, lateral placenta, extending the whole length of the cell; sty/e not mani- -globose, composed of a number of fleshy lobes fest; stigma more or less peltate * Iods, pous, a foot; 6yyor, phylion, a leaf. Probably from a supposed likeness of the leaf to the webbed foot of ’ , ? ? , - Some aquatic bird. ; fE + The true mandrake is Atropa mandragora ; habitat, south of Europe. t See article by Foerste, Bud/, Torr. Club, 1884, Pp. 63. % 17-2 closely set, each resembling a half meat of the hickory-nut. /7z2t an egg-shaped, yellow edible berry, 1 to 2 inches long, irregularly blotched, and retaining the withered stigma, or is marked by its scar; seeds enclosed within a copious, pulpy arillus ; emdryo minute, situated at the base of the fleshy albumen. History and Habitat.—The May-apple is indigenous throughout the United States, growing profusely upon wet meadows and in damp, open woods ; it flowers in May, and fruits in August. The apples, when fully ripe, are gathered, especially by children, who seem to relish their sweet, mawkish taste. I have also seen them exposed for sale in markets, though catharsis often follows indulgence in them, and, to susceptible persons, it is often quite severe. The fruit tastes somewhat like that of the paw-paw (Asimina triloba), and is much esteemed by the abo- rigines. The odor of the flowers is nauseous; I am always forcibly reminded of a bad case of ozena when inhaling their perfume (?). The foliage and stems, when appearing in spring, have been used for a potherb, and in some cases with fatal results. Only one species of Podophyllum is recognized in this country, although Rafinesque has mentioned two others, together with ten named varieties, There is, however, one other species of this genus growing in the mountains of Nepaul, the Podophyllum hexandrum. This plant constitutes one of the principal remedies used by the American aborigines, by whom it is especially valued on account of its cathartic action. Their use of the drug as an anthelmintic seems to be successful only as far as purging is concerned; specifically, it has no anthelmintic power. The use of podo- phyllum as a component of cathartic pills is very general. The officinal preparations of the U.S. Ph. are: Adbstractum Podophylh, Ex- tractum Podophylhi, Extractum Podophylli Fluidum, and Resina Podophylii; the Eclectic: Decoctum Podophylii, Tinctura Podophylli and Podophylliin, and as a component of Emplastrum Picis Compositum, Pilule Aloes Composite, Tinctura Corydalis Comp., Pilule Baptisie Comftosite, Pilule Copaibe Composite, Pilule Ferrt Composite, Pilule Leptandrini Composite, Pilule Podophyllini Composite, Pulvis Leptandrint Compositus, and Pulvis Podophyllint Compositus. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root should be procured after the fruiting season, and chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then take two parts by weight of alcohol, mix the pulp thoroughly with one- sixth part of it, and add the rest. After stirring the whole well pour it into a well-stoppered bottle, and allow it to stand at least eight days in a dark, cool place. ‘The tincture, separated by straining and filtering, should have a brownish- orange color by transmitted light, a bitter, acrid taste, and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—From many careful examinations and assays of the root of this plant, F. B. Power * and Prof. Maisch + claim the absence of any alkaloid, their observations in this respect being corroborated by Podwissotzki, whose exhaustive analyses of the resin} are largely drawn from here. * 1377. + Am. Four. Phar., 1879, p. 580. t Archiv. fiir experimentelle Pathologie und Pharmacognosie, v. xiii, 1 and 2, 1880; sie Pharm. fe Cen fiir Russland, Nos. 44-50. 1881. F. B. Power, in Am. Four. Phar., 1882, p, 102. 17-3 Podophyllin.—A resin mass, first observed and used by Prof. John King (1835). This resin is prepared substantially as follows: The root is ees with alcohol by percolation, and the alcohol evaporated from the percolate until it is of a syrupy consistence; this is warmed, and poured into many times its bulk of cold water constantly agitated, and allowed to stand for twenty-four hours, when the resin will be precipitated; this precipitate should be washed by decantation, straining and pressing, and dried at a temperature of about 80° F.; greater heat renders it darker, and the addition of alum to the water gives it a deep yellow color. Podophyllin prepared as above is of a blanched yellowish-gray color, slightly soluble in water, partly in ether, and boils at 124° (255° F.). The yield of the resin is about eighty-four pounds to the ton; highest in the month of April, lowest in July.* Podophyllin contains, according to Podwissotzki: Picropodophyllin, C,,H,O, + H,O.—This body purifies into colorless, silky, _ delicate crystals, soluble in strong alcohol, choloroform, and ether, insoluble in water, and low-per cent. alcohol, and melts at from 200 to 210° (392 to 410° F.). Picropodophyllin, when in solution, possesses a very bitter taste, and the action of podophyllin intensified. Podophyllotoxin, C,,H,,O,—A bitter amorphous substance, soluble in dilute alcohol and hot water, precipitating from the latter, on cooling, in fine flakes, Its medical properties are very similar to picropodophyllin, and its availability greater, as it is more soluble. ; Picropodophyllinic Acid.—This resinous acid is notable from the fact that it holds in solution the active principle of podophyllin, crystalline picropodophyllin. In its pure form, or as nearly pure as traces of picropodophyllin will allow, it is in the form of hornlike granules, readily soluble in alcohol, chloroform, and ether. Podophylloquercetin, C,,H,O,—This body, having none of the emetic or cathartic properties of podophyllin, is soluble in alcohol and ether; from the lat- ter it crystallizes in short yellowish needles, having a metallic lustre. By exposure to air it takes on a greenish color. It melts at 247 to 250° (476.6 to 482° me is to this body that the investigator claims is due the griping pains produced by podophyllin. | | Podophyllinic Acid.—This principle results as a brown amorphous resinous body, soluble in alcohol and ether, insoluble in water, and having no action upon the animal organism. also determined. The claims as to Fatty oils and extractive matters were een entirely refuted, as before men- the presence of berberin and saponin have b tioned, PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The force of podophyllum seems to be almost entirely expended upon the lining membrane of the almentary canal. Whatever * Biddle, Am. Four. Phar. 1879, p. 544+ 47-4 action noted upon those organs, and the glands in connection with this tract, is, so far as known, reflex and sympathetic. On Animals.—Among other experiments with this drug upon animals, those of Dr. Anstie seem to be the most characteristic. He found, resulting from his many applications of an alcoholic solution to the peritoneal cavity direct, that no local inflammation arose, although an intense hyperemia occurred in the duo- denum especially, and the whole of the small intestine, even going so far as to cause a breaking down of the tissues and resulting ulceration, causing discharges of glairy mucus streaked with blood; this hyperemia ceased usually at the ileo- cecal valve. ost mortem the mucous-membranes were found inflamed and cov- ered with bloody mucus. Other observers noted that retching, salivation, and emesis, followed by purging, colic, and intense tenesmus, with low pulse, and rapid exhaustion followed the administration of the drug. On Man.—Here the same action takes place, but extends to the rectum with sufficient intensity to cause prolapsus and hemhorrhoids. ‘The first effect of the drug is an excitation of salivary and biliary secretions, foilowed by torpor and icterus. The symptoms of disturbance caused by the drug in doses varying from Y%{ to % grains of “ podophyllin,” and in persons working in the dust of the dried root, are substantially as follows: Inflammation of the eyes, soreness and pustula- tion of the nose; salivation and white-coated tongue; extreme nausea, followed by vomiting; severe pains in the transverse colon and abdomen, followed by an urgent call to stool ; thin, offensive, copious stools ; weak pulse, prostration, drowsi- ness, and cold extremities. Tg DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 17. 1. Whole plant, once reduced, Newfield, N. Y., May 2oth, 1880. 2. Flower. 3. Bud, showing sepals. 4. Pistil. 5. Pistil in section (enlarged). 6. Pistil in horizontal section (enlarged). 7. One of the lobes of the stigma (enlarged). 8. Anther (enlarged). 9. Pollen; side and end views x 200. 10. Fruit. 18 NyMPHAA ODORATA, Ait. Gms nat.del.et pint N. ORD.—NYMPHACE. 18 Tribe.—NYMPHEA., GENUS.—NYMPHAA,* TOURN. SEX. SYST.—POLYANDRIA MONOGYNIA. NYMPH AA. SWEET WATER LILY. ; SYN._NYMPHA45A ODORATA, AIT.; NYMPHAA ALBA, MICHX.; CAS- TALIA PUDICA, SALISB. COM. NAMES.—SWEET-SCENTED WATER LILY, WATER NYMPH, WATER LILY, LARGE WHITE WATER LILY, WHITE POND LILY. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF NYMPHA[A ODORATA, AIT. Description.—This beautiful perennial aquatic herb, grows to the surface of the water from a thick submerged horizontal rootstock. The stem is absent, the flowers growing on long peduncles, and the leaves on separate petioles, all round, smooth, and furnished with four equal, central canals. Stipules deltoid or nearly renniform, emarginate, closely appressed to the rootstalk at the base of the petiole; eaves always floating, orbicular, with one deep cuneiform fissure passing from the circumference to the centre at the juncture of the leaf with its petiole, thus making it more or less heart-shaped ; smooth and shining dark green above, wine color beneath, plainly marked with the interlacing veins; margin entire. Jflorescence solitary, axillary ; flowers large, white, showy and fragrant, often being nearly six inches in diameter when fully expanded. Sepals four, ellipti- cal, scaphoid, nearly free, persistent, bright green on the outer surface, greenish- white internally. e/a/s numerous, arranged imbricately upon the fleshy ovary, the outer rows large, the inner smaller, all obtuse. Stamens.indefinite, arranged like the petals upon the surface of the ovary about the centre of the flower ; fila- ments of the outer rows petaloid, the inner more or less ligulate ; anthers with adnate, introrse cells. Ovary large, globular, depressed, eighteen- to twenty-four- celled ; ovules anatropous, borne upon the sides of the ovary, none being upon the ventral suture ; style none; stigma compound, peltate, marked by as many rays as there are cells to the ovary, these rays projecting beyond the general surface, thus forming a fringe of recurved, sterile, stigmatose appendages. face f se epineste globular, fleshy body, retaining the stigma and marked plainly by the —_— of the fallen petals and stamens, decaying ; dehiscence none ; seeds oblong, ae shorter than the enveloping, sac-like false coat; embryo situated in the albumen, dose +6 the hildins peel veby mmtiute cotyledons large and thick, enveloping a well-formed plumule. ion being similar to the supposed habit of fabled water nymphs. * The name is given on account of its situatt eee es 48-2 Nymphacew.—This beautiful family of aquatic plants, whose species have been themes for poets, and designs for ancient sculptors, is tropical or sub- tropical in its most general Aaditat. Its prominent species are: Victoria regia, a native of tropical South America, named in honor of Queen Victoria. Its mag- nificent flowers are rose-white, and often measure nearly two feet in diameter, while that of its leaves often reaches five feet. Mymphea Jotus, a native of Egypt and Nubia, with white flowers. The seeds of this plant are eaten by the natives, but do not form the lotus of the /otws-eaters.* Nymphea alba. This European species differs but slightly from our N. odorata. This order contains in the United States the following genera: Brasenza, Cabomba, Neliumbium, Nuphar and Nymphea. History and Habitat.—This, our most beautiful northern flower, frequents ponds and still-flowing streams in the Eastern United States, especially near the coast, flowering from June to August. There are many varieties, due mostly to color and mode of growth, some being blue, others pink or rose-color; but the true N. odorata is pure white or creamy. The stems of the flowers and leaves vary in length according to the depth of the water. The flowers form one of the most typical illustrations of plant metamorphosis; the petals are but colored sepals, the stamens but anther-tipped petals, the stigmas but changed stamens, and all gradually merging into each other in easily distinguishable stages. After ripening, the fruits, now becoming spongy and water-soaked, sink to the mud, where they decay and allow the escape of the seeds. The flowers open as the sun rises, and are usually fully expanded at about eight o'clock ; after that time they again gradually close, being entirely shut during the heat of the afternoon and at night. In the very centre of the disk-like compound stigma, is a small, glutinous protuberance, called by many botanists a nectary or honey-gland. I am inclined to term this the true stigma, on account of the well-known fact that pollen grains need moisture to enable them to burst their outer coat and allow the escape of the fertilizing tubes. This glandular body is always moist, while the stigmatose disk is dry, and rejects water as freely as does the upper surface of the leaves. Our species are often said to be much inferior to the European in beauty ; but, as their purity of color and exquisite fragrance far excel that of Mymphea alba, it fully deserves to rank as superior in all respects. Rafinesque states that in Canada the fresh leaves are boiled and eaten as “greens,” that the fresh roots are used as a part substitute for soap, and that the juice of the roots, mingled with that of lemons, is used to remove freckles and pimples from the face. The roots, in decoction, were much esteemed by Indian squaws as an internal remedy, and injection or wash for the worst forms of leucorrhcea, its properties in this direction being due to its great astringency. The macerated root was also used as an application in the form of a poultice to suppurating glands; its styptic properties were also fully known and utilized. | * This plant is mentioned under Genista dinctoria, 46. 18-3 The roots have been used for dyeing fabrics deep brown, the goods thus dyed retaining their color admirably. Nymphea has no place in the U.S, Ph.; in the Eclectic Materia Medica it is officinal as Cataplasma Nymphe and Infusum Nymphe. ‘PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, gathered in the fall, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, it is poured into a well- stoppered bottle and allowed to stand for eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture, separated by straining and filtering, presents the following physical properties: A deep wine-red color by transmitted light, a sherry-like odor, a slightly bitter, astringent taste, and a very strong acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The bitter acrid principle of Nymphza odor- ata has not been isolated. According to Bigelow, the roots contain tannin, gallic acid, and mucilage. It is quite likely that the constituents are similar, if not the same, as those of the European species, NV. adda, the roots of which, according to Griining,* contain: Zanuno-nymphain, CHO x Nymphao-phlobaphene, CH yOu ' and Nymphea-tannic acid, C,H,.O, 2 brown-red, transparent mass, yielding easily a pale yellow powder. This is the true special tannin, to which the great astrin- gency of the root is due. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—I can find no accounts of poisonings with this plant, nor experiments in this direction. In the provers who took large doses of the tincture, a marked dryness of the fauces was experienced, followed by pain- ful deglutition; pain in the hypogastric region, with loose evacuations; venereal excitement, and involuntary passage of the urine. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 18. 1. A small flower, from a pond near New Milford, Pa., July 17th, 1883. 2. A medium-size leaf. : ae 3. Section of a peduncle, showing air cavities or canals. 4. Root. * Arch. d. Phar, 3) X¥ii., p. 736; A”- Four. Phar., 1883, p. 96. Ce ee emma CH} ang de dibcdesgreniotniibii wn (2 and 3 enlarged.) * Am. Four. Phar., 1879, p. 129; from Arch. d. Pharm., 1879, p. 87. + Ency. Pure Mat. Med., vol. i, p. 132. GERANIUM MACULATUM Linn. Em. nat del.et pinxt - N. ORD.—GERANIACE:. 32 GENUS.—G ER ANIUM,* LINN, SEX. SYST.—MONADELPHIA DECANDRIA. GERANIUM MACULATUM. WILD GERANIUM. SYN.—GERANIUM MACULATUM, LINN. COM. NAMES.—WILD GERANIUM OR CRANESBILL, SPOTTED GERANIUM OR CRANESBILL, CROWFOOT,+ ALUM-ROOT, TORMENTIL, STORK- BILL; (FR.) BEC DE GRUE; (GER.) GEFLECKTER STORCHSNABEL. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH AUTUMNAL ROOT OF GERANIUM MACULATUM, LINN. Description.—This erect perennial, hairy herb, grows to a height of from one to one and a half feet. Root somewhat woody. Stem erect, hairy, forking. Leaves of two kinds; those from the root, long petioled, those of the stem, opposite ; all generally 5-parted; the cuneate divisions lobed and cut at the end, hairy, The leaves when old become somewhat blotched with whitish-green, whence the specific name. Spules lanceolate. /nflorescence a terminal open panicle; pedicels about one inch long, from one to two sometimes three flowered; flowers large and showy. Sepa/s equal, cuspidate, persistent, villous. Fe/a/s equal, entire, bearded upon the claw. Stamens 10, unequal, the longer 5 alternate with the petals, and furnished each with a basal gland ; f/aments slightly hairy at the base ; anthers per- fect on all the filaments. .S¢y/e terminal, persistent, smooth inside. (This is notice- able in the fruit after their cleavage from the axis.) Sveds minutely reticulate. GERANIACEZ.—This order, having a position between Zygophyllacee and Rutacee, is characterized by generally strong-scented herbs or shrubs, having as- tringent roots; /eaves palmately veined and usually lobed ; flowers symmetrical. (Exc. mpatiens and Tropaolum.) Calyx of 5 persistent sepals, imbricated in the bud ; corol/a of 5 petals, furnished with claws, mostly convolute in the bud; s¢a- mens 10, in two rows, the outer often sterile; 7/aments broad and united at the base ; styles 5, connected about an axis; sf&gmas 5, separate; ovary 5-carpeled, each carpel containing from 1 to 2 seeds, the carpels opening by the curling back of the drying persistent styles; seeds destitute of albumen. (Exc. Oxalis.) Coty- ledons convolute, and plicate with each other. This is one of those orders that are often broken up into smaller ones then recombined, in botanical history. It contains in the more northern United States the following genera: Erodium, Hlerkea, Geranium, Impatiens, Limnanthes, and Oxalis. There are two particularly interesting genera besides the above, viz., Pelargonium, to which belong our cultivated geraniums, introduced from the Cape * Tépavs, geranos, a crane; the styles bearing resemblance to a crane’s bill. + More applicable from usage to the Ranuncule. 32-2 of Good Hope, and 7ropeolum, containing the garden nasturtium. Of this order our only proven plants are the one under consideration and Oxalts stricta, Linn.* History and Habitat.—The wild geranium grows luxuriantly in our open woods and new clearings, flowering from April to July. The American Aborigines value the root of this plant as an astringent in looseness of the bowels, and exhaustive discharges of all kinds: it was thus brought forward by Colden, Coellen, and Shoepf, and recommended as a remedy in the second stages of dysentery and cholera infantum, cynanche tonsillaris, oral aphthe, passive hemorrhage, leucorrhcea, etc., in fact the uses of a decoction of the root have been great wherever an astringent or styptic seemed to be required, Geranium root is officinal in the U. S. Ph. as Extractum Geranii Flutdum, and in the Eclectic Materia Medica as Extractum Geranit. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, gathered in autumn, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alco- hol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole well, it should be poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture prepared from this mass by filtration, should have a deep reddish- brown color by transmitted light, a sweet and astringent taste, and a strong acid reaction. This tincture becomes muddy on long standing, but does not deposit; at least mine has not yet done so, although it has been made over three years.} CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—An analysis by Dr. Bigelow in 1833 corrobo- rated Staples’ determination of ¢annin in quite large percentage, and gallic acid. The gallic acid in his hands differed somewhat from that body as extracted from galls. Messrs. Tilden (1863) determined beside the above: wo resins, one soluble in alcohol, the other in ether; an o/co-resin soluble in ether; gum, pectin, starch, sugar, and the usual plant constituents. Dr. Staples (1829)§ detected, beside the above, a “peculiar crystalline prin- ciple,” which does not seem, so far, to have been analysed or even corroborated. - PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—In moderate doses Geranium causes constipa- tion, attended with but fruitless attempts at evacuation ; some pain in the stomach and bowels, and tenesmus when a stool is gained; stool odorless. Its action will be seen to so far differ but slightly, if at all, from that of Acidum Tannicum, which should be studied in this connection. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 32. 1. Whole plant (once reduced), with a portion of the stem removed : Pamrapo, N. J., May 21st, 1879. 2. Flower. 3- Pistil and calyx. 4. Ovary. 5. Fruit (once reduced). * Author’s proving. See Zrans. Hom. Med. Soc. State N. ¥., Vol. XIX, 1884, p. 136. + A better method of. preparing the tincture, should be by using @7/u¢e alcohol. t Am. Four. Phar., 1863, p. 22. % Four. Phil. Col. Phar., i, p. 171. Ga a nat.delet pimt #©§ XANTHOXYLUM AMERICANUM, Mill. N. ORD.-~RUTACEA:. 33 GENUS.—XANTHOXYLUM,* COLDEN. SEX. SYST.—DIOECIA PENTANDRIA. XANTHOXYLUM. PRICKLY ASH. SYN.—XANTHOXYLUM AMERICANUM, MILL.; X. CLAVA- HERCULIS, LAM. (Not LINN.); X. FRAXINEUM, AND MITE, WILLD.; X. FRAX- INIFOLIUM, MARSH. (Not WALT.); X. RAMIFLORUM, MICHX. ; x. TRICARPUM, HOOK. (Not MICHX.); THYLAX FRAXINEUM, RAF. COM. NAMES.—NORTHERN PRICKLY ASH,+ TOOTHACHE TREE, PELLI- TORY,{ YELLOW WOOD,? SUTERBERRY, ANGELICA TREE;|| (FR.) FRENE EPINEAUX; (GER.) ZAHNWEHOLZ. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK OF XANTHOXYLUM AMERICANUM, MILL. Description.—This well-known shrub grows to a height of from 3 to 8 feet, with a like spread of banches. ark grayish, smooth, white maculate, and slightly warty; dranches alternate, beset with short, triangular, sharp prickles, similar to those of the rose bush, and generally arranged in pairs beneath the axils of the younger branches ; /eaves alternate, pinnately compound ; /eaffets 4 to 5 pairs and an odd one, ovate-oblong, acute, entire or glandularly serrate, nearly sessile, the under surface downy when young; efrole often prickly on the upper side. /nxflor- escence sessile umbellate clusters axillary to the yet undeveloped branchlets; flowers yellowish-green, polygamo-dioecious, appearing before the leaves ; perfect flowers with 3 pistils, sterzle flowers with rudimentary, abortive, gland-like ova- ries, fertile flowers with 5 fruiting pistils, Calyx none. Feéals 5, oblong, blunt, with a glandularly fibrillate border and somewhat inflated base. Stamens 5, exserted, alternate with the petals and inserted upon the torus; az¢hers innate, sagittate, 4- celled. Pisti/s 3 or 5; styles exserted, slender, somewhat intertwined, connivant, or sometimes united at the apex; s#&gmas capitate or obtuse. Ovaries distinct 1- celled. Fyruzt reddish-green, short-stalked, fleshy, pitted, 2-valved pods; seeds oval, blackish, one to each pod, suspended. Rutaceze.—A large family of herbs, shrubs and trees inhabiting chiefly the Southern hemisphere. eaves simple or compund, pellucid-dotted and rich ina pungent or bitter and aromatic oil; s&pzdes none. lowers by abortion dicecious * Zav06;, xanthos, yellow; f6dov, xylon, wood. + The Southern Prickly Ash is X Carolinianum, Lam. t The true Pellitories are the African Anacyclus pyrethrum, D. C. (Composite), and various European and the American species of the genus Parietaria (Urticacee). % The true yellow-wood with us is Cladrastris tinctoria, Raf. (Leguminosz). || The true Angelica tree, so often confounded with the prickly ash from its slightly similar effects, is Aradia spi- nosa, Linn. (Araliacez). & 33-2 or polygamous, usually regular and hypogynous; ca/yx of 3 to 5 sepals, or wanting; petals 3 to 5, convolutely inbricated in the bud. Stamens as many as the sepals and alternate with them, twice as many, or rarely numerous ; filaments arising from the base of the gynophore. Pastils 2 to 5, separate or combined into a com- pound ovary of as many cells, gynophorus or raised on a glandular torus; s/y/es generally united or cohering, even when the ovaries are separate. /yuzt mostly capsular, sometimes drupaceous, and baccate; seeds few, anatropous and pendulus; festa smooth, shiny, or crustaceous ; embryo large, curved or straight ; a/éumen sar- cous, generally enclosing the embryo; co¢yledons oval, flat. This large order now contains, beside the typical Rutacez, the formerly sepa- rate families Xanthoxylaceze and Aurantiacez, including thus many valuable med- icinal plants and pleasant fruits, among them are the following more or less prominent: The Central American Carony or Angustura bark (Galipea Cusparea, St. Hil., Angustura vera), of which we have an excellent proving ; the European Rue (Ruta graveolens, Linn.), also prominent in our Materia Medica; the famed Buchu of the Cape of Good Hope (Barosma crenulata, Hook.), and the lesser species B. betulina, B. & W.,and B. serratifolia, Willd., of the same country; the powerful diaphoretic Jaborandi (Pilocarpus pennatifolius, Lam.; the following febri- fuges: the Brazilian Evodia febrifuga, Ticorea jasminifolia, and T. Jebrifuga, all of St. Hil.; and the European Bastard Dittany (Dictamnus fraxinella, Linn.). Next our attention is brought to the Auranticee, the latest addition to the order, where we find the following well-known fruits: the Bitter or Saville Orange (Crtrus Vul-° garts, Risso.), supposed to be the original of the Sweet or China Orange (Ciérus Aurantium, Linn.), which cannot be said to be ever found in a really wild state; the source of the Oil of Bergamot (Gus Bergamina, Risso.), supposed to be either a variety of the orange, or lemon, or a hybrid; the Citron (Cetrus Medica, Risso.), its wild state growing in the mountainous northern district of India; the Limes (Cztrus acida, Roxb., C. Lumina, and C Limetta, Risso.) ; and finally the Indian astringent Bael (Aegle Marmelos, Correa, Cra'eva Marmelos, Linn.) the ripe fruit of which is known as the Bengal Quince, and said to be made into a laxative preserve, or a pleasant refrigerant drink. Lastly, the former Xan- thoxylacee yield us beside Ptelea and Xanthoxylum treated of here, the following stimulants: the Chinese Xanthoxylum Avicenne, D. C.., supposed to-be a general antidote for all poisons by the natives; the West Indian _Y. Clava-Flercults, Linn. ; the Bengalese X. Alatum, Roxb.: and the Japanese X. fifertta, D. C.; the astringent tonics Brucea Sumatrana, Roxb., and the Abyssinian 2B. antidysenterica, Mill., the Indian 7oddalia aculeata, Pers., and the African sub-astringent Lopez- root 7. lanceolata, Lam.). History and Habitat.—The northern prickly ash is common in localities only, throughout the northern portion of the Eastern United States, where it flowers in April and May, before the appearance of the leaves. Three other species are found in the South United States, viz.: X. Clava-Herculis, Linn. (X. Carolinianum, Lam.) ; X. Caribeum, Lam. (X. Floridanum, N utt.); and X. Prerota, H.B.K. Xanthoxylum was an article of American aboriginal medicine called Hantéola ; 33-3 the Western tribes used principally the bark of the root in decoction, for colics, gonorrhcea, and rheumatism ; chewed for aching teeth; and made intoa poultice with bears grease and applied to ulcers and sores.* From personal experience one day in the woods while botanizing, I found that, upon chewing the bark for relief of toothache, speedy mitigation of the pain followed, though the sensation of the acrid bark was nearly or fully as unpleasant as the ache, and so painful finally in itself that I abandoned its use, only to have the toothache return when the irrita- tion of the bark had left the mucous membranes. A decoction of the bark is dia- phoretic and excites secretion generally. Its action upon the salivary glands causes in time almost as full ptyalism as mercury. Its speedy relief of rheumatism is said to occur only when it causes free perspiration; for this disease a pint a day is taken of a decoction of one ounce of the bark boiled in a quart of water. It is a powerful stimulant to healing wounds or indolent ulcerations. Dr. King, who introduced the use of this drug in Cincinnati in 1849, both in the treatment of tympanitis, distention of the bowels during peritonitis, and in Asiatic cholera, says:+ ‘In tympanitis one half to one drachm of the tincture may be given fer orts, in a little sweetened water, and repeated hourly, and the same amount used as anenema. The action is usually prompt and permanent. In Asiatic cholera, during 1849 and 1850, it was much employed by our (Eclectic) physicians in Cin- cinnati, and with great success; it acted like electricity, so sudden and diffusive was its influence over the system, In typhus fever, typhoid pneumonia, and typhoid conditions generally, 1 am compelled to say that I consider the tincture of prickly-ash berries superior to any other form of medication. I have known cases of typhoid pneumonia in which the patients were so low that all prospect of re- covery was despaired of, to be so immediately benefited that the patients who, a few minutes before, were unable to notice anything around them, would reply to questions, and manifest considerable attention, and ultimately recover.” Prickly ash is officinal in the U.S. Ph. as Extractum Xanthoxyli Fluidum ; and in the Eclectic Materia Medica its preparations are: Enema Xanthoxyli ; Extractum Xanthoxyli Fluidum; Oleoresina Xanthoxyli; Tinctura Xanthoxyli ; Tinctura Laricis’ Composita.t PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark, together with that of the root, is ground toa pulp, covered in a well-stoppered bottle with two parts by weight of alcohol, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place, being shaken twice a day. The tincture separated from this mass by filtration has a clear, yellowish- green color by transmitted light; it retains the peculiar odor and taste of the bark, and exhibits an acid reaction, CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Xanthoxylin. This body, extracted by Dr. Staples from the bark, and so named, has been determined to be derberin.§ AE esi’ SOc e eR * Rafinesque, Med. Flora. 2, p. 115. ; : + College Four., March, 1856; quoted by Miller in 7he Four. of Mat. Med, Vol. Ill, N, S., 1861, 9. { Tamarac bark, Juniper berries, Prickly Ash bark, Wild Cherry bark, Seneca Snake-root, Tansy, Whiskey, Molasses, and Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Podophyllum, 4 See under Berberis, p. 16-2. 33-4 Oil of Xanthoxylum—probably also containing resin and extractive—is a dark brown, aromatic, warm, pungent, turbid body, found in about 25 per cent. in the berries by W. S. Merrell. An etherial oil of the bark is obtainable, answering to the above; it is, though, simply an extract containing all the principles in the bark. Volatile oil and resin have also been determined. This plant has not been carefully analyzed. Some idea of its probable con- stituents other than the above might be gained from those of Xanthoxylum pipert- tum, which contains: Xanthoxylen or Xanthoxylene, C,, H,,, is the colorless watery liquid part of the volatile oil. It has a pleasant aromatic odor, and great refracting power; it boils at 162° (324° F.). Xanthoxylin, C,, H,, O, This crystallizable product of the volatile oil which may be extracted after the oil is freed from Xanthoxylene by distillation at 130° (266° F.). It crystallizes in large, colorless, silky, neutral, aromatic, klinorhombic forms, soluble in alcohol and ether. The crystals fuse at 80° (176° F.), and vola- tilize at higher temperatures undecomposed (ef supra, Wittstein.) PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Although we have a quite full proving of this drug by Dr. C. Cullis,* it is hardly sufficient to determine its physiological sphere of action. The drug proves, however, at least a stimulant of mucous surfaces and attendant secretory glands by an irritant action upon the nerves. Its action, taken all in all, appears quite like that of Mezereum. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 33. 1. End of a flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., May 8th, 1884. 2. End of fruiting branch. 3. Sterile flower. 4-5. Fertile flowers. 5. Longitudinal section of a tri-pistillate flower. (2-5 enlarged.) * Allen, Ency. Pure. Mat. Med., X, p. 169. Gu .ad nat.del.et pinxt. PTELEA TRIFOLIATA, Linn. N. ORD.—RUTACEA. 34 GENUS—PTELEA,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA, PoPe tt BA: WAFER ASH. SYN.—PTELEA TRIFOLIATA, LINN.; P. VITICIFOLIA, SALISB.; AMYRIS ELEMIFOLIA, LINN. COM. NAMES._WAFER ASH, SHRUBBY TREFOIL, TREE TREFOIL, HOP TREE, STINKING ASH, WINGSEED, SWAMP DOGWOOD, PICKAWAY. (FR.) ORME DE SAMAIRE A TROIS FEUILLES; (GER.) DRIBLATTRIGE LEDERBAUM. A TINCTURE OF THE BARK OF PTELEA TRIFOLIATA, LINN. Description.—This peculiar shrub attains a growth of from 6 to 8 feet. Leaves trifoliate, long petioled; /eaflets sessile or very slightly petiolulate, ovate, pointed, dark shining green above, pale and somewhat downy beneath, the terminal more or less wedge-shaped and contracted at the base, all more or less crenulate. /xflorescence in compound lateral and terminal cymes; lowers numerous, greenish-white, polyga- mous, their odor disagreeable. Sepals 3 to 5, usually 4, somewhat deltoid, much shorter than the petals. /e/a/s 3 to 5, usually 4, spreading, imbricated in the bud. Stamens as many as the petals and alternate with them; //aments in the sterile flowers long, dilated, and hairy at the base; shorter than the ovary in the fertile ; anthers larger, present in both kinds of flowers, but sterile in the female. Ovary 2-celled; style short or wanting; stigma capitate, 2-lobed. /vuzt a large, dense, globular cluster of nearly orbicular, 2-seeded, membranaceous, reticulate-veined samaras; seed somewhat triangularly compressed. History and Habitat—The Wafer Ash is indigenous to North America, rang- ing from Pennsylvania westward to Wisconsin and southward to Florida and Texas. It grows in moist, shady places, on the borders of woods, and among rocks, flower- ing in June at the northern range. The plant was sent to England for cultivation in 1704 by Bannister, but, being lost there, Catesby reinforced their gardens from Carolina twenty years later. oo Rafinesque first introduced the plant in American medical literature in his work on Medical Botany, 1830, speaking of the leaves as vulnerary and vermifuge. Schoepf gives the same in substance; and Merat and De Lens speak of the fruit as aromatic and bitter, and an affirmed substitute for hops. Howard speaks of the bark of the root as an excellent stimulant, expectorant tonic; especially useful * IIraw, ptao, to fly: the Greek name of the elm, alluding to the winged fruits. 34-2 in agues. Jones* speaks of the plant as “a pure unirritating tonic” in cold infu- sion, especially adapted to convalescence after debilitating fevers. Following these, its use became general, especially in Eclectic practice, for a variety of troubles, especially asthma, phthisis, glandular degeneration in general, syphilis, scrofula, chronic diarrhoea, epilepsy, dyspepsia, intermittent fever, and chronic rheumatism, The Eclectic preparations are: Extractum Ptelee Hydro-alcoholicum ; Lnfu- sum Ptelee; and Ptelee Oleo-resinee. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark, gathered after the fruit is ripe, but before the leaves begin to fade, is treated as in the preceding drug. The tincture, separated by pressure and filtration, has a brownish orange color by transmitted light; a bitter odor; an extremely bitter taste; and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The analysis of G. M. Smyser+ resulted in the determination of albumen, bitter extractive, tannic and gallic acids, a brittle, tasteless resin, and a soft acrid resin. According to Justin Speer,t the root-bark contains a crystalline yellow coloring-matter, oleo-resin, and berberina,§ but no ~ tannin. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—In Dr. E. M. Hale’s provings of this drug upon a number of observers, who took from 30 to 500 drops of the tincture, and from I grain to a scruple of “Ptelein,” the following disturbances occurred: Mental depression and confusion; frontal headache , vertigo; contraction of the pupil; — aural pains with swelling of the lymphatics ; tongue sore, yellow-coated ; ptyalism ; ~ voracious appetite ; nausea, with pressure in the stomach as of a stone: griping colic; great urging followed by copious diarrhceic stools; urine increased ; heart's” action increased; general restlessness and prostration, followed by chilliness and — fever. : DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 34. 1. Female flower. _ 2. Male flower. 3. Stamen. 4. Anther. 5. Fruiting branch. 6. Samara, , 7. Section of fruit. 8. Seed. ees (1-4 and 7-8 enlarged.) | \ © Betintic Practice, + Am. Your. Phar., 1862. t Ibid, 1867. == 9 See p. 15-2. a ' 10 2 | ok { 6 4 ; , CF date pi AILANTHUS GLANDULOSUS, Desf: N. ORD.—SIMARUBACE. 35 Tribe.—SIMARUBEZ. GENUS.—AILANTHUS,* DESF. SEX. SYST.—MONCECIA POLYGAMIA. AILANTUS. TREE OF HEAVEN. SYN.—AILANTHUS GLANDULOSUS, DESF. COM. NAMES.—TREE OF HEAVEN, CHINESE AILANTHUS, TILLOW TREE, CHINESE SUMACH; (FR.) AILANTE, VERNIS DES JAPON;+ (GER,) GOTTERBAUM. : A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK AND FLOWERS OF AILANTHUS GLANDULOSUS, DESF. Description.—This beautiful tree, which so much resembles an overgrown staghorn sumach, grows in this country to a height of from 30 to 60 feet. Stem erect, columnar, much branched; wood hard, heavy and glossy, like satin. Leaves long, odd-pinnately compound; fetoles 1 to 2 feet long; /eaflets oblong, pointed, with two blunt teeth at the base, rendering them somewhat hastate ; ¢ee/h glandu- lar upon the under surface. J/xflorescence in large terminal thyrsoid panicles ; flowers greenish, diceciously-polygamous. Calyx 5-toothed. /eéa/s 5, inserted under an hypogynous disk. Stamens 10; filaments inflated and hairy at the base ; anthers 2-celled. Ovary 5-lobed; style columnar ; stigma capitate, radiately 5-lobed. Fruit composed of from 2 to 5 long, thin, somewhat twisted, linear-oblong, veiny, 1-celled, 1-seeded samaras. Simarubacess.—This small family of mostly tropical trees and shrubs, is rep- resented in North America by 7 genera of 1 species each, The characteristics of the order are as follows: Bark bitter. Leaves alternate, pinnately-compound ; stipules none. Flowers hermaphrodite or unisexual. Ca/yx persistent; sepals 4. to 5. Corolla deciduous, twisted in zstivation ; pefals 4 to 5, hypogynous. Stamens — as many or twice as many as the petals; filaments inserted upon an hypogynous: disk. Ovary composed of 4 to 5 lobes ; ovules suspended, 1 in each cell ; style various. Carpels 2-valved, as many as the petals, capsular or keyed; sezds pendu- : lous; albumen none; cotyledons thick ; vadicle short, superior. ee The only proven plants of this order, excepting the one under consideration, are: the tropical-American Cedron (Simaba Cedron, Planch), and the South- American Quassia or Dysentery-bark (Simarouba amara, Aubl.), the bark of which was once a noted remedy in dysentery. * The name should be spelled, At/antus, being derived from a Moluccian species called Ai/anto, — + Also used to designate Rhus vernix. 30-2 The other more or less prominent medical plants are: the West-Indian Jamaica Quassia or Bitter Ash (Picrena excelsa, Lindl.), noted for its extreme and lasting bitter wood, so largely used in commerce for the manufacture of Quassia-cups, the water from which is useful as a stomachic tonic, anthelmintic, and antiperiodic ; the Brazilian Szmarouba versicolor, St. Hil. noted as being so bitter that insects will not attack the wood; and the Indian Mima guassioides, Hamilt., employed as a bitter tonic in the North of India. History and Habitat.—This large tree, that has caused more newspaper comment than any other now planted in this country, is a native of China, and is included in this work as an American remedy because it is from the naturalized tree that our provings were made. oe The Ailanthus tree was introduced into England in the year 1751, and thrived well; about the year 1800 it was brought to this country, and soon grew in public favor as an ornamental tree for lawns, walks and streets; later on it became in greater demand on account of its supposed property of absorbing from the atmosphere malarial poisons; under this new idea the tree became a great favorite in cities and large towns, especially as its growth was rapid and its beautiful foliage pleasing. The occurrence, however, of several severe epidemics, especially in the larger cities, set people thinking—might not this tree, which so fully absorbs poison, also throw off toxic effluvia? may it not store up the noxious gases and again set them forth in the flowering season? Certainly the staminate flowers smell bad enough to lay any disease to their emanations. A war upon the trees followed, both wordy and actual, which almost banished them from the country. The feeling, however, died a natural death, and to-day many fine trees abound, especially in the larger eastern cities. | Another vote for its preservation lay in the fact that the tree afforded material for a silkworm (Adacus Cynthia, Drury), which has been successfully acclimated in this country by Dr. Stewardson and Mr. Morris. The cost of production of silk from their culture is said to be about one-fourth that of mulberry silk, beside, the product is tough and stronger than any other fabric made; it is said that the Chinese wear garments of this material through several generations of constant use. The bark of the tree was experimented with in France about the year 1859, and found to be emetic, cathartic and anthelmintic. The bark has been employed by Roberts and others, both dried and fresh, as a remedy for dysentery and © diarrhoea, and as an injection in gonorrhoea and leucorrhcea; an alcoholic extract _ was found by Prof. Hetet* efficacious in the removal of tapeworm, though the prostrating nausea caused by the draught renders it disagreeable. The tincture — has been used in doses of from five to sixty drops in palpitation of the heart, asthma and epilepsy. _PART USED AND PREPARATION.—Equal parts of the fresh shoots, leaves and blossoms, and the young bark, are chopped and pounded to a pulp and- weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thor- . * Four. de Chine Med., Dec., 1859. dea eo oughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After stirring 2 the whole well, and pouring it into a well-stoppered bottle, it is allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture is then separated by decanting, straining and filtering ; it has a deep orange-brown color by transmitted light; a strongly vinous odor; a mawkish taste; and an acid reaction. Pes CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Several analyses of the bark have been made, all of which agree with the latest one by Mr. F. H. Davis.* He determined the presence of fixed and volatile oil, resin, wax, sugar, tannin, gum, starch, and oxalic acid; but failed, as had the others, to detect the presence of alkaloids or glucosides. : PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Ailanthus causes nausea, vomiting, great relax- ation of the muscles, and death-like sickness, very similar to that produced by tobacco-smoking in beginners, According to M. Hetet, the purgative property resides in the resin, while the volatile oil gives rise to the prostrating and other ill effects produced in some persons by the emanations from the flowers. The characteristic symptoms produced by Ailanthus are: vertigo and dizziness, severe headache, purulent discharges from the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes, dilated pupils with photophobia, pale, sickly, bilious countenance, irritation of the throat, loss of appetite, tenderness in the stomach and abdomen, looseness of the bowels, suppressed urine, oppression of breathing, languor and lassitude. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 35. 1. End of a flowering branch, several leaves and thyrsi removed, Binghamton, N. Y., June goth, 1885. : 2. Flower. ee, . Calyx and pistil. nee Petal and stamen. Stigma. Stamens. Section of ovary. Aleaflet. Fae . Full leaf in outline. _ (2-7 enlarged.) 56 RHUS GLABRA, Linn. Gm. nat del.et pinxt N. ORD.—ANACARDIACEZ. 36 Section.—SUMAC,* D. C. 2 GENUS.—RHUS, LINN. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA TRIGYNIA. RHUS GLABRA. SMOOTH SUMACH. SYN.—RHUS GLABRA, LINN.; R. ELEGANS, AIT.; R. VIRGINICUM, CATESB.; R. CAROLINIANUM, MILL. COM. NAMES.—SMOOTH SUMACH OR SUMAC; SHUMAKE; (FR.) SUMAC; (GER.) SUMACH. A ‘TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK OF RHUS GLABRA, LINN, Description.—This smooth shrub usually attains a growth of from 5 to 15 feet in height. Branches somewhat straggling. Leaves odd-pinnate; fetioles crimson, 12 to 18 inches long; /eaflets 12 to 30, lanceolate-oblong, acutely serrate, pointed, and whitened beneath. /nflorescence dense, terminal, thyrsoid panicles ; flowers perfect, polygamous. Sefa/s lanceolate, or more or less triangular, very acute, nearly as long as the petals. /efa/s incurved at the apex. ypogynous disk almost entire, its lobes, however, separating when a sepal is detached from the calyx, bringing away with it a stamen and petal; /ode somewhat reniform. Fruit globular, clothed with acid, velvety, crimson hairs; stone smooth. Rhus.—This genus is widely distributed, and contains numerous species characterized in general as follows: Leaves usually compound. lowers polyga- mous or dicecious, greenish-white or yellowish-green ; sepa/s 5, small, united at the base, generally persistent; petals 5, ovate, spreading, slightly hairy within. Stamens 5, alternate with the petals; //aments inserted with the petals underneath the lobes of a chrome-yellow hypogynous disk, situated at the base of the sepals. Szy/es 3, _ short, generally united into one, sometimes distinct; ségmas 3, capitate. /yuzt consisting of many small, indehiscent, dry, drupes ; stone or nutlet osseous; seed suspended from the apex of a funiculus that arises from the base, and extends to the apex of the cell; cotyledons foliaceous. Many other species of Rhus are used beside those embodied in this work ; among which are the following: The Japanese R. vernix affords the finest of the | black lacquers, so extensively used in China and Japan for coating household articles, etc. This species in its toxic action is said to greatly simulate 4. venena/a, of this country. The South European 2. coriaria, and R. cotinus, are extensively used in tanning the finer grades of morocco leather; the seeds of the former * An alteration of the Arabic simag (Forsk.). + The ancient Greek and Latin name (Celtic RAudd., red). 36-2 species are said to be used at Aleppo to provoke an appetite, and in Turkey generally, in the manufacture of vinegar. Inferior grades of the inimitable black lacquer, made from A. vernix, are furnished by R. Favanica, R. Stnense, and R. succedaneum. Our southern R. pumila, Michx., has been variously considered; some writers claiming it to be entirely innocuous, others judge it to be the most poisonous of the North American species, claiming that it will show its effects upon those who are not susceptible to the influences of 2. foxicodendron. The Floridian and West Indian A. metopium produces a substance called Doctor’s Gum, which is said to be emetis and purgative; and the Chinese 2. Buchi-amela, Roxb., certain galls used in Germany for the manufacture of tannic and gallic acids, and pyrogallol, Anacardiacew.—This large, chiefly tropical family, consists of mostly poison- ous trees or shrubs, having a resinous or milky, acrid juice, which turns black or blackish in drying. Leaves alternate, usually compound, and devoid of dots; stipules none. Inflorescence usually in axillary or terminal, erect panicles ; flowers small, regular, often polygamous; @stivation imbricate, rarely valvate. Sepals 3, or 5, usually distinct, but sometimes more or less united at the base, and persistent. Petals as many as the sepals, and inserted beneath an hypogynous disk, lining the base of the calyx. Stamens as many as the petals and alternate with them; fila- ments distinct. Ovary ovoid; styles 3, distinct or combined ; stigmas 3, decidedly distinct. Ayuzt drupaceous, indehiscent, 1-celled; seed borne upon a curved stalk arising from the base of the cell; /esta membranaceous; embryo more or less curved; albumen none. The following plants of this family figure more or less prominently in our Materia Medica: The Indian Cashew-nut (Anacardium orientale, Semecarpus Anacardium, Linn.) ; the fruit of this tree is also called the marking-nut, and is almost universally used for stamping linen. The Cuban guao (Comocladia dentata, — Jacq.), which is said by the natives (and corroborated by others) to cause the death of any who sleep beneath its shades; this is especially true of individuals of plethoric habit. The New Zealand Karaka or Kopi-tree (Coryno-carpus levigatus, Foster) ; and the Mexican and Peruvian Schinus, a product of Schinus molle, Linn., used by the natives for healing tumors and reducing inflammation, especially of the eye. Other members used in medicine and the arts are: The Brazilian Schinus areira, Linn., which is said to exude an effluvia that causes swellings to appear in those who remain for a few hours beneath it. (Note S. molle above.) The Tropic American Axacardium occidentale, Linn., is used as a vermifuge, and the juice is said to be efficient in the removal of warts, corns, and vegetative growths ; the nuts, — however, are edible, either raw or boiled. The Mediterranean Lentish or Mastic — Tree (Pistacta Lentiscus, Linn.) yields Gum Mastich, a concretion highly valued by the Turks as a masticatory for sweetening the breath and hardening the gums. This product is useful also, for a temporary filling in carious teeth, easing the pain therein. /’stacta terebinthus, Linn., yields the famous Chian Turpentine; while the European P. vera furnishes the Pistachio nuts of the confectioner:; the Cochin China P. oleosa, a valuable oil; and the African P. Atlantica, an Arabian article of food. 36-3 The Indian Mango (Mangifera Indica, Linn.) yields a luscious fruit which holds the place in that country, that the peach does in this, The Malabar Holi. garna longifolia, Roxb., and Stagmaria vernicifiua, Jack., of the Indian archipelago, furnish to the Chinese two of their famous black lacquers. It is said that the resin of the last named species is noxious and acrid, and that it is unsafe to remain long under the branches of the tree. History and Habitat.—Rhus glabra is one of our least nocuous species. It grows in rocky or barren soil, common throughout North America, flowering northward in June and July. An infusion of the berries of this species is said to furnish an unequalled black dye for wool. The berries, when dried, form an article of trade in Canada, known as sacacom?, this, when smoked as a substitute for tobacco, is said to anti- dote the habit; the Western Indians make a preparation of equal parts of the roots, leaves, and of tobacco, which they smoke under the name of Aintkah.* A cold infusion of the berries is often used as a cooling drink in fevers; it is also claimed to be of benefit in diabetes and strangury. The bark of the root is claimed to form an antiseptic dressing for ulcers and open wounds; while an infusion of the same is considered an excellent astringent for use in aphthous and mercurial sore mouths, diarrhoea, dysentery, gonorrhoea, and leucorrhoea, and to be anti-syphilitic. I have known the juice of the root to remove warts, I have also known these strange growths to disappear from the use of various innocuous “charms,” such as a neighbor’s potato surreptitiously obtained, rubbed upon the growths and cast over the left shoulder without noting its fall, etc., ete. Smooth Sumac is officinal in the U.S. Ph., as: Hatractum Rhots Glabra, \n the Eclectic Materia Medica the preparations are: Decoctum Rhus Glabri, and Extractum Rhus Fluidum. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark, including that of the root, gathered when the plant is mature, should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp well mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, it should be poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand for eight days in a dark, cool place. , The tincture, separated from the mass by filtration, should exhibit a beautiful, very deep crimson color by transmitted light. Its taste should be at first sour, then astringent, leaving a sensation upon the tongue very like that of alum; its odor sour-vinous ; and its reaction strongly acid, CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Gallotannic acid, C,,H,,O, This pure tan- nin of nut-galls also exists in the leaves and bark of the plant. It is an amorphous, porous, resinous, friable mass, freely soluble in water, less so in alcohol, and insolu- ble in pure ether. * Rafinesque, A/ed. Fior., ii., 257. 36-4 Calcium Bimalate.—This salt is found clinging to the hairs of the fruit as a concretion exuded from them; when soaked off the fruits are no longer sour. Oil of Rhus.—This waxy oil may be extracted from the seeds of this and other species of the genus. It will acquire a tallow-like consistence on standing, and can be made into candles, which burn brilliantly, but emit a very annoying pungent smoke. Resin, oleo-resin, sugar, starch, coloring matter, and gum, have also been determined.* PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Rhus glabra caused in one individual, in doses of from 30 to 120 drops of the tincture, headache, dryness and heat of the nostrils, with hemorrhage, ulceration of the mouth, loss of appetite, with painful distress in the stomach and bowels, followed by diarrhcea, scanty secretion of urine, great weariness and fatigue, loss of flesh, heat and dryness of the skin, followed by copious sweat during sleep.t| One symptom was also developed in this case that I desire to comment upon, viz.: “ Dreams of flying through the air.” During the summer of 1879, while botanizing near Bergen Point, N. J., 1 came into a swarm of furious mosquitoes; quickly cutting a large branch from a sumach bush at hand, I used it vigorously to fight off the pests. Several fine specimens of Baptisia tinctoria grew at hand, and while studying them I kept the sumach branch in con- stant motion, perspiring freely during the time. On leaving the spot I cut a cane from the same shrub, and also ate of the refreshing berries. For three successive nights following this occurrence I flew (!) over the city of New York with a graceful and - delicious motion that I would give several years of my life to experience in reality. Query: Did I absorb from my perspiring hands sufficient juice of the bark to _ produce the effect of the drug, or was it from the berries I held in my mouth? _ I noticed no other symptoms, and never before or since enjoyed a like dream. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 36. __ 1, End of flowering branch, Waverly, N. Y., July 4th, 1884. 2. Flower. 3: Petal: 2. 40 Fistil. 5. Stamen, lobe of disk, and sepal. (2-5 enlarged. ) Pike * Am. Four. Phar., N.S., i. 56; ibid., XXV., 193; Tilden, Four. Mat, Med., N. S.,i..195; Proc. Royal Society, — 862, 402. + Dr. Marshall in Hale’s New Rem., 2d ed., 872. i LEA ADELE D AEP f ( tf i ~y (Bm sé nie pint RHUS VENENATA,DC. N. ORD.—ANACARDIACE&. | 3o7 GENUS.—RHUS, LINN. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA TRIGYNIA. RHUS VENENATA. POLSON SUMACH. SYN.—RHUS VENENATA, D. C. COM. NAMES.—POISON OR SWAMP SUMACH, POISON ELDER, POISON OR SWAMP DOGWOOD, POISON ASH, POISON TREE, POISON WOOD. A TINCTURE OF THE BARK OF RHUS VENENATA, D. C. Description.—This too common swamp shrub grows to a height of from 6 to 30 feet. Stem erect, branching at the top; dvanches smooth or nearly so, some- times verrucose. eaves odd-pinnately compound ; feézo/e brilliant red or purplish ; leaflets 7 to 13, smooth, ovate-lanceolate, acute, entire. /nflorescence loose, slender, erect panicles, in the axils of the uppermost leaves; flowers polygamous, greenish- | white; pedicels pubescent. Calyx persistent. /7uit a persistent, drooping, thyrs- oid receme of globular, smooth, grayish-white berries, about the size of a small pea; desta thin, papyraceous, loose and shining; muéet oblong, flattened, longitu- dinally striate by deep sulci; zzner coat soft, membranaceous, incised ; cotyledons somewhat thick and fleshy. ‘ History and Habitat.—The Poison Sumach is indigenous to North America, ranging from Florida to Mississippi and northward to Canada. It habits swampy ground, and blossoms in June at the north. This most poisonous of our northern species has at times been confounded and considered identical with the Japanese 2. vernix, L.; how near the resem- blance may be I have had no opportunity to judge; however, we, as Homee- — opathists, should not confound. them, as’ climatic difference may cause varying properties, and 2. vernix may yet be proven. } The poisonous nature of this species has precluded its use in domestic and pre- vious practices; the principal effort concerning it has been attempts by farmers and others toward its extermination; very few persons, however, who understand the plant will even approach its vicinity unless compelled by circumstances to do so. Like the 2. vernix of Japan, the wounded bark in spring and autumn exudes a thick, whitish, opaque and viscid fluid, having a penetrating smell, which on : exposure soon changes to a deep black. On boiling the juice in water long enough to evaporate the volatile oil, and applying the resulting fluid to any sub- stance, it forms a glossy-black permanent coating; thus making a varnish of value which might be used in lieu of the famous Japanese varnish which they utilize so extensively upon their fans, boxes, and household utensils and furniture. * 37-2 It is a well-known fact that this species will prove poisonous to many persons who are unaffected by &. foxtcodendron, and, like it, even the emanations of the shrub are virulent to many, while others may handle, and even chew it, with impunity. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark, stemlets and leaves are treated as in the preceding species. The resulting tincture is opaque in even small quantity; in thin layers it has a deep red color; its taste is bitter and astringent; and its reaction acid. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—An examination of the juice by Dr. Bigelow* is the only analysis so far made; this shows no active principle. An examination of the chemistry of 2. éoxicodendron, page 38-3, would not be out of place here, PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Many opportunities are offered for study under this rubric, on account of the numerous cases of poisoning, both on record and often occurring in country practice. The general effects are usually ushered in within a day of the exposure, commencing with a general flush of the skin, accom- panied by intolerable itching and more or less tumefaction, especially at first of the hands and face; this continues until an erysipelatous condition apparently ensues. A more livid appearance follows, with great burning, followed by groupings of watery vesicles, which soon coalesce; this is followed by pustules forming of the watery vesicles, which finally discharge and form yellow crusts, which later on become brown and disgusting in appearance. Great heat and swelling have mean- time progressed until the face is often unrecognizable ; this condition is about four or five days at its height before resolution commences. Marks are often left, and sometimes the crusts remain chronic on some portion of the exposed parts for long periods. One case in my practice had resisted all the efforts of physicians for over thirty years; then yielded in about thirty days to a high potency of the drug itself at my hands. Several cases of poisoning came under my observation here some four years ago in several young men employed in a boot factory as finishers. Their duty was to dress the new boots with a black varnish applied with a sponge by the right hand, while the left hand and arm was thrust into the boot. All suffered from a scabby eruption about the left biceps and right hand and wrist, while the fingers of the right were cracked, sore, inflamed and painful. Upon first observing the cases | judged some poison must be used in the varnish, and so informed them; to me Rhus seemed to be that substance. While on a train, a month or so later, I overheard two manufacturers of boots, who sat before me, talking of their trade ; when, on passing a swampy spot, one pointed out of the car window at some R. venenata, and exclaimed, “ That is the stuff we use.” These cases all yielded finely to zdem high, The specific action of the drug, collated from various cases, is as follows: Sadness and gloomy forebodings; vertigo; dull, heavy headache ; smarting and burning of the eyes, with dimness of vision; redness and swelling of the face; ed * Am. Med. Bot., 1, 4€2. tongue red, especially at the tip, swollen and cracked; difficult deglutition ; profuse _ watery stools; burning of the urethra; hoarseness and dryness of the larnyx; increased heart's action; trembling of the limbs; bruised and paralyzed feeling in the legs, with aching and weakness; tired, weak, and prostrated generally; almost all forms of skin trouble, from simple redness and burning to vesicles, cracks, pustules and complete destruction; restlessness, chilliness and heat, with great dryness but no subsequent sweat ;—all of which show the poison to be of a highly irritative nature. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 37. 1. End of flowering branch, Ithaca, N. Y., June 24th, 1885. 2. Flower. 3. Pistil. Stamen. Fruiting thyrsus. Fruit. Fruit, with outer coat removed. (Fm.a nat dele pinxt RHus TOXICODENDRON, Linn. N. ORD.-AN ACARDIACE&. 38 Sect.—TOXICODENDRON, TOURN. GENUS.—RHUS, SEX, SYST._PENTANDRIA TRIGYNIA. RHUS TOXICODENDRON. POISON IVY. SYN.—RHUS TOXICODENDRON, LINN.; R. TOXICODENDRON, VAR. QUER- CIFOLIUM, MICHX.; R, VERRUCOSA, SCHEELE; R. TOXICARIUM, AND HUMILE, SALISB.; R. RADICANS, VAR. TOXICODENDRON, PERS. ; TOXICODENDRON PUBESCENS, MILL. COM. NAMES.—POISON IVY, THREE-LEAVED IVY, POISON OAK, POISON VINE, MERCURY; (FR.) SUMAC VENENEUX, ARBRE A POISON ; (GER.) GIFTSUMACH. : A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH LEAVES OF RHUS TOXICODENDRON, LINN. Description.—This decumbent or more or less erect shrub, grows to a height of from 2 to 4 feet, or more, according to whether Rhus radicans is distinct from this species or not. Roof reddish, branching. Leaves 3-foliate, thin; /ea/lets rhom- bic-ovate, acute, rather downy beneath; they are entire when young (see plate), but when full grown become variously dentate, crenate, sinuate, or cut-lobed. The lateral leaflets are unequal at the base, and sessile, the terminal one larger and situated at the end of a prolongation of the common petiole. /nflorescence loose, slender, axillary, racemose panicles. /Vowers polygamous. /7uit glabrous, globose, pale brown ; zzé/e¢ somewhat gibbous, striate, and tuberculate. History and Habitat.—The Poison Ivy grows in thickets and low grounds, quite common in North America, flowering in June, Rhus toxicodendron was introduced into England as a plant in 1640; but was not used as a medicine until 1798, when Du Fresnoy, a physician at Valenciennes, had brought to his notice a young man who had been cured of an herpetic erup- tion (dartre) on his wrist, of six years’ standing, on being accidentally poisoned by this plant. He thereupon commenced the use of this plant in the treatment of obstinate herpetic eruptions, and in palsy; many cases of each yielding nicely to the drug.* Since Du Fresnoy’s success, the plant has rapidly gained a place in general practice, meeting some success in the treatment of paralysis, rheumatism, amaurosis, and various forms of chronic and obstinate eruptive diseases. The milky juice of this species is used as an indelible ink for marking linen, and as an ingredient of liquid dressings or varnishes for finishing boots and shoes, © * Des caractéres, du traitement, et de la cure des datres, etc., par Pusage du Rhus radicans. 38-2 I an certain, however, that RAws venenata is more extensively used for the latter purpose, as will be seen from my experiences detailed under that drug. The fresh leaves are officinal in the U. S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Materia Medicas the preparation advised is 7inctura Rhus Toxicodendron. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—On account of the care necessary in the preparation of our medicamente, it is an absolute necessity that we should know, without a chance for doubt, the exact plant that we use, after proving, I have therefore, especially in this case, carefully examined into the relationship existing between A. Zoxtcodendron and its so-called variety radicans. The only differences acknowledged by authors are as follows: - R. toxtcodendron, L. R. radicans, L.* Stem erect. Stem more or less tortuous. Height of growth 2 to 4 feet. Height 4 to 30 feet or more. Stem devoid of rootlets, Stem profusely studded with dark-colored rootlets, by which it clings to its chosen support. Leaves trifoliate. Same. Leaflets variously toothed or crenate, smooth | Leaflets entire, or slightly dentate, smooth both above and slightly pubescent underneath. sides. During the present season I have carefully examined a great number of indi- : viduals in this and adjoining counties, and conclude, as the result of my observa- tions, that an individual commencing its growth as ¢oxicodendron may become radicans if proper support is reached. I found in several places along the Chenango River, both forms growing from the same root. At the entrance of a ravine near Glenwood Cemetery, upon the outskirts of this city, is the plant from which the accompanying plate was made; this individual is xadicans in its mode of growth (climbing about 9 feet into a young elm tree), but it bore no rootlets, being supported merely by the shoots of the elm; its foliage answers exactly to /ox7- codendron. One large plant, on the bank of the Susquehanna River, below the usual high-water mark, has all the characters of vadicans except the rootlets, and grows in a trailing manner along the bank; passing in its growth four excel- lent supports : 7. ¢,, two sturdy elms, one sycamore, and a large stump surrounded by bushes. It is said that the two forms differ in their place of growth, /oazcoden- dron choosing open places and radicans shady spots; it however follows as a necessity that if toxzcodendron is radicans when it climbs, radicans is in the shade because of its support. : 3 Many other far more competent observers than myself, have doubted the verity of the distinctions in these forms: among them are Michaux and Pursh, who considered them merely localisms, and Bigelow states: “among the plants — which grow around Boston, I have frequently observed individual shoots from the - same stock, having the characters of both varieties. I have also observed that young plants of R. vadicans frequently do not put out rooting fibers until they are * Rhus Toxicodendron, var. radicans, Torrey; Toxicodendron vulgare, Mill.; Rhus Toxicodendron, var. a vulgare, Michx.; Rhus scandens, Salisbury. é 38-3 several years old, and that they seem, in this respect, to be considerably influenced | by the contiguity of supporting objects.” My tinctures of both forms are exactly alike in physical properties; portions of each yielded the same amount of solid extract per ounce, after evaporation ; and as far as I can determine, they are identical. The bulk of our guiding symptoms are compiled from cases of poisoning, where the form causing the effect is not identified. I then, in the light of all this, would suggest that our tincture be made as follows : Take equal parts by weight of fresh leaves of each form, gathered on a cloudy, sultry day, just before the flowers are developed, chop and pound them to a pulp, and weigh, treating the resulting mass as in the preceding species. The resulting tincture should have a dark brown color by transmitted light, and will give off no characteristic odor; it will have a biting and astringent taste, and a strong acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Rihottannic Acid, C,,H,,O,, This specific tannin of Rhus is a yellowish-green, gummy mass, having a slightly bitter and astringent taste and an acid reaction (Wittstein). Toxicodendric Acid.—This peculiar, poisonous, volatile principle, was isolated from this plant by Prof. Maisch.* He describes it as resembling both formic and acetic acids in some of its reactions, but distinguishable in its failure to pro- duce a red color with neutral ferric salts. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The toxic action of this species is one difficult to explain. The first noticeable peculiarity is its choice of victims, many persons being entirely devoid of response to its influences, many others peculiarly suscep- tible. Out of ten men employed to “clear out a twelve-acre lot that was completely filled with poison vine, cat briers, and brambles, the poison vine greatly predomi- nating,” four only escaped poisoning. “At first there was a lively fight between the poison vine and the men, and it looked as if the former would get the better of it: for most of the men soon began to show signs of being tired, and at the end of the fourth day six of the men were flat on their backs, too sick for any- thing.” ++ I remember one illustration. When a lad, while in bathing with five others, we all ran a race, stark naked, through the underbrush near by, passing in and out through a clump of what was afterward found to be poison ivy; two of the party were taken ill the next day and soon developed quite serious symptoms of poisoning; all the others, including myself, escaped. Another peculiarity is that in many cases it is not necessary to even touch the plant to be severely poisoned. While playing croquet one sultry day in June, with a young lady cousin, she struck her ball with sufficient force to cause it to roll underneath a clump of poison ivy that grew at a short distance from the edge of the lawn. She, knowing her susceptibility to the poison, carefully reached under the vine and extracted the ball without touching even a leaf. During the evening * Proc. Am. Phar. Assoc., 1865, 166. ¢ Rural New Yorker, quoted in daily press, original not accessible. 38-4 of the same day, her face began to itch and burn, and in the night it swelled to such extent that the eyes were not only closed, but the lashes even were lost to view in the swollen countenance. Nearly two weeks elapsed before the symptoms caused by this exposure entirely subsided. A third peculiarity is that the plant is more poisonous during the night, or at any time in June and July when the sun is not shining upon it. Absence of sun- light, together with dampness, seems to favor the exhalation of the volatile prin- ciple (Zoaicodendric Acid) contained in the leaves. Of this Porcher says :* “ An acrimonious vapor, combined with carburetted hydrogen, exhales from a growing plant of the poison oak during the night. It can be collected in a jar, and is capable of inflaming and blistering the skin of persons of excitable constitution, who plunge their arms into it.” The symptoms caused by this plant are: First, redness and swelling of the affected part, with intolerable itching and burning, followed by vertigo, weariness, and a sort of intoxication. Infiltration of the face and eyes, and agglutination of the lids after sleep; great restlessness, pain, thirst, and fever. The surface of the skin, after a time, becomes studded with confluent bulla where the cellular tissue is loose, then a dermatitis follows resembling erysipelas; this may spread rapidly and finally communicate to the mucous membranes. This is followed by swelling of the mouth and throat, cough, nausea, and vomiting. Rheumatoid pains develop about the joints, and a painful stiffness asserts itself in the lumbar region, while the legs and arms become numb. Confusion of mind and delirium may then set in, during which the patient may become so ill-humored, restless, and anxious, that he will jump out of bed. The concomitant symptoms are inflammation of the eyes, dilation of the pupil, weakness of vision, and sometimes dilopia; frequent epistaxis ; brown coated tongue, with a triangular red tip; swelling of the parotid glands, with difficult deglutition; griping in the abdomen; diarrhoea; profuse urination; oppression of the chest; rapid pulse; great weakness, weariness, and prostration; soreness of the muscles, worse while at rest, and passing off when exercising ; sleepiness; and chilliness, followed by fever and copious sweat. There are almost as many antidotes recommended for Rhus tox. poisoning _as for the bite of the rattlesnake. Prominent, however, among the applications are: alkaline lotions, especially carbolate of soda, alim-curd, and hyposulphite of soda, keeping the skin constantly moist with the agent in solution; meanwhile administering Bryonia, Belladonna, Apis, Grindelia robusta, or Verbena urticifolia. . DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 38. 1. End of flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., June 27th, 1884. 2. Outline of leaf. : 3. Flower. 4. Calyx and pistil. (3 and 4 enlarged.) — * Resorc. South, Fields and Forests, 202, = << < = fon “< = oO x < ” => = on. ‘ N. ORD.-ANACARDIACEZ. 39 Series.—LOBADIUM, RAF. GENUS.—RHUS., SEX, SYST.—PENTANDRIA TRIGYNIA. RHUS AROMATICA. FRAGRANT SUMACH. SYN.—RHUS AROMATICA, AIT.; RHUS CANADENSIS, MARSH.; RHUS SUAVEOLENS, AIT.; BETULA TRIPHYLLA, THUN.; TURPINIA PU- BESCENS, AND GLABRA, AND LOBADIUM AROMATICUM, RAF. COM. NAMES.—FRAGRANT, OR SWEET-SCENTED SUMACH, STINK BUSH, SKUNK BUSH. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT BARK OF RHUS AROMATICA, AIT. Description.—This straygling but very pretty bush usually grows to a height of about 4 feet. Leaves 3-foliate, slightly sweet-scented; /eaflets rhombic-ovate, prominently ribbed, crenate or cut-toothed; the middle leaflet broadly cuneate at the base, and narrowing gradually to its insertion at the end of the common petiole; all sessile, and coriaceous when old. Jxflorescence single or clustered, scaly bracted, catkin-like spikes; sca/es reddish, and furnished with copious hairs upon the border; flowers polygamo-dicecious, prefolial. ypogynous disk 5-parted, large; odes strongly reniform, the hilum of each almost entirely surrounding the base of the filament inserted under it. /yuz¢ similar to that of Rhus glabra, but somewhat flattened ; zzé//e¢ smooth, depressed. History and Habitat.—This least poisonous of all our indigenous species of Rhus, is common in dry, rocky soils, where it flowers in April or May, before the appearance of the leaves. It is the finest species to cultivate, its dense foliage becoming still more so, and the leaves enlarging and varying beautifully. It was introduced into England as an ornamental shrub in 1759. The previous medical uses of the berries were the same as those of #. glabra. This fruit is termed the squaw-berry, because the Indian women gather large quantities, which are dried and used for food. The berries are excessively sour, but very much used while fresh during the summer months; when macerated they make a pleasant drink. The wood is very tough, far more so than the willow, and is used by the Indians in Utah, Arizona, Southern California, and New Mexico for making into baskets. This wood exhales a peculiar odor, which is always recog- nizable about the camps of these Indians, and never leaves articles made from it.* * Dr. Edward Palmer in Am. Wat., 1878, 597. 39-2 PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark of the root is treated as in the preceding species. The tincture obtained is the most transparent and . lightest in color of all the species of Rhus here mentioned. It has a beautiful, clear, crimson color by transmitted light; a decidedly terebinthic odor; very astrin- gent taste, and strong acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Volatile Oil. This body has, when first dis- tilled, the disgusting odor of bed-bugs; but when treated with ether and evapo- rated, it acquires a pleasant aroma after having been exposed to the air for twenty-four hours. Beside the above, Mr. H. W. Harper* determined the presence of gallo- tannin, resin, acid resin, fixed oil, and a red coloring matter. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 39. 1. A flowering branch, from Lowmansville, N. Y., May 14th, 1884. 2. End of late summer branch, showing the inflorescence preparing for the next season. 3. Flower. 4. Petal. 5. Stamen and lobe of disk. 6. Pistil and hypogynous disk. 7. Dormant inflorescence, 8. Scale of same, outer face. g. Scale of same, inner face. (3-9 enlarged.) * Am. Four. Phar., 1881, 212. 1 2 ~S \ Vy, ¥ Frm. st mde pint. AMPE (\ Lopsis \) QUINQUEFOLIA , Michx. SA N. ORB.—VITACEZ. GENUS.—AMPELOPSIS,* MICHX. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. AMPELOPSIS. VIRGINIAN CREEPER. SYN.—AMPELOPSIS QUINQUEFOLIA, MICHX., AMPELOPSIS HEDERA- CEA, DC., VITIS QUINQUEFOLIA, LAM., VITIS HEDERACEA, WILLD., HEDERA QUINQUEFOLIA, LINN., CISSUS HEDERACEA, PERS. COM. NAMES.—VIRGINIAN CREEPER, AMERICAN IVY, WOODBINE, FIVE-LEAVES, FALSE GRAPH, WILD WOOD-VINE. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH SHOOTS AND BARK OF AMPELOPSIS QUINQUE- FOLIA, MICHX. Description.—This common vine is familiar to all residents of the Northern United States, being often planted as a porch screen on account of its rapid growth, its beautiful shade and the magnificence of its autumnal coloring. The stem is extensively climbing, reaching out in all directions, and fastening itself by the disk-like appendages of the tendrils to anything that will give it support, thus sometimes reaching a great height. Leaves long petioled, digitate, smooth, with five oblong-lanceolate coarsely serrate leaflets. lower clusters cyme-like, the pedicels angularly jointed and somewhat umbellate. Yowers small, and perfect. Ca/yx entire, crenate, or slightly 5-toothed. /¢éa/s 5, at first seemingly united, then becoming distinct, concave and thick, expanding and reflexing before they fall. Désk none. Stamens 5; filaments slender; anthers \arge, oblong introrse. Ovary somewhat lobed at the base, conical, 5-angled, 2-celled; s¢yle short or wanting ; s¢igma small and simple, or slightly 2-lobed. Ovz/es 2 in each cell of the ovary and erect, anatropous from its base. /ywi¢ a dark purplish blue berry when ripe, about the size of a pea. Seeds bony, with a minute embryo at the base. : History and Habitat.—This woody climber haunts low moist grounds, well supplied with trees or bushes, often making the bodies of elm trees grandly picturesque by its dense green covering of their trunks, or hanging in festoons from blasted trees, and covering rocks and stumps with its dense verdure, it renders beautiful everything it clings to, while after the first frosts its vividly brilliant coloring makes one of the most striking points in an autumn landscape. It opens its yellowish green flowers, few at atime, in July; the berries being ripe in October. The Virginian Creeper is dreaded by many, in its wild state, when * dunsho;, a vine, and Of, appearance, 40-2 without support, from its often being taken for poison ivy, to which, however, it bears no resemblance, except perhaps in this mode of growth. This indigenous vine is being cultivated in Europe much as the European ivy is here, for adorning walls. Ampelopsis is not mentioned in the U. S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Materia Medica its preparations are Decoctum ampelopsis, and Infusum ampclopsis, PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh young shoots and bark are chopped and pounded toa pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, and having mixed the pulp well with one-sixth part of it, the rest of the alcohol is added. The whole is then stirred, poured into a well- stoppered bottle and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. Having separated the tincture by decanting, straining, and filtering, it presents by transmitted light a slightly brownish-red color; is of a decided sour, - astringent taste and has a strong acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Pyrocatechin,* C,H,O,, determined by Gorup-Besanez in small quantity in the green leaves, This body crystallizes in Square prisms readily soluble in water and alcohol. Cisso-Tannic Acid, C,,H,,O,, determined by Wittstein in the autumnal colored leaves as the pigment of the red coloration: it is liquid at ordinary tem- peratures, and has an astringent, bitter taste. In this acid as a sediment is another body termed by this author zwso/uéle or changed cisso-tannic acid (C,, H,, O,,), insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, It exists when dry as a dense dark-brown, brittle, shining mass, having a bitter, acrid taste, The leaves when green contain also free tartaric acid and its salts, with sodium and potassium. ; Glycollic Acid, C,H,O, and Calcium glycollate (C,H, O,), Ca, exist in the ripe berries. (Schorlemmer.) PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Little or nothing is known of the action of this drug upon man. Mr, Bernay, however, in Pharm. Jour. and Trans., vol. vii. 1876, p. So, reports that two children, aged respectively two and a half and five years, after chewing the leaves and swallowing the juice were quickly seized with vomiting and purging, with tenesmus: then collapse, sweating, and faint pulse; followed by deep sleep for two hours, from which a return of the vomiting and purging aroused them. The pupils were dilated and remained somewhat so four hours after the commencement of the attack. , DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 40. 1. Flowering spray, from Ithaca, N. Y., June 17, 1880. 2. Branch showing tendrils. 3- Flower (enlarged). 4. Berries. * Oxyphenic Acid, 41. RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS, Linn. Gm .ad nat.del.et pint. N. ORD.-RHAMNACEZ, Ad GENUS.—RHAMNUS,* TOURN. SEX, SYST.—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA, RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS. BUCKTHORN. SYN.—RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS, LINN.; R. SOLUTIVUS, GER.; CERVIS- PINA CATHARTICA, MGNCH. COM. NAMES.—PURGING BUCKTHORN; (FR.) NERPRUN, BOURQUEPINE ; (GER.) WEGDORN, KREUZDORN. A TINCTURE OF THE RIPE BERRIES OF RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS, LINN, Description.—This dense-spreading shrub or small tree attains a growth of from 6 to 12 feet. Stem erect; bark grayish; branchlets numerous, tipped with a sharp spine. Leaves somewhat opposite or sometimes more or less tufted, oval, acuminate, and minutely denticulate-serrate ; vezxs prominent beneath, and arched in a direction parallel to the margin. /nflorescence in axillary clusters ; flowers minute, greenish-yellow, polygamous or dicecious, the sterile ones with ovate’ sepals and petals and an abortive ovary. Ca/yx urceolate, 4 to 5 cleft, persistent; lobes lanceolate ; ¢orus thin, lining the tube. Petals 4 to 5 small, linear-oblong ; claws short. Stamens short, mostly 4, rudimentary in the fertile flowers ; filaments surrounded by the corolla. Ovary free, 2 to 4 celled, not enclosed in the torus; styles 2 to 4 distinct or more or less united; stigmas 4, somewhat club-shaped or ligulate. /wuz¢ an ovoid, berry-like drupe ; nutlets 3 to 4, seed-like, cartilaginous ; seeds grooved on the back and rounded at the sides, a horizontal section resem- bling the face of a horse’s hoof; cotyledons leaf-like, the edges revolute. Rhamnaces.—A small family of shrubs or small trees, often with thorny branchlets, eaves mostly alternate, simple ; stipules small or obsolete. Inflor- escence various ; flowers small and regular (sometimes apetalous, or, by abortion, dicecious or polygamous) ; in zstivation the sepals are valvate and the petals con- volute. Petals clawed, concave, inserted into the edge of a fleshy disk lining the short tube of the calyx. Stamens 4 or 5, perigy Pe ae the sepals and alternate with them. Ovary 2 to 5 celled; ovades solitary, anatropous ; styles more * From the Celtic ram, branching. 41-2 or less united; sfigmas 2 to 5, simple, and usually distinct. /7az¢ a capsule, drupe, or berry ; seeds erect, one in each cell; axz/ none; eméryo large ; cotyledons broad ; albumen sparing and fleshy. This family furnishes us with only one other proven plant, viz.: the European Black Alder (Rhamnus frangula, Linn.), the bark of which is a mild but certain purgative, useful in habitual constipation. Among the other plants of the order useful to medicine, we find the French Berry, a purgative fruit yielded by Rhamnus ixfectorius, Linn. The fruit of the Indian Zizyphus enophila, Mill., is eaten by the natives, who consider the bark a fine vulnerary. The East lian Z. Fujuba, Lam., and the Persian Z. vulgaris yield a mucilaginous juice from which is made the famous Jujube Paste, esteemed for the manufacture of a pleasant pectoral lozenge, called by the French Fate de Fujube; the Arabian Z. lotus yields a berry known as the Lote; this is supposed to be the true Lotus of the Lotophagi. It is found on the eastern as well as the western extremity of the African desert, and is described by Mr. Park as small farinaceous berries, of a yellow color and delicious taste. The natives, he says, convert them into a sort of bread, by exposing them some days to the sun, and afterwards pounding them gently in a wooden mortar until the farinaceous part is separated from the stone. The meal is then mixed with a little water, and formed into cakes, which, when dried in the sun, resemble in color and taste the sweetest gingerbread. The roots of the North American Berchemia volubihs, De C., are claimed to be a useful remedy in cachexias and an antisyphilitic. The twigs of the New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus Americanus, Linn.) are very useful on account of their mild astringency as an injection in gonorrhea, gleet, and leu- corrheea ; this plant is now being proven for a place in our Materia Medica, The Mexican Ceanothus azurea, Dest., is considered a powerful febrifuge ; while the Senegal C. discolor is a useful astringent in dysentery. ovenia dulcis, Don., enlarges its peduncles in fruit to such extent, and they become so sweet and succulent, that the Japanese consider them a rare delicacy; they are said to greatly resemble in taste a Bergamot pear. History and Habitat.—The Purging Buckthorn is indigenous to Europe and Northern Asia, from whence it was introduced into this country as a hedge-plant ; it has escaped in many places in New York and New England, where it flowers from April to May, according to the season. The medical history of this plant extends back to a period dating from before — the Norman Conquest; it was then called Waythorn or Hartsthorn. In the 13th century Welsh physicians prescribed the juice in. honey as a mild aperient drink. In Spain it is referred to as early as 1305; and it is then noted by all writers on medical plants during the 16th century. Buckthorn first appeared in the London Pharmacopeeia in 1650; it has also held a place in the Pharmacopeeia of the United States, but its space is-now held by R. frangula, The Purging Buckthorn has now fallen into disuse on account of the violence of its action and the resulting severe irritation of the bowels. 41-3 The principal uses now are those of economy, the juice of the fresh berries giving a saffron-colored dye, and that of the bark a beautiful yellow, A fine green pigment for water-coloring is made by the French from the ripe berries mixed with alum; this color, called Vert de Vesste, or sap-green, has been used as the principle for most of the foliage of the plates in this work. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh, ripe berries are pounded to a pulp, sufficient to separate them from the nutlets, and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. The whole is then poured into a well-stop- pered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place, being shaken twice a day. The tincture, separated from this mass by pressing and filtering, is opaque ; in thin layers it exhibits an orange-red color by transmitted light; and a taste at once acid and astringent. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Xhamnocathartin.* = 6. Seeds. (3, 4 and 6 enlarged. ) + Resoure. South. Fields and Forests, 6. ¢ Dict. Univ. de Mat. Med., vi, 4. | VA. Four. of Hom. 1874 48. { Trans. Ec. Med. Soc., 1875. N. ORD.-UMBELLIFER&. 62 GENUS.—ERYNGIUM,* TOURN. SEX. SYST,—PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. ERYNGIUM. BUTTON SNAKEROOT. SYN.—ERYNGIUM YUCCASFOLIUM, MICHX.; E. AQUATICUM, LINN. (IN PART). COM. NAMES.—BUTTON SNAKEROOT, RATTLESNAKE MASTER, ERYNGO, CORN SNAKEROOT; (FR.) PANICANT D’EAU; (GER.) WASSERMANNS- TREU. A TINCTURE OF THE ROOT OF ERYNGIUM YUCCA:FOLIUM, MICHX.+ Description.—This peculiar, sedge-like perennial grows toa height of from 1 to 6 feet. Svem smooth, erect, and grooved. Leaves linear, six inches to two feet long, and one-half to one inch wide, taper-pointed, coriaceous, rigid, parallel- veined, gramineous, and remotely bristly-fringed upon the margins. /nflorescence in a terminal compound umbel, each peduncle bearing a compact head; /eads broadly ovate ; dvacés entire, paleaceous, not spinous ; flowers inconspicuous, white, all fertile, closely sessile; /eaves of the involucels mostly entire, and shorter than the heads. Calyx 5-toothed; éeeth persistent. Petals connivent, oblong, emargi- nate. Styles filiform. /ruzt top-shaped, covered with little scales or tubercles, having no ribs and scarcely any vitte, the inner face of each mericarp flat or nearly so. 4 Umbelliferee.—This large and very natural order, of herbs, represented in North America by 50 genera and 187 species, is characterized as follows : Stems usually hollow and striate. Leaves alternate, mostly compound; Petio/es sheath- ing or expanding at the base. Inflorescence in terminal, compound umbels, often subtended by a whorl of bracts (cnvolucre), usually also subtending the umbellets (involucel); flowers small, in many genera dichogamous. Ca/yx adherent to the whole face of the ovary; “mb minute, entire or 5-toothed. e/als 5, usually e or valvate in zstivation. Stamens 5, alternate with inflexed at the point, imbricat the petals, and ‘nserted with them upon the disk. Ovary 2-carpelled, surmounted by the fleshy disk that bears the petals and stamens; ovules 2, anatropous; styles 2, distinct, or united at their thickened bases; stigmas simple. /ruzt a cremocarp, consisting of 2 coherent achenia (mericarps) which separate along the middle interval (commissure), and are usually suspended from the summit of a slender * "Epvyetv, erygein, to belch, from carminative properties. os ¢ A much better name than Z. aqguaticum, Linn., as the plant never Is truly aquatic with us, 62-2 prolongation of the axis (carfophore) ; mericarps marked lengthwise by 5 primary ribs, and often with 5 secondary intermediate, in the interstices or intervals be- tween these ribs are commonly lodged few or many oil-tubes (v¢/@), which are longitudinal canals in the substance of the fruit, containing aromatic oil. Seeds suspended from the summit of the mericarp ; embryo minute; albumen hard, The flowers in this order are so minute, and so nearly alike in all genera, that the dif- ferentiation is usually, in great part, based upon the cremocarps. Besides the seven species treated of in this work, we have provings of the following plants: The Persian Ammoniacum (Dorema Ammoniacum, Don.), a fetid, stimulating, discutient gum-resin ; the European Celery (Apium graveolens, Linn.), which, though an acrid poison when growing in wet places, is a delightful salad when cultivated; the Thibetan Asafcetida (Narthex Asafetida, Falc.), a fetid, stimulant, and antispasmodic gum-resin; the Central European Athamantha (Peucedanum Oreoselinum, Mcench), an aromatic and powerful stimulant; the North European and Asiatic Water Hemlock (Crcz¢a virosa, Linn.), a dangerous, acrid, narcotic poison; the European Sea Holly (Zxyxgium maritimum, Linn.), a sweet, aromatic, tonic and diuretic; the Italian Giant Fennel (Feru/a glauca, Linn.), a stimulating antihysteric; the Mediterranean Fennel Seed (Fwniculum officinale, Allioni.), an aromatic stimulant and carminative; the European and North Asiatic Cow-Parsnip, Branca Ursina (Heracleum Sphondylium, Linn.), an acrid vesicant; the subtropical Indian Pennywort (Hydrocotyle Asiatica, Linn.), noted as a remedy for leprosy, ichthyosis, and rheumatism; the European Masterwort (/mperatoria ostruthium, Linn.), a febrifuge, antiperiodic, and masticatory in toothache; the European Hemlock Dropwort ((nanthe crocata, Linn.), a narcotico-acrid poison of great virulence; the Sardinian Parsley (Petroselinum sativum, Hoff.), a noted diuretic pot-herb; the European Water Dropwort (Phellandrium aquaticum, Linn.), which partakes of the poisonous nature of CEnanthe, but is less dangerous; the Levantine Bibernell or Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella Saxifraga, Linn.), an astrin- gent, masticatory, also used to remove freckles; the Central Asiatic Sumbul (Ferula Sumbul, Hook., f.), a Russian “specific” for cholera, that failed and was afterward used as an antihysteric, and remedy for hypersecretive mucous mem- branes; the Northern Europe and Asiatic Caraway (Carum Caruz, Linn.), a well- known aromatic stimulant and condiment; and lastly, the European Water Pars- nip (Stum latifolium, Linn.), an acrid, narcotic poison. Many other species are used in general medicine.* The European Tur-, bith (Laserpitium latifolium, Jacq.), yields an acrid, bitter, caustic, and violently purgative gum-resin. The European genus Azthriscus, yields two species, Ba sylvestris, Hoff., and A. vulgaris, Pers., that are acrid, narcotic poisons ; while A. Cerefolium, Hoff., is an agreeable pot-herb, called Chervil. The South Russian Cachrys odontalgica, Pall., is, as its name denotes, a remedy for aching carious teeth. The Indian and Levantine Fructus Ptychotis (Cavum Ajowan, Bentl.), = carminative, and the oil antiseptic. The European and Levantine genus Pim- arcotic poisons, * Concerning this order it is noteworthy, that those which grow near water are generally acrid, n while those seeking dry soils are little else than carminative. 62-3 pinella yields the well known Anise (P. Anisum), an aromatic stimulant and car- minative, as well as P. dissecta, Retz., and P. magna, Linn., which have properties similar to those of P. Saxifraga, mentioned-above. The genus /erula, which includes Varthex, yields the following substances, beside Sumbul and Asafcetida mentioned above: African Gum Ammoniacum from F tangitana, Linn.; Persian Galbanum is produced by /. Galbaniflua, and F. rubricaulis, Boiss.; it saction is considered to be intermediate between asafcetida and ammoniacum. Asafcetida is also produced by F: Scorodosma, Bentl., and F. alliacea, Bois. (-. Asafetida, Linn., cannot be decided upon. It was founded upon Kempfer’s descriptions and frag- mentary specimens, neither of which are conclusive—Bentley). The European genus, Feucedanum, contains, beside Athamantha, the following medicinal species : Sulphur-wort (P. officinale, Linn.), reputed diuretic and antispasmodic; Marsh Parsley (P. palustre, Mcen.), a famous Courland remedy for epilepsy; and Dill (P. graveolens, Hiern.), a stimulant and carminative. The European and Asiatic Coriander (Cortandrum sativum, Linn.), is an aromatic stimulant and carminative ; the Levantine Cumin (Cuminum Cyminum, Linn.), a stimulant, carminative, and discutient. The European genus, Daucus, yields the common Carrot(2). Carrota, Linn.), whose seeds are diuretic, and root a well known esculent; while the Sici- lian D. gummifer, Lam., and Corsican D. Gingidum, Linn., are supposed to yield the Bdellium of the old Pharmacopeeias.* Opoponax is a fetid deobstruent, and antispasmodic gum-resin, produced by the juice of Pastinaca Opoponax, Linn. The Alpine Lovage (Ligusticum levisticum, Linn.), is carminative, stimulant, diuretic, and emmenagogue. The root of the European Astrantia major, Linn., is acrid and purgative. The European Eringo (Eryngium campestre, Linn.), is considered by Boerhaave, the first of aperient, diuretic roots. It has been also recommended in gonorrhcea, hepatic and intestinal obstructions, and suppression of the menses, and considered aphrodisiac; its scope is considered larger than that of the Sea Holly mentioned above. The Italian Bracala (Ange/ica nemorosa, Ten.), furnishes the Neapolitans with a remedy for the itch. Samphire, a saline aromatic, is the product of Grithum maritimum, Linn, Alexanders are the aromatic fruits of the European Smyrnium Olusatrum, Linn., formerly used instead of celery. Asa Dulcis—in contradistinction to Asa Fetida—which enjoyed the highest reputation among the ancients, as an antispasmodic, emetic, deobstruent, and diuretic,t is yielded by Thapsia garganica, Linn., or the nearly allied T. sylphium ; the resin of the root is said to be fully as active and thorough a vesicant as croton oil; it deserves a careful proving. Numerous other species have held a place in medicine, and deserve mention, but the above list covers their action, Beside the edible species already mentioned, carrots, parsnips, celery, and chervil, many other plants of this order are eaten. Prangos fabularia, Lindl., is suggested by Royle to be the SvAgwyr of the Greeks, mentioned by Alexander S * India Bdellium is referred to Balsamodendron mukul, and African Bdellium to 2. Africanum, Arn. Soegexicpanen + This was the Laser cyrenaicum of Cyrene, a drug in high reputation among the ancients for medical ns it had miraculous powers assigned to it, such as neutralizing the effects of poison, curing envenomed wounds, restoring sight to the blind, and youth to the aged. So great was its reputation that the princes of Cyrene caused it to be — on > . . e —_ the reverse of their coins; and the Cyrenian doctors were reckoned among the most eminent in the world, Its value was estimated by its weight in gold.—Lindley. 62-4 historians as a highly nutritious food for cattle, and even man, of heating and fattening qualities, The American Aborigines use several species, prominent among which Mr. Dodge* mentions the following: “Dill (Peucedanum graveolens, Wats.), called by the Snakes and Shoshone Indians Yampah.—This spindle-shaped root grows in low, timbered bottoms, and is esteemed as the best of its kind when used for food. It is analogous to the parsnip, and is an article of commerce among the Indians. The seeds are used to flavor soup.” “ Podosciadium Californicum, Gray.—The tubers of this species form one of the dainty dishes of the Oregon Indians. They are black, but when boiled like potatoes they burst open lengthwise, showing a snowy-white farinaceous substance, which has a sweet, cream-like taste, with a slight parsley flavor. It is an excellent root, the cultivation of which might prove useful among the whites.” “ Kouse root (Peucedanum ambiguum, Nutt.).—The root of this plant is dug in April or May when in bloom. It grows on hills and mountains which are so poor that grass will not grow upon them. When fresh it is like the parsnip in taste, and as it dies becomes brittle and very white, with an agreeable taste of mild celery. Itis easily reduced to flour. When its brown epidermis is removed, innumerable small dots are revealed. Both the roots and the flour will keep several months. It is some- times called bread or biscuit root by travelers, and Kouse root by the Indians of Oregon and Idaho. The Canadians know it by the name of Racine blanc, After the bread has been made a short time, its taste is not unlike that of stale biscuits. When the roots have been pounded fine, the flour is pressed into flat cakes, one foot wide, three feet long, and from a quarter to half an inch thick, of an oblong rectangular form, with a hole in the middle by which they are fastened on the saddles when traveling. The cakes have a ribbed appearance, caused by being laid on sticks stretched over the tent fires, for the purpose of smoke-drying or baking the bread. When broken up the bread has a coarse, granulated appear- ance, especially when not ground very fine, and is very insipid.” History and Habitat.—Eryngium Yucceefolium is indigenous to North America, ~ where it ranges from New Jersey to Wisconsin and southward. It habits damp or dry prairies and pine barrens, and blossoms in July and August. This species was valued highly by the Aborigines as an alexiteric, and, com- bined with Iris versicolor, as a febrifuge and diuretic; since their time it has come into use by first the laity, then the physician, as a stimulant, diaphoretic, sialo- gogue, expectorant, diuretic, and alterative. A decoction of the root has been found useful in dropsy, nephritic and calculous disorders; chronic laryngitis and bronchitis; irritation of the urethra, vaginal, uterine, and cystic mucous memr branes; gonorrhcea, gleet, and leucorrhcea; mucoid diarrhcea ; local inflarhmations of the mucous membranes; exhaustion from sexual depletion with loss of erectile power, seminal emissions, and orchitis. By some physicians it has been preferred - to Seneka snakeroot for its sphere, and by others it has been considered fully equal to Contrayerva. The powdered root is said to make a fine escharotic * U.S. Agric. Rep., 1870, pp. 405-7. 62-5 application to fungoid growths and indolent ulcerations, preventing gangrene, and stimulating them to resolution. The plant is not officinal in the U. S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Dispensatory the preparation recommended is Decoctum Eryngii, PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh root, gathered after the fruits are fully ripe, is chopped and pounded toa pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole well, pour it into a well-stoppered bottle, and allow it to stand for eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture, separated by decanting, straining, and filtering, has a clear reddish-orange color by transmitted light; an odor much like that of an old chest that has been shut up with oil-cloth for some time; a bitterish, acrid, and terebinthic taste; and an acid reaction, It leaves a sensation deep in the throat, much like that following Senega. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—This root yields its properties to both water and alcohol, and probably contains an acrid, volatile oil, a bitter principle, and sugar. No analysis has been made of the root; the tincture, however, shows the presence of a small amount of resin. . PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—According to the experiments of Drs. C. H. McClelland, C. H. Coggswells, and W. G. Jones, Eryngium causes, in doses of from 5 to 150 drops of the tincture: Depression of spirits ; vertigo and headache ; irritation of the palpebral mucous membrane, followed by purulent discharges ; inflammation of the eustachian tube, followed by a discharge of fetid pus; a similar condition of the nasal and pharyngeal mucous membranes; nausea and burning in the stomach; colic; constipation, with tenesmus ; frequent desire to urinate, with a decrease in quantity daily passed; stinging, burning sensation in the urethra, severe pain in left testicle, depression of sexual desire, followed by excitation, lewd dreams, pollutions, and discharges of prostatic fluid; a sensa- tion of dyspneea, and constriction of the throat ;* and slight increase in the heart’s action. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 62. 1 and 2. Whole plant, from St. Augustine, Fla., Aug. 2d, 1886. 3. Flower. 4. Calyx and styles. 5 and 6. Petals. 7 and 8. Stamens. g. Fruit. (3-9 enlarged.) * This symptom followed my tasting the tincture for the above description, and became, in half an hour, so strong as to be decidedly uncomfortable.—C, F. M. 63. inn. - IVA ACA SATI PASTINA _— €m.u nat del.et pinxt N. ORD.-UMBELLIFERA. GENUS.—PASTINAGA,* TOURN. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. PASTINACA. PARSNIP. SYN.—PASTINACA SATIVA, LINN. COM. NAMES.—_GARDEN PARSNIP OR PARSNEP; (FR.) PANAIS POTAGER; (GER.) PASTINAKE. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF PASTINACA SATIVA, LINN. Description.—This usually cultivated biennial herb grows to a height of from 3 to 6 feet. oot conical, long and slender, fleshy and succulent. Stem smooth, deeply and plentifully grooved. Leaves pinnately compounded of 3 to 8 pairs of shining leaflets; leaflets ovate or oblong, obtuse cut-toothed or coarsely serrate, the terminal 3-lobed, all somewhat pubescent beneath; petioles sheathed, Umbels large and flat ; zzvolucre and involucels small or absent; flowers all perfect, none radiant. Calyx-teeth obsolete. Petals yellow, roundish, entire, involute ; poz broad and Fruit oval, flat, with a thin, single-winged margin; carfels minutely lateral and at or near the mar- 2 in the commissure ; a/bumen retuse, 5-ribbed, 3 of which are dorsal and equidistant, 2 gin; wtte as long as the carpel, 1 in each sulcus, flat. —The Parsnip is a well-known culinary root, introduced It has now run wild in fields and waysides through- £ the United States, where it flowers from July to History and Habitat. into this country from Europe. out the central and eastern parts 0 October. The root is succulent, nutritious, sweet and in its cultivated state very pleas- ant to many, but when wild or in its second year’s growth, it is rank and acrid poisonous, causing emesis and inflammation of the alimentary tract, followed by flatulent colic and diuresis. The seeds have been used in agues, with what cura- tive action I cannot state. In the north of Ireland a kind of beer is made by brewing the roots with hops ; e is also made in some places from them; and by distillation a sort of lar to that of the sorghum product. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The roots of the second year’s growth, or those of wild individuals, are prepared and macerated as in the previous plant. The resulting tincture is almost colorless, being but slightly tinged with yellow ; is very gummy, has a peculiar honey-like odor, a sweet taste, and an acid reaction. a good win rum is produced simi * Pastus, nourishment. 63-2 an active principle. extractive. Descnirti0s OF PLATE 6 3: . Summit of a wild individual in young fruit, Binghamton, N. ¥; June 26t Part of stem. Face of flower. Petal. Stamen. Ripe pistil. Root. Seed, Section of a carpel. (3-6 and 8-9 enlarged.) * Pharm. Four., 1848, 184. 4 5 ARCHANGELICA ATROPURPUREA , Hoffm. -_- ae Gu ad nat.del.et pinxt. = XN N. ORD. UMBELLIFERZ., 64 GENUS.—ARCHANGELICA,* HOFFM. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. ANGELICA A'TROPURPUREA. GREAT ANGELICA. SYN.—ARCHANGELICA ATROPURPUREA, HOFF.; ANGELICA ATROPUR- PUREA, LINN.; A. TRIQUINATA, MX.; IMPERATORIA LUCIDA, NUTT. COM. NAMES.—COMMON ANGELICA,;+ HIGH ANGELICA, MASTERWORT.} (GER.) PURPURFARBIGE ANGELICA. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT ARCHANGELICA ATROPURPUREA, HOFF. Description.—This strong-scented, perennial herb grows to a height of from 4 to 6 feet. Root somewhat conical. Stem very stout, smooth, dark-purple, and hollow. Leaves 2 to 3 ternately-compound; /eaflets 5 to 7 pinnate, ovate, sharply cut-serrate, acute, and pale beneath, the three terminal ones often confluent and somewhat decurrent at the base. /nflorescence a globular compound umbel. /x- volucre little or none; imvolucels of very short, subulate leaflets. Ca/ya with very short teeth. Peta/s ovate, entire, with the sharp tips inflexed. /Avuz¢ smooth; carpels somewhat compressed, furnished with 3 rather prominent dorsal ribs, and the two lateral ones prolonged into marginal wings; z¢/e not on the pericarp, but surrounding the seed and adherent to its surface; seed convex upon the back and flattish upon the face, very loose in the pericarp. Read description of the order under 62. History and Habitat.—The Great Angelica is indigenous to N orth America, from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin northward, where it habits low grounds along streams, and flowers in June. When fresh the roots are poisonous, and are said to have been used for suicidal purposes by the Canadian Indians ; when dried, however, they lose this quality, and are then Considered carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue and stimu- lant. The dried root was often used, especially in combination with other and better-known diuretics, in anasarca and various diseases of the urinary organs; and alone in flatulent colic and suppressed menstruation. Dr. Schell claims§ that * This name alluded to its supposed high ange/ic properties. + The common Garden Angelica is 4. archangelica. : t The true Masterwort is the European Imperatoria ostruthium, Linn.; the Cow Parsnip, Heracleum lanatum, Linn., is often wrongly called by this name. 4 Fam. Guide to Health, 1856, corroborated in Am. Jour. Hom. Mat. Med.,\. 272. 64-2 doses of 15 to 20 grains of the dried root will cause a disgust for all spirit liquors. The stems were often made into a candied preserve in some sec of the country—a practice now nearly extinct. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole plant, when in see Ne and Shanes to a pulp, and treated as in the mee ee for the detente of its principles. compared with those of Angelica Welangtlica. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Uninvestigated. DESCRIPTION oF PLATE 64. . Whole ee 9 times reduced, Binghamton, N. Y., July 6th, 1885. . Portion of upper stalk, showing petiole. a ‘Flower (petals aii, a N. ORD.-UMBELLIFERE. 65 GENUS.— A THUSA,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA, A THOS, FOOLS PARSLEY. SYN.—AITHUSA CYNAPIUM, LINN.; CICUTARIA TENUIFOLIA, RAIL; C. FATUA, LOB.; CORIANDRUM CYNAPIUM, CRANTZ. COM. NAMES.—FOOL’S PARSLEY, DOG’S PARSLEY, DOG POISON, GARDEN HEMLOCK, LESSER HEMLOCK, SMALL HEMLOCK; (FR.) LA PETITE CIQUE; (GER.) KLEINER SCHEILING, HUNDSPETERSILIE. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT ASTHUSA CYNAPIUM, LINN. Description.—This fetid annual herb. attains a growth of from 8 inches to 2 feet. Sfem erect, unspotted, striate, and fistulous. Leaves dark green, 2-3-ter- nately compound, many cleft; divisions pinnate, wedge-lanceolate, obtuse. Unmbels terminal and opposite the petioles; vays very unequal ; zzvolucre none ; involucels one-sided, 3-leaved, the leaves erect while the buds are immature, but become long, narrow, and pendent when in full flower and fruit. Flowers white; calyx teeth obsolete ; petals obovate, appearing emarginate, or even obcordate, by the inflexion of the tip. wt ovate-globose, not much if at all flattened either way; carfo- phore 2-parted; mericarps, each with 5 thick, sharply-keeled ridges; vitte, single in the deep intervals, and 2 in the commissure at its base. History and Habitat.—The Fool’s Parsley is indigenous to Europe and Siberia, from whence it has been imtroduced into this country where it now grows, still sparingly, along roadsides and waste places about cultivated grounds, in New England, and from there to Pennsylvania, flowering in July and August. On account of the many cases of poisoning by the inadvertent use of this herb for parsley, from which it is easily distinguishable,} very little use has been made of it by physicians. By the early writers it is so often confounded with Conium, that it is very difficult to trace its history. The first author to charac- terize it was Hermolaus Barbarus, who called it Gicuta terrestris minore ; it is also mentioned by Matthiolus, Jonston, Jungius, Miiller, and others, all speaking of its peculiar effects when eaten. Its action has been generally considered like that of Conium, but milder, and its principal, if not its only use, was in some forms of obstinate cutaneous disorders. It is not mentioned in the U. S. Ph., nor is it found in the Eclectic Dispensatory. in reference to the acrid taste of the plant. * Ai@icow, aithusso, to set on fire ; foliage than Parsley, a nauseous smell, white flowers, + AEthusa has much darker-green much more acute. and the leaf-sections are 66-2 PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, when in flower and fruit, is treated as directed under Eryngium (62), The resulting tincture has a clear, orange-brown color by transmitted light; a fetid, disagreeable odor; an acrid taste; and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Cyxapin. This alkaloid was discovered by Ficinus, who describes it as crystallizing in prisms that are soluble both in alcohol and water, but not in ether, and as having an alkaline reaction, and forming a crystallizable salt with sulphuric acid.* Walz describes an alkaloid, resulting as a volatile oily liquid, in which he is upheld by the experiments of Bernhart,+ who succeeded in isolating a like substance, which he describes as having a strong alkaline reaction, an exceedingly penetrating, offensive odor, and as being soluble . in alcohol. The body seems, as yet, to have received no further investigation, PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The following excerpt, from one of the promi- nent botanical journals,t being of late date, serves to introduce this rubric: “*« Fool's Farsley’ not Fotsonous.— For several centuries the plant “thusa Cynapium, L., has been the object of suspicion, and classed among poisons by botanists and toxicological writers. But now Dr. John Harley, of England, comes forward and presents a vindication of what he calls ‘an innocent and harmless plant.’ In the St. Thomas’ Hospital Reports, he relates a number of facts to prove the correctness of his conclusions. The juices of the plant, from the root as well as from the leaves, were obtained by expression just before flowering, and also after the plants had reached maturity and set fruit. Being thus provided with a_ supply of material, representing the active properties of the plant, he exhausted it upon four patients,—one a little girl, four years old, who took the extract in quan- tities ranging from 2 drachms to 2 ounces; himself, who took it in quantities ranging from 2 to 4 fluid ounces; and two other adults, who were the subjects of spasmodic wry-neck. These two took one or other of the juices, in doses ranging from 1 to 8 fluid ounces. Effects were anxiously looked for, but absolutely none foliowed in any of the cases, Dr. Harley therefore feels compelled to assert that = Cad = Pal Lay ke S ee y ed ¥ y ¥ Led rf \4 f ef “f ve ¥! ‘4 “th @m.u nat del.et pinxt =— ie IAT, tT. ‘ “i “% “yy AT ARALIA RACEMOSA Linn. ene 69. N. ORD.—ARALIACEA, | 69 GENUS.—ARALIA,* TOURN., SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA PENTAGYNIA. ARALIA RACEMOSA. SPIRENARD. SYN.—ARALIA RACEMOSA, LINN. COM. NAMES.—SPIKENARD, AMERICAN SPIKENARD, PETTYMORREL, LIFE-OF-MAN, PIGEON-WEED; (FR.) NARD D’AMERIQUE; (GER.) AMERIKANISCHER ARALIE. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF ARALIA RACEMOSA, LINN, Description.—This aromatic perennial attains a growth of from 2 to 5 feet.+ Root large, thick, spicy-aromatic; dark thick, whitish internally. Svem ligneously herbaceous, smooth, bifurcating, much branched, and devoid of prickles. Leaves very large, odd-pinnately compound; /eaflets ovate-cordate, doubly-serrate, acuminate, slightly downy; sépu/es wanting, or represented by a serrate stipular membrane at the bifurcation of the branches and sometimes at the bases of the petioles. Inflorescence numerous axillary, compound, racemose panicles, or thyrsi. flowers monceciously polygamous or perfect. Ca/ya coherent with the ovary ; teeth 5, short, projecting upward between the petals. /e¢a/s 5, epigynous, obovate acute, reflexed-spreading, caducous. Stamens 5, epigynous, situated opposite the calyx teeth; //aments slender; anthers 2-celled, opening longitudinally. Ovary globular, 5-celled, somewhat 1o-ridged ; ovu/es anatropous, suspended, 1 in each cell; sty/es 5, closely clustered, sometimes united at the base, or in the sterile flowers entirely united; ségmas capitellate, or simply a stigmatic surface to the apex of each style. vat globular, aromatic, baccate drupes, retaining the per- sistent and now divaricate styles ; eméryo minute. Araliacesze.—Many characters of this natural order are identical with the preceding (Umbelliferz), its distinguishing points are: Herbs, shrubs, or trees. Leaves sometimes simple but mostly compound or decompound. /nx/lorescence panicled or racemose umbels; flowers in our species more or less polygamous. Calyx : limb very short or wanting. Petals 5, not inflexed. Stamens 5. Fruita berry or drupe with usually more than two cells; carfels not separating ; albumen generally sarcous. —% This family affords, beside the two species represented here, the following plants used in medicine and the arts: The common Ivy (//edera felix), at one time held in great repute as a preventive of drunkenness and antidote to the * Derivation unknown, + J. F. James mentions a plant 7 to 8 feet high, with leaves 3 feet long, and fruit 15 to 18 inches, in Bot. Gaz., 1882, p. 122. 69-2 effects of “heady” wines; its blackish, gummy resin is used as a constituent of some varnishes (Griffith); the Amboyian F/edera umbellifera (Aralia umbellifera, Lam.) yields a powerfully aromatic camphoraceous resin; and the Ceylon Z. lterebinthacea one resembling turpentine. The American aromatic tonics False Sarsaparilla (Avalia nudicaulis) and the Angelica tree (A: spinosa) have just been dismissed from the Pharmacopeeia of the United States. Among the edible plants of this family are the Chinese Diamorphantus edulis, Gunnera scabra, and G, macro- cephala. The useful species of Paxax are noted under the next drug. History and Habitat.—Spikenard is indigenous to Canada, and the United States southward to the mountains of South Carolina and westward to the Rockies. It grows along the rocky but rich banks of well shaded streams, and flowers in July. Concerning the previous use of this species, which was not so extensive as that of A. spinosa, nudicaulis, and hispida, Rafinesque says :* “ A. racemosa is used by the Indians as carminative, pectoral and antiseptic, in coughs, pains in the breast (chest), and mortification ; the root with horse-radish is made in poultice for the feet in general dropsy. The juice of the berries and oil of the seeds is said to cure ear- ache and deafness, poured in the ears.” Culpepper says :} “It is good to provoke urine, and cureth the pains of the stone in the reins and kidneys.” In domestic practice it has been made into a composite syrup with the root of /xula helentum, and used as a remedy in chronic coughs, asthma, and rheumatism; a tincture of the root and fruit has also been used as a stomachic. No preparation of this plant is now officinal in the U. S. Ph. or Eclectic Materia Medica. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, the part used is large and thick, the bark is about ,%, inch in thickness, white internally and shows on section, many yellow resin’ cells, it readily peels off the ligneous layer surround- ing the main bulk of the root. The central portion is somewhat dense, dotted with scattered bundles of woody fibre and surrounded by a ligneous sheath 7; inch thick, The tincture is prepared by chopping and pounding the root to a pulp, macerating it for eight days in two parts by weight of alcohol and filtering. It results as a clear, slightly brownish-orange liquid by transmitted light, having the peculiar, somewhat terebinthic odor of the root, a bitter astringent taste, and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis of this plant has been published as far as I can determine. The analysis of 4. spinosa, by Holden,t Elkins,§ and Lilly,|| will give us some idea of the probable nature of the phytochemistry of this species, * Med. Flor., vol. 2, p. 175. + Complete Herbal, London, so t Am. Four. Phar., 1880, p. 390. @ Idem, p. 402. || Period. cit., 1882, p. 433. 69-3 Araliin.—This safonin-like glucoside was discovered by Holden and puri- fied by Lilly. It results as a slightly acrid, inodorous, whitish powder; soluble in water, insoluble in cold, strong alcohol, ether, and chloroform. Its watery solution yields a dense, persistent froth on agitation. It precipitates whiter from its solution in boiling alcohol when cold. Boiled with very dilute hydrochloric acid, it breaks down into glucose and Araliretin (Holden), a white, insoluble, tasteless and odorless, amorphous product. Alkaloid —Elkin announced an alkaloid principle separable as a yellowish, amorphous, semi-transparent, bitter mass, soluble in water and ether, and answer- ing to Mayer’s test. Lilly failed to procure this precipitable body, but isolated a “ bitter principle” having all its characteristics except that it was crystalline. Oil of Aralia (Elkins, Lilly)——An aromatic, somewhate amphoraceous, acid body, having the characteristic odor of the root. An acrid resin, soluble in alcohol and ether, insoluble in water ;*+ tannin ;* glucose ;+{ pictin ;}{ gum ;+ fat ;* and starch,+{ were also determined, PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The only account of the action of this drug that we have, is a proving by Dr. Sam’! A. Jones, of Ann Arbor, § in whom a dose of 10 drops of the tincture caused a severe asthmatic fit, characterized by dry, wheezing respiration ; obstructed inspiration; a sense of impending suffocation and inability to lie down during the attack; profuse night sweat during sleep ; nausea; prostration; and difficult expulsion of small, soft stool, accompanied by the abdominal sense of oncoming diarrhoea, | have had the pleasure of seeing drop doses of the tincture promptly relieve a similar case, in’my own practice, in a half hour, and exert a beneficial effect in warding off recurring attacks. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 69. 1. Portion of a fruiting stem, Binghamton, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1882. 2. A leaf, half natural size. 3. A flower. Bird’s-eye view of flower after removal of the anthers. 5. Styles. 6. Stamen. 7. Pollen x 300. 8. Section of the root. (3-6 enlarged. ) ~ ‘cicheeanLAETTAE: cect LT OO oe — — 4 Hale’s New Remedies, p. 53- * Holden, oc. cit. «+ T Elkins, oc. cit. { Lilly, /oc, cit. Gm .ad nat.del.et pinxt. sf f ARALIA Se QuINQUEFOLIA, Gray. N. ORD.—ARALIACEZ:, 70 GENUS.—ARAL#FAS. SEX, SYST._PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. -CINGE NG. JIN-CHEN. SYN.—ARALIA QUINQUEFOLIA, GRAY; A. CANADENSIS, TOURN.; PA- NAX QUINQUEFOLIUM, LINN.; P. AMERICANUM, RAF. ; AURELIANA CANADENSIS, LAFIT; GINSENG QUINQUEFOLIUM, WOOD; GIN-SENG CHINENSIBUS, JARTOUX. COM. NAMES.—GINSENG, TARTAR-ROOT, FIVE-FINGER, RED BERRY, MAN’S HEALTH; (FR.) GINSENG D’AMERIQUE; (GER.) KRAFTW UR- ZEL. A TINCTURE OF THE DRY ROOT OF ARALIA QUINQUEFOLIA, GRAY. Description.—This herbaceous perennial grows to a height of about 1 foot. Root large, sometimes forked, but generally consisting of a fleshy, somewhat fusi- form body, from the larger end of which is given off an irregular, cylindrical, knotty portion, narrower at its abrupt juncture with the main root, and showing the scars of previous stem-growths, Both parts are transversely wrinkled, closely above and sparsely below. Stem simple, erect; leaves 3, palmately 5-divided; deaflets obovate, thin, serrate, and pointed, in two sets, 3 large and 2 small, all long petioled. Inflorescence a single terminal, naked, peduncled umbel ; flowers few, diceciously-polygamous. Calyx-limb very short, obscurely 5-toothed ; éee¢h trian- gular acute. efals 5, spreading, ovate-oblong. Styles 2 to 3, erect or spreading. Stamens 5. Fruit a cluster of bright-red, 2-celled, more or less reniform, fleshy berries, each retaining its calyx-limb and styles; exdocarp thin. This portion of the genus Aralia is the genus Panax* of Linneus. It has many characters, which have given rise to opportunities for forming distinct genera from its species, though ‘ts close resemblance to the Aralias serves to hold it there. History and Habitat.—The American Ginseng grows in the rich, cool woods of central and northern North America, where it flowers in July. There is great similarity in the American and Chinese individuals of this species, but the place of growth or mode of drying seems to more or less affect the properties of the roots, especially if the accounts of the usefulness of the Oriental product can be credited. Father Jartoux, who spent much time, and had special privileges accorded him in the study of this plant, remarks, that so high is it held in esteem by the natives of China that the physicians have written volumes upon its virtues, and deem it a necessity in all their best prescriptions, ascribing * Mav, pan, all; axos, akos, a remedy; as the Chinese and Tartar species were considered panaceas. 70-2 to it medicinal properties of inestimable value, and a remedial agency in fatigue and the infirmities of old age. So great is the plant esteemed in China that the Emperor monopolizes the right of gathering its roots. The preparation of the best roots for the Chinese market is a process which renders them yellow, semi-trans- parent, and of a horny appearance ; this condition is gained by first plunging them — in hot water, brushing until thoroughly scoured, and steaming over boiling millet — seed. The root thus prepared is chewed by the sick to recover health, and by the healthy to increase their vitality; it is said that it removes both mental and bodily fatigue, cures pulmonary complaints, dissolves humors, and prolongs life to a ripe old age,—for all of which the root has often brought in the markets ten times its weight in silver. Father Jartoux* finally became so satisfied that the use of the root verified all that was said of its virtues, that he, in his own case, adds testimony as to its relief of fatigue and increase of vitality. Those roots that are bifurcated are held by the natives to be the most powerful; it was to this kind—which they considered to resemble the human form—that they gave the name 7in-chen, like a man. Strange as it may seem, the American Indian name of the plant, garant- oguen, means the same. The plant is becoming rare in this country, and in fact wherever it is found, on account of the value it brings in the markets. In 1718 the Jesuits of Canada began shipping the roots to China; in 1748 they sold at a dollar a pound here and nearly five in China; afterward the price fluctuated greatly on account of a dislike in China of our product; and finally its gathering has nearly ceased, though © fine sun-dried roots will now bring nearly a dollar per pound at New York. Panax was dismissed from the U. S. Ph. at the last revision, and is simply — mentioned in the Eclectic Materia Medica. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The genuine Chinese or the American — root, dried and coarsely powdered, is covered with five times its weight of alcohol, and allowed to stand eight days, in a well-stoppered bottle, in a dark, cool place, being shaken twice a day. The tincture, poured off and filtered, has a clear, light lemon color by transmitted light, an odor like the root, a taste at first bitter then dulcamarous, and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Panaquilon, C,,H,,O,—This peculiar body, having a taste much like g/ycyrrhizin but more amarous, may be extracted from the root. It results as an amorphous, yellowish powder, soluble in water and alcohol, but not in ether, and precipitable by tannin. It breaks down under the action of sulphuric acid, which, in extracting three molecules of water, causes It ed give off carbonic dioxide and yield a new body as follows: y Panaquilon, Panacon, C,.H,,0, = CO, + (H,O), + C,H,,0,- PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Ginseng causes vertigo, dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, increased appetite, accumulation of flatus mune * Phil. Trans., 28, 239. with tension of the abdomen, diarrhoea, decreased secretion of urine, sexual excite- ment, oppression of the chest and a dry cough, increased heart’s action and irregu- lar pulse, weakness and weariness of the limbs, increased general strength, followed by weakness and prostration, somnolence, and much chilliness. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 70. rand 2, Whole plant, Pittsburgh, Pa, June 28th, 1885. 3. Section of flower. 4. Part of calyx, a petal and stamen, epee Frui 7. Section of rhizome. at. ee ie 23 goa ee S FLORIDA, Linn. ORNU C Gm. nat.del.et p N. ORD.—CORNACE&. 74 GENUS —CORNUS,* TOURN. SEX. SYST.—TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. CORNUS FLORIDA. FLOWERING DOG WOOD. SYN.—CORNUS FLORIDA, LINN.; BENTHAMIDIA FLORIDA, SPACH. COM. NAMES.—FLOWERING DOGWOOD, DOG TREE, BOX TREE, NEW ENGLAND BOXWOOD, CORNEL, BITTER REDBERRY ; (FR.) CORNUIL- LIER A GRANDES FLEURS; (GER.) GROSSBLUTHIGE CORNEL. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK OF CORNUS FLORIDA, LINN. Description.—This small but beautiful forest tree, grows to a height of from 10 to 30 feet; its form is usually somewhat bent, scraggy, and loosely branched ; but if transplanted when young to open places, it grows into a beautiful full, umbrella-like tree, with an immense spread of branches. ark greyish, cracked into small, more or less rectangular pieces; that of the branches is smooth, red, and shows strongly the scars of previous leaves. /n/florescence terminal, peduncled, involucrate, greenish heads ; zzvo/ucre white and showy; /odes 4, peta- loid, obcordate or furnished with deep notches, having a discolored and thickened margin. Flowers perfect, appearing with the leaves; ca/yx tubular ; odes 4, minute, triangular and somewhat obtuse; fe¢a/s 4, oblong, obtuse, spreading, but at length recurved in such a manner as to cause each flower, when magnified, to bear great resemblance to a plain Ionic capital. Stamens 4, erect; filaments slender and filiform; anthers oval, versatile, 2-celled. Style erect, slender, clavate, shorter than the stamens; sfgma terminal, obtuse. /7uzt a few oval, red drupes, contain- ing each a 2-celled and 2-seeded nutlet. Cornacess.—This small order is composed of shrubs or trees (rarely herbs) having the following characters: Leaves mostly opposite, rarely alternate; stipules none. J/nflorescence cymose, Or (in two species of Cornus) capitate and subtended by a showy, white involucre ; flowers perfect or polygamous. Calyx tubular and coherent with the ovary; “m6 minute, 4-toothed. eéa/s valvate in the bud, equal in number to the calyx teeth or sometimes wanting. Stamens as many as the petals and alternate with:them; in the perfect flowers they are borne on the margin of an epigynous disk ; filaments usually ascending, sometimes erect. Ovary I to 2-celled; ovules one in each cell, anatropous, hanging from the apex of its cell; styles united into one. Fruita 1 to 2-seeded drupe; seeds oval; ¢esta coriaceous ; albumen sarcous; embryo axial, nearly the length of the albumen; cotyledons foliaceous. * Cornu, a horn, alluding to the density of the wood. 71-2 This family is represented by only two genera, Cornus and Nyssa, the latter having dicecious and partly apetalous flowers. Beside the three species treated of in this work, the following are useful: The European and Asiatic Cornellian Cherry (Cornus mas, Linn.), the fruits of which were formerly fermented as a beverage, and are now used in Turkey in the concoc- tion of a kind of sherbet; and the North European Lus-a-chrasts (C. succica, Linn,), the berries of which are claimed by the Highlanders to have the power of enor- mously increasing the appetite. The berries of the Red Osier Dogwood (C. stolonifera, Michx.; C. sanguinea, Linn.), are claimed by Murion* to yield about one-third their weight of a pure, limpid oil, resembling olive, and fit for table use or for burning. History and Habitat.—The flowering dogwood is common in the deep woods of North America from the 43° north latitude southward, eastward, and westward ; it is especially common in the South, where it extends from Florida westward to the Mississippi. Its principal central localities are the States of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, where it flowers in May, generally from the 1sth to the 22d, and fruits in September. A peculiar feature in the blossoming of this species is the great regularity in time of appearance of its short-lived blossoms ; so characteristic is this that the Indians always planted their corn when the blossoms appeared. Notwithstanding the small diameter of the trunk of the dogwood, its wood is nevertheless quite valuable, on account of its great density and susceptibility of polish. It has been used for every purpose generally filled by the European Box- wood, such as engravers’ blocks, cog-wheels, forks, spoons, rules, etc., etc. The twigs have long been used as a dentifrice ; of this use Barton says: + “The young branches stripped of their bark, and rubbed with their ends against the teeth, render them extremely white. The Creole negroes, who inhabit Norfolk, in Virginia, in great numbers, are in constant practice of using dogwood twigs in cleansing their teeth; the striking whiteness of these, which I have frequently observed, is a proof of the efficacy of this practice. The application of the juice of these twigs to the gums, is also useful in preserving them hard and sound.” The bark of the root afforded the aborigines a scarlet pigment. es The previous medicinal use of dogwood bark dates from the discovery of this country, as it was then used by the Indians, who called the tree Mon-ha-can-ni-min- scht, or Hat-ta-wa-no-min-schi by the Delawares. The bark has proven tonic, astringent, and slightly stimulating; being a stomachic tonic and anti-periodic, said to possess an action very like that of Peruvian bark, and differing from the latter only in quantity of action. Eberle states{ that 35 grains equal 30 grains ee cinchona bark, and Barton says,$ “It may be asserted with entire safety, that as yet there has not been discovered within the limits of the United States any vegetable so effectually to answer the purpose of Peruvian bark in the management of intermittent fever as Cornus florida.” The dose of the dried and powdered * Four, de Pharm., 10, + Med. Bot., i., 55. t Therapeutics, i, 304. 3 Collections. 71-3 bark is placed at from 20 to 30 grains, and caution is necessary against its being too fresh, as it then disagrees seriously with the stomach and bowels. The bark is also considered a tonic, stimulant, and antiseptic poultice for indolent ulcers, phlegmonous erysipelas, and anthrax. : The officinal preparation of the U. S. Ph. is Axtractum Cornus Fluidum ; in the Eclectic Materia Medica the preparations are: Decoctum Cornus Floride, Extractum Cornus Florida, Extractum Cornus Floride Fluidum, and Pilule Quinie Composite.* PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark, especially that of the root, is to be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole well, pour it into a well-stoppered bottle and allow it to remain eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture separated from this mass by filtration, presents a magnificent, clear, crimson color by transmitted light. It has a vinous odor, a sharply astringent cinnamon.like taste, and a strongly acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Cornic Acid. This acid was discovered by Carpenter (1830), who judged it alkaloidal and gave it the name Cornin, Geiger+ (1836) investigated the principle and determined it to be a crystalline acid; his observations were corroborated by Freyt (1879). It crystallizes in nearly white, silky forms, very bitter and soluble in alcohol and water. The crystals deliquesce when exposed to the air, and when subjected to heat upon platinum foil they melt readily, become black, and finally burst into a flame and burn without residue. Oil of Cornus.—The ripe berries, when boiled and pressed, are said to yield a limpid oil; this body is uninvestigated. Tannic,!*** and gallic acid,!*® a neutral resin crystallizing in shining needles, gum,'** extractive,!?*° fatty matter,’ oil,’ wax,” red coloring matter,?**° cornic acid,?*+° and a bitter principle,* have been determined. 1234 PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The fresh bark in doses of from 20 to 40 grains - causes increased action of the heart, heat of the skin, and severe pain in the bowels, The American Indian, true to the principle that seems to have guided him in the use of all medicines, used the bark for fever and colic. The symptoms so far devel- oped in proving are: sensations of fullness of the head with headache ; nausea and vomiting; violent pain in the bowels with purging; and increased bodily tempera- ture, followed by hot sweat.’ Dr. Chas. A. Lee sums up the action of the drug as follows:? “The physiological effects of Cornus bark are: increased frequency of pulse, exalted temperature, diaphoresis, sensation of fullness or pains in the * Sulphate of Quinia, extract of Cornus florida, Tartaric acid, and alcoholic extract of Cimicifuga. + M. Geiger, Ann. der Pharm., XIV., 206. Am. Four. Phar., 1879, 39°. , . : mh Inaug. Diss. 2 Cockburn, Am. Four, Phar., 1835, 114. * Tilden, Four. Mat. Med., i., N.S., 294, * Geiger, 1. c. . Frey, i, c.. * Hale, New Rem., 242. 1 The Jour, of Mat, Med.,\. © 71-4 head, and, if the dose be too large, gastric derangement. strongly marked are the increased temperature of the skin, and the general p spiration, Some experimenters have observed a constant tendency to sle which has continued for several hours. This does not indicate any specific narcot properties, but is the result of the cerebral fullness. Whether the remote effect are owing to sympathy, propagated from the gastic centre, or are the direct effec’ of the introduction of the active principles into the blood, is not certainly knov although the latter is most probable, since the cold infusion or the alcoholic extr produces the same effects. But whatever doubt there may be in regard to its t mode of operation, it is very evident that the bark has properties calculated invigorate the vital forces, and the organic nervous energy, without unduly stit lating the circulating system.” = 3 ge DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 71. 1. End of a flowering branch, Newfield, N. ¥., May 15th, 1880. _ 3. Section of calyx and ovary. 4. Fruiting branch. (2 and 3 enlarged.) 12. 1 ree me — N. ORD.-CORNACE&. ve GENUS.—CORNUS. SEX. SYST.—TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. CORNUS CIRCINATA. | ROUND LEAVED DOGWOOD. SYN.—CORNUS CIRCINATA, L’HER.; C. RUGOSA, LAM.; C. TOMENTULOSA, MICHX. COM. NAMES.—ROUND LEAVED CORNEL OR DOGWOOD, ALDER DOGWOOD, PENNSYLVANIA DOGWOOD, GREEN OSIER, SWAMP SASSAFRAS; (FR.) CORNOUILE A FEUILLES RONDIE; (GER.) RUNDBLATTERIGE CORNEL. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK OF CORNUS CIRCINATA, L’HER. Description.—This shrubby species grows from 6 to 10 feet high. Stem erect; bark greyish, verrucose ; branches green, opposite, straight, and slender— the younger ones bright green splashed with red, those of the previous year somewhat crimson and more or less warty. eaves all opposite, round-oval, acuminate, woolly beneath, larger than those of any other species ; ribs and veins prominent below and correspondingly indented above. Inflorescence terminal, in open, more or less flat, spreading cymes; flowers white. Calyx teeth very short. Petals ovate-lanceolate, at length spreading. Stamens longer than the petals. Style about two-thirds the length of the stamens; s/gma capitate. Fruit an incomplete cyme of spherical, light blue drupes, each hollowed at the insertion of the pedicel and where it retains the remains of the persistent style. History and Habitat.—The Round Leaved Dogwood grows in copses where the soil is rich, being indigenous from Canada to the Carolinas, and west to the Mississippi; flowering in the north in June. The medicinal use of this species is far less extensive than the last, preceding. The Drs. Ives claim* that the bark is tonic, and astringent to a far greater degree than any other species of the genus, and that it resembles Cinchona lance- folia (Pale Bark) in its action. It has proven, in their hands, an excellent remedy for chronic dyspepsia [szc] and diarrhcea. An ounce of the bark will yield in the neighborhood of 150 grains of a very strongly-bitter extract; far greater in quan- tity, and more bitter than that of C. florida. Cornus circinata was dismissed from the U. S. Ph. at the last revision. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark is gathered and treated as in the preceding species. ¥ Dr. A. W. Ives, V. ¥. Rep» 1822; Dr. E. Ives, 7rans. Am. Med. Assoc'n, iii, 312. The tincture resulting is clear, and of a slightly brownish-orange color, Its odor is very like that of Rhubarb; its taste sharply astringent and bitter, and reaction acid. 7 florida only in the fact that it remains associated with tannin in spite of most care ~ ful re-crystallization, and other means of purification.* | The other constituents mentioned in the preceding species are all, with doubt, duplicated in this. Gibson isolated sugar, coloring-matter, co 1 tannin. : | | PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Here again great similarity exists between the species. C. circinata causes drowsiness and depression of spirits; congestio the head; nausea and faintness; flatulency ; copious bilious stools and urine, yellowness of the sclera, face and hands; coldness of the extremties ; itching, rash, upon the whole surface, especially the trunk, with flashes of followed by perspiration. aS : as . _ DESCRIPTION oF PLATE 72. | of a flowering branch, Binghamton, N.Y., June 16th, _ 6, Portion of the stem Gm 20 nat.del.et pinxt CORNUS SERICEA, Linn. 73. N. ORD. CORNACE. 73 GENUS.—CORNUS, TOURN. SEX. SYST.—TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. CORNUS SERICEA. SILEY DOGWOOD. SYN.—CORNUS SERICEA, LINN.; C. AMOMUM, DU ROI; C. CYANOCAR- PUS, MOEN.; C. LANUGINOSA, MICHX.; C. OBLIQUA, RAF. COM. NAMES.*~SWAMP OR FEMALE DOGWOOD, SILKY OR BLUEBERRY CORNEL, KINNIKINNIK;; (FR.) CORNOUILLE SOYEUX; (GER.) SUMPF- CORNEL. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK OF CORNUS SERICEA, LINN. Description.—This water-loving shrub grows to a height of from 6 to 12 feet. Branches spreading, dark-purplish (not brilliant red) ; branchlets silky-downy. Leaves narrowly ovate or elliptical, pointed, smooth above, silky-downy below and often rusty-hairy upon the ribs. sflorescence a flat, close, woolly-pubescent, long-peduncled cyme ; flowers creamy-white. Calyx teeth \anceolate, conspicuous. Petals lanceolate-oblong, obtuse. Stigma thick, capitate. rut pale blue, globose. Read description of Cornacee, p. 71. History and Habitat.—The Swamp Dogwood is indigenous to North America, from Florida to Mississippi and thence northward, where it grows in wet places, generally in company with Cephalanthus and Viburnum dentatum. It flowers northward in June, and ripens its azure fruit in September. The use of this species in general medicine has mostly been as a substitute for C. florida, than which it is less bitter, while being more astringent. The Cree Indians of Hudson’s Bay call the plant M/lawapamule, and use the bark in decoc- tion as an emetic in coughs and fevers. They also smoke the scrapings of the wood, and make a black dye from the bark by boiling it with iron rust+ A favorite tobacco mixture of the North American Indians, called Avunikinnik, is composed of scrapings of the wood of this species, mixed with tobacco in the pro- portion of about one to four. A good scarlet dye is made by boiling the rootlets with water. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark, including that of the root, is treated like that of the first-mentioned species; the resulting tincture has * The names Red Willow, Red Osier, Red Rod, and Rose Willow, are often given to this species, but they should only designate C. stolonifera, Michx. } E. M. Holmes in Am. Four. Phar., 1884, 617. 73-2 a beautiful madder color by transmitted light, an odor greatly like that of suge cane when the juices are slightly soured, an extremely astringent and bitteri; taste, and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—At present we can only call attention a to this rubric under C. florida. The bitterness, however, of this species is | than its congener, while its astringency is greater, PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—This species seems to act stronger heart than C. florzda, and to cause more cerebral congestion. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 73. 1. End ofa flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., June 2oth, 4885. 2. Flower. 3. Stigma. 4. Fruit. (2 and 3 enlarged.) SEL OTC EARS —— > Gry i, artes mua x 2 m bWAWAle, ac AGU ACAD Vv \2 “fF iW LV AW WAS “ TRIOGSTEUM PERFOLIATUM, Linn. Gm ad nat.del.et. pinxt N. ORD.-CAPRIFOLIACEZ. 74 Tribe.—LONICEREE, : GENUS.—TRIOSTEU M ,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. TRIOSTEUM. FEVER-WORT. SYN.—TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM, LINN.; TRIOSTEUM MAJUS, MICHX. COM. NAMES.—FEVER-WORT, OR ROOT; HORSE-GENTIAN, OR GINSENG; WHITE GINSENG; TINKER WEED, OR DR, TINKER’S WEED; BAS- TARD, FALSE, OR, WILD IPECAC;+ WILD COFFEE; SWEET-BITTER ; CINQUE; (FR.) TRIOSTE; (GER.) DREISTEIN. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF TRIOSTEUM PERFOLIATUM, LINN. Description.—This coarse, leafy, perennial herb, grows to a height of from 1 to 4 feet. Root thick and sarcous, sub-divided into several horizontal sections ; stem simple, hollow, glandularly pubescent; /eaves opposite, ample, ovate-spatulate, sinuate, acuminate, abruptly narrowed and connate or almost perfoliate at the base, prominently reticulate veined and downy pubescent upon the under surface, and hairy above. Jnflorescence, axillary whorls at the middle of the stem ; flow- ers 1 to 6, dull or reddish purple, sessile. Bracts linear; calyx persistent; /odes linear-lanceolate, foliaceous. Corolla elongated cylindro-tubular, curved, gibbous at the base, scarcely longer than the calyx lobes, viscidly pubescent; 4é more or less equally 5-lobed. Stamens 5, inserted upon the tube of the corolla; f/aments hairy; anthers sagittate. Ovary generally 5-celled, each cell 1-ovuled; ovules suspended; style filiform, hairy; s#gma 3 to 5-lobed. rut drupaceous, dry, orange-colored; zudélets 3-angled and 3-ribbed, 1-seeded; exdocarp osseous, festa membranaceous. Caprifoliaces.—A large family of shrubs and a few perennial herbs. Leaves opposite and destitute of stipules when normal. lowers generally 5-merous, regular, or sometimes in the corolla irregular, hermaphrodite; calyx adnate to the ovary; corolla with its lobes imbricate in aestivation. Séamens as many as the lobes of the corolla, alternate with them, and inserted upon its tube. (Exc. Adoxa and Linnaea.) Ovary 2 to 5- or, by abortion, 1-celled ; ovu/es anatro- pous, when only one then suspended and inverted; raphe dorsal. Embryo small in the axis of the fleshy albumen, oe The following remedies belonging to this family are of special interest to us * Theis, Crets, three; dcréov, osteon, a bone; the fruit having three nutlets, shortened from 7riosteospermum, Dill. ’ ’ ’ + Applied also to many species of Euphorbia, and to Gillennia trifoliata, Moench. (Rosacez.) 74-2 beside the two under consideration: the European Moschatel (Adoxa Moschatel. fina, Linn.), also found in Arctic America and sparsely in the Rocky Mountains: the European Elder (Saméucus nigra, Linn.), a native also of Asia and Northern Africa; and the European Fly Woodbine (Lonicera Xylosteum, Linn.). Two American species were proven too late for representation in this work, they are the Snowberry (Symphoricarpus racemosus, Michx.), a valuable remedy in vomiting pregnancy, as many suffering ladies have testified in my practice; and the High Cranberry (Viburnum opulus, Linn.), now proving valuable in many forms of uterine affections and puerperal diseases, , Outside of our Materia Medica the order contains: The Dwarf Elder (Sam- bucus ebulus, Linn.), probably the most active of that genus; and the Bush Honey- suckle (Diervilla trifida, Moench.). History ard Habitat.—The feverwort is indigenous to North America from Canada southward and westward to Alabama, growing on open woodlands in lime- stone soils; not really plentiful in any locality. It blossoms in June, and ripens its characteristically arranged fruit in September. It was in all probability the Southern species 7: augusttfolium, Linn., that was principally used as an emetic in earlier days, and this is doubtless the plant sent to Pluckenet as Dr. Tinker’s Weed, and gravely commented on by Poiret as follows :* “Ses racines et celles de l’espece précédente passent pour émétiques; le docteur Tinker est le premier qui les a mises en usage, et qui a fait donner a cette plante par plusieurs habitans de l’Amerique septentrional le d’ herdbe sauvage du doc- teur Tinker.” Triosteum is stated by Rafinesque to have been one of the abo- — riginal medicamente, called Sizcky. A decoction is said to have been used by the Cherokee Indians in the cure of fevers (Porcher). The bark of the root has long been esteemed as an emetic and smoothly-acting cathartic, the former in doses — of from 40 to 60 grains, the latter in half that amount; its cathartic action was claimed to be fully as sure as jalap. Dr. J. Kneeland calls attention to this plant as an application to painful swellings, regarding which he says :} “ My attention was first called to it by a gentleman of observation -and intelligence, who derived his knowledge of its value indirectly from the Onondaga Indians. So strongly did he © back his claims with facts on cases of whitlow or felon, successfully treated, that I — applied the bruised root, moistened, to the first well-marked case of onychia or felon which came to me for treatment. The young man upon whose hand it was, had not slept much for two nights. The whole hand was much swollen; the middle finger, tense and throbbing, was the centre from which the pain and swelling : extended. It had been poulticed and thoroughly soaked in weak lye for three : days, and still grew worse. We applied the 77iosteum, and nothing else. After six hours’ application he slept; the throbbing and tensive pain gradually dimin- — ished after the first application; in two days’ time the swelling disappeared from the forearm and hand; in four days the finger affected, the whole palm, and the — centre of the dorsum of the hand peeled, and complete resolution took place, no * Bigelow, dm. Med. Bot., 1, p. 90. + Loc. cit., The Four. of Mat. Med., Vol. 1., N. S., 1859, 249 74-3 pus having formed. In another case, wherein it was tried, only two applications were required to relieve the pain and throbbing, and complete resolution fol- lowed.” Dr. Mulenberg says* that the dried and toasted berries of this plant were considered by some of the Germans of Lancaster County, Pa., an excellent substitute for coffee when prepared in the same way; having great respect for German taste I tried an infusion, but came to the conclusion that it was not the Lancaster County Germans’ taste that I held in regard. Triosteum is one of the drugs dismissed from the U. S. Ph., at the last revision. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, gathered in Autumn, is chopped and pounded toa pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed well with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After first stirring, the whole is poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture thus formed after filtration has a beautiful, clear, reddish-orange color by transmitted light, a bitterish odor and taste, and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The only analysis thus far made of the root is that by Dr. John Randall, communicated to the Linnean Society of New Eng- land. His conclusions were that no pure resin exists in the plant, nor did he deter- mine a volatile oil or free acid. The leaves under his manipulation yielded the most extract, and the root more than the stems. The sensible qualities of the root, however, he found to be essentially different from those of the herb, Water yields a greater quantity of extract than alcohol. PHYSIOLOGICAL AOTION.—In Dr. Williamson’s proving of the drug the prominent effects were: Nausea; vomiting; copious watery stools apparently pro- ceeding from the small intestines, accompanied by stiffness of the lower extrem- ities and cramps in the calves; aching in the bones; coldness and stiffness of the feet, and general perspiration. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 74. . Top of plant, Binghamton, N. Y., June 15th, 1884. A portion of the middle of the flowering plant. A flower. Opened corolla. . Pistil. Stamen. Pollen, x 200. Fruit. Seeds es cs (3-6, 8 and 9, enlarged.) . Mat. i ey B , as * Barton, Med. Bot., 1, p. 63. ¢ Allen, Ency. Pure Mat. Med., to, p. 25 SAMBUCUS CANADENSIS, Linn. N. ORD.—CAPRIFOLIACEA. . JO Tribe,-SAMBUCEA., GENUS.—SAMBUCUS »* TOURN. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA TRIGYNIA. SAMBUCUS CANADENSIS. ELDER. SYN.—SAMBUCUS CANADENSIS, LINN.; 8. NIGRA, MARSH (NOT LINN.); S. HUMILIS, RAF.; S. GLAUCA, GRAY (NOT NUTT.). COM. NAMES.—ELDER BUSH, ELDER BERRY; (FR.) SUREAU DU CANADA; (GR.) CANADISCHE HOLLUNDER. A TINCTURE OF THE BUDS, FLOWERS, SHOOTS, AND LEAVES OF SAMBUCUS CANADENSIS, LINN. Description.—This common, glabrous, suffrutescent perennial, usually attains a growth of from 6 to 10 feet. Stems somewhat ligneous, hollow, pithy, generally dying down to the ground, or persistent for a few years; dark verrucose; pith dense and bright white after the first year. eaves compound, imparipinnate ; stipules rare; leaflets 5 to 11, mostly 7, petiolulate, from ovate-oval to oblong- lanceolate, serrate, acuminate, the lower sometimes with a lateral lobe; s¢zpe/s not uncommonly present, narrowly linear, and tipped with a callous gland. Jnflor- escence terminal, broad, flat, or depressed, 5-rayed, compound cymes; flowers small, creamy-white, and sickishly odorous. Calyx minute, 5-lobed; dodes some- what deltoid, acute. Corolla rotate, or somewhat urceolate ; md broadly spread- ing; /obes 5, obtuse. Stamens 5, alternate with the lobes of the corolla, and attached to the base of its tube. Stzgmas 3; styles capitate. Fruit a baccate, sweet and juicy, dark-purple drupe, never red, but later becoming black ; d/oom slight. Vudélets 3, small, 1-seeded, punctate-rugulose ; seed suspended ; /esfa mem- branaceous. History and Habitat.—This species is indigenous to North America, where it extends from New Brunswick westward to Saskatchewan, southward to Florida and Texas, and to the mountains of Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. It grows in rich alluvial soils, blossoming in July and fruiting in September. . Our species is not sufficiently distinct from the European 5S. zzgva, Linn., from which it differs only in being less woody, and having more loose cymes, larger flowers and more compound leaves. The bracteate inflorescence, considered spe- cific. does not seem to be a constant feature. The American species was intro- ’ duced into England in 1761. 1 instrument, said to have been made of the wood. * Saupixn, sambuke, an ancient musica 75-2 The pith of the Elder has many offices to fill in the arts and manufactures; the berries make a really pleasant wine; and, among the poorer class of people (it must be more from necessity than choice), they are made into pies, like the huckleberry. In domestic medicine this plant forms almost a pharmacy in itself, and has been used substantially as follows: A decoction of the flowers and leaves, or an ointment containing them, was used as an application to large wounds to prevent deleterious consequences from flies; the leaf-buds proved themselves a violent and unsafe cathartic; the flowers, in a warm infusion are stimulant, excitant, and sudorific; in cold, diuretic, alterative, and laxative (Elderblow Tea); they were also employed, in ointment, as a discutient; the inner bark is a severe hydrogogue cathartic, emetic, deobstruent, and alterative, valuable in intestinal obstruction and anasarca; the berries proved aperient, diuretic, diaphoretic, and cathartic, valuable in rheumatic gout, scrofula, and syphilis—the juice making a cooling, laxative drink. In pharmacy the leaves have been used to impart a clear green tint to oils, etc. (Oleum Viride, Unguentum Sambuci foliorum), and the flowers for perfumes. Sambucus Canadensis (flores) are officinal in the U. S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Materia Medica the preparations are: Agua Sambuci, Syrupus Sarsaparille Com- positus,* Unguentum Sambuct, and Vinum Sambuci.+ PART USED AND PREPARATION.—Equal parts of the fresh flower-buds, flowers, young twigs, and leaves are taken, and treated as in the preceding drug (p. 74-3). The resulting tincture has a clear orange-brown color by transmitted light; it retains the sweetish odor and taste of the flowers; and has an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Viburnic Acid. This body, identical with valerianic acid,t was proven to exist in the bark of this species by C. G. Traub who succeeded in obtaining its characteristic odor, and valerianate of zinc after the addition of the sulphate of that metal. Oil of Sambucus.—This volatile body, found in the flowers of S. migra, was proven by Traub to also exist in the bark of this species. It is described as a thin, light-yellow body, having the odor of the flowers, a bitter, burning, afterward cool- ing taste ; becoming of a butter-like consistence, and solidifying at 0° (32° F.) to: a crystalline mass. Tannin, sugar, fat, resin, and a coloring-matter were also determined. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Dr. Ubelacker’s experiments with from 20 0 50 drops of the tincture gave the following symptoms of physical disturbance: Drawing in the head, with anxious dread; flushed and blotched face; dryness * See p. 92-2, foot-note to Syrupus Aralie Compositus, as the syrup is now called. + This so-called Hydragogue Tincture contains Elder-bark, Parsley-root, and Sherry. } See p. 155-3. @ Am, Four, Phar., 1881, 392. Sas and sensation of swelling of the mucous membranes of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, | and trachea ; frequent and profuse flow of clear urine; heaviness and constriction of the chest; palpitation of the heart; pulse rose to 100, and remained until per- spiration ensued; sharp, dar g rheumatic pains in the hands and feet ; exhaustion e and profuse perspiration, which relieved all the symptoms. : DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 75. t. End of flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., July 20th, 1885. 2. Flower, showing calyx. tee et ARE OPEOWE, 4. Stamen, 6. A portion of fruiting cyme. (2-5 and 7 enlarged.) 76. a GEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALIS, Linn. —_— Gm .ad nat.del.et pinxt. N. ORD.—-RUBIACER. _ 76 GENUS.—CEPHALANTHU S,* LINN. SEX, SYST.—TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA, : CEPHALANTHUS. BUTTON BUSH. SYN.—CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALIS, LINN. COM. NAMES.—BUTTON BUSH, BUTTON-WOOD,; CRANE WILLOW, POND- DOGWOOD, SNOWBALL,i GLOBE FLOWER;2 (FR.) BOIS DE PLOMB, CEPHALANTHE D’AMERIQUE; (GER.) KNOPFBUSCH, AMERIKAN- ISCHE WEISSBALL. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK OF CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALIS, LINN. Description.—This smooth or pubescent|| shrub attains a growth of from 5 to 15 feet. Stem diffusely branching; davé smooth and reddish on the branchlets, rough and yellowish on the stems; dvanches opposite. Leaves large, opposite, and — ternate, both arrangements often appearing upon the same branch, petiolate, ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, pointed, dark-green, and smooth; sépzd/es interme- diate, ovate, sometimes toothed. /nflorescence dense, axillary and terminal, globu- lar heads; peduncles longer than the diameter of the heads ; flowers creamy-white, sessile upon a globose, hirsute receptacle. Ca/yx tube inversely pyramidal ; /2é 4-toothed. Corolla slender, tubular, or funnel-form ; margin 4-toothed ; /eeth erect, imbricate in zstivation. S¢amens 4, hardly exserted. S¢y/e filiform, greatly exserted ; stigma capitate, globose. Fruit small, dry, pyriform, 2 to 4 celled, cleaving from the base to form 2 to 4 1-seeded divisions ; seeds pendulous, crowned with acork-like arillus ; emdryo straight in the axis; a/bumen somewhat cartilaginous; colyledons leaf-like. Rubiacesw.—This large and important order has but few representatives in North America, but yields many valuable drugs in the hotter climates. It is char- acterized as follows: Herbs or shrubs. Leaves opposite, entire, or sometimes whorled and astipulate ; s¢pzdles intermediate and connective. Ca/yx coherent with the ovary. Corolla regular, tubular. S/amens as many as the lobes of the corolla, and inserted upon its tube. Ovary 2 to 4 celled. Seeds anatropous or am- phitropous. The important m vian barks, .¢., pale bark (Concho Calisaya, Wedd.), red bark (Czxchor edicinal plants of this family are: The cinchonas or Peru- na officinalis, Linn.), Calisaya bark (C7nchona a succiruba, Pav.), Columbian bark (Cznchona * Kepadi, hephale, a head; divO0;, anthos, a flower, + The true button-wood is the sycamore, a large tree growing a t The true snowball is Symphorica é‘ @ The true globe flower is Zrollius laxus, Salis. || Var. pubescens, Raf. long rivers (Platanus occidentalis, Linn.). rpus racemosus, Mich. (Caprifoliacez), (Ranunculacez), 76-2 cordifolia, Mut.), \ancifolia bark (Cinchona lancifolia, Mut.), crown bark (Cinchona condaminea, D. C. var. crispa and var. Chahuarguera), gray bark (Crnchona mt- crantha, Ru.et Pav.), and many minor species; Gambier, or pallid catechu (Un- caria Gambier, Rox.), coffee (Coffea Arabica, Linn.), ipecacuanha (Cephelis [pe- cacuanha, A. Rich.), Cainca (Chiococca racemosa, Linn.), madder (Rudia tinctoria, Linn.), bitter bark (Pinckneya pubens, Mich.), cleavers (Gallium aparine, Linn.) and others of minor import. History and Habitat.—The button bush is indigenous to the United States and Canadas, growing as far south as Florida and Louisiana, and west to Missouri. It habits the borders of wet places, and flowers from July to August. The flowers of cephalanthus, especially those of the more southern individuals, are pleasantly odorous, the perfume being likened to that of jessamine. Rafinesque mentions several varieties of this species, the only one apparently deserving special desig- nation being var. macrophylla, Raf. distinguishable by having larger leaves, and an hirsute corolla; he stations this plant in Louisiana. The medical history of Cephalanthus is not important; it has been used with 1 success in intermittent and remittent fevers, obstinate coughs (Elliott), ous venereal disorders (Merat), and in general as a tonic, laxative, and diuretic. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark of the stem, branches, and root* is chopped and pounded toa pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole well, pour it into a well-stoppered bottle, and let it stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture, separated from the above mass by filtration, has a light, clear, orange-brown color, by transmitted light, a bitter, astringent taste, and an acid re- action. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—An analysis of the bark by E. M. nae yielded : An uncrystallizable bitter principle, soluble in both water and alcohol. A fluorescent body, forming apicular crystals, soluble in water and alcohol. Two resins (uninvestigated), and tannin. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—We have a proving of this drug by Dr. E. D. Wright,t but it is not complete enough to give us an idea of the action. It would seem, from the close resemblance and botanical relation of this plant to the cin- chonas, that a more thorougs ee might develop in it a very useful addition to our remedies. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 76. 1. End of flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., June 18th, 1883. 2. Flower (enlarged). Fe nna * The bark of the root apparently contains the greatest proportion of the bitter principle of the plant. t Am. Four. Phar., 1874, p. 357. ¢ Am. Hom. Obs., ¥875, Pp. 177: 77. REPENS, Linn. MITCHELLA @ TOL ad nat.del.et pinxt N. ORD.—RUBIACE. 77 GENUS.—MITCHELLA,* LINN, SEX. SYST.—TETRANDRIA MONOGYNIA. MITCHELLA. PARTRIDGE-BERRY. SYN.—MITCHELLA REPENS, LINN.; MITCHELLA UNDULATA, 8. & Z.; SYRINGA BACCIFERA, ETC., PLUK. COM. NAMES.—PARTRIDGE-BERRY, SQUA W-BERRY, SQUAW-VINE, TWO- EYED CHEQUER-BERRY, REEPING CHECKER-BERRY, WINTER- CLOVER, DEER-BERRY. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH PLANT, MITCHELLA REPENS, LINN. Description.—This pretty little plant, creeping about in the moss at the foot of our forest trees and decayed stumps, attains a growth of from 6 to 14 inches. oot cylindrical, branched, horizontal, and noduled at the insertion of the tufted, oppo- site rootlets. Stem glabrous, branching widely, and rooting at each axilla. Leaves orbicular-cordate or oval and subcordate, sometimes having a whitish line over the midrib; dark, evergreen, slender, petioled; sépu/es minute, somewhat triangular awl-shaped. Jnflorescence terminal; flowers in pairs with united ovaries, some- times solitary and double (fig. 3); the flowers on one plant may have included stamens and an exserted style, while another show an included style and exserted stamens. This fact has led Mr. Thos. Meehan} to consider the species dicecious. The first form, he alleges, to be that of the female; the last, the male plant. As far as my observation extends, I have as yet been unable to discover a plant that bore no fruit, and all parts examined appear to be fully developed internally as well as externally. Pduncle short, or, in the double form, almost wanting. Calyx 4-toothed. Corolla slender, funnel-form ; limb 4-lobed ; lobes spreading or reflexed, densely clothed with white hairs upon the upper face and in the throat and tube of the corolla, Stamens 4; filaments inserted upon the corolla ; anthers oblong. Style single filiform ; stigmas 4, linear. Fruzt a fleshy, edible, globose, baccate, double drupe, retaining the persistent teeth of both calices, and remaining fresh of the plant all winter; zzflets 8 (4 to each ovary), small, seedlike, and bony. Read description of the order, under Cephalanthus, 76. __The Partridge-berry is indigenous to North America, uthern limits of the United States, and has It grows in moist woods, especially those History and Habitat. from the Canadas to the extreme so been found in Mexico and Japan. — abounding in evergreens. It flowers in July. ee Ge ee es race an early and excellent American botanist. * In commemoration of Dr. John Mitchell, + Am. Four. Phar, 1868, p. 554- Line Mitchella is one of the many plants used by the American Aborigines as a parturient, frequent doses of a decoction being taken during the few weeks just preceding confinement. It has also been found to be a valuable diuretic and astringent, and to have an especial affinity to various forms of uterine difficulties, The plant is not mentioned in the U.S. Ph. In the Eclectic Materia Medica its preparations are: Extractum Mitchelle and Syrupus Mitchelle Compositus.* PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp well mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After a thorough mixture, the whole is poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture, separated by filtering the mass, should have a deep orange-red color by transmitted light, an odor between that of Scotch snuff and oil of winter- green, an astringent taste, and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis has been made, as far as J can determine, of this plant. The tincture, made as above, contains a large percent- age of tannin, and a resin precipitable by water. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The symptoms, as recorded by Drs. F. C. Duncan and P. H. Hale,} show that Mitchella causes a general congestion, with dryness and burning of the mucous membranes of the alimentary tract. The clinical results would seem to show a tonic action upon involuntary muscular fibres, The drug merits more extended proving. | DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 77. 1. Whole plant (somewhat reduced) ; Pamrapo, N. J., June 8th, 1879. 2. A pair of flowers (somewhat enlarged). 3- A double flower (somewhat enlarged). * Mitchella, Helonias, Viburnum op., and Caulophyllum. ft Allen, Ency. Pure Mat. Med., vol. vi, p- 373. 78. EFUPATORIUM PURPUREUM, Linn. Gm .ad nat.del.et pinxt N. ORD.—COMPOSIT&. 78 Tribe.—EUPATORIACEA. GENUS.—-EUPATORIUM ;, TOURN, SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA ALQUALIS, * EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM. PURPLE BONESET. SYN.—EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM, TRIFOLIATUM, AND MACULATUM, LINN.; E. VERTICILLATUM, MUHL.; E. TERNIFOLIUM, ELL. COM. NAMES.—PURPLE BONESET, THOROUGH-WORT, OR HEMP-WEED ; JOE-PYE,j OR JOPI-WEED; TRUMPET-WEED; QUEEN OF THE MEADOW ;+} GRAVEL-ROOT; (GER.) PURPURFARBENER WASSER- HANF. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM, L. Description.—This common herb varies greatly in form and foliage, the type being very tall and graceful. Stem rigidly erect, 6 to 12 feet high,§ stout, simple, and either hollow or furnished with an incomplete pith; it is punctate in lines and purple above the nodes, or often covered with elongated spots (£. macudata, Linn.). Leaves verticillate, mostly in fives, nearly destitute of resinous puncte, oblong- lanceolate, acutish or acuminate, coarsely serrate, roughish and reticulate-veiny ; petioles distinct or merely represented by the contracted bases of the leaves. Inflorescence a terminal, dense, compound corymb; Aeads very numerous, 5 to 10-flowered. /nvolucre flesh-colored, cylindrical; dvacts thin, membranaceous, somewhat scarious when dry, and faintly 3-striate, obtuse; they are closely imbri- cated in three rows, the exterior successively shorter. Receptacle flat, not hirsute. Style bulbous at the base, much exserted, Achenia smooth, glandular. Eupatorium.—This vast genus contains in North America alone 39 species and 16 distinct varieties ; other species are found in South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. It is composed mostly of perennial herbs, but contains a few annuals, and shrubs in warmer regions. Leaves mostly opposite and simple, resinous and bitter, rarely alternate, whorled, or divided. Heads small, homogamous, discoid, and corymbosely-cymose or paniculate, rarely solitary; involucre cylindrical or -somewhat campanulate; sca/es numerous, purple, blue, or white, never really yellow, though sometimes ochroleucous. Flowers hermaphrodite and homochro- mous; corolla tubular and regular, 5-toothed; anthers included, not caudate ; receptacle naked and flat. Style cylindraceous, branched, the branches exserted, more or less thickened upward and very minutely pubescent. appus a single i first to use the plant as a remedy. ithri Eupator, king of Pontus, who was : . pare pa ete cured typhus in New England, with this plant, by powerful sweating. Lae w is more properly Spirea salicifolia, Linn. (Rosacez). f the Meado ¥ ee ‘ : pigs pocorn represented in the plate was nearly 10 feet high, growing in an open, rich field. 78-2 series of slender but somewhat stiff and rough capillary bristles. Achenia 5-angled, not striate. The species of this genus used in medicine are, beside the two under consid- eration, the American £. aromaticum, Linn., sesstlifolium, Linn., tencrifolium, Willd., and ageratoides, Linn., all considered tonic, diaphoretic, and antiperiodic, the latter being the supposed cause of the “trembles” in cattle; £4. votundzfolium, Linn., a palliative in consumption; the Texan mata (£. incarnatum, Walt.) is said to be diuretic, and is used for flavoring tobacco ; while Z. fenzculceum, Willd., leucolepsis, T. & G., and hyssopifolium, Linn., are considered to be antidotes to the poisonous bites of reptiles and stings of insects. The European £. cannadinum, Linn., is diuretic, emetic, and purgative; the South American £. g/utnosum is one of the sources of the substance known as Matco;* the Jamaican £. nervosum is regarded as an almost certain cure for cholera, typhus, typhoid, and small-pox; - while the Brazilian aya-pana (£. ayapana, Vent.) is an aromatic tonic and febrifuge, and is considered a sure remedy—if timely used—for antidoting the effects of the bites of poisonous reptiles and insects ; this last is said to be the most powerful species of the genus, and as such, it should be carefully proven. Composite.—This immense and purely natural order, consists of herbs, and rarely shrubs and trees; it comprises one-tenth of all known phznogamous plants, and one-eighth of those of North America, where it has 237 genera and 1610 species, of which 1551 are indigenous. Its members are easily distinguished as such, even by general observation; but many of the genera and species require close and careful study for their identification. Since this work was begun, and too late for revision, Prof. Asa Gray’s almost phenomenal volume,+ including this order, appeared. In his careful and laborious revision of the order many changes were instituted in the arrangement and names of the tribes and genera, making the following table necessary to an understanding of the order as it stands at present: New ARRANGEMENT. Tuts Worx. OLp ARRANGEMENT. New ARRANGEMENT. Tuis Work. TRIBE, GENus. TRIBE, TRIBE, GENUs. Oxp ARRANGEMENT. See Rome SE TRIBE, Eupatoriacez. Asteroidez. Inuloidee. “ec Helianthoidez. “ Anthemidez, ce “ 78,79. Eupatorium. 80, Erigeron. 89. Graphalium. 81. Inula, 82. Ambrosia. 83. Helianthus. 84. Anthemis. 85. Achillea. 86. Tancetum. (Same.) Senecionidez. Asteroidez. Senecionidez, “ée “ “ee “ce Anthemidez. Senecionidez. ce Cynaroidee. Cichoriacze. “ “ce “ 87, 88. Artemisia. 90. Erechthites. gt. Senecio. 92. Arctium. 93. Cichorium. 94. Prenanthes. 95. Taraxacum. g6. Lactucca. Senecionidez. (Same.) “c Cynareze (Lappa)- | (Same.) « (Nabalus). “é * The officinal matico, however, is derived from Piper angustifolium, R. & P. (Piperacez). t Synop. Flora of N. A. 78-3 Description.*—“ FYowers in an involucrate head on a simple receptacle, 5-merous, or sometimes 4-merous; with /odes of the epigynous corol/a valvate in the bud; s¢amensas many as corolla lobes and alternate with them, inserted on the tube ; axzthers connate into a tube (syngenesious); s¢y/e in all fertile flowers 2-cleft or lobed at the summit and bearing introrse-marginal séigmas ; ovary 1-celled, a single anatropous ove erect from the base, becoming an exalbuminous seed with a straight embryo, the inferior radicle shorter and narrower than the cotyledons ; the fruzt an akene. Tube of the calyx wholly adnate to the ovary; its 7mé none, or absolute, or developed into a cup or teeth, scales, awns, or capillary bristles. Corolla with nerves running to the sinuses, then forking and bordering the lobes, rarely as many intermediate nerves. Anthers commonly with sterile tip or append- age; the cells introrse, discharging the pollen within the tube; this forced out by the lengthening of the s¢y/e, which in hermaphrodite and male flowers is commonly hairy-tipped or appendaged. Pollen-grains globose, echinulate, sometimes smooth, in CIcHoRIACE& 12-sided. Leaves various; no true stipules. Development of the flowers in the head centripetal; of the heads when clustered or associated, more or less centrifugal, 7. ¢., heads disposed to be cymose. Yuice watery, in some resinous, in the last tribe milky. “ Heads homogamous when all its flowers are alike in sex; heterogamous when unlike (generally marginal flowers female or neutral, and central hermaphrodite or by abortion male); axdrogynous when of male and female flowers; monarcious or dicecious when the flowers of separate sexes are in different heads, either on same or different plants; radiate when there are enlarged ligulate flowers in the margin ; wholly Zgwate when all the flowers have ligulate corollas, désco’d when there are no enlarged marginal corollas. When these exist they are sometimes called the vay ; the other flowers collectively occupy the disk. The head (compound flower of early botanists), in Latin capitulum, is also named anthodium. Its involucre (periclinium of authors) is formed of separate or sometimes connate reduced leaves, 7. e., bracts (squame or scales); the innermost of these bracts subtend the outer- most or lowest flowers. The axis within or above these is the receptacle (clinan- thium), which varies from plane to conical or oblong, or even cylindrical or subu- late. When the receptacle bears flowers only it is naked, although the surface may be alveolate, foveolate or merely areolate, according as the insertion of the ovaries or akenes is surrounded or circumscribed by honeycomb-like or lesser elevations, or, when these project into bristles, slender teeth or shreds, it is fimbril- late ; it is paleaceous when the disk flowers are subtended by bracts; these usually chaff-like, therefore called pale, chaff, or simply bracts of the receptacle. In place of calyx-limb there is more commonly a circle of epigynous bristles, hairs or awns ; the pappus, a name extended to the calyx-limb of whatever form or texture ; its parts are bristles, awns, palae, teeth, etc., accordin gto shape and texture. Corollas either all ¢udu/ar (usually enlarging above the insertion of the stamens ‘into the throat, and 4 to 5-lobed at summit, mostly regular), or the marginal ones strap- shaped, 2. ¢., Higulate, the elongated limb (4igule) being explanate, and 3 to 5-toothed * Luse Prof. Gray's full description of the order from the volume above referred to, Vol. L., pt. 2, 48. 78-4 at the apex. Such are always female or neutral, or, when all the flowers of the head have ligulate corollas, then hermaphrodite. Anthers with basal auricles either rounded or acute, or sometimes produced into tails (cewdate). Branches of the style in female flowers and in some hermaphrodite ones margined with stigma, 2. é., stig- matic lines, quite to the tip; in most hermaphrodite flowers these lines shorter, occupying the lower portion, or ending at the appendage or hairy tip.” The largest subdivision or series of this order is the TuBULIFLORA, wherein the her- maphrodite flowers have tubular and regular flowers. The LasIATIFLoR& have corollas of all, or only of the hermaphrodite flowers, bilabiate. The LicuLirior#& have all flowers hermaphrodite and all corollas ligulate. Beside the 19 medicinal species treated of in this work, and those spoken of under the description of the genus Eupatorium, we have provings of the follow- ing: Wyethia (Wyethia, Helenoides, Nutt.) ; the New Zeyland Puka-puka (Brachy- glottis repens, Forsk.); the Arctic American Grindelia (Grindelia sguarrosa, Dunal.); the European Mountain Arnica (Arnica montana, Linn.); the Spanish Pellitory (Pyrethrum Parnethium, Linn.); the European Coltsfoot (Zusstlago Far- fara, Linn.); and the Italian Sweet-scented Coltsfoot (7. /ragrans, Linn.); the European Daisy (Bellis perennis, Linn.); the South European Marigold (Calen- dula officinalis, Linn.); the Blessed Thistle (Carduus Benedictus, Linn.; Centaurea Tagana, Willd.); Chamomilla, the German Chamomile (M/aéricaria Chamomilla, Linn.); and Cina, the European Wormseed (Artemisia Cina, Berg. ; A, santonica, Linn., Artemisia Contra.).* : Outside of our materia medica many valuable, and secondary, drugs are used ; prominent among them we find: the American Daisy-fleabane (Zrigeron hetero- phyllum, Muhl.), a reputed remedy for gravel, hydrothorax, and gout; and. £. Philadelphicum, Linn.,a powerful emmenagogue, The German Pellitory (Anacyclus officinarum, H.D.B.), a powerful irritant, sialagogue and stimulant. The Fast Indian Veronia anthelmintica, Willd., is considered a most powerful vermifuge; the Indian Elephantopus scaber, Linn., is used on the coast of Malabar in dysuria ; the Mexican Xoxonitztal or Voloxiltic (Piqueria trinervia, Cav.) is said to be a valuable antiperiodic, Many species of Zzadr7s are considered powerful diuretics, especially L. squarrosa, Willd., and L. odoratissima, Willd. The Brazilian Coracoa de Fesu (Mikania officinalis, Mart.) is claimed to be an excellent stomachic-tonic; and the South American M. Guaco, H. & B., and the Brazilian Erva da Cobra (M. opifera, Mart.), are considered efficacious antidotes to the bites of the cobra de capello, and those of malignant insects. The common European Fleabane (Pulicaria aysen- tertca, Gzertn.) is said to have once cured the Russian army of dysentery. Two species of Bidens, viz.: the European &,. tripartita, Linn., and the Carolinian 2. Chrytsanthemordes, Michx., together with the South American Spilanthes oleracea, Jacq. (Bidens fervida, Lam.), produce acrid and copious salivation. The May- weed, Maruta cotula, D.C.), so common almost generally throughout the North Temperate Zone, is fetid and blistering, and causes copious vomiting and * Bentley and Trimen, in their work on “ Medicinal Plants,” consider that the true source of Santonine is from the Russian and Asiatic Artemisia pauciflora, Weber (A. Cina, Willk., not Berg.). 78-5 diaphoresis; it should be proven. The Egyptian and Palestine Badouny or Zeysoum (Santolina Sragrantissima, Forsk.) is substituted in Cairo for chamomile, and used in eye affections. The Chinese and Japanese Artemisia Indica, Wiild., is said to be a powerful deobstruent and antispasmodic, The East Indian Eymila sonchifera, D.C., is used in India as a febrifuge. Thus throughout the order almost every genus has its useful species, especially in their native localities. _Among the edible vegetables afforded by the order, we find the Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosum, Linn.) ;* the European salsify (Zragopogon porrifolius, Linn.) ; Endive and Chiccory, mentioned under Cichorium Intybus, 93; and Lettuce (Lactuca sativa, Linn.). History and Habitat—Eupatorium purpureum is indigenous to North America. Its northern range extends from New Brunswick to Saskatchewan ; thence it grows southward to Florida and westward to New Mexico, Utah, and British Columbia. It grows in rich, low grounds, where it blossoms throughout the summer months. ° , The previous use of the purple flowered boneset was very similar to that of its congener, E. perfoliatum. It, however, has proven especially valuable as a diuretic and stimulant, as well as an astringent tonic. It proves useful in dropsy, strangury, gravel, hematuria, gout and rheumatism; seeming to exert a special influence upon chronic renal and cystic trouble, especially when there is an excess of uric acid present (King). The preparations of the Eclectic Materia Medica are: Decoctum Eupatorit Purpurei ; Infusum Eupatorit Purpurei, and Infusum Epigee Composita+ PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole well, pour it into a well-stoppered bottle, and allow it to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture separated from this mass by filtration has a clear, orange color by transmitted light. It is slightly bitter and astringent, has a somewhat tere- ‘binthic odor, and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No specific analysis to determine a special principle has been made of this plant. The chemistry of E. perfoliatum is probably applicable more or less to this species. ed oleoresin was precipitated from a tincture of the Eupurpurin.—This so call com a tinctu root by Mera The body is thrown down when the alcoholic tincture is pou red | d the alcohol is filtered off. It results as a thick, into twice its volume of water an Se ne Nn * The true artichokes, however, are, the succulent receptacle of the South European Cynaria Scolymus, Linn., and , Cardoons, i. ¢., the leafstalks of C. carunculus. + Epigza, Eupatorium purpureum, Aralia hispida, and Althea officinalis, 78-6 dark greenish-brown mass, having a nauseous taste, and exhibiting, as far as_ known, the full action of the root, It contains all those principles of the root not soluble in water. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Eupatorium purpureum—in doses of from 10 _to 60 drops of the tincture—causes increased secretion of the glands of the mouth ; e ’ 19. P ay OOS , , ie Ms a Nand CF delet pint EupaToRium PERFOLIATUM., Linn. N. ORD.—COMPOSITA. 79 Tribe.—EUPATORIACEA. GENUS.—EUPATORIUM.* SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA EQUALIS, EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM. BONESET. SYN.—EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM, LINN.; E. CONNATUM, MICHX.; E. SALVIAIFOLIUM, SIMS; E. VIRGINIANUM, PLUE. COM. NAMES.—BONESET, THOROUHWORT, AGUE-WEED, VEGETABLE ANTIMONY, INDIAN SAGE, FEVERWORT,* CROSSWORT, SWEATING WEED, THOROUGH-WAX;?+ (FR.) EUPATORIE PERFOLIEE, HERBE PARFAITE, HERBE A FIEVRE; (GER.) DURCHWACHSENER WASSER- HANF. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH PLANT, EUPATORIUM PERFOLIATUM, L. Description.—This familiar plant grows toa height of from 2 to 4 feet. Stem stout, cylindrical, or somewhat terete, fastigiately branched above, and villous- pubescent throughout; /eaves connate perfoliate, divaricate, narrowly lanceolate and acuminate; they are prominently one-ribbed, rugose, copiously studded with resinous dots, finely and closely crenulate-serrate, dark and shining green above and soft-pubescent or almost cottony beneath. /nflorescence a dense, somewhat convex, compound, capitate, corymbose cyme; heads small, very numerous ; bracts narrowly-lanceolate, hairy, and furnished with slightly scarious, acutish tips; flowers mostly 10; corolla tubular-campanulate; ¢ee¢h broadly triangular. Akenes small glandular, oblong-linear, smooth, and bluntly 5-angled ; pappus shorter than the corolla. The description of Eupatorium as given under the preceding drug should be read in connection with this. History and Habitat.—Boneset is a common plant, indigenous to North America, where it ranges from New Brunswick to Dakota in the North, to Florida and Louisiana in the South. It grows in marshy places on the borders of lakes, ponds, and streams, where it blossoms from July to September. There is probably no plant in American domestic practice that has more extensive or frequent use than this. The attic, or woodshed, of almost — country farm-house, has its bunches of the dried herb hanging tops downward the rafters during the whole year, ready for immediate use should some member (Caprifoliacez). rt with us is 7riosteum perfoliatum | ok tek Linn. (Umbelliferz). ¢ The true Thoroughwax is Bupleurum rotundifolium, 79-2 of the family, or that of a neighbor, be taken with a cold. How many children have winced when the maternal edict: “drink this boneset; it'll do you good,” has been issued; and how many old men have craned their necks to allow the nause- ous draught to the quicker pass the palate! The use of a hot infusion of the tops and leaves to produce diaphoresis, was handed down to the early settlers of this country by the Aborigines, who called it by a name that is equivalent to ague-weed. It was first introduced, as a plant, into England in 1699; but was not used in medical practice, even in this country, until about the year 1800, but it now has a place in every work on Medical Botany which treats of North American plants. Eupatorium perfoliatum is diaphoretic only when given in generous doses of the hot infusion ; a cold decoction is claimed to be tonic and stimulant in moderately small, laxative in medium, and emetic in large doses. It is also said to be anti- dyspeptic and anti-rheumatic. It is prominently adapted to cure a disease peculiar to the South, known as break-bone fever (Dengue), and it is without doubt from this property that the name boneset was derived. This herb has also been found to be curative in intermittent fever, bilious fever, bilious colic, typhus, and typhoid conditions, influenza, catarrhal fever, rheumatism, lake fever, yellow fever, and remittent types of fevers in general. Many of the earlier works allude to this species as being diuretic, and therefore of great use in dropsy; this is evidently an error of substitution, the previously described drug being the species used. Dr. Barton, who had made this species one in general use in his practice, _ observes as follows: “The late Samuel C. Hopkins, M.D., who resided in the _ village of Woodbury, N. J., and had an extensive practice in a range.of fifteen or twenty miles of a populous tract of country, in which, from the low and marshy nature of the soil—exposure of many of the inhabitants holding fisheries, to the water and other pernicious causes—intermittent and typhus fevers were very | prevalent, and the latter particularly malignant. The Doctor was among those partial to the sweating plan of treating this fever, and his unusual success in a multitude of cases for five or six years in succession, is strongly in favor of that mode of practice. The boneset was the medicine used in producing this effect. He prescribed it freely in warm and cold decoction, but preferred the warm. He assured me that in many instances his sole. reliance was upon this plant, which was occasionally so varied in its manner of exhibition as to produce emesis, and fre- quently was intentionally pushed to such extent as to excite free purging. Its diaphoretic effect, however, he deemed it indispensable to ensure, and therefore preferred in general giving it warm.” * | 7 My friend, Dr. Henry S. Sloan, of this city, relates his personal experience with this drug as follows: When a young man, living in the central part of this State, he was attacked with intermittent fever, which lasted off and on for three years. Being of a bilious temperament, he grew at length sallow, emaciated, and hardly able to get about. As he sat one day, resting by the side of the road, an old lady of his acquaintance told him to go home and have some thoroughwort * Barton, Med. Bot., ii, 136. 79-3 “ feed” and it would certainly cure him. (He had been given, during the years he suffered, quinine, cinchonine, bark and all its known derivatives, as well as chola- gogues, and every other substance then known to the regular practitioner, without effect; the attacks coming on latterly twice a day.) On reaching home, with the aid of the fences and buildings along the way, he received a tablespoonful of a decoction of boneset evaporated until it was about the consistency of syrup, and immediately went to bed. He had hardly lain down when insensibility and stupor came on, passing into deep sleep. On awaking in the morning, he felt decidedly better, and from that moment improved rapidly without farther medication, gaining flesh and strength daily. No attack returned for twenty years, when a short one was brought on by lying down in a marsh while hunting. From my own experience, as well as what I have learned from others, | feel confident that as an “antiperiodic” this drug will be indicated much more fre- quently in the United States than quinine, and exhibit its peculiar action in a curative manner, not palliative as is most common in the latter substance when exhibited ex patria. 1 have observed that boneset acts more surely in intermittent fever, when the disease was contracted near its habitat, 7. ¢., by streams, ponds, and lakes in the United States east of the 85° west longitude, and north of the 32° north latitude. It may be stated that this is true of most plants used in medicine, and probably accounts for many failures of foreign drugs in domestic diseases: witness Conium, Cinchona, etc., etc.* The officinal preparation in the U.S. Ph., is Extractum Eupatorii Fluidum. In the Eclectic Materia Medica the following preparations are recommended ; Extractum Eupatori, [nfusum Eupatorii, and Pilule Aloes Composite. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, gathered just as it is coming into flower, is prepared as in the preceding drug. The resulting in thin layers it exhibits a deep, slightly orange-brown color by transmitted light. It has a nauseous, penetrating, bitter, and astringent taste, and imparts a sensation to the tongue very similar to that of ginger; it retains the peculiar odor of the plant, and has an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Eupatorine—This glucoside was extracted from a percolate of the dried tops and leaves of this plant by G. Latin ° it was also appreciated in most of the analyses referred to below, but was not isolated, being spoken of as a bitter principle only. Eupatorine is described asa slightly acid, amorphous body, soluble in alcohol and boiling water, yielding a red precipitate when boiled with sulphuric acid, and a white precipitate with the cold acid. Its farther physical and chemical properties are as yet undetermined. i Bitter extractive 1267 Tannin ;'** 456 Volatile oil;!4°* Free acid;* Gallic gr ; .23567 2157 4 r rinci le 234567 have also been acid;? Resin ;7°" Gum; Sugar ;’ and a bitter p ple, sane AS OTE tincture is opaque ; : % This refers only to drugs exhibited for their physiological or toxic action. i i 2 Anderson, Jnaug. Thess. 2 Peterson, Am. Jour. Phar., 1851, | 1 Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot.,\s 35- : = . ney en do + Parsons, 1859, Rep. fo U. S. Com. of Agric «Bickley, bid, 185 en ee of Mat, Med. hi, N.S. 243 719-4 determined. The last-named substance is spoken of by some observers as being resinous, others as resinoid, and again as crystallizable. I judge it to have been in all the Eupatorine of Latin, either mixed with some part of the other constitu- ents, or more or less pure. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The symptoms shown by those who have par- taken of large doses of an infusion of the tops and leaves, show that this drug causes at first an irritation of the vaso-motor system, followed by a relaxed condition of the capillaries, and an increase of the heart’s action, again followed by severe congestion and higher temperature. The symptoms are: Faintness, with loss of consciousness, ending in lethargic sleep; pain, soreness, and throbbing in head; soreness of eyeballs, with sharp pains and photophobia; buzzing in the ears; catarrhal influenza; face red or sallow, and sickly in appearance; tongue white . cottony coated ; thirst especially preceding the stage of chill; vomiting, especially as the chill passes off; violent colic pains in the upper abdomen; urine dark- colored and scanty, with frequent micturition; oppression of the chest with difficult breathing ; stiffness, soreness and deep aching in the limbs, the long bones espe- cially, feel as if pounded or broken ; sleepiness, with yawning and stretching, from which the patient awakes with a severe headache; skin bathed in copious sweat. The soreness and deep pains of Eupatorium are most general, and the skin feels numb and as if it would cleave from the bones. The adaptability of this drug to various forms of disease of paludal origin ~ can readily be understood. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 79. 1. Summit of stem, from Greenville, N. J., July 26th, 1879. 2. Flower-head. 3- Floweret. 4. Anther. 5- Fruit. (2-4 enlarged.) N. ORD.-—COMPOSITA&, Tribe.—ASTEROIDEA., GENUS.—ERIGERON,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. 80 ERIGERON. CANADA FLEABANE. SYN.—ERIGERON CANADENSE, LINN.; E. PANICULATUS, LAM.; E. PUSIL- LUS, NUTT.; E. STRICTUM, D. C.; SENECIO CILIATUS, WALT. COM. NAMES,—CANADA FLEABANE, HORSE-WEED, BUTTER-WEED, COLT’S TAIL, PRIDE-WEED, SCABIOUS; (FR.) ERIGERON DE CANADA; (GER.) CANADISCHES BERUFKRAUT. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT, ERIGERON CANADENSE, LINN. Description. — This common annual herb grows to a height of from 1 to 4 feet, according to the soil. Stem strict, striate, varying from sparsely hispid to almost glabrous; éranches mostly superior, short, slender, ascending. Leaves all sessile, alternate, and more or less ciliate-hispid; the lower often some- what spatulate, 3-nerved, and sparingly incised; upper leaves linear-lanceolate acute at each end. /#florescence in a more or less dense terminal panicle ; heads very small, cylindrical, many flowered, and radiate; the face flat or hemispherical ; peduncles and pedicels short ; involucre almost glabrous; sca/es linear-lanceolate, nearly equal, little imbricated, all reflexed in fruit ; receptacle flat or convex, naked, and pitted. Ray florets white, fertile, crowded in a single row, a little exserted and surpassing the branches of the style ; tube, elongated-cylindrical ; “gude very short, ascending, 2-toothed. Disk florets bisexual ; corolla tubular, mostly 4- toothed; laments very short, filiform ; anthers cylindrical, half exserted, not tailed, the connective prolonged at the apex; sty/e short, branched; stigmas spread- ing. Achenia oblong, flattened, usually pubescent, 2-nerved; pappus simple, a single row of capillary bristles. History and Habitat.—Erigeron is indigenous to the eastern and central belt of North America, where it is common in dry soils, from Canada se Texas ; from thence southward, through South America, as far as Argentine Republic. In part to recompense Europe for the miserable dock weeds she has sent us, we have returned her this species, which has now spread through Asia to the sea, It is also introduced in South Africa, Australia, and many of the Pacific palais, It flowers, with us, in July and August, maturing its profusion of parachute-like seeds in autumn. * a o ger ry ‘ $s : ver ls recies, "Hp. £ sprin > yépoy éron, an old man; on account of the hoa appearance of some verna k ? ’ >? 1d 80-2 The applicability of a decoction of this herb to many forms of diarrhoea was well known to the Aborigines, and is now used in that disease by the Cree In- dians of Hudson Bay. It was introduced in the practice at the New York Alms- house, in 1872, by Dr. Gilbert Smith, for a type of diarrhcea that often prevailed there, and met with very great success. The decoction has proven tonic, stimulant, astringent and diuretic, and been found useful in dropsies and many forms of urinary disorders, both renal and cystic,—such as gravel, diabetes, dysury, strangury, and urethritis; /. hetlerophyl- lum, and Philadelphicum have, however, greater power than Canadense in this direction. The oil of the plant is acrid, and, though not astringent, is, nevertheless, an extraordinary styptic; it was introduced by Eclectic practice, and is an effi- — cient agent in the treatment of hemorrhoids, passive hemorrhage, diarrhoea, dys- _ entery, hemoptysis,* hematemesis, hematuria, and menorrhagia; as well as an excellent palliative in the treatment of sore throat, with swelling of the glands, boils, tumors, rheumatism and gonorrhoea. The dose of the oil is from four to six drops in water, repeated not oftener than every hour, if much is to be required. The officinal preparation of the U.S. Ph., is Oleum FErigerontis; in the Eclectic Dispensatory, Oleum Erigerontis and [nfusum Erigerontis. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, gathered during its flowering season, is treated as in the two preceding species. The resulting tincture has a clear, brownish-orange color by transmitted light; a somewhat aromatic odor; a slightly bitter and astringent taste; and an acid reaction. : CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS—No analysis of the plant has yet been made that individualizes the bitter principle first separated by De Puy,} who also de- termined, in this species, gallic and tannic acids, and an essential oil, and proved that all the qualities of the herb were extracted by cold water or alcohol. Oil of Erigeron Canadense—This body may be extracted by distilling the fresh herb with water. It results as a colorless or pale yellow liquid, gradually becoming darker and thicker by age or exposure, and having an aromatic, persis- tent odor, an acrid taste, and a neutral reaction. It boils at 178° (352.4° F.); has a sp. gr. of from .845 to .850, and is readily soluble in water or alcohol. This oil *In the autumn of 1883, I was called hastily to attend Miss X, I found her sitting upon the floor, her arm resting upon a chair and her head bending over a.common-size foot bath-tub, and every few moments a large quantity of bright red blood would gurglingly issue from her mouth, She had been spitting such quantities for ee three-quarters of an hour, and the tub was over half-filled with foamy blood, and, I judge, a large quantity of saliva. I immediately mixed about a drachm of tincture of Erigeron in half a goblet of water, and gave her two teaspoon- a fuls of the mixture every five minutes, while getting the history of the case. She had been subject to these hemor- rhages, which did not occur at the menstrual epoch, for some months past, though they were much less in quantity — than the present one. Her family history was consumptive and hemorrhagic, and her physical strength always below — medium. The hemorrhage now being arrested (after the second dose) leaving her terribly exsanguinated, I had her removed to her bed, and put her on light liquid food in large quantities. This treatment was followed by Erigeron in a potency for a month, one dose nightly, upon which her strength improved; and, up to the last time I saw her, three years after, no subsequent hemorrhage occurred. Her menstrual flux, which had been much too copious and early, was al ante ; and her general health, as she expresses, a thousand times better than at any time since her monthlies com- — menced. = t 4nq. into Bot. Hist., Chem. Prop., and Med. Qual. Erig. Can., 1815. “ee 80-3 contains less oxygen than that obtainable from £. heferophyllum, and consists mainly of a terpene (C,,H,,), which, after distillation over sodium, boils at 176° (348.8° F.), and has a sp. gr. of .8464 at 18° (64.4° F.).* PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION,—The symptoms arising during the experiments of Dr. W. H. Burt, were mainly as follows: Cephallagia ; smarting of the eyes; roughness of the pharynx; soreness of the throat; abdominal distress, and colic; increased urine; aching of back and extremities; and prostration. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 80. 1. Inflorescence, Binghamton, N. Y., Aug. 18th, 1886. 2. A portion of the mid-stem. . Lower leaf, . Flower-head. . Ray-floret. . Disk-floret. . Scale of the involucre, . Stamen. Fruit. (4-9 enlarged.) SO St Am & & ————$—$—$—$—$ rrr = Se * Am. Your. Phar., 1883, 372 ( Berichte, 1882, 2854). + Am, Hom. Obs., 1866, p. 357: = oo > Line. —y z wp, bad Mt ae po < ul —_ z % e-% Ae eh, mae une S % ay Ves 8 Mt is oN \\ eed : TM * Sl Y — N. ORD._COMPOSITA. 81 Tribe.—ASTEROIDEA. : GENUS.—INULA,* LINN, SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA, POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA. INULA. ELECAMPANE+ SYN.—INULA HELENIUM, L. CORVISARTIA HELENIUM, MERAT. COM. NAMES.—ELECAMPANH, SCABWORT, (GER.) ALANT, (FR.) AUNEE. TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF INULA HELENIUM, Z. Description.—This strikingly beautiful perennial attains a height of from 3 to 6 feet. Root thick, mucilaginous, more or less tap-shaped, about 6 inches long, and 1 to 2 inches thick in the largest part, having a curled furrowcommencing about an inch from the stem end, and running nearly to the tip ; somewhat branching, the branches generally longer than the main root, but not so thick. The bark is rough, laminated or flakey, showing upon section a thickness of from one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch. The inner portion is radiate with numerous bundles of fibers, and dotted generally with yellowish resin-cells. S/em erect, stout, rounded, downy above, branching? near the top. Leaves alternate, large, sometimes reaching a length of 18 inches and a breadth of from 4 to 6 inches; those near the root are ovate, petioled, the others: sessile partly clasping; all green above, and whitish downy beneath. Peduncles of the flower-heads are given off from the axils of the upper leaves, they are long, thick, sometimes furnished with a pair of small leaves midway in their length; such are the so-called branches, and bear usually more than one flower-head on separate pedicles. Involucre dense, woolly, the outer scales broadly ovate, sometimes leaf-like, the inner becoming at length linear. Mower-heads large, solitary or corymbose, all at or near the summit of the somewhat convex, naked, flat receptacles measuring about 1 inch ds are many-flowered, the vay-/lorets numerous and arranged generally in a single series, pistillate, but often infertile ; ge rays i, Sale un- equally three-notched at the tip, and generally clasping the pist | me . tube, Disk-florets many, tubular, perfect, the tube 5-toothed or lobed. tamens five, inserted on the corolla, their Anthers syngenesious, with two serrate tails at the hase Onery oben: Style »-cleft at the apex. Achenia terete or doiaeiag the sides smooth ; pappus simple, composed of bristly hairs. A general descrip- tion of the Composite will be found under Eupatorium purpureum. the plant; in diameter. The hea bably a contraction of the word HELENIUM, éAésw», which was ap- * INULA, a Latin classical name for this plant, pro plied to the same species. Medizeval, ENULA. + Ante-Linnzan name ENuLA CAMPANA, from which Elecampane, 81-2 History and Habitat.—Inula was one of the most famous of ancient medicines, and continued in vogue in the old school until very recent times. It owed the reputation it gained to its stimulant qualities. As far back as the Hippocratic writings, it is stated to be a stimulant to the brain, the stomach, the kidneys, and the uterus. This plant is a native of Southern England, now thoroughly naturalized in Europe and our country. It grows here spontaneously in the Northern States, in damp places along road-sides, the borders of gardens and about the ruins of old buildings. It flowers in July and August, and is a strikingly beautiful plant, reminding one forcibly of its near relative, the sunflower. Inula is simply mentioned in the U.S. Ph. The Eclectic officinal preparations are: Decoctum Helenit,and Fxtracium Helcnit Alcoholicum. Inula is also one of the components of Syrupus Avahe Compositus. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh roots gathered in autumn (those of the second year’s growth in preference, as the older ones are too woody) are chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. ‘Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, and having mixed the pulp thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, the rest of the alcohol is added; after having stirred the whole well, and poured it into a well-stoppered bottle, it is allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture is then separated by decanting, straining and filtering. Thus prepared it is, by transmitted light, of a clear amber color, has a decided Litter and astringent taste, and an acid reaction to litmus. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Inulin,* C,H,,O,;. This amylose principle is found in the plants of many genera of the order Compositz; but as it occurs in greater percentage in this genus, I describe it here. It will be noticed that this substance has the same composition as starch, still, though it takes the place of that body in the roots of this order of plants, it acts in many ways entirely different; for instance, it dissolves readily in hot water, but forms a clear solution, not an opaline pasty mass, its reaction with a solution of iodine gives a brown, not a blue color. It does not form in the plant as granular shell-like- bodies as does starch, but is in solution in the plant juice. Inulin may be thrown down from its watery solution by alcohol, forming thus globular masses of white needle-like crystals, called in the dried plant “ Sphzro-crystals.” Upon boiling this substance with a dilute acid, it is rapidly converted into levulose, but not at lower temperature. It is considered by Kiliani to be an anhydride of levulose. Elecampane Camphor, formerly called Helinin, was given the composition C,,H,,O,, Kallen succeeded in resolving it into two crystallizable bodies which he describes as follows: Helinin, C,H, 0, a principle devoid of odor or taste, crystallizing in needles and fusing at 230° F., and Alant-Camphor (Inulol, Inuldéid, Elecampane-camphor), C,,H,,O, not sup- posed to be a pure substance; it has an odor and taste resembling peppermint, and fuses at 147.2°F. (£¢ supra, W ittstein.) * Alan‘in, Menyanthin, Elecampin, Dahlin, Datiscin. 81-3 Synanthrose, C,, H,, O,,.—This saccharose body occurs according to Schor- lemmer in the niberes of Aceh and other Composite. It is a non-crystalline powder, light, deliquescent, and having no sweet taste. Inulic Acid.—Exists in larger quantities than inulol; it is probably the an- hydride of some acid peculiar to this plant. Resin.—A brown, bitter, nauseous acrid body, aromatic when warm, soluble in alcohol and ether; wax, gum, salts of K, Ca, and Mg, and a trace of volatile oil have also been determined. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Inula has been held to be a stimulant to the secretory organs, but the effects produced—according to Fischer*—in those who partook of the juice of the root, show the opposite effect! His schema of prominent symptoms is as follows: Confusion of the head, with nausea and vertigo on stoop- ing; burning of the eyeballs; dryness of the mouth and throat ; increased peris- taltic action of the intestines, with griping or tensive pain; dragging in the rectum and female genitalia ; much urging to urinate, with scanty results; severe pain in the lumbar region, with sleeplessness and coldness. The more minute action of the drug seems to fully carry out the above, which shows Inula to be anything but diaphoretic, diuretic, or expectorant in a physiological sense. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 81. . Whole plant five times reduced, from Waverly, N. ¥., August rath, 1880. 2. Flower-head. 3. Disk flower (enlarged). 4. Stamen (enlarged ). 5. Ray-floret (enlarged). , 6. Section of the root. » 7. Seed. _* Vide Allen, “ Encyc. Mat, Med,” Vol. V, p. 113. 82. AMBROSIA ARTEMISIAEFOLIA, Linn. im. nat del.et pinxt N. ORD.—COMPOSIT&. 82 Tribe.—SENECIONIDEA. GENUS.—AMBROSI A,* TOURN. SEX. SYST.—MONCECIA PENTANDRIA. AMBROSIA ARTEMISIAFOLIA, RAG -WEED. SYN.—AMBROSIA ARTIMISIZIFOLIA, LINN.; A. ELATIOR, LINN.; A. ABSYNTHIFOLIA AND PANICULATA, MICHX.; A. HETEROPHYLLA, MUHL.; IVA MONOPHYLLA, WALT. COM. NAMES.—RAG-WEED, ROMAN WORMWOOD, CARROT-WEED, WILD OR BASTARD WORMWOOD, HOG-WEED, CONOT-WEED, BITTER- WEED; (FR.) AMBROSIE; (GER.) TRAUBENKRAUT. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE HERB AMBROSIA ARTEMISLA:FOLIA, LINN. Description.—This annual, pubescent or hirsute weedy-herb, attains a growth of from 1 to 3 feet. Stem erect, at first simple, then paniculately branched. Leaves opposite and alternate, thinnish, bipinnatifid, or pinnatifidly parted, those of the inflorescence often entire, all smooth above and pale or hoary beneath; dzvzszons irregularly pinnatifid or entire. /Zowers unisexual on the same plant. Sterile heads numerous, gamophyllous, arranged in centripetal, racemose spikes, all more or less recurved-pedicelled and not subtended by bracts; zuvo/ucre truncate, sau- cer-shape or campanulate, not costate but indistinctly radiate veined ; 6order irreg- ularly 4 to 6 toothed ; corolla obconical, the border 5-toothed ; stamens 5 ; filaments short; anthers deltoid, slightly united, their short appendages inflexed; adortive style columnar, the apex dilated and penicillate, strongly exserted, Fertile heads 1 to 3, apetalous, glomerate in the axils of the upper leaves and below the male spikes; zzvolucre open, nutlet-like; corolla reduced to a ring around the base of the style; s¢yZe bilamellar, exserted? Akenes turgid-ovoid, triangularly compressed, short-beaked, and crowned with from 4 to 6 short teeth or spines ; Aappus wanting. History and Habitat.—This too-common, truly American weed, is indigenous from Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, Washington Territory, and southward to Bra- zil. It habits waste fields, roadsides, and dry places, and blossoms from the latter part of July to October. The former uses 0 antiseptic emollient fomentation ; a substitute for quinine, but not success f this plant were but slight, its principal use being as an its bitterness caused its use in Maryland as fully. J A. Zabriskie, of Closter, N. J., * 'Anppocta, ambrosta, the food of the gods; the gods know why! 82-2 claims it to be a successful application to the poisonous effects of Rhus if rubbed upon the inflamed parts until they are discolored by its juice.* Being very astrin- gent, it has also been used to check discharges from mucous surfaces, such as mercurial ptyalism, leucorrhcea, gonorrhoea, and especially in septic forms of diar- rhcea, dysentery, and enteritis. It lays some claim also to being stimulant and tonic, and is recognized in the Mexican Pharmacopceia as an emmenagogue, feb- rifuge, and anthelmintic. Of late years much attention has been called to the — species of this genus, especially this and A. #zfda, as being, through their pollen, the cause of hay fever, many people affected with this troublesome disorder laying the charge direct; certain it is that when the pollenation of the plant is begun the disorder generally commences in those subject to it, and only ceases when the plants are out of flower, unless the patient is able to sojourn to mountain heights out of the limit of their growth. We have had the pleasure of curing two patients — of this disease, both of whom had asthmatic symptoms at the height of the trouble, with drop doses of the tincture éves 7m dies. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, when in the height of its sexual season, should be carefully gathered to retain all the pollen — possible, and macerated for fourteen days in twice its weight of absolute alcohol, — being kept in a dark, cool place, well corked, and shaken twice a day. The tinc- ture thus prepared should, after pressing, straining, and filtering, have a clear orange-red color by transmitted light; an odor like chocolate; a similar taste, — followed by bitterness; and an acid reaction. | CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—This plant has not yet been investigated as to its specific chemical nature; Tannin, and an essential oil, itself uninvestigated, - being all we possess of knowledge in this direction. E PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Ambrosia appears to have a decided icritame action upon mucous membranes, not only by its pollen directly applied, but also upon its ingestion in infusion and tincture. The plant certainly deserves thorough _ and extended experimentation, DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 82. ore young plant, Binghamton, N. Y., Aug. 1 pth, 1886. 2. A leaf. 3- Male involucre. 4. Face of same, showing sterile flowers. 5. Sterile flower. 6. Sterile style. 7. Stamen. 8. Anther. © g. Female flower. o. Fruit. 11. Horizontal section of akene. (3-11 enlarged.) Palen ee . wo epee * New Rem., 1879, 239. Gm. ad nat. delet. pinot HELIANTHUS ANNUUS. Linn. 83. N. ORD.-COMPOSIT&. : | 83 Tribe.—SENECIONIDEA. GENUS.—HELIANTHUS ; LINN, SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA FRUSTRANEA. HELIANTHUS. SUNFLOWER, SYN.—HELIANTHUS ANNUUS, LINN. eT ae eee ee (GER.) SONNENBLUME; (FR.) LE TOURNE- TINCTURE OF THE RIPE ACHENIA OF HELIANTHUS ANNUUS, LINN. Description.—This commonly cultivated plant, springing from an annual root, attains a height of from 3 to 18 or more feet, and bears numerous large flower- heads on long peduncles. Séem erect, rounded and rough, bearing opposite leaves below and alternate ones above. Leaves petioled, broadly ovate or heart- shaped, from 5 to ro inches long, and 4 to 8 inches broad, rough and conspicuously 3-ribbed. Peduncles long, gradually thickening into a funnel-form base at the involucre. /zvolucre composed of ovate aristate, hirsute scales, imbricated in ‘several rows. Vower-heads many, nodding, bearing innumerable ray and many "disk florets; they range from 6 to 12 inches in diameter witha flat or convex disk. Ray-florets numerous, ligulate and neutral. D¢sk-florets, all perfect and fertile, with short 5-lobed tubes, decemneurate. allen grains ovate, beset with nume- rous rows of spines. Ovary 1-celled; style invested with stiff hairs; stigma 2- branched, with subulate appendages. Achenia ovate-oblong or cuneiform, some- what quadrangularly compressed, without margins, each achenium bearing 2 ear- like chaffy scales, sometimes accompanied by an accessory pair, all of which fall away when the seed is ripe. A description of the natural order will be found under Eupatorium purpureum. History and Habitait.—The sunflower is one of the natives of tropical America, that has become popular in cultivation in many countries, both on ac- beautiful flowers, whose bright chrome rays, in their many modes of ng ina circle about the handsome seal-brown disk, render it attractive as a garden ornament, as well as the many uses to which the seeds are put. From points where it is cultivated it often spreads about in many places by spontaneous growth, blossoming from July until August. ine witte central pith of the stalk contains nitre; this fact has led to its use asa diuretic, and recom- mended it also as a form of moxa. The leaves, when carefully cared for and * ids, the sun, 4/03;, a flower. count of its curling and reflexi 83-2 successfully dried, have been used as a substitute for tobacco in cigars, the flavor of which is said to greatly resemble that of mild Spanish tobacco. The seeds have been extensively used for fattening poultry; fowls eat of these greedily on account of their oily nature. How much a fact it may be that a growth of this plant about a dwelling protects the inhabitants against malarial influences is not yet proven, though strongly asserted by many. An infusion of the stems is claimed to be anti-malarial, and with some forms will probably prove such. A further proving of the tincture is greatly needed, as it would doubtless show an adaptability in this direction. Helianthus has no place in the U. S. Ph. In the Eclectic Materia Medica the infusion of the seeds is used asa mild expectorant, and the expressed oil as a diuretic. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The ripe seeds. The seeds when ripe are of a dark purplish color, more or less 4-sided and 4-angled by com- pression; they are about half an inch in length by one-eighth in breadth. The husk is whitish internally and the kernel sweet, oily and edible. The tincture is made by coarsely powdering the ripe seeds, covering the mass with five parts by weight of dilute alcohol, and allowing it to remain at least eight days in a well- corked bottle, in a dark, cool place, being shaken twice a day. The tincture is then decanted, strained and filtered. Thus prepared it is by transmitted light a very pale straw-color, has no char- acteristic taste, and has an acid reaction to litmus-paper. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The analysis of this plant by Wittstein, in 1879, was made exclusive of the seeds, and has therefore no interest to us. The fruit contains by his analysis from twelve to twenty-four per cent. of fixed oil, hav- ing a light straw-color, mild taste, and watery consistence, its specific gravity _ being .926°. It becomes turbid at ordinary temperatures and solidifies at —16°. Helianthic Acid.—C,H,O,, in the form of a slightly colored powder, has been extracted from the kernels; it is soluble both in water and alcohol. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Very little or nothing is known of the physio- — logical action of this plant, which would necessarily be slight. It causes dryness of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and fauces, excites vomit- — ing, heat and redness of the skin, and some slight inflammation of the cuticle. A thorough proving of the whole plant is greatly to be desired, as without doubt another remedy would be found in it to add to our excellent list for intermittents. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 83. t. Whole plant, seven times reduced, from a cultivated specimen. Binghamton, N. Y., Sept 8, 1882. . 2. Flower head. | | . Floweret (enlarged). . Young ‘seed. . Mature seed. . Scale of involucre. Ray. - Pollen grain x 200. COW AN Pw 84. CF. stele AnTHEMIS NOBILIS , Linn. N. ORD.-COMPOSIT As. Tribe.—SENECIONIDEA. = GENUS.—ANTHEMIS,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. ANTHEMIS NOBILIS. ROMAN CHAMOMILE. SYN.—ANTHEMIS NOBILIS, LINN.; A, AURHA, D. C.; oe © » D.C.; CHAMOMIL - pee GODR.; CHAMASMELUM NOBILE, ALL.; ORMENIS ROS COM. NAMES._TRUE CHAMOMILE, GARDEN CHAMOMI [OMILE,} CORN FEVER- FEW t; (FR.) CHAMOMILE ROMAINE; (GER.) ROMISCHE KAMILLEN. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT ANTHEMIS NOBILIS, LINN. Description —This low, aromatic perennial, seldom rises to any great height above the ground. Stems smooth or slightly pubescent, the sterile creeping, the fertile somewhat ascending; draxches numerous, hairy. Leaves alternate, sessile, pinnately bi- or tri-ternately compound, and dissected into filiform segments. //eads heterogamous, many-flowered, and rather large, terminal and solitary upon the branches ; peduncles long, pubescent ; zzvolucre hemispherical, consisting of 2 or. 3 rows of comparatively small, imbricated bracts, the outer successively shorter ; receptacle oblong, with blunt, chaffy bracts subtending most of the florets. Dzsk- florets numerous, yellow, bi-sexual; corolla tubular, slightly gibbous below, enlarged above to bell-shaped, and having a few oil glands upon its surface; 4m 5-lobed; stamens 5; anthers tailless at the base; style slender, bifurcated. Ray-florets 15 to 20, white, fertile; Zigules 3-toothed at the apex; style-dranches stigmatic at their truncate, penicillate extremities. Aéenes terete, glabrous, marked by 3 indistinct ridges upon their inner faces, the truncate summit naked ; pappus none, the persistent base of the corolla, however, appearing like a coronal body of that nature. History and Habitat.— This European immigrant has, as yet, spread but little in this country, it being only occasionally found spontaneous near gardens, where it blossoms in July and August. On account of many species being nearly related to this one, and the ancient descriptions of so meagre a type, the history of this plant, which has, without doubt, been used as long as any other, is not traceable with any chance of correct- ness. In later times, however, it has been regarded important, by both physicians and the laity, and judged more active t ** AvOsuls, anthemis, a Greek name for some allied plant. + Our Chamomilla is Matricaria Chamomiilla, Linn. t Garden Feverfew is Matricaria Parthenium. 84-2 in its action. Asa stomachic tonic and carminative, it has been found useful in atonic dyspepsia, gastro-intestinal irritation, intermittent and typhoid fevers, and colic, and is claimed to be an effectual preventive of incubus. A warm infusion acts as a prompt emetic, emptying the stomach without enervating the system, Fomentations of the steamed leaves make a kindly application in local pains, neuralgic, podagric, uterine, or abdominal. Hot infusions are sudorific and emmenagogue, but are very apt to cause profuse diarrhoea. The oil of the plant is considered anti-spasmodic, useful in hysteric complaints; stimulant, and anti- flatulent; and is often combined with purgative pills, to prevent griping. The flower-heads are official in the U.S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Dispensatory the preparations are: Extractum Anthemidis, E-xtractum Anthemidis Fluidum, Infusum Anthemidis, and Oleum Anthemidis ; it is also a component of Vinum Symphytit Compositum.* PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh-flowering plant is treated as directed for the root of Inula.+ The tincture resulting has a light, brownish- orange color by transmitted light; the pleasant, aromatic odor of the bruised plant ; a taste at first sourish and pine-apple-like, then bitter; and acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—From various analyses, this herb has been found to contain a volatile and fixed oil, a resin, tannin, and a bitter principle judged by Fliickiger to be a glucoside. Oil of Anthemis.—This volatile body has a bluish or greenish tint, becom- ing brownish or yellowish by age. It has a specific gravity of about 0.91, is com- posed principally of the angelates and valerates of butyl and amyl, and yields the following bodies : Angelicaldehyde, C,H,O, and a hydrocarbon, C,,H having a lemonaceous odor, and boiling at 175° (347° F.). 16’ Angelic Acid, C,H,O,.—According to the analysis of Fittig, this body, first discovered in Angelica Archangelica, exists in the oil of Anthemis, of which it constitutes nearly 30 per cent. It crystalizes in large, colorless prisms, having a peculiar aromatic odor, and an acid and burning taste. The crystals melt at 45° (113° F.), boil at 191° (375.8° F.), and are soluble in both water and alcohol. By heating this body, with hydriodic acid and phosphorus, to 200° (392° F.), it is con- verted into valerianic acid. Tighe Acid, C,H,O,—This isomer of the above, and of Methylcrotonic Acid, was discovered in Croton Oil. ‘It exists, according to E. Schmidt, in company with the above; and it is more than possible that it is identical with it, its boiling point and that of its ethyl-ether being the same. (Fliick. and Han., Schorlemmer and Wittstein.) * Comfrey Root, Solomon’s Seal, Helonias Root, Chamomile Flowers, Colombo Root, Gentian Root, Cardamom Seeds, Sassafras Bark, and Sherry Wine. f Page 81-2. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—According to the experiments made with the tincture by Dr, Berridge, Anthemis causes the following symptoms of disturbance: Pain and fullness in the head, lachrymation, rawness ‘of the throat, a feeling of warmth in the stomach and desire for food, Gilet be hihnidinets pen ane some abdominal pain, freeness of the bowels, increased urine; higher heart's action, lassitude, and a general feeling of chilliness, = * Scales of receptacle, “6. § ign as a, ete , 85. ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM, Linn. — Gm a nat.del.et pint N. ORD.—COMPOSITZ&:. 85 Tribe.—SENECIONIDEA. GENUS.—ACHILLEA,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. MILLEFOLIUM. YARROW. SYN.—ACHILLEA, MILLEFOLIUM, LINN. ACHILLEA SETACBA, W.& KIT. COM. NAMES.—COMMON YARROW, MILFOIL, NOSEBLEED; (FR.) MIL- LEFEUILLE ; (GR.) SCHAFGARBE, SCHAFRIPPE. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH PLANT ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM, LINN. Description.—This very common roadside herb rises to a height of from 6 to 20 inches, from a slender, creeping, perennial root, which, beside a multitude of filiform rootlets, gives off several long, reddish stolons. The s/em is simple or nearly so, erect, slightly grooved and roughly hairy. Leaves alternate; those from near the root wide-petioled, 2 to 6 inches long; those of the stem proper, shorter, sessile or nearly so, and all in their general outline more or less lanceo- late oblong, twice pinnately parted, the divisions linear, crowded and 3 to 5 cleft. Peduncles 3 or more; pedicels many, forming small, crowded, flat-topped corymbs at the summit of the plant. /Yeads many-flowered, radiate. nvolucre, of 2 to 3 imbricated rows of ovoid-oblong scales, with a prominent midrib and brownish, scarious edges. ays 4 or 5, pistillate, with a short, obovate, reflexed limb, more or less 3-lobed. Disk-florets 8 to 12, bisexual. Ca/yx limb obsolete. Corolla tubular, the summit slightly inflated, 5-lobed, the lobes revolute, acute. Stamens 5, inserted upon the tube, and rising slightly above the face of the corolla. Anthers adnate, without tails at the base. Szy/e long, upright, slender, rising above the anthers. Stigma 2-cleft, the divisions recurved and fringed at their tips. Receptacle small, usually flat and chaffy. Achenia oblong, flattened by compression, shining and slightly margined. Pappus none. For a descrip- tion of the natural order see Eupatorium purpureum, 78. —Yarrow is an abundant weed in old, dry pastures, along roadsides and in fields in the northern parts of America, extending in this country, as well as in Western Asia and Europe, high in the colder latitudes. It came to us from Europe, being now fully naturalized. The white or sometimes pink flower-heads blossom all summer, Among the Pah-Ute Indians, according to Dr. Edward Palmer, this plant is much used in decoction for weak and dis- ordered stomachs. Linnzus says, that for a time the Swedes used Yarrow in lieu of hops in the manufacture of beer, and claimed the beer thus brewed to be a greater intoxicant. Millefolium has been dismissed from the U.S. Ph. In the Eclectic practice it is used in an infusion, tincture, or the essential oil. virtues of this genus are said to have been discovered by Ach History and Habitat. illes, * Yhe 85-2 PART USED. AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant should be gathered when flowering begins, excluding all old and woody stems, and chopped and pounded to a pulp; then in a new piece of linen press out thoroughly all the juice and mix it by brisk succussion with an equal part by weight of alcohol, Allow the mixture to stand eight days in a dark, cool place, then filter, The tincture thus prepared should be by transmitted light of a clear reddish-orange color; its odor peculiar, resembling that of malt yeast, pungent and agreeable, like the fresh plant; to the taste acrid and slightly bitter, and shows an acid reaction to test papers. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Acihillein C,,H,,N,O,,. The body formerly designated by this name was a mixed alcoholic extract of no definite character, containing all of the unvolatilized principles of the plant; from this mass the true alkaloid was isolated by Von Planta and its composition, as above, determined. Achillein has no definite crystalline form; it is soluble in water, alcohol and ether, and has a bitter taste. Oil of Achillea.—This oil is readily obtained by aqueous distillation of the plant; that from the flowers and green parts of the herb has a beautiful dark blue color and a specific gravity 0.92; that from the achenia is greenish-white, while from the root it is either colorless or slightly yellow. The oil from the green parts, if cold, is of a butter-like consistence, strongly odorous, and with a taste similar to that of the herb itself. Achilleic Acid.—A strongly acid, odorless, liquid body, witha density of 1.0148 when fully concentrated, crystallizing in colorless quadrilateral prisms, soluble in water. (£tsupra, Wittstein.) The plant contains beside the above principles tannin and a resinoid Lody unin- vestigated, Itis considered by Griffith that the plant as naturalized in the Northern — United States is more active in its properties than its European progenitors. PHYSICLOGICAL ACTION.—Yarrow seems to have a decided action upon the bloodvessels, especially in the pelvis. It has been proven to be of great utility in controlling hemorrhages, especially of the pelvic viscera, where hzmor- rhage is caused by it. Its common European name, Nosebleed, was given from the fact that the early writers claimed hemorrhage of the nose followed placing its leaves in the nostrils; this may have been either due to its direct irritation, or the use of Achillea ptarmica, its leaves being very sharply serrate and appressed- toothed. Millefolium causes burning and raw sensations of the membranes — with which it comes in contact, considerable pain in the gastric and abdominal regions, with diarrhoea and enuresis. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 85, 1. Leaf from near the root. 2. Flower-head (enlarged). 3- Ray-floret (enlarged). 4. Top of plant from South Waverly, N. Y., June 8th, 1880. 5- Disk floret and bract (enlarged). 6. Stamens (enlarged). 86. TANACETUM VULGARE. Gm .ad nat del.et pinxt - = - saelilltslaibiieeesintaibcebiaabenaidenina fsaigieeraserasncne rs N. ORD.—COMPOSIT&. Tribe. —SENECIONIDEA. GENUS.—TANACETUM,* LINN, SEX. SYST.—POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA, 86 TANACETUM. TANSY. SYN.—TANACETUM VULGARE, LINN. COM. NAMES.—TANSY OR TANSEY; (FR.) TANAISIE; (GER.) RAINFARN. A TINCTURE OF THE LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF TANACETUM VULGARE, LINN, Description.—This robust, acrid-aromatic perennial, grows to a height of from 2 to 3 feet. Svem erect, glabrous or somewhat pubescent, leafy to the summit. Leaves alternate, 2 to 3 pinnately dissected, glandularly dotted; divistons very numerous, confluent, decurrent, incisely-serrate, with many small lobes interposed along the common petiole; ¢ee¢h cuspidate, acuminate, /xflorescence capitate, in dense, terminal, corymbiform cymes; Aeads numerous, depressed-hemispherical, heterogamous ; zzvolucre composed of several imbricated rows of dry, minute scales; flowers all fertile, the corollas sprinkled with resinous dots. Marginal florets terete, pistillate; rays inconspicuous, oblique, 3 - toothed. Disk florets densely crowded, perfect ; corolla tubular; border 5-toothed; anthers tailless, with broad, obtuse tips. S#y/e deciduous, the branches truncate with obscure, conical tips. Pappus a coroniform, dentately 5-lobed border. Akenes 5-ribbed, with a large epigynous disk. History and Habitat.— This common European plant has escaped from gar- dens in many places in this country, especially, however, in the more eastern States, where it flowers from July to October. oo ay, Tansy has been used in medicine, especially as a carminative tonic, since the middle ages, its use at the present time being almost entirely laic and among country folk, Bergiusy recommended a cold infusion of the tops as : spams in convalescence from exhausting diseases, dyspepsia, jaundice and periodic fevers. A warm infusion has been found to be antihysteric, antiflatulent, carminative and stimulant, and largely used in amenorthcea, dysmenorrhcea and abdominal cramps. Dr. Clark spoke highly of its relief of gout.t Hoffman recommended the ee in is to 40 grain doses as an anthelmintic not inferior to cina, for which action the leaves are often applied to the abdomen as a fomentation. Dr. Clapp speaks of ee ea ee - eve la ” Altered from adavacia athanasia, not dying > the name of a genus of Composite having the nature of an ** ever st ? ing” plant. ~ t Essays Phys. et Lit. 3; 748. + Mat. Med., 664. 86-2 the infusion as being almost narcotic, soothing nervous restlessness and often producing quiet sleep.* The hot infusion has also been considered diuretic and diaphoretic, and found useful in dropsy. A fomentation of the leaves is often used with salutary effect in swellings, tumors, local inflammations and dysmenor- rhoea. The oil, in doses of from 10 drops toa drachm or more, is one of the most frequently-used abortives by ignorant people—a practice at all times serious and often dangerous; even if desisted in, after one or more attempts, the develop- ment of the foetus is very liable to be interefered with; hemorrhage also often occurs—not so dangerous generally as that following the use of nutmegs, but very often serious. The leaves and tops are officinal in the U. S. Ph.—in the Eclectic Materia Medica the preparation relied upon is /zfusum Tanaceti; it is also a component of Tinctura Laricis Composita.+ —— t oo it PART USED AND PREPARATION.—Equal parts of the fresh leaves and blossoms are to be treated as directed under Inula (page 81-2). The resulting tincture, after filtration, should have a clear greenish-orange color by transmitted light; it should retain the peculiar odor and taste of the plant to a high degree; and show an acid reaction. : CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— O2/ of TZansy. This peculiar yellow, or greenish-yellow volatile oil, possesses fully the odor and taste of the plant; it is lighter than water, its sp. gr. being 0.952; it.is soluble in alcohol, and will de- posit a camphor on standing. Zanacetin, C,,H,,O,{—This bitter,amorphous principle is found principally in the flowers; it is soluble both in alcohol and water—most readily, however, in the latter. Tanacetumtannic Acid, C,,H,,O,,.— This specific tannin has also been iso- lated by Leppig ;§ of its characteristics | am unacquainted. Leppig § also found in this species: a resin and gallic, citric, malic, oxalic and meta-arabinic acids. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Many serious, and not a few fatal, cases of poisoning, by oil of tansy, are reported, among which the following will show the sphere of toxic action held by this drug: A young woman had been in the habit of using tansy tea, made from the herb, at nearly every menstrual period, for difficult menstruation. . . On this occasion about two and a half drachms of the oil was poured into half an ordinary tin cupful of water; this, with the ex- ception of a small portion of the water containing about one-half drachm of the oil, was taken at one dose. Convulsions were almost at once produced, and when Dr. Bailey was sent for the patient was unconscious, foaming at the mouth, and in * Catalogue, 800. + See foot-note, p. 33-3. : O. Leppig, Chem. Zeitung, 1862, 328 (Am. Four. Phar., 1885, 288). lbid, 86-3 violent tonic spasms, with dilated pupils, frequent and feeble pulse. Constant kneading on the stomach had produced partial emesis, and then ipecac, mustard, and large draughts of hot water, emptied the stomach. Two drachms of magne- sia were then given, and a full dose of acetate of morphine; consciousness then returned, no unfavorable symptoms followed, and, after thirty-six hours, with- out additional medication she was entirely restored.* A married woman aged 28, accustomed to taking 5-drop doses without incon- venience, took from 15 to 20 drops. Shortly after, she complained of dizziness, agonizing pain in the head and burning in the stomach; a sense of cold numbness crept over her limbs, increasing until it amounted almost to paralysis; convulsions followed, during which she vomited twice, freely, and finally uttered a shriek and fell senseless to the floor. She continued in this comatose condition for over an hour, when, on again vomiting, she recovered consciousness.+ A woman took half an ounce of the oil; the most violent, rigid kind of clonic spasms occurred once in about twelve minutes, coming on generally and instantly, and continuing about one minute. They were attended with slight, if any mo- tion of the arms; it might be called a trembling. The arms were peculiarly af- fected, and invariably in the same way; they were thrown out forward of, and at right angles with, the body; the hands at the wrists bent at right angles, with the fore-arm supinated, the points of the fingers nearly in contact, the fingers straight and slightly bent at the metatarsophalangeal joints. The muscles of respiration were strongly affected during each paroxysm; air was forced from the chest slowly but steadily, and made a slight hissing noise as it escaped from be- tween the patient’s lips. During the intermission. of spasm, the muscles were perfectly flexible, and the transition seemed very sudden. The jaws were the they were, for the first hour and a quarter, rigidly closed, and were with difficulty opened, but after that were subjected to the same action as the rest of the body—when the spasms were on they were rigid ; when off, they were relaxed. After the patient grew weaker, the spasms were more frequent, but had about the same severity and length. Death ensued in two hours.} _ A young woman took two tablespoonfuls of the oil to procure abortion, after which, those who saw her related, that she suffered from symptoms much resem- bling apoplexy. Two weeks afterward, the vaginal walls of the labia were pyr inflamed to such extent that one of them resulted in an enormous abscess ; the sclerotic coat of the eye was also so congested that it had a dark peat re appearance, and was so badly swollen that the cornea seemed - be eit i A girl aged 21 years, took 11 drachms of the oil to produce a + Aare Total unconsciousness soon followed ; at intervals of 5 or 10 e - was convulsed by strong spasms, in which the head was srg os eyed tion suspended, the arms raised and kept rigidly extended, * riggt ws ; ss tracted, After this state of rigidity had continued for about ei eeads socal ae in the St, Louis Courter of Medicine, . Repu. 1870, 588. D., Med, and Surg, Kep» of Med, Sti, 1835, 256). only exception to this rule ; * Dr. W. W. Bailey, A. D. Binkerd, M. : CT. Hildredth, M.D., Med. Mag., 1834 (Am. J "4 E. M. Hale, M.D., West. Hom. Obs., 1869, 345- April, 1885. 86-4 usually succeeded by tremulous motion often sufficient to shake the room, to- gether with very faint and very imperfect attempts at inspiration. The whole interval, from the commencement of the convulsion to the first full inspiration, varied from a minute to a minute and a half. Respiration was hurried, labored, stertorous, and obstructed by an abundance of frothy mucus, which filled the air passages and was blown from between the lips in expiration ; the breath had a strong odor of Tansy. Occasionally the tongue was wounded by the teeth, and the saliva slightly tinged with blood. Immediately after a convulsion the counte- nance was very pallid and livid, from the suspension of respiration, and the pulse, which, during the spasm, was quite forcible, full and rapid, was now exceedingly reduced in strength and frequency. The pulse and color then gradually returned, until the next spasm came on. It was very common, a few seconds after the ter- mination of a convulsion, for the head to be drawn slowly backward, and the eye- lids at the same time stretched wide open, at which times the eyes were very bril- liant; pupils of equal size, widely dilated, and immovable; and the sclerotics injected. A little inward strabismus was noticeable, of the right eye, as was, also, occasionally slow, lateral, rolling motion of the eye-balls. The mouth and nose were at times drawn a little to the right side. In the intervals of the convulsions, the limbs were mostly relaxed, but the jaws remained clenched. The skin was warm, but not remarkable as to moisture. The victim died in three hours and a half.* On Animals—Dr. Ely Van DeWarker records cases of the action of the oil upon dogs. In one case two drachms were given, causing salivation, vomiting, dilation of the pupils, muscular twitchings, followed by clonic spasms, and a cata- leptic condition from which the animal recovered. Recovery also followed a half ounce after the same class of symptoms, but, however, on repeating the dose, the already poisoned animal was plunged into a long and fatal convulsion. Post- mortem examination disclosed the cerebral veins and spinal cord itself highly congested, and serous effusions had taken place in the pia mater. The lungs were found to be engorged, the left heart empty, and the right distended with dark, liquid blood. Congestion of the kidneys had also taken place, and the bladder was found contracted.+ [he safe maximum dose of the oil is indeterminable, a few drops only sometimes proving serious. The symptoms occurring in a number of cases of poisoning and experiments, were substantially as follows: Mental confusion, loss of consciousness ; vertigo, with cephalalgia; at first contraction, then wide dilation, of the pupils, staring, immovable eye-balls; ringing in the ears; face congested; roughness of the mouth and throat, difficult deglutition; eructations, nausea, free vomiting, and burning of the stomach; sharp colic pains in the abdomen; diarrhoea; constant desire to urinate—urine at first suppressed, then profuse ; respiration hurried and laborious; pulse at first high, then very low and irregular; numbness of * J. C. Dalton, Jr., M.D., 4m. Your. Med. Sci., 1852, p. 136. + The Detection of Criminal Abortion. the extremities; tonic and clonic sj and cold sweat. Death appears 1 N. ORD.—COMPOSITA. Tribe.—SENECIONIDEA. GENUS.—ARTEMISIA. SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. ARTEMISIA VULGARIS. MUGWORT. SYN.—ARTEMISIA VULGARIS, LINN.; A. HETEROPHYLLUS, NUTT.; A. INDICA CANADENSIS. BESS. ‘ ee (FR.) COURONNE DE ST. JEAN; (GER.) BI- A TINCTURE OF THE ROOT OF ARTEMISIA VULGARIS, LINN. Description.—This perennial herb grows to a height of from 2 to 3 feet. Stem erect, furrowed, paniculately branched. eaves mostly glabrous and green above, white-woolly beneath and on the branches, the lower laciniate, the median pinnatifid, the upper lanceolate to linear; divisions often cut-lobed or linear- lanceolate. Jnflorescence glomerate, in open, leafy panicles; /eads numerous, small, ovoid, heterogamous; flowers all fertile; involucre mostly oblong, cam- panulate; éracts scarious, sparingly arachnoid, but mostly glabrate. Corolla smooth. Receptacle naked. Otherwise agreeing in minuti of florets and sexual organs with the following species, p. 88. _The Common Mugwort is an immigrant from Europe dered apparently indigenous at Hudson's Canada and the Atlantic States, where it and waste places, and flowers from History and Habitat. in most of its situations here, but is consi Bay by Prof. Gray. It is naturalized in frequents old fields and gardens, roadsides, September till October. Hippocrates very freque ine evacuations. Dioscorides and Galen u and hysteria—a practice then in vogue among the hpetae of ane : = physicians have urged the drug in epilepsy, but it has nevertheless allen entirely into disrepute, being now very seldom, if ever, used in any disease. see Ds That torturous, barbaric practice, the use of the Moxa, is ee y relate iy this plant, as it was one of the substances, in connection with A. Chinensis, use in the manufacture of that pastile. The Mexican Pharmacopeeia 1s no drug. ntly mentions Artemisia as of use in promoting uter- | sed it as a fomentation for amenorrhea the only one recognizing this w, we believe,. 87-2 PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After thorough succussion, the whole is poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days ina dark, cool place. The tincture thus prepared should, after straining and filtering, have a deep yellowish-brown color by trans- mitted light; a characteristic, uncomparable odor—that of the bruised leaves; an aromatic, slightly bitter taste; and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis has, as far as we are able to ascertain, been made of this plant since Baierus found that by fermentation, dis- tillation, and mixture with water, a fragrant sapid liquor was obtained, with a thin fragrant oil upon the surface. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Mugwort is said to cause increase of epileptic spasms; irritation of the nervous system; profuse sweat, having a fetid, cadaver- ous odor, resembling garlic; violent contractions of the uterus; labor-like pains; prolapsus and rupture of the uterus; miscarriage; metrorrhagia; and increase of lochial discharges.* DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 87. 1. A portion of a panicle, from Salem, Mass., August roth, 1885. * Noak and Trinks. istA ABSINTHIUM, Linn. ARTEM Gm .ad nat.del.et pinxt. N. ORD—-COMPOSITZ:. Tribe.—SENECIOWIDEZ, GENUS.—ARTEMISIA > LINN, SEX. SYST.—POLYGAMIA SUPERFLUA, 88 ABSINTHIUM.* WORM WOOD. SYN.—ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM, LINN.; ABSINTHIUM VULGARE, PARK.: A. OFFICINALE, LAM. COM. NAMES.—WORMWOOD; (FR.) ABSINTHE; (GER.) WERMUTH. A TINCTURE OF THE LEAVES AND FLOWERS OF ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM, LINN. Description.—This bitter, aromatic, frutescent perennial, attains a growth of 2 to 4 feet. Stem stiff, almost ligneous at the base and paniculately branched ; branches of two kinds, some fertile, others barren. Leaves alternate, 2 to 3 pin- nately parted, finely pubescent with close silky hairs, the uppermost lanceolate, entire; /eafiets oblong or lanceolate, obtuse and entire, sparingly toothed or incised, J/zflorescence in long, leafy panicles; heads numerous, small, heteroga- mous, on slender nodding pedicles ; zzvolucre canescent; bracts of two kinds, 1 to 2 loose, narrow, herbaceous ones, and several that are roundish and scarious; florets many, all discoid, the central hermaphrodite, the marginal pistillate. Coro/- fas tubular glabrous; 4mé nearly entire in the marginal florets, 5-toothed, and spreading in the central. Sty/e 2-cleft, in the marginal florets bilamellar, with the inner surfaces stigmatic, in the central bifurcated with only the tips stigmatose, fringed or fimbriate. Axthers tipped with an acuminate appendage, not inflexed, Receptacle flattish, beset with long woolly hairs; akenes obovoid or oblong; pappus. none, History and Habitat.—This European synonym of bitterness has escaped from gardens in many places in North America, especially, however, in Nova Scotia, New England, and at Moose Factory, Hudson’s Bay. It blossoms with us from the latter part of July to October. Wormwood has been used in medicine from ancient times. Dioscorides and Pliny considered it to be a stomachic tonic, and anthelmintic. Boerhaave, Linnzus, Haller, and all of the earlier writers speak of its good effects in many disorders, such as, intermittents, hypochondriasis, gout, scurvy, calculus, and hepatic and splenic obstructions. Bergius, in recounting its virtues, says it is “antiputredi- nosa, antacida, anthelmintica, resolens, tonica, et stomachia.” The famous “ Port- * Artemisia, the Greek Diana, goddess of chastity, as the plant was thought to bring on early puberty. Pliny says the name is in honor of Artemisia, queen of Mausolus, king of Caria. T "Avior, apsinthion, the classical name of many species of the genus. 88-2 land powder,” once noted for its efficacy in gout, had this drug as its principal ingredient. A decoction has ever been found a most excellent application for wounds, bruises, and sprains, relieving the pain nicely in most cases; every reader will recall “wormwood and vinegar” in this connection. Latterly it has been found diuretic, discutient, and antispasmodic in epilepsy. The bitterness of the herb is communicated to the milk of cows who may browse upon it, and also to mothers’ milk if the drug be taken. Brewers are said to add the fruits to their hops to make the beer more heady ; and rectifiers also to their spirits. Absinthe forms one of the favorite drinks for those who love stimulating beverages; it is compounded of various aromatics as follows: Green anise (Pimpinella anisi), Star anise (Illicum anisatum), Large absinth (Artemisia absinthium), Small absinth (Artemisia pontica), Coriander (Coriandum sativum), and Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis); these are distilled to- gether until the distillate comes over reddish, then the following herbs and products are steeped in the distillate to color and flavor it: Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Balm (Melissa officinalis), Citron peel (Citrus medicus), and Liquorice root (Gly- cyrrhiza glabra), | The leaves and tops of the plant are recognized in the U. S. Ph., and the officinal preparation is Vinum Aromaticum.* It is officinal in the Eclectic Materia Medica as Adsinthine and [nfusum Absynthit. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh young leaves and the blos- soms are treated as in the preceding species. The resulting tincture is opaque ; in thin layers it has a beautiful crimson color; its odor is terebinthic and pleasant ; its taste extremely and penetratingly bitter; and its reaction acid. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Volatile Oil of Wormwood. This oil, isomeric with camphor, consists principally of ads¢nthol, C,,H,,O. It is dark green, acrid, and bitter, retains the odor of the plant, boils at 205° (401° F.), has a sp. gr. of 0.973, and is soluble to almost any extent in alcohol. Absinthin, C,,H,,.0O,—This bitter principle when first extracted forms in yel- low globules, which soon crystallize and become a bitter, neutral, inodorous, friable powder, fusing at 120° (248° F.) to 125° (257° F.). It is soluble in alcohol, slightly also in water, and forms no sugar on decomposing with a mineral acid. Succinic Acid,+ C,H,O,—This acid, together with citric and malic acids, exists in the leaves and fruit of the plant, from which it may be isolated in inodorous, moderately acid, klinorhombic prisms, that fuse at 180° (356° F.), boil at 235° (455° F.), and are soluble in alcohol and twenty-five parts water. Potassium Chloride, KC].—This salt has been determined in the plant,t from which it may be isolated in yellowish cubes and octahedrons. * One part each of Lavender, Origanum, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, and Wormwood. + Absynthic Acid of Braconnot. } Kunsmuller, dnn, de Chim., vi, 35, from the ash; Claassen, 4m: Your. Sci., 1882, 323, from the extract. 88-3 Braconnot also determined a green and a bitter resin, albumen, starch, a tasteless nitrogenized body, a bitter nitrogenized body, and nitre.* PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—A druggist’s clerk took about half an ounce of the oil; he was found on the floor perfectly insensible, convulsed, and foaming at the mouth; shortly afterward the convulsions ceased, the patient remained sts sible with the jaws locked, pupils dilated, pulse weak, and stomach retching. After causing free emesis and applying stimulants the man recovered, but could not remember how or when he had taken the drug. According to Dr. Legrand, the effects prominent in absinthe drinkers are: Derangement of the digestive organs intense thirst, restlessness, vertigo, tingling in the ears, and illusions of sight sat hearing. These are followed by tremblings in the arms, hands, and legs, numbness of the extremities, loss of muscular power, delirium, loss of intellect, general paral- ysis, and death. Dr, Magnan, who had a great number of absinthe drinkers under his care, and who performed many experiments with the liquor upon animals, states that peculiar epileptic attacks result, which he has called “absinthe epilepsy.” + Post-Mortem.—Great congestion of the cerbro-spinal vessels, of the meninges of the brain, extreme hyperaemia of the medulla oblongata, injection of the vessels of the cord, with suffusion of the cord itself. The stomach, endocardium, and pericardium show small ecchymoses.{ DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 88. 1. End of a flowering branch, escaped at Binghamton, N. Y., Aug. roth, 1885. 2. A lower leaf. 3. Flower head. 4. Marginal floret. 5. Central floret. 6. Anther. 7. Style of central floret. (3-7 enlarged.) * Thomson, Organic Chem., 1838, 864. + Et supra, Taylor On Poisons, 1885, 652. t Four, of Physiological Med., 9, 525; in Allen, Ency. Mat. Med., loc, cit. 89. ris Gms nat.del.et pinut GNAPHALIUM POLYCEPHALUM, Michy. N. ORD—COMPOSITA. 89 Tribe.—SENECIONIDEA. GENUS.—GNAPHALIUM,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. GNAPHALIUM. EVERLASTING. SYN.—GNAPHALIUM POLYCEPHALUM, MICHX.; G. OBTUSIFOLIUM, LINN.; G. CONOIDEUM, LAM. COM. NAMES.—FRAGRANT EVERLASTING, LIFE EVERLASTING, OLD FIELD BALSAM, WHITE BALSAM, INDIAN POSEY, CAT FOOT, SILVER LEAF, NONE-SO-PRETTY; (FR.) IMMORTELLE, LE COTONNIERE; (GER.) IMMERSCHON RUHKRAUT. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT GNAPHALIUM POLYCEPHALUM, MICHX. Description.—This persistent, annual herb, usually grows to a height of from 1 to 3 feet. Stem erect, terete, and floccose-woolly; édvanches numerous at the summit, either glabrous or minutely viscid-pubescent when the wool is off. Leaves alternate, closely serrate or slightly amplexicaul, but never decurrent, somewhat aromatic, thinnish, all lanceolate or linear, narrowed at the base, and mucronately acute or acuminate at the tip, soon bare and green, or viscid-puberulent above ; margins entire, often finely undulate. /nxflorescence in terminal-paniculate, or cymose, glomerules; Zeads numerous, ovate-conoidal before expansion, then obo- vate, all discoid and heterogamous; zxzvolucre woolly only at the base; dracts oblong, obtuse, thin, dull white, becoming somewhat rusty-colored, pluriserially- “imbricate, without tips or appendages; receptacle flat, chaffless, and bractless. Flowers fertile throughout, arranged in several rows; corona filiform-tubular, shorter than the style; azthers with slender tails. Hermaphrodite flowers, very few; styles two-cleft, the branches mostly truncate. Akenes terete, lightly 3- to 4- nerved, smooth and glabrous; fappus a single row of scabrous, capillary bristles, each free at the base and falling separately. History and Habitat—This species is indigenous to North America, where it ranges from Florida and Texas northward to Canada and Wisconsin. It grows upon old fields and in quite open, dry woods, and blossoms from July to October, The Everlastings formed a part of aboriginal medication, and from there they descended to the white settlers, who, in conjunction with the more or less botanic physicians, used them about as follows: The herb, as a masticatory, has always been a popular remedy, on account of its astringent properties, in ulceration of the * Tvdpadoy, gnaphalon, a lock of wool; from the floccose appearance of any torn or broken end. 89-2 mouth and fauces, and for quinsy. A hot decoction proves pectoral and some- what anodyne, as well as sudorific in early stages of fevers. A cold infusion has been much used in diarrhoea, dysentery, and hemorrhage of the bowels, and is somewhat vermifugal ; it is also recommended in leucorrhcea, The fresh juice is considered anti-venereal. Hot fomentations of the herb have been used like Arnica, for sprains and bruises, and form a good vulnerary for painful tumors and un- healthy ulcers. The dried flowers are recommended as a quieting filling for- the pillows of consumptives. Of Antennaria plantaginifolia, Hook. (Gnaphalium plantaginifolium, Linn.), Rafinesque says: “Fora small fee, the Indians, who call this plant Svzjachu, will allow themselves to be bitten by a rattlesnake, and immediately cure themselves with this herb.” Gnaphalium is not officinal in the U.S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Dispensatory, the preparation recommended is: /zfusum Guaphalit. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, gathered when the flowers are still young, should be treated as directed for the root of Inula.* The resulting tincture should have a brownish-orange color by transmitted light; a pleasant, slightly balsamic odor; a taste at first aromatic, then bitter; and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis to determine the character of the bitter principle has been made. The herb contains a little resin, a volatile oil, a bitter principle, and tannin; and yields all its sensible qualities to both water and alcohol. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The symptoms following the ingestion of from 15 drops to a half ounce of the tincture, at the hands of Dr. Woodbury,} were essentially as follows: Slight abdominal griping, vomiting and purging; profuse diarrhoea, dark-colored offensive passages. Experiments with small doses of the triturated dry flowers and leaves, at the hands of Dr. Banks,} corroborated the above symptoms, though the result was less severe, and gave the following symp- toms beside: Giddiness, especially on rising; dull, heavy expression of counte- nance; diminished appetite; rumbling of flatus, increased urine; sexual excite- ‘ment; intense sciatic pain; weakness, and languor. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 89. i Sapa bs of plant, Binghamton, N. Y., Aug. roth, 1886. 2. A leaf (from a plant gathered by Chapman in Florida). . Outer . Inner . Floret. . Stigmas, . Seed. \ scale of involucre. a NU WwW (3-7 enlarged. oe s - Page 81-2, + Trans. Mass. Hom. Soc. M.A. Four. Hom., 7, 383. ‘* N. ORD.-COMPOSrr =. 90 Tribe. —SENECIONIDEA. | GENUS.—ERECHTHITES,* RAF, SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA,. ERECHTHITES. FIREWEED. SYN.—ERECHTHITES HIERACIFOLIA, PREALTA, AND BLONGATA, RAF. ; SENECIO HIERACIFOLIUS, LINN.; CINERARIA CANADENSIS, WALT. COM. NAMES.—FIREWEED; (FR.) HERBE DE FEU; (GER.) FEUERKRADT. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT ERECHTHITES HIERACIFOLIA, RAF. Description.—This rank, glabrous, or slightly hairy annual, usually grows from 1 to 7 feet high. Svem stout, erect, virgate, sulcate, and leafy to the top. Leaves alternate, sessile, tender, and thin, all narrowly or broadly lanceolate and acute; margins sharply denticulate or somewhat pinnately incised; bases of the upper leaves somewhat auriculate and partly clasping. /nflorescence in a loose, terminal, corymbose panicle ; heads about one-half inch long, cylindraceous, hetero- gamous, and discoid ; zxvolucre a single row of erect, linear, acute scales ; dracteoles few, setaceous ; flowers numerous, white, or ochroleucous, the outer female, the inner hermaphrodite. Corod/as all slender and tubular. Female florets: corolla-— tube filiform, the limb slightly dilated, and 2- 4-toothed. Hermaphrodite flowers « corolla-tube filiform, the limb short, cyathiform, 4- 5-lobed. Anthers tailless. Style- branches narrow, tipped with a conical pubescence. Receptacle flat and naked. Pappus white and copious ; bristles soft, fine, and elongated. Akenes oblong, somewhat striate, tapering at the end. History and Habitat.—This coarse, homely, indigenous weed ranges from Newfoundland and Canada southward to South America; it grows in moist, open woods, upon enriched soil, and blossoms in July and September. Its vulgarism, Fireweed, is given it on account of its seeking newly-burned fallows, there growing in its greatest luxuriance. : The whole plant is succulent, bitter, and somewhat acrid, and has been used by the laity principally as an emetic, alterative, cathartic, acrid tonic, and astringent, ‘in various forms of eczema, muco-sanguineous diarrhoea, and hemorrhages. The oil, as well as the herb itself, has been found highly serviceable in piles and dys- entery. : In the Eclectic Dispensatory, x Oleum Erechthiti and Infusum Erechtian. Ph, CLA wears m the ancient name of some troublesome groundse the preparations recommended for use are: * Derived fro 90-2 PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh, flowering plant _is treated as recommended for the next drug.* The resulting tincture has a clear, beautiful, reddish- -orange color by trans- mitted light; a sourish odor, resembling that of claret wine ; a taste at first sourish, then astringent and bitter; and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—In all probability, the principal virtues of the plant reside in its peculiar volatile oil, though no analysis to determine other bodies has been made. Oil of Erechthites—This fluid, transparent, yellowish oil, is obtained by dis- tilling the plant with water. It has a strong, fetid, peculiar, slightly aromatic odor, and a bitterish, burning taste. Its sp. gr. is 0.927. It is soluble in both alcohol and ether. According to Beilstein, and Wiegand,y it consists, almost exclusively, of terpenes, boiling between 175° and 310° F. (79.5°-154.4°). PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The symptoms of disturbance caused, by doses of from 12 to 200 drops of the tincture, at the hands of T. J. Merryman,}{ were in substance as follows: Uneasiness approaching nausea; griping in the bowels, fol- lowed by three copious, yellow, mushy, fecal stools, followed again by constipation; increased flow of urine, containing a large amount of mucus; stimulation of the genital organs, followed by erections; and pains in the extremities. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE go. 1. Summit of plant, Binghamton, N. Y., Aug. 27th, 1886. 2. A middle leaf. 3. A floret. 4. Stamen. 5. Stigmas. 6. Fruit. 7. Akene. (3-7 enlarged.) _*® Senecio, page 91-2. Tt Berichte, 1882, 2354; Am. Four. Phar., 1833, a2. { E. M. Hale, 7rans. Hom. Med. Soc., N. Y., 1868, 78. 4 Pos : °° nat del. et Pia 7 Y genecio AUREUS. Linn. 91. N. ORD. COMPOSITZA, 91 Tribe.—SENECIONIDEA. GENUS.—SENECIO,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA SUPERFLUA. SENECIO. GOLDEN RAGWORT. SYN.—SENECIO AUREUS, LINN.; SENECIO GRACILIS, PURSH.; SENECIO FASTIGIATUS, ELL. COM. NAMES.—GOLDEN RAGWORT, GROUNDSEL, SQUAW-WEED, LIFE- ROOT, FALSE VALERIAN, GOLDEN SENECIO, FEMALE REGULA- TOR, FIREWEED,+ UNKUM; (FR.) SENECON; (GER.) GOLDENES KREUZKRAUT. A TINCTURE OF THE ENTIRE, FRESH, FLOWERING PLANT, SENECIO AUREUS, LINN. Description—This early spring perennial, usually attains a growth of about 1 or 2 feet. oot small, thin, horizontal; rootlets numerous, slender. S/ew usually free of woolliness at the flowering season, floccose woolly when young. Leaves alternate; radical leaves on long, slender petioles, 6/ade mostly rounded and un- divided, dase somewhat truncate or almost cordate, margin crenate, under surface pinkish-purple ; caz/ine leaves, lowermost similar to the root-leaves with the addi- tion of 2 or 3 lobelets opposite along the petiole, 6/ade subcordate, crenate, pink- ish beneath; mzddle leaves lyrately divided and passing gradually to laciniate- pinnatifid, dases semi-auriculate, clasping; saperior leaves linear-lanceolate, lin- ear, sessile, and lastly bracteolate. /n/lorescence numerous superior-axillary and finally corymbose, long-peduncled, ray-bearing heads; heads radiate, many-flow- ered; receptacle flat and naked. Ray florets 8-12, conspicuous, ovoid, pistillate. Disk florets numerous, perfect, tubular ; corolla 5-lobed; odes revolute, obtuse. Involucre of a few lanceolate scales arranged in a single row; pappus of many, soft, capillary bristles. Azthers tailless. Style bifurcated ; stigmas recurved, Akenes quite glabrous or only microscopically hairy on the angles, neither rostrate nor winged. Read description of the order, under Eupatorium purpureum,.78. History and Habitat.—The Golden Ragwort is common everywhere, the primary form mostly in swampy spots and on the wet borders of streams. It flowers from May until June. Like many another of our parti superficial. Senecio has been foun ally-proven plants, the medical history is very d useful in Aboriginal medicine as an anti- an old man, on account of the hoary pappus. This large and . f eX, # The old Latin name OE Ee all but 3 of which are indigenous; of the widely-distributed genus contains in North America 57 species and 15 varieties, varieties, 6 belong to S. aureus. Bs ¢ The true fireweed is Erechthites hieracifolia, Raf. (9°). * Ot-2 hemorrhagic, abortivant and vulnerary. Later it has been recommended as a substitute for ergot, as an excellent drug to control pulmonary hemorrhage, gene- rally as a diuretic, pectoral, diaphoretic, tonic, and a substance to be thought of in various forms of uterine trouble. The plant has no place in the U.S. Ph. The officinal preparations in the Eclectic Materia Medica are: Decoctum Senectt, Extractum Senecti Fluidum, and Senecit Oleo-resine. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The entire, fresh, flowering plant, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole, pour it into a well-stoppered bottle, and let it stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture, separated from this mass by filtration, has a brownish-orange color by transmitted light, the peculiar odor of the bruised herb, a sweetish then slightly bitter taste, and a strong acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Senecin, an arbitrary oleo-resin, of unknown constitution. No analysis of the plant has been made, as far as I can determine. Upon adding the tincture to water a decided deposit of resin takes place, and tincture of iron shows the presence of tannin, even in a mixture of four drops of the drug-tincture in a drachm of alcohol. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—We have several provings of this drug, but its action is not determinable from them. | DescrIPTION OF PLATE gt. 1. Whole plant, Ithaca, N. Y., May 24th, 1880. 2. Disk floret (enlarged). 3. Ray floret (enlarged). 7 tr Ee a f it AL ar @m.x natdelet pimt LAPPA OFFICINALIS ,var. MAJOR Gray. WN. ORD.—COMPOSIT Ae Tribe.—C YNARODEA., GENUS.—ARCTIUM,* LINN, SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA AEQUALIS. 92 LAP PA? BURDOCK. SYN.—ARCTIUM LAPPA, LINN.; A, MAJUS, SCHK.; LAPPA OFFICINALIS, ALLIONI; L. MAJOR, GAIRTN.; L. OFFICINALIS, VAR. MAJOR, GRAY; BARDANA MAJOR, GER. COM. NAMES.—COMMON BURDOCK, CLOTBUR;!t BAT WEED; (FR.) GLOU- TERON, BARDANE; (GER.) KLETTE. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF ARCTIUM LAPPA, LINN. j Description.—This coarse, rank, biennial emigrant, grows to a height of a about 3 or 5 feet. Root deep, sub-cylindrical, almost black externally and white : within. Stem stout; branches numerous, widely spreading. Leaves alternate, ample, orbicular-cordate, unarmed; green and smooth above, whitish cottony beneath, all marked with prominent, crimson veins; efioles stout, those of the lower leaves deeply channelled upon the upper side. /nflorescence somewhat cymose or clustered; heads many flowered, homogamous, tubulifloral, herma- phrodite ; zzvo/ucre globular, strongly imbricate ; bracts all spreading, coriaceous, and nearly smooth, divided into three portions from below upward, viz.: dase dilated appressed, with a ridge marking its outer median line, the edges some- what serrated ; av7sta long, slender and smooth, the apex coverted into a strongly incurved ook of a horny consistence, sharp and transparent. Coro//a pink, equally or somewhat unequally five-cleft; /odes long, narrow, and acute. Stamens exserted, united by their anthers (except the tips) into a purple tube enclosing the style ; filaments smooth, distinct; anthers tailed at the base and furnished with an elon- gated, connate, cartilaginous apex. Sile long, filiform, thickened at the apex where it bifurcates into partly distinct, slender, smooth branches without appen- dages, and stigmatic to the apex on the inner side. Receptacle flat or “heist densely setose. -Akenes somewhat bony, inversely pyramidal, transversely ee kled, and attached by the very end of the pointed base ; pappus a 0 numerous, short, rigid, barbellate bristles, which are finally separately deciduous. gh, shaggy, fruiting heads. hold the burr takes upon fabrics and ape prehendere vel Aaxrew lambere. from a fancied resemblance in the rou a hand, signifying the tenacious Lappa dici potest vel aro rw * "Apxros, arktos (Celtic arth), a bear, + Aagety, Jabein, to lay hold of, Celtic ap, the coats of animals. Ray says (Hist., 232; Sya-» 196), t The clotburs are properly species of Xanthium. 92-2 History and Habitat.—This common weed is indigenous to Europe and Asia, growing there as here—about roadsides and dwellings. Since its introduction into this country it has spread rapidly westward, its seeds being numerous and readily carried about by both man and animals. It flowers from June to October. The herb is so rank that man, the jackass, and caterpillar are the only animals that will eat of it. The young stems, stripped of their rind, may be eaten raw or boiled, as a salad with oil, or a potage with vinegar. (Withering.) } The previous uses of this plant have been a decoction of the root in pulmo- nary catarrh, rheumatism, gout; and a depurant in scrofula, scurvy, venereal erup- tions, lepra, and kindred affections, in which it is even now considered better in many cases than sarsaparilla. It is also diuretic. The powdered seeds have been used as a diuretic, and application for the cure of styes. Woodville says* that he “never had an opportunity of observing the effects of the root, except as a diuretic, and in this way we have known it succeed in two dropsical cases, where other powerful medicines had been ineffectually used; and as it neither excites nausea or increases irritation, it may occasionally deserve a trial where more active remedies are improper.” The root is officinal in the U. S. Ph.: in the Eclectic Materia Medica the following preparations are given: Jufusum Arctii; Extractum Arctii; and S sy rupus Aralie Compositus.+ PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root gathered in Autumn, before the frost has touched the plant deeply, should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp well mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After the whole has been thoroughly stirred, pour it into a well-stoppered bottle and allow it to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture, separated from this mass by filtration, should be clear and trans- parent. It should have a slighly brownish-orange color by transmitted light, and an acid reaction. This tincture gives no odor or taste by which it may be identified. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Z appine.—This peculiar bitter principle was discovered by Messrs. Trimble and Macfarland,t and judged by them an alkaloid, © as it answered to several of the alkaloid tests. It is described as an amorphous, intensely bitter body, with a faintly alkaline reaction. Its solubility and peculiar physical properties are as yet uninvestigated ; it cannot, however, be soluble in cold alcohol to any great extent, as our tincture does not show its presence, at _ least to the taste. Oil of Lappa.§—This fixed oj] exists in the . seeds in the proportion of 15.4 per cent. It is yellow, bland, not soluble in cold a Icohol, and has a sp. gr. of .930. * Med. Bot., i, 34. ¢ Containing Aralia Spinosa and nudicaulis (root), Sassafras (root bark), Rumex crispus (root), Burdock (root), Sambucus (flowers), Guaiacum (wood), and Iris (root), { Am. Four, Phar. 1885, p. 127. 2 Ibid. 92-3 . * . . . Inulin, tannin, a gummy extractive, nitrate of potash,+ a resin soluble in water, and another in alcohol, have been determined, PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — The only symptom of importance so far recorded from the action of this drug, is an increased secretion of milky urine with frequent desire and copious discharges. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 92. 1. A flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., August rst, 1884. 2. Floweret. . 3 and 4. Bract. 5. Seed. 6. Bristle of Pappus. 7. A thoroughly dried horn, (2-7 enlarged.) * See under Inula Helenium, $1. + Loudon says that the mature green herb, when burnt, willl yield fully one-third its quantity of a pure, white, alka. line salt equal to the best potash. hp TH .ad nat.del.et pinxt CicHORIUM INTYBUS,Linn. N. ORD.—COMPOSIT:. S. ORD.—LIGULIFLORA. GENUS.—CICHORIUM,* TOURN. SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA AQUALIS. se) © CICHORIUM. CHICCORY. SYN.—CICHORIUM INTYBUS, LINN.; CICHORIUM SYLVESTRE SIVE OFFIC. BAUH. COM. NAMES.—WILD OR BLUE SUCCORY OR CHICCORY, WILD EN- DIVE; (FR.) CHICOREE SAUVAGE; (GER.) CICHORIE, WEGEWART. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF CICHORIUM INTYBUS, L. Description.—This partially naturalized, branching, perennial herb, grows to a height of from 2 to 4 feet. Root deep, more or less fusiform, woody, branching, and surcharged with milky juice. Stem bristly, hairy ; dvanches rigid and stout; leaves alternate, those from the root runcinate, the lower stem leaves oblong-lan- ceolate, dentate, and partly clasping, those on the branches varying from auricu- late-lanceolate to mere bracts. Jsflorescence axillary and terminal heads; heads 2 or 3 sessile, several-flowered, homogamous, or single and raised upon a hollow peduncle. Jnvolucre double, the outer row composed of 5 short, spreading scales ; the inner of 8 or 10. lowerets all ligulate and perfect; “gudes 5-toothed, bright blue, becoming pinkish, then whitish, as the day advances. Sv/amens: filaments white, slender, and unconnected ; anthers deep blue. Stgimas 2, circinate, dark blue. Afenes turbinate, striate, angular, and glabrous; prppus composed of numerous short, chaffy scales, forming a sort of crown. History and Habitat.—This European emigrant grows chiefly near the eastern coast, from whence it is spreading somewhat inland. It flowers through- out the months of July, August, and September. Its blossoms present a beau- tiful sight in early morning or on cloudy days, but fade and wither during bright sunshine. The principal previous use of this plant has been that of the root as an adulteration of, or substitute for, coffee. This use, it appears, originated with the Egyptians and Arabians, who also used the bleached leaves as a salad, the boiled or baked roots as pottage, and made a flour for bread from them when dried, Endive (CGichorium Endivia), so much used in many countries as salad, was at one time thought to be merely a cultivated state of this species. The specific names Endivia and Intybus both appear to spring from the same Arabic word designating the herb, hendibeh. As regards the use of chiccory, Dickens says in his “Household Words:” “The great demand for chiccory has led to its very extensive cultivation in this country; considerable sums of money have been pn aye irene * The Latinized Arabian name Chickourych. 93-2 expended on the kilns and machinery required to prepare it for the markets, anda large amount of capital is profitably employed upon this branch of English agricul- ture. . . . The bleached leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for endive: and are commonly sold as an early salad in the Netherlands. If the roots, after being taken up, be packed in sand in a dark cellar, with their crowns exposed, they will push out shoots, and provide through the winter a very delicate blanched salad, known in France as Barbe de Capucin. When chiccory is to be used for coffee the roots are partly dried, cut into thin slices, roasted and ground. The ground chiccory thus made is used by many poor upon the continent as a substitute for coffee by itself. It has not, of course, the true coffee flavor, but it makes a rich and wholesome vegetable infusion of a dark color, with a bitterish, sweet taste, which would probably be preferred by a rude palate to the comparatively thin and weak, and at the same time not very palatable infusion of pure coffee of the second and third quality. By the combination of a little chiccory with coffee the flavor of the coffee is not destroyed, but there is added to the infusion a richness of flavor anda depth of color—a body—which renders it to many people much more welcome as a beverage than pure coffee purchased at the same price.” In times of scarcity chic- cory certainly would make a better substitute than many other substances used, as, for instance, during the war of the Rebellion, when—especially in the South—beans, peas, rye, sweet potatoes, corn, cotton seed, pea-nuts, etc., were utilized. The medical history of chiccory is of little value to us. A free use of the root and leaves produces, according to Lewis, a mild catharsis, rendering aid in jaundice and obstruction of the bowels. It has also been used as a diuretic and detergent in gravel, and a refrigerant in hectic fevers and agues.* PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, gathered while the plant is budding to blossom, is to be treated as in preceding drug. The resulting _ tincture has a clear Hrenee color by cee ten light, an acid bitter taste, and acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The activity of the pine without doubt, lies wholly in its milk-juice, which has not yet been investigated. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—We have no record of toxical effects of Cicho- rium ; its disturbance of the system is very slight, and that appears to be wholly confined to a slight increase of glandular secretions. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 93. - Part of & flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y.,+ Sept. roth, 1884. . A portion of the main stem. . Floweret. Akene. Stigma. . Section of the root. . Pollen grain, x 150, SANE WD - (3-6 enlarged.) * Rafinesque, Med. Bot., II, p. 206. + Where it has escaped to the streets in many localities. 94. r ea 7 NY *, oe ‘ ' ' of } . * i : me ‘ 4 4 ee. in ca th \ Jf if Lt ae 4 ‘ i \ q he ft Sonal he < , ; : J rd ee m a ™ .* 3 i a i PRENANTHES SERPENTARIA , Pursh. | Gu .ad nat.del.et pint N. ORD.—COMPOSITA:. ~ Tribe.—CICHORIACEL. : is GENUS.—PRENANTH Es;,* VAILL. SEX. SYST.—SYNGENESIA JEQUALIS, NABALUS. RATTLESNAKE ROOT. SYN_—PRENANTHES SERPENTARIA, PURSH.; P. ALBA, VAR. SERP TARIA, TORR.: P. GLAUCA, RAF.; NABALUS ALBUS, VAR. octet RIUS, GRAY: NABALUS SERPENTARIUS, HOOK.; N. TRILOBATUS, CASS, AND D.C.: N. FRAZERI, D. C.; N. GLAUCUS, RAF.; HARPALYCE SERPENTARIA, DON.; ESOPON GLAUCUM, RAF. COM. NAMES.—RATTLESNAKE ROOT, WHITE LETTUCE, LION’S FOOT, GALL-OF-THE-EARTH, DEWITT SNAKEROOT, DROP FLOWER, CAN- CER WEED; (FR.) LAITUE BLANC, PIED D’LEON; (GER.) WEISSER LATTICH. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT PRENANTHES SERPENTARIA, PURSH. This variable perennial herb, grows to a height of from 1 to 3 thickened or more or less tuberous; s/em stout, sometimes purple-spotted or splashed. Leaves often decurrent upon the petiole, rather thin fied, or 3-parted, and the terminal lobe the cauline nearly all long, slender, Description. feet. Root very bitter, fusiform, upright, glabrous or a little hirsute, alternate, diversely variable, dilated and pale beneath; deeply sinuate-pinnati 3-cleft; the margin a little rough-ciliate ; petioled; the upper more or less lanceolate ; the lower and radical truncate, cor- date, or hastate at the base. /nflorescence corymbosely thyrsoid-paniculate ; eads drooping, mostly glomerate at the summit of ascending or spreading floral-branch- lets or peduncles, 8 to 12 flowered; involucre cylindrical, green, rarely purplish- tinged; scales 5 to 14, ina single row, with a few small bractlets at their base; receptacle naked. lowers all perfect, pendulous, purplish, greenish-white or ochroleucous; corolla ligulate ; style long and slender; s/igmas much exserted. Afkenes \inear-oblong or terete, truncated, and finely serrate ; pappus sordid, straw- color, or whitish, composed of rough capillary bristles. ecies, assumes, in its mode History and Habitat.—This botanically difficult sp of growth and shape of leaf, all the forms from P.. alba to P. altissima, including two varieties (wana and barbata); hardly two plants in any one district being found with constant characters except, mayhap, those of the glomerules and pappus. Thus, now, P. serpentaria includes in itself what were once considered drooping ; 461, anthe, flower. some of the plates * Ipnviis, prenes, t be absolutely kept through seve + Asa shade of color canno pappus correctly, ral thousand copies in lithography, may not represent the 94-2 to be 17 distinct species and varieties ; and affords an interminable field of work for a botanist of Rafinesquian tendencies. The Rattlesnake Root is indigenous to North America, where it ranges from New Brunswick and Canada, to Florida, being especially abundant northward. It habits the sterile soil of open grounds and hilly wood-borders, and blossoms in August and September. As Gall-of-the-Earth, it has been known in domestic practice from an early date, and is said to be an excellent antidote to the bite of the rattlesnake and other poisonous serpents,—one who searches through the domestic literature of medi- cinal plants, wonders why the bite of snakes ever has a chance to prove fatal.— As an alexiteric, the milky juice of the plant is recommended to be taken inter- nally, while the leaves, steeped in water, are to be frequently applied to the wound ; or a decoction of the root is taken. A decoction of the root has been found useful in dysentery, anemic diarrhoea, and as a stomachic tonic. Prenanthes is officinal in none of the pharmacopceias. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole plant, gathered during the flowering season, is treated as directed under Lappa.* The resulting tincture has a beautiful deep-orange color by transmitted light; an odor similar to that of the root; a bitter, astringent taste; and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis of this species has been made to determine a specific principle. An analysis of the root of P. a/ba—too nearly allied to this species—by Neri. B. Williams,+ showed the presence of resins, tannin, extractive, gum, and waxy matters. . DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 94. 1. Inflorescence, Binghamton, N. Y., Aug. 25th, 1886. 2. A lower leaf. 3. A portion of leaf-margin. 4. Flower. 5. Involucral scales. 6 and 7. Floret. (3-7 enlarged.) — * Page 92-2. + Thesis, Am. Your. Phar., 1886, 117. Fm ad nat.del.et pinxt. TARAXACUM DENS-LEGNIS, Desf 95. N. ORD. COMPOSIT. 95 Tribe.—CICHORACEA. GENUS.—TARAXACUM »* HALLER. SEX. SYST.—_SYNGENESIA POLYGAMIA ZEQUALIS. TARAXACUM. DANDELION. SYN.—TARAXACUM DENS-LEONIS, DESF.; TARAXACUM OFFICINALIS, WEBER; TARAXACUM VULGARE, SCHR.; LEONTODON}; TARAXA- CUM, LINN.; LEONTODON DENS-LEONIS, LAM.; LEONTODON VUL- GARE, LAM.; LEONTODON OFFICINALIS, WITH.; DENS-LEONIS, RAII.; HEDYPNOIS TARAXACUM, SCOP. COM. NAMES.—DANDELION,} PUFF-BALL;3 (ENG.) PISSABED; (FR.) DENT DE LION, PISSENLIT COMMUNE; (GER.) LOWENZAHN, PFAFFEN- ROHRLEIN. A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH. ROOT OF TARAXACUM DENS-LEONIS, DESF. Description.—This vernal, tufted, perennial herb, springs from a vertical tap- shaped rood, furnished with numerous short, thickened rootlets. Leaves radical, varying from spatulate to lanceolate, pinnatifid, runcinate, or irregularly dentate. Inflorescence several many-flowered heads, each raised upon a scape that elongates during and after anthesis; scape slender, naked, cylindrical, fistulous, 6 to 18 inches long in fruit. /zvolucre double, the outer portion composed of numerous short scales; the inner of a single row of linear, erect scales. Receptacle naked. Akenes terete, oblong, ribbed; 77s roughened by numerous, ascending tubercles; apex abruptly conical or pyramidal, prolonged into a slender, filiform beak; pappus borne upon the summit of the beak, and composed of copious, soft, white, capillary bristles. Read description of the order, under Eupatorium purpureum, 78. History and Habitat——The Dandelion is a’ native of Greece, or, at least, of Europe and Asia Minor, and has become by introduction a common herb in fields, pastures, lawns and open grounds everywhere in this country, where it blossoms in early spring and fruits in the summer. The growth of this plant furnishes an instance of a beautifully provisional Nature. During the expansion of the flower, the outer scales of the involucre reflex, after anthesis the inner row contracts until it covers the forming pappus; then while the fruit is maturing the beaks gradually extend by growth and raise the pappus, until finally the inner involucre * Tapdsow, farasso, to disorder, in allusion to its action upon the system. t Acov, Zeon, lion; odors, odous, a tooth; from a supposed likeness of the leaf incisions to a lion’s tooth. t Americanized from (Fr.) Dent de lion. @ On account of the separability of the akenes from the receptacle. The true puff-ball is Lycoperdon Bovista. 95-2 in turn reflexes, disclosing the fruit as a beautiful, white, globular, feathery head, exposing upon its coronate receptacle the ripe seeds ready to be dissipated and wafted to new fields by the first summer zephyr that passes by. Tufts of this plant are eagerly gathered by the poor, in early spring, and cooked, furnishing thus an excellent and palatable pot-herb; they are also in many localities bleached like, and used in lieu of, endive,* as a salad. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked by the Digger and Apache Indians, who value them so highly that they scour the country for many days’ journeys in search of sufficient to appease their appetites. So great is their love for the plant, that the quantity consumed by a single individual exceeds belief} In many parts of Europe, especially in Germany, the dried roots “are roasted and substituted for coffee by the poorer inhabitants, who find that an infusion prepared in this way can hardly be dis- tinguished from that of the coffee berry.” { Taraxacum has been used in medicine from ancient times; it is one of those drugs, overrated, derogated, extirpated, and reinstated time and again by writers upon pharmacology, from Theophrastus’ apéxn and xvyopioy to the present day. It has been considered as a mild detergent, aperient, and diuretic ; Bergius recom- mends it in hepatic obstruction, hypochondriasis, and icterus; and many authors give it repute in dropsy, pulmonic tuberculosis, various skin disorders, gastric derangements, biliary calculi, incipient visceral scirrhus, etc., etc. Children often play with the scapes at making chains, bracelets and “curls.” The curls are formed as follows: A split is started in four directions at the smaller end of a scape, into which the tongue is deftly and gradually inserted, causing a slow separation into sections that curl backward, revolutely, being kept up to their form by the tongue, when the scape is curled to the end it is drawn several times through the operator's mouth and partially uncurled into graceful ringlets. In its manu- facture a child usually gets full benefit of the milky, bitter juice, and, if susceptible, verifies the common name of the plant as applied in England: . . . guast lectminga et urinaria herba dicitur—plus lott derivat in vesicam gudm pueruli retinendo sunt, preasertim inter dormiendum, edque tunc imprudentes et inviti stragula permingunt§ — Taraxacum is officinal in the U.S. Ph., its preparations being: Lxtractum Taraxact and Extractum Taraxaci Fluidum. The same preparations are offici- nal in Eclectic pharmacopeeias, also Decoctum Taraxact, and Pilule Taraxact Composite.|| : PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, gathered in March, July or November, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and pressed out in a piece of new linen. The expressed juice is then, by brisk agitation, mingled with an equal part by weight of alcohol. This mixture is allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture, separated from the above mass by filtration, should have a light orange color by transmitted light, a bitter, somewhat acrid taste, and an acid reaction. * Cichorium endiva. {~ Murray Ae Med., p. 107. t Dodge, U. S. Agric. Rep., 1870, p. 423. @ Raitt Hist. Pl., p. 244. || Sanguinaria, Podophyllin, Taraxacum, and Mentha viridis, 95-3 CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— 7. araxacin. This body, when extracted from the roots or milky juice, forms in a bitter amorphous mass, soluble in alcohol, ether, and water. It was discovered by Polex in 1839, and named by Kromayer, who corroborated the discovery in 1861. Taraxacerin, C, H,,O.—(Kromayer, 1861). This crystalline principle is said to resemble Zactucerin.* It is soluble in alcohol, but not in water. Levulin, C, H,,O,—(Dragendorf). This amylose principle has the same composition as zzu/in,+ but differs in that it is soluble in water and devoid of rotary power. Inosite, C, H,, O, (H, O),.—(Marmé, 1864). This hydride of glucose was determined in the leaves and scapes, but not in the root, It forms transparent rhombic crystals, losing their water of crystallization when exposed to.the air. It is soluble in water, the solution having a sweet taste. Leontodonium t is simply, or in great part, the inspissated juice of the plant, and in a measure the principles ex masse. Mannite, C,H, (O H), has been proven by Messrs. T. and H. Smith (1849) to be present only after a sort of fermentation had taken place in the juice.§ This is probably the change that takes place toa greater or less extent, when the roots are undergoing the winter changes. Taraxacum also contains, according to many assayists,|| caoutchouc, resin, gum, mucilage, free acid, sugar, wax, and the usual plant constituents. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Although this plant has received the attention of scientists of all nations from remote times, still I know of no attempt having been made to determine its toxic action. The symptoms caused by repeated doses are, in general: mental excitement, vertigo and headache, blotchy white coated tongue, nausea and colic; frequent urination; general sticking or stitching pains; sleepiness, chilliness and sweating. These symptoms point to a peculiar action upon the liver, causing inaction of that organ, Its action upon the skin in causing an exanthem seems to be dependent greatly upon the amount of gastric irritation. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 95- 1, Whole plant, Bergen, N. J., May 14th, 1879. 2. Root. . Ray floret (enlarged). . Disk floret (enlarged). Fruit. . Seed (enlarged). Section of root (enlarged). IAN EW * See Lactuca, 96. + See Inula, 81. t Kromayer, 1861. soba; is pert - : , Flick. & Han., Pharmacographia, 2 orf, Kromayer, SMarmé, and pe bedt Frickhinger, Squire, Polex, John, Overbrook, T. and H. Smith, — 4 Widemann, LacTUCA CANADENSIS, Linn. N. ORD.—COMPOSIT-. Ce % 3: Tribe.—CICHORIACER. GENUS.—LACTUCA,* TOURN. SEX, SYST.—SYNGENESIA ASQUALIS. LACTUCA. LETTUCE. SYN.—LACTUCA CANADENSIS, LINN.; L. ELONGATA, MUBHL. (TYPE); L. ELONGATA, VAR. LONGIFOLIA. T. & G.; L. CAROLINIANA, WALT.; L. LONGIFOLIA, MICHX.; GALATHENIUM ELONGATUM, NUTT.; SON- CHUS PALLIDUS, WILLD. COM. NAMES.—WILD LETTUCE, FIRE-WEED,; TRUMPET-WEED,!; (FR.) LAITUE DU CANADA; (GER.) CANADISCHE LATTICH, A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT, OF VARIOUS SPECIES, INCLUDING THIS. Description.—This ‘glabrous, glaucescent biennial, grows to a height of from 4 tog feet. Stem erect, very leafy to the top, and copiously supplied with milky juice. Leaves alternate, mostly sinuate, pinnatifid below, lanceolate and entire above, all partly clasping by a sagittate base, and pale beneath; midrib naked, or rarely with a few sparse bristles ; margzus entire or sparingly dentate, especially near the base; éerminal lobe elongated. /nflorescence in a terminal, narrow, elon- gated, leafless panicle; Aeads 12- to 20-flowered ; flowers pale yellow, all sperfect: involucre a half-inch or less high, cylindraceous, irregularly calyculate, and slightly imbricated in two rows. Corolla ligulate in all the flowers of the head; ¢ude hairy ; ligules obscurely, if at all, notched at the apex. Receptacle naked. Akenes blackish, broadly oval, flat, wingless, rather longer than the beak, obscurely scabrous-rugu- lose, and lightly 1-nerved in the middle of each face; deak filiform, abrupt at the base, and expanded at the apex; pappus of soft, silvery-white hairs, on the dilated apex of the beak. History and Habitat.—Wild Lettuce is indigenous to North America, where it extends from Nova Scotia and Canada to Saskatchewan, and southward to Upper Georgia. It habits rich moist grounds along the borders of fields, thickets, and roads, where it blossoms in July and August. This species has been used in early practice as an anodyne, diaphoretic, laxa- tive, and diuretic, in many diseases, principally, however, in hypochondria, satyria- sis, nymphomania, phthisis pulmonalis, ascites, anasarca, and nervous complaints in general. * Latin, /ac, milk; on account of the milky juice. : + Many plants have been given this name in different localities, on account of their growing parti burned fallows, Enechthites hieractfolius, Senecto aureus, Hieracium Canadense, and this, { This name also designates Eupatorium purpureum. cularly on newly - 96-2 Lactucarium, or Lettuce Opium, being of the same nature, no matter from what species it is obtained, consists of the inspissated milky juice of various spe- cies of Lactuca. The yield varies greatly with the species; greatest in ZL. verosa, and diminishing as follows: L. scarioda, L. altissima, L. Canadensis, L. sahiva. Dr. Coxe, of Philadelphia, was the first to call the attention of the profession to this substance as a substitute for commercial opium;* his reasoning and experiments were based upon the product of Z. sativa. Although Lettuce has been considered narcotic from ancient times, still it is but slightly soporific, and hardly deserves a tithe of the reputation writers have made for it. Lactucarium from Z. vérosa is still officinal in the U. S. Phar., but will, without doubt, be dropped at the next revision. PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, just as the blos- soms open, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. . Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, it is poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture formed thus, after straining and filtering, has a deep orange-red color by transmitted light; the odor of canned tomatoes; a slightly bitter and astringent taste; and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Lactucarium, or Thridace, as noted above, represents in itself all the active principles of the plant, being a mixture of differ- ent organic and about ten per cent. inorganic bodies. It is not fully soluble in any vehicle, and merely softens on the application of heat. Subjected to analysis, it yields: _ Lactucerin,+ C,,H,,0.{—This compound body composes nearly half the whole weight of Lactucarium. It forms in slender, colorless, microscopic, odorless and tasteless acicular crystals, insoluble in water, soluble in boiling alcohol and cold ether, and melting at 232° (449.6° F.). _ Lactucin, C,,H,,0,(H,0).—This body, which proves not to be a glucoside, gives to Lactucarium its intensely bitter taste. It forms, when purified, white, bit- ter, pearly scales, insoluble in ether, soluble in alcohol and in hot water. Lactucic Acid.— This very acid body, isolated by Pfaf and Ludwig, results as an amorphous light yellow or brownish mass, only crystallizing-after long standing. Lactucopicrin, C,,H,,O,,.—This bitter amorphous substance seems to be formed by the oxidation of Zactucin. It is soluble in alcohol and water. Beside the above, Lactucarium also contains a yellowish-red tasteless resin ; a greenish-red acrid resin; caoutchouc; gum; oxalic, citric, malic, and succinic acids ; sugar; mannite; asparagin; and a volatile oil. * Trans. Am, Philosoph. Socy., 1799, 387. + Lactucon, t Fliickiger, C,,1,,0; Franchimont, C,,H,,0. 96-3 PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Lactucarium, in large doses, causes: Delirium ; confusion of the brain, vertigo, and headache; dimness of vision; salivation; difficult deglutition ; nausea and vomiting, and retraction of the epigastric region, with a sensation of tightness; distension of the abdomen, with flatulence ; urging to stool followed by diarrhoea; increased secretion of urine ; spasmodic cough, oppressed respiration, and tightness of the chest; reduction of the pulse ten to twelve or more beats; unsteady gait; great sleepiness; and chills and heat, followed by profuse perspiration, DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 96. 1. Whole plant, eighteen times reduced, Binghamton, N. Y., July 26th, 1885. 2. A portion of the panicle. An upper leaf. Outline of a lower leaf. Flower-head. A floret. Anther. Fruit. (6 and 7 enlarged. ) eI AN EY op 97. CARDINALIS , Linn. LOBELIA | Gms nat.del.et pinxt N. ORD.-LOBELIACEA:. ; 97 Tribe.—LOBELIEE. GENUS.—LOBELIA,* LINN. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. LOBELIA CARDINALIS. CARDINAL FLOWER. SYN.—LOBELIA CARDINALIS, LINN.; L. COCCINEA, STOKES; TRACHE- LIUM AMERICANUM, PARK. COM. NAMES.—CARDINAL FLOWER, SCARLET OR RED LOBELIA, HIGH- BELIA; (FR.) LOBELIE CARDINALE; (GER.) ROTHE KARDINALS BLUME. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT LOBELIA CARDINALIS, LINN. Description.—This showy perennial grows to a height of from 2 to 4 feet. Stem minutely pubescent or glabrous, commonly simple. Leaves oblong-ovate, to oblong-lanceolate, tapering at both ends, sessile, and irregularly serrate or serru- late. Jnflorescence a dense, terminal, more or less one-sided virgate raceme; flowers large and showy, intense red, or rose-color, sometimes pure white; pedicels erect or ascending; évacts of the upper portion linear-lanceolate, of the lower, leafy. Calyx smooth; fube short, hemispherical, much shorter than the lobes; lobes \inear-subulate. Corolla+ gamopetalous, tubular; ¢#de about 1 inch long, straight; 4mé bilabiate; upper “p 2-parted to the base, the cleft extending down to the calyx, the lobes erect, linear-lanceolate ; dower Zp 3-cleft, spreading plane or slightly recurved, the segments oblong-lanceolate. Stamens free from the tube of the corolla, monadelphous almost to the base, exserted through the cleft in the corolla tube, which they again enter between the two upper lobes; f/aments red; anthers syngenesious, curved, blue, the two larger ones naked at the tip, the other three ciliate. Capsule hemispherical, thin-walled, 2-celled, and loculicidally 2-valved at the summit. Seeds numerous, oblong, rugulose-tuberculate, similar to those of L. inflata, Lobeliaceze.—This large family, closely related to Campanulacea, is represented in North America, by 7 genera and 31 species, characterized in general as follows: Herbs (when not Tropical) with acrid, milky juice. Leaves alternate, simple; stipules none. Inflorescence racemose; flowers 5-merous, perfect. Calyx adnate to the ovary; “md divided down to the ovary, or entire; /odes persistent when present. Corolla regular and perigynous, inserted with the stamens just where the calyx leaves the ovary; “mb disposed to become. bilabiate ; Zodes 5, valvate in * Dedicated to Mathias de L’Obel, a Flemish herbalist, Botanist to James I. t In describing this organ, I adopt the position it stands in while flowering. See Lodeliacce, 97-2 the bud, or in some cases induplicate, commonly deeper cleft or completely split down between two of the lobes (this cleft is generally upon the lower face of the corolla when the bud is young, but becomes superior, by a twisting of the pedicel, during its maturation). S/amens 5, epigynous, as many as the lobes of the corolla and alternate with them, usually both monadelphous and syngenesious ; filaments generally free from the corolla, but not invariably so; anthers 2-celled, introrsely dehiscent, firmly united around the top of the style. Ovary wholly inferior, or sometimes half free, 2-celled, with the placentae projecting from the axis (some- times 1-celled with 2 parietal placenta) ; ovw/es anatropous; style filiform, entire : stigma commonly 2-lobed, and girt with a ring of more or less rigid hairs, at first included, then exserted.* yu¢¢ capsular and loculicidal, or baccate and indehiscent; seeds indefinitely numerous ; embryo small er narrow, straight and axial; albumen copious, fleshy. ; Many species of this order are acrid, narcotic poisons, only a few being, so far, used in medicine, among which the West Indian Rebenta Cavallos (Hippobro- ma longifolia, Don.) is noted for its poisonous properties. If taken internally it speedily brings on hypercatharsis, while the juice, if touching the mucous mem- brane, quickly causes acute inflammation; and 7xfa Fenillaet, Don., is said to __ bring on nausea in one simply smelling of its flowers. The three species described in this work are, however, all that are much used. History and Habitat.—The Cardinal Flower is indigenous to North America, from New Brunswick to Saskatchewan, southward east of the Mississippi to : Florida, and southwest to the borders of Texas. It rears its magnificent spike of _ gorgeous flowers along the muddy banks of streams, during the early autumn months. It was introduced into Great Britain from Virginia, on account of its beauty, in 1629. Sheepf mentions the use of the root of this species, by the Cherokee Indians, for syphilis; and Dr. Barton speaks of their successful use of it as an anthelmin- tic By some early physicians it was considered fully equal to Spigelia Marilandica, in this direction. This species is, however, seldom used now, Z. zx/flata taking its place entirely. It is considered, however, to possess marked anthelmintic, nervine, and antispasmodic properties, : PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant, gathered when coming into blossom, is treated as in the next species. The resulting tincture has a clear yellowish-brown color by transmitted light; a sweetish, herbaceous odor and taste; and an acid reaction, CHEMICAL, CONSTITUENTS.—No special examination of this plant having been made, we can do no better at present than to refer to the chemistry of L. inflata, page 99-3. oo * See pp. 98-98-2. 97-3 DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 97. 1. Top of a flowering plant, Binghamton, N. Y., Aug. 1oth, 1886. 2. A middle leaf. 3. Flower. 4. Stamens. 5. Section of the stamen-tube. 6. Stigma. 7. Open stigma. 8. Fruit. g. Section of the ovary. (4-9 enlarged. ) 98. CF. ada tit | LOBELIA SYPHILITICA, Linn. N. ORD.—LOBELIACEAS. 98 GENUS.—LOBELIA, LINN. SEX. SYST.—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. LOBELIA SYPHILITICA- GREAT BLUE LOBELILA. SYN .—LOBELIA SYPHILITICA, LINN.; LOBELIA C@iRULEA? LOBELIA #3 GLANDULOSA, LINDL.; LOBELIA REFLEXA, STOKES. (com. NAMES.—GREAT LOBELIA, BLUE LOBELIA, BLUE CARDINAL ~—~_FLOWER; (FR.) LOBELIE SYPHILITIQUE; (GER.) GEMEINE LOBELIE. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH PLANT, LOBELIA SYPHILITICA, LINN. Description.—This erect, perennial herb, attains a growth of from 1 to 3 feet, its conspicuous racemes being generally from one-third to one-quarter the length of the whole plant. Stew simple, leafy to the base of the raceme, and somewhat hairy, especially upon its angles. Leaves sessile, ovate-lanceolate, irregularly denticulate-serrate, acute at the base, from 2 to 6 inches long, and about 1 inch wide; thin, and more or less appressed hairy. /xflorescence supra-axillary, com- posed of a long, at first leafy, then morphologically bracted, dense spike or raceme; fedicels shorter than the bracts; flowers light blue, nearly 1 inch long extending beyond the leafy bracts. Ca/yx five-cleft, hirsute, shorter than the tube of the corolla, with reflexed, conspicuous, two-cleft auricles at the sinuses; /udbe hemispherical, short ; odes one-half the length of the corolla. Corvol/a with a straight, sub-cylindrical tube, more or less two-lipped, having a deep fissure at the superior margin; upper lip of two erect, slightly diverging lobes; /ower 4p spreading and three-lobed by incision. /7uzt a globose pod, free above, but enclosed by the loose, persistent calyx; two-celled, opening at the apex; seeds many. For a de- scription of the Natural Order, see Lobelia cardinalis, 97. History and Habitat.—The great blue lobelia habits the borders of marshy places and wet spots in pasture lands and meadows, pretty generally throughout the United States, to which it is indigenous; flowering from July to September. In some localities it is called igh de/a, in unconscious pun upon its lowlier but more frequently-used companion, L. inflata, or dow delta, as they term it. The lobelias furnish one of the best examples of the system of cross-fertilization in plants. The stamens, especially their anthers, grow into a tube, enclosing the stigma, and apparently making self-fertilization positive. A closer study, how- ever, reveals the following conclusive points: The stigma is two-lobed, the recep- * Dr. Hale, in his “*‘ New Remedies,” treats of this drug as Lobelia ccerulea. Dr. Allen remarks that—as there are 2 number of blue lobelias, and beside this the true caru/ea grows at the Cape of Good Hope, and may yet be proven— syphilitica should always designate this drug. 98-2 tion surfaces—in the earlier stages of growth and while enclosed in the anther tube—are tightly pressed together and fringed with close, bristly hairs, all together resembling the mouth of a full-bearded man, with lips compressed. The tube of anthers opens by a pore at the tip and discharges the ripened pollen directly through this pore when it is irritated by the back of any insect that may creep into the throat of the corolla after nectar. As the pollen is discharged, the stigma, by elongation of the style, presses forward, keeping up the discharge by acting as a swab, until the cell is completely empty; then, as it projects beyond the pore, the compressed lips open and roll back, standing ready to collect the pollen from the back of some insect that has been on a visit to a neighboring plant. The former uses of this plant were the same as those of L. inflata, than which it is less active. The natives of North America are said to have held this plant a secret in the cure of syphilis, until it was purchased from them by Sir William Johnson, who took a quantity to Europe, and introduced it as a drug of great repute in that disease. European physicians, however, failed to cure with it, and finally cast it aside, though Linnzus, thinking it justified its Indian reputation, gave the species its distinctive name, syphz/itica. The cause of failure may be the fact that the aborigines did not trust to the plant alone, but always used it in combination with may-apple roots (Pvdophyllum peltatum), the bark of the wild cherry (Prunus Virginica), and dusted the ulcers with the powdered bark of New Jersey tea (Cenothus Americanus). Another chance of failure lay in the volatility of its active principle, as the dried herb was used. It is not officinal in the U. S. Ph., nor in the Eclectic Materia Medica. -PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it and the rest of the alcohol added. The whole, after thorough mixture, is poured into a well-stoppered bottle and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture is then sepa- rated by straining and filtering. Thus prepared, it has a beautiful, clear, light- brown color by transmitted light, a slightly bitter taste and tingling sensation upon the tongue, and a strong acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The chemical properties of this plant will probably be found to differ from those of L. inflata only in quantity. An analysis by M. Boissel resulted in the separation of fatty and butyraceous matters, mucl- lage, sugar, earthy salts, and a volatile bitter principle. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—No data upon this is obtainable. We will do well, perhaps, to again consult L. inflata, which, in virulence of action, is the type of the genus in the Northern States, — DEscRIPTION OF PLATE 98. 1. Whole plant, once reduced ; from Chemung, N. Y., September gth, 1879. 2. Apex of raceme. 3- Flower (somewhat enlarged). 4. Fruit. | : 5. Pollen, with end view x 380. : Bit a delet pit LOBELIA INFLATA, Linn. 99 N. ORD.-LOBELIACEA:. 99 Tribe.—LOBELIEA. GENUS.—LOBELIA, LINN. SEX, SYST.—PENTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. LOBELIA INFLATA. INDIAN TOBACCO. SYN.—LOBELIA INFLATA, LINN.; RAPUNTIUM INFLATUM, MILL. COM. NAMES.—WILD OR INDIAN TOBACCO, EYE-BRIGHT,* BLADDER POD,| EMETIC ROOT OR WEED, PUKE WEED, ASTHMA WEED; (FR.) . LOBELIE ENFLEE; (GER.) LOBELIE. A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH HERB LOBELIA INFLATA, L. Description.—This well-known milky, acrid, biennial or annual herb, varies greatly in its growth, generally, however, its height is from 8 inches to 2 feet.} Root slender, yellowish-white; sem erect, somewhat angled, lined or winged, leafy, paniculately branched, especially above, and divergently hirsute, principally below; deaves sessile, veiny, acute, and irregularly or obtusely toothed; they vary from ovate or oblong below to foliaceous or even subulate bracts above, longer than the pedicels. florescence loose, terminal, spike-like racemes; flowers small, inconspicuous, irregular. Calyx persistent 10-veined, not auriculate nor append- aged in the sinuses; /odes linear-subulate, nearly as long as the corolla, and spring- ing from a decided ring involving the throat of the tube. Corol/a marcescent, about two lines lang, pale blue externally, somewhat violet within ; Zodes 5, the two upper lanceolate, erect, the three lower ovate, acute, and projecting. Stamens 5, epigynous, projecting with the style (which they enclose) through the complete slit in the upper median line of the corolla tube. Capsule 2-celled, oval, glabrous, much inflated, longitudinally 10-nerved and roughened between the nerves by transverse rugz, they greatly exceed their pedicels in length; seeds numerous, oblong, rough, of a brilliant brown color and reticulated with honey-yellow inter- mixed lines; J/acente central. A description of the genus is incorporated in that of Lobelia Cardinalis, 97. History and Habitat—Indian Tobacco is common in dry open fields from Hudson’s Bay westward to Saskatchewan and southward to Georgia and the Mississippi, where it flowers from July to October. Linnzus first noticed this * The true eye-bright is Euphrasia officinalis, L. (Scrophulariacea). ¢ The true bladder-pod is Vestcaria Shortit, 7. & G. (Cruciferee). { I met many individuals this season (1885), scarcely 3 inches high, simple stemmed, and in full flower and fruit. I judge this depauperate form to be the var. simplex of Rafinesque. 99-2 species in the Transactions of the Upsal Academy in 1741." It was introduced into England in 1859, and noticed medically by Schoepf in 1787, his observations ’ being mostly founded upon the use of the plant by the American aborigines as an emetic, and application for “sore eyes.” It afterward became in frequent use by Botanic physicians, and in 1813 was more or less prominently brought before the medical profession by the Rev. D. Cutler, as a valuable remedy in asthma. Its use was not carried into England until 1829. The name Indian Tobacco might have arisen either from the peculiar tobacco- like sensation imparted to the tongue and stomach on chewing the leaves, or from the fact that the American Indians often smoked the dried leaves to produce the effect of the drug. Lobelia has been recommended and used in the Botanic practice particularly, either alone or compounded with other drugs, for almost every disease known, and has proven curative in some cases, palliative in more, useless in many, and a deadly poison in more cases than one. Its action, as will be seen farther on, is, as in all narcotics, principally upon the brain, thus making it anything but a desirable emetic, as which it is most frequently used. From the power it exhibits to relax the whole system, it has been found very valuable in spasms, tetanus, croup, strangulated hernia, whooping cough, and even hydrophobia. Samuel Thomson claims to have discovered the virtues of the plant, though without doubt his first ideas of its emetic property were gathered from the Indians. He went so far as to claim it curative in all disorders, giving it with such a reckless hand that he fatally poisoned one of his patients, a certain Ezra Lovett, for which he was arrested on the charge of murder, escaping punishment because said Lovett was foolish enough to take the prescription of a man who claimed to carry such potent (?) drugs as “ wedl-4my-gristle” and “ram-cats.” Lobelia Inflata is officinal in the U. S. Ph., as: Acetum Lobelia; Extractum Lobelia Fluidum ; and Tinctura Lobelia ; and in the Eclectic Materia Medica as above, and as: Cataplasma Lobelie@ et Ulmus ;* Enema Lobelic Composita ;° Ex- tractum Lobelice Fluidum Compositum ;* Linimentum Stillingie Compositum ;° Lotio Lobelia Composita * Oleum Lobelia; Pilule Aloes Composite ;' Pulvis Lobelia Composttus * Tinctura Hydrastis Composite ;° Tinctura Lobelie Com- posita *” Tinctura Lobelia et Capsici ™ Tinctura Sanguinarie Acetata Composita ; Tinctura Sanguinarie Composita, and Tinctura Viburnt Composita.™ | PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole plant gathered in Septem- ber, or when the last flowers are developing and the lower capsules are ripe, : Trans, Upsal, 1741, tt, P: 43. ? Lobelia, Elm, and Lye, : on ae et Capsici 388, water 3ss. 4 Lobelia, Skunk-cabbage, and Sanguinaria s of Stillingia, Cajeput, and Lobelia, ® Bayberry bark, Lobelia leaves and seeds, and Yellow Dockroot. é Boneset, Mandrake, Ginseng, Aloes, Soap, Gamboge, and Capsicum and Lobelia seeds. Lobelia, Blood-root, Skunk-cabbage, Ipecac, and Capsicum ® Hydrastis and Lobelia, ‘ 0 Lobelia, Wild Ginger (Asarum Canadense ?), Bl ; " Lobelia, Capsicum, and Skunk-cabbage sa ee wigecieg detente 12 Blood-root, Lobelia, Skunk-cabbage root, and Vinegar High Cranberry bark, Lobelia seed, Blood-root, Skunk-cabbage seed, Capsicum, and Stramonium seed. 99-3 should be treated as in the preceding species, The resulting tincture should be of a clear reddish-orange color by transmitted light, and have a very acrid pene- trating tobacco-like taste, a peculiar characteristic odor, and an acid reaction. CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Loéelina.1 This alkaloidal body was discov- ered by Calhoun,’ though Procter was first to isolate it.? Bastic,t working with- out a previous knowledge of its discovery, also isolated the principle. Lobelina exists after separation, especially when carefully sealed, as an oily, yellowish fluid having a decided alkaline reaction, this is especially noticeable in its watery solution. Its taste is acro-pungent, very like that of nicotia. It exhibits, even in very small doses, the poisonous action of the herb. It is somewhat volatile, decomposing and losing its acridity at a temperature above 100° (212° F.) either alone or in the presence of dilute acids or caustic alkalies. It is soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. Lobelina neutralizes acids, and except with acetic, forms crystallizable salts, more soluble in water than the alkaloid itself. Lobelacrin.— This glucoside (?) was discovered by Pereira ® and corroborated by Enders.° Lewes (1878), who made a thorough analysis of this drug, suggests that this body may be Lodeliate of Lobelina, a salt of lobelina formed by the free acid in the plant itself. Lobelacrin, according to Enders, exists as acrid, brownish, verrucose tufts, decomposing rapidly in water at 100° (212° F.), and resolving under the action of acids or alkalies into sugar and Lobelic Acid.—This acid is crystallizable, non-volatile, soluble in water, alco- hol, and ether, and yields an insoluble plumbic and soluble baric salt. Lobelianin.—This body, so named by its discoverer, Pereira, is now considered to be the volatile oil, Zode/zn, a compound body isolated by Reinsch, and now considered indefinite. Oil of Lobelia.—This oil may be extracted from the seeds, which, when bruised between heated rollers, generally yield about 30 per cent. According to Procter its specific gravity is 0.940, and its drying quality and consistence quite similar to that of linseed oil. Dr. John King states’ that the oil possesses all the medicinal qualities of the seed. , Beside the foregoing, caoutchouc,**” extractive,’ resin,’ *®™ and fat,° have been determined. PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Thanks to much reckless prescribing by many so-called Botanic physicians, and to murderous intent; as well as to experimentation and careful provings, the action of this drug is pretty thoroughly known. Lobelia 1 Lobelin, Lobeline. 2 Fourn. Phil. Coll. Pharm., 300. 3 Am. Four. Phar., 1838, p. 98; and farther idid., 1871, p. 1; and 1851, p. 456. 41850. Jbid., 1851, p. 270. 5 Mat. Med., Vol. 2, part 2, p. 12. 6 1871, in an analysis made for the authors of the Pharmacographia, |. ¢., p. 400. T Am. Disp., 1880, p. 492. : 8 Bigelow, Am. Med. Bot., 1817, Vol. 1, p. 179. 9 Reinsch. 10 Pereira, /. ¢. Procter, /. ¢. 99-4 in large doses is a decided narcotic poison, producing effects on animals generally, bearing great similitude to somewhat smailer doses of tobacco; and /odelina in like manner to zcotia. Its principal sphere of action seems to be upon the pneumogastric nerve, and it is to the organs supplied by this nerve that its toxic symptoms are mainly due, and its “physiological” cures of pertussis, spasmodic asthma, croup and gastralgia gained. Its second action in importance 1s that of causing general muscular relaxation, and under this it records its cures of stran- gulated hernia (by enemata), tetanic spasms, convulsions, hysteria, and, mayhap, hydrophobia. Its third action is upon mucous surfaces and secretory glands, increasing their secretions. The prominent symptoms of its action are: great dejection, exhaustion, and mental depression, even to insensibility and loss of consciousness; nausea and vertigo; contraction of the pupil; profuse clammy salivation; dryness and prick- ling in the throat; pressure in the cesophagus with a sensation of vermicular motion, most strongly, however, in the larynx and epigastrium; sensation as of a lump in the throat; incessant and violent nausea, with pain, heat, and oppression of the respiratory tract; vomiting, followed by great prostration; violent and painful cardiac constriction; griping and drawing abdominal pains; increased urine, easily decomposing and depositing much uric acid; violent racking parox- ysmal cough with ropy expectoration ; small, irregular, slow pulse; general weak- ness and oppression, more marked in the thorax; violent spasmodic pains, with paralytic feeling, especially in the left arm; weariness of the limbs, with cramps in the gastrocnemii; and sensation of chill and fever. Death is usually preceded by insensibility and convulsions. Post-mortem.—The stomach is found congested and filled with fluid, and the brain engorged with blood. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 99. x. Whole plant, Chemung, N. Y., September gth, 1879. 2. Flower. 3. Fruit. 4- Seed natural size and magnified 100 diam. (2-3 enlarged. )