(UllF S. '£. Bill Sitbrarg
Norttj (Earalina &talf Imopraitg
Special Collections QK99 1450
THIS BOOK MUST NOT BE TAKEN FROM THE LIBRARY BUILDING.
20M 5-79
AMERICAN
MEDICINAL PLANTS;
Illustrated and Descriptive Guide
m iEPiicAi mm iseb is mwmie reiipiies
Thkik History, PRErAKAxioN, Chemistrn, anu Physiological Effects.
liV
CHARLES F. MILLSPAUGH, M.D.
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR
BOERICKE & TAFEL.
NEW YORK: I'llILADELl'HIA:
145 GRAND STREET. 1011 ARCH STREET.
Copyright, 1887, by Boericke & Tafel.
CAXTON PRESS OF SHIiKMA PHlLAnEI.PHIA.
TO
John Hill Millspauch. Artist,
Mv Kkluvi-.h Kaihkk,
To Whom I am Inhkhikh i i_ik WnAitxEK 1 may Possess
OF AkT ]N 1)KA\VIN<; ami Cnl.ORlNli.
THL PLATHS
Are CiRATEi ullv Dedicated.
TO
Timothy F. Allhn, A.M., M.D.
Mv Honored Prdkessok and Preceptor,
THE TEXT OI- THIS WORK
Is KESI'ECTFn.I.Y iNSl RlliED.
68S60
PROSPECTUS.
TiiK American plants now proven and incorporated in tlie Homn;opatIiic Materia Medica, have become not only numerous, but of great promise as therapeutic agents ; and the fact that the greater part of them are not officinal in the United States Pharmacopoeia, has led the author to place them before his profession, in such a manner that their distinguishing characteristics may become known to all who wish to thoroughly understand the agents they use in the cure of diseased conditions.
Most of these plants grow within the daily ride of country practitioners and should be well known to them, in order that they may make fresh tinctures for their own use, when necessary to avoid delay.
The author has in every case drawn and colored the plants represented in this work, by his iKl'ii Jiand, from the specimens as tliey stood in the soil ; making mathematically accurate drawings, and avoiding the misrepresentations of wilted individuals, or too highly colored fancy pictures.
The work contains one hundred and eighty colored illustrations, and com- plete te.xt, of all the proven plants indigenous and naturalized in the United States; arranged qcnericaliy according to the numerical order of the plates.
A glossary of botanical terms, and complete index, together with a carefully arranged bibliography, are given in the appendix.
PREPACK
In preparing for the use of students of our materia inedica, this s)steniatic account of American proven plants, I liave inckided only such as may he found in that district of North America in which most of the Homceopathic physicians reside.
That many of the plants here described are not purely American is evident, yet all of them are true representatives of the tinctures used in the provings noted: such plants as the Chinese Ailantus : the Asiatic .Esculus Hippocastanutn : the European Euphorbia Lathyris and many others, have received much of their value from provings of individuals growing here. Of the plants represented, i 28 are truly indigenous; 23 are fully naturalized; 22 are escapes from gardens ; 6 are cultivated ; and one only is too rare to be of much value to the pharmacist. As regards their location, i i 7 are generally common throughout the northern portion of the L'nited States: 27 abound in the Eastern and Adantic .States only; 14 in the Northern States only ; 6 in the Southern States ; S in the central belt ; i only to be found west ot the Mississippi ; and 7 are local.
The work has occupied over five years in its publication, and the order in which the plates are numbered gives no idea of time when the plant itself was gathered and its text written. This was determined by my ability to locate the plant. It will be necessary to remember this, as many plants have been proven, and much more discovered concerning those represented since the work began, and the indi- viduals were described. Each plant and its accompanying text should be looked upon as an article by itself, written in the light of the time; the author has, how- ever, as fully as was in his power, searched all important references at his com- mand, and hopes that he has left out nothing that wnukl increase the value of the work in the light in which it is written.
The following explanation of the arrangement and objects of tlie work is deemed necessary to its completeness: First, the natural order under which the genus falls is given in prominent type, and, should the order be a large one, the tribe then follows to give a better idea of its place ; then the genus is mentioned in black-face type, together with the name of the scientist who formed it; to the genus, wherever possible, is appended a foot-note, showing the derivation of the name ; and, lastly, in this department, is given the old, or sexual, arrangement according to Linnaius.
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 alphabetically arranged, the work would have lost at least one- half its value.
yjji PREFACE.
The most prominent type gives in display the name of the remedy, i. e., the name under which the plant was proven, and which characterizes it to us as Homceopathists ; this is followed by the most generally accepted vulgarism.
The synonymy which follows has become necessary, as most species, unfor- tunately, 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 sys- tem, invented by Linnaeus in 1753, is the earliest date any such names can have, though many plants l>ad 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.
I have made as full a department as was possible, in the limit of time allowed in writing the articles, of the common names, considering them very essential in a work of this kind, for many physicians, in their country practice, will meet hundreds of patients who will tell them of some plant they have been using in the case before his arrival, and it is sometimes necessary that he should know what species has been made use of.
In describing the plants, I have condensed even at a great 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. Under the description of each order I have taken pains to mention all the proven plants belonging to it, and then mentioning the prevailing qualities of all the important medicinal plants outside of our provings, that the student may become acquainted with the qualities prevailing in the class of drugs under which the species considered falls. Slight mention is then made of edible and economic species by way of a further understanding of the class.
In the next rubric, the first paragraph is given to the origin of the plant, its geographical distribution here, its favorite locations and time of flowering ; this is followed by a concise history of the species, especially that much as may be of interest in the light of our use of it; this is completed by a mention of the various preparations in use in general Pharmacopoeias.
In the preparation of the tinctures, I have innovated but little, and that only where considered absolutely essential, holding to the text of the American Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia in nearly all cases. The description of the physical properties is, however, original, and I hope will prove of value, as, I am sorry to say, the preparations of all our pharmacies do not agree in strength ; any tinc- ture varying markedly from the appearances here given should be looked upon with suspicion.
In compiling the rubric relating to the chemical nature of the plants, great pains have been taken to arrive at the solubility and frequency, as well as the nature and stability of the principles ; of course, to one man very litde time can be spared for work in organic analyses of any stated number of species.
P R E F A C K. ix
but little, therefore, that is original investigation will be found here ; much com- parative and differentiating study has, however, been spent upon this sui)ject, and all brought up to the date of the article. There is something, nevertheless, very much against conclusiveness regarding organic analyses, as it would seem that the more a given species is analyzed the greater is the number of con- stituents found, savoring much of artificial re-arrangement of atoms.
Under the head of physiological action, only cases of actual toxic effects are, as a rule, noted, as the work should in no wise be looked upon as a symptoma- tology, its scope being pharmacological only. Observations upon the sphere of action and organs involved, are studiously omitted, except under such drugs as have caused death and yielded opportunities for post-mortem examinations.
The original intention in regard to drawing the plates from the plants as they stood in the soil, has, in the majority of cases, been rigidly adhered to ; but so little spare time is allotted to the general practitioner, that many long trips into other States than his own cannot be taken, and thus the aid of expe- rienced botanists was called in. All the plates, however, have been executed from fresh, living individuals, gathered with especial reference to typical features, propitious soils, and natural locations. The drawings are all made to a mechanical scale, and, unless otherwise stated, are natural size ; the coloring I have bent every endeavor to have natural, without regard to artistic beauty or pleasing fancy ; some may be criticised as being too brilliant, others not brilliant enough. Suffice it to say, however, that natural color and texture cannot be exactly reproduced, nor is lithography a perfect art.
In conclusion, 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, I must generalize my obligation, hoping that personal references in the text will in all cases be found satisfactory. To Professor Asa Gray, who, in disinterested kindness, allowed me the unreserved use of his many most valuable works on our American Flora, my special con- sideration is due. To the following botanists who willingly lent their aid in procuring many species not growing near my locations, I can but generally acknowledge : Mr. J. H. Sears, Salem, Mass. ; Dr. T. F. Lucy, Elmira, N. Y. : Mr. F. V. Coville, Ithaca, N. Y. ; Mr. C. H. Gross, Landisville, N. J. : Mr. J. A. Shafer, Pittsburgh, Pa. ; Miss Mary C. Cuthbert, Augusta, Ga. ; Messrs. J. U. and C. G. Lloyd, Cincinnati, O. ; Mr. James Galen, Rawlinsville, Pa. ; Miss M. C. Reynolds, St. Augustine, Fla. ; Dr. Thos. M. Wood, Wilmington, N. C. : Rev. E. \. Campbell, St. Cloud, Minn. ; and Mr. A. B. Seymour, Champaign, 111.
C. F. Mii.i,spau(;h.
XLirch I. 1SS7.
REMEDIES.
Abies Canadensis, 164
nigra, 163 Absinthium, 88 Actaea alba, 10
racemosa, 1 1 ^sculus glabra, 44
Hippocastanum, 43 ^thusa Cynapiiim, 65 Agrostemma Githago, 31 Ailantus, 35 Aletris, 172
Ambrosia artemisiaefolia, 82 Ampelopsis, 40 Anagallis, 108 Angelica atropurpurea, 64 Anthemis nobilis, 84 Apocynum androsEemifolium, 132
cannabinum, 133 Aralia (piiniiiiefolia, 70
racemosa, 69 Argemone, 20 Artemisia vulgaris, 87 Arum dracontium, 168
triphyllum, 167 Asclepias cornuli, 134 tuberosa, 135 ' Asimina triloba, 13 Baptisia, 52 Benzoin, 145 Berberinum, 92 Berberis, 15 Bursa-Pastoris, 25 Caltha, 7 * Cannabis sativa, 154. Carya alba, 157 Castanea vcsca, 158 Catalpa, 109 Caulophyllum, 16 Celt is, 152 Ccphalanthus, 76 Clielidonium, 21 Clielone glabra, 113 Chenopodium anthelniinticum,
140 Chimaphila, 104
Chionantbiis, 136
Cichorium, 93
Cicuta maculata, 67 *Cimicifuga, 1 1
Cistus, 28
Collinsonia, 1 19
Conium, 68
Convolvulus, 1 23
Cornus circinata, 72 florida, 71 sericea, 73
Cypripedium pubescens, 1 70
Dioscorea, 174
Dirca palustris, 146
Drosera, 29
Dulcamara, 124
EpigEea, loi
Epilobium, 59
Equisetum, 179
Erechthites, 90
Erigeron, 80 'Eryngium, 62
Euonymus atropurpureus, 42
Eupatorium perfoliatum, 79 purpureum, 78
Euphorbia corollata, 148
hypericifolia, 147 Ipecacuanha, 149 Lathyris, 150
Euphrasia, 1 15
Fagopyrum, 142
Fragaria, 55
Fraxinus, 137
Gaultheria, 102
Gelsemium, 130
Genista, 46
Geranium maculatum, 32
Geum rivale, 54
Ginseng, 70
Gnaphalium, 89
Gymnocladus, 53
Hamamelis, 58
Hedeoma, 1 1 8
Helianthemum Canadense, 28 *Helianthus, 83
Helleborus viridis, 8
Helonia-s, 177
Hepatica, 2 ' Hydrastis, 9 I Hydrophylluni, 122
Hyoscyamus, 126
Hypericum, 30 I Inula, 81 I Iris versicolor, 173
Jacea, 27
Juglans cinerea, 15C
Juniperus Virginiana, 166
Kalmia, 103
Lachnanthes, 171
Lactuca, 96
Lamium, 121
Lapatluim, 144
Lappa, 92
Leptandra, 114
Lilium superbum, i 78
Linaria, in
Lobelia cardinalis, 97 inflata, 99 syphilitica,^ 98
Lupulus, 155
Lycopodium, 180
Lycopus, 1 1 7
Magnolia glauca, i 2
Melilotus, 49
Menispermum, 14
Mentha jjiperita, 1 16'
Menyanthes, 129
Millefolium, 85 ' Mitchella, 77 ■ Monotropa, 105
Myrica, 160
Nabalus, 94
Nymphiea, 18 CEnothera, 60 * Opuntia, 61 Ostrya, 159 Pastinaca, 63 Penthorum, 57 Piiaseolus, 51 Phytolacca, 139
REMEDIES.
Plantago, 107 Podophyllum, i 7 Polygonum, 141 Populus, 162 Pothos, 169 Prinos, 106 Ptelea, 34
Pulsatilla Nuttalliana, 1 Pyrus, 56 Ranunculus acris, 6
bulbosus, 5 repens, 4 sceleratus, 3 Raphanus, 26 Rhamnus catharticus, 41 Rhus aromatica, 39
glabra, 36
radicans, 38
Toxicodendron, 38
Rhus venenata, 37 Robinia, 50 Rnmex, 143 Salix purpurea, 161 Sambucus Canadensis, 75 Sanguinaria, 22 Sarracenia, 19 Scrophularia, 112 Scutellaria, 120 Senecio, 91 Senega, 45 Serpentaria, 138 Sinapis alba, 23
nigra, 24 Solanum nigrum, 125 Spigelia Marilandica, 131 Stillingia, 151 Stramonium, 129 Symplocarpus, i6g
Tabacuni, 128 Tanacetum, 86 Taraxacum, 95 Thaspium aureum, 66 Thlaspi Bursa- Pastoris, 25 Thuja, 165 Trifolium, 47
repens, 48 Trillium, 175
pendulum, i 75 Triosteum, 74 Urtica Urens, 153 Uva-ursi, 100 Veratrum viride, 176 Verbascum, no Viola tricolor, 27 Xanthoxylum, ^^ Zizia, 66
NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE PLANTS INCLUDED IN THIS WORK.
DiCOTVLKDOXOUS Ph/KNOGAMS.
RANUNCULACE/E.
Anemoiiea.
Anemone patens, var Nuttal-
liana, i Anemone triloba, 2 Ranuitculcie.
Ranunculus sceleratus, 3 repens, 4 bulbosus, 5 acris, 6 Helleborineip.
Caltha palustris, 7 Helleborus viridis, 8 Cimicifiigea\
Hydrastis Canadensis, 9 Actjea alba, 10 Cimicifuga racemosa, 11
MAGNOLIACEiE.
Magnolia glauca, 12
ANONACEiE.
Asimina triloba, 13
MENISPERMACE^.
Menispcrmum Canadense, 14
BERBERIDACE^.
Berberis vulgaris, 15 Caulophyllum thalictroides, 16 Podophyllinii peltatum, 17
NYMPHACE^.
Nymphxa odorata, 18
SARRACENIACEiE.
Sarracenia purpurea, 19
PAPAVERACEiE.
Argemone Mexicana, 20 Clielidonium majus, 21 Sanguinaria Canadensis, 22
CRUCIFER^.
Brassiccce.
Brassica alba, 23 nigra, 24 Lepidinea.
Capsella Bursa-pastoris, 25 Raphanece. I Raphanus Raphanistrum, 26
I VIOLACE^.
Viola tricolor, 27
CISTACE^.
Helianthemum Canadense, 28
DROSERACEyE.
Drosera rot undi folia, 29
HYPERICACEiE.
Hypericum jjerforatum, 30
CARYOPHYLLACE^.
Lychnis (iithago, 31
GERANIACEiE.
Geranium maculaium, 32
RUTACEiE.
Xanthoxylum Americanum, 2,7, I'tclea trifoliata, 34
SIMARUBACE^E.
Ailantus glandulosus, 35
ANACARDIACE.E.
Rhus glabra, 36 venenata, 37 Toxicodendron, 3S aromatica, 39
VITACE2E.
Ampelopsis quinquefolia, 40
RHAMNACE^.
Rhamnus catharticus, 41
CELASTRACE^.
Euonymus atropurpureus, 42
SAPINDACEyE.
.^isculus Hippocastanum, 43 glabra, 44
POLYGALACEiE.
Polygala Senega, 45
LEGUMINOS^.
GcnistciT.
Genista tinctoria, 46 Trifoliea. Tri folium pratense, 47
repens, 48 Melilotus officinalis, 49 alba, 49 Galegeit. Robinia I'seudacacia, 50
NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE PLANTS.
Phaseolea.
Phaseolus vulgaris, 5 i Sophorea.
Baptisia tinctoria, 52 CiTsalpinciT.
Gymnocladus Canadensis, 53
ROSACE.<E.
Dryadea.
Geum rivale, 54
Fragaria vesca, 55 Pomea.
Pirus Amerfcana, 56
CRASSULACE^.
Penthorum sedoides, 57
HAMAMELACEiE.
Hamamelis Virginica, 58
ONAGRACEyE.
Epilobium palustre, var. lineare,
59
(Enothera biennis, 60
CACTACE^
Opuntia vulgaris, 61
UMBELLIFERiE.
Eryngium yuccfefolium, 62 Pastinaca sativa, 63 Archangelica atropurpurea, 64 j^thnsa cynapium, 65 Tliaspium aureum, 66 Cicuta maculata, 67 Conium maculatum, 68
ARALIACE-ffi.
Aralia racemosa, 69
quinquefolia, 70
CORNACE^.
Cornus florida, 71
circinata, 72 sericea, 73
CAPRIFOLIACEyE.
Lonicerecc.
Triosteum perfuliatum, 74 Sambiicea.
Sainbucus Canadensis, 75
RUBIACEyE.
Cinclionccv.
Cephalanthus occidentalis, 76 Mitchella repens, 77
COMPOSITvE.
TUnULIFLOR-E.
Eupatoriacece.
Eupatoriurn purpureum, 78 perfoliatuni, 79 Astcroidece.
Erigeron Canadense, 80
Inula Helenium, 81 Senecionidece.
Ambrosia artemisiajfolia, S2
Helianthus annuus, 83
Anthemis nobilis, 84
Achillea Millefolium, 85
Tanacetum vulgare, 86
Artemisia vulgaris, 87
absinthium, 88
Gnaphalium polycephalum, Sg
Erechthites hieracifolia, go
Senecio aureus, 91 Cyna?'Ci:e.
Lappa officinalis, 92
LIGULIFLOR.T,.
Cichorium Intrbus, 93 Prenanthes serpentaria, 94 Taraxacum Dens-leonis, 95 Lactuca Canadensis, 96
LOBELIACEiE.
Lobelia cardinalis, 97 syphilitica, 98 inflata, 99
ERICACE^.
Ericinae.
Arctostaphylos Uva ursi, 100
Epigsea repens, loi
Gaultheria procumbens, 102
Kalmia latifolia, 103 Pyrokie.
Chimaphila umbcllata, 104 Monotropecc.
Monotropa uniflora, 105
AQUIFOLIACE^ffi.
Ilex verticillata, 106
PLANTAGINACE-ffi.
Plantago major, 107
PRIMULACEiE.
Anagallis arvensis, 108
BIGNONIACE^.
Catalpa bignonioides, 109
SCROPHULARIACE^.
Verba scecc.
Verbascuin Thapsus, no Aniirrhineic.
Linaria vulgaris, 1 1 1 Cheionea.
Scrophularia nodosa, 112
Chelone glabra, 113 Veroniccce.
Veronica Virginica, 114 . Eiiphrasieir.
Eu])hrasia officinalis, 115
LABIATE.
Sataiii'ic.
Mentha piperita, 116 Lycopus Virginicus, 117 Hedeoma pulegioides, 118 Collinsonia Canadensis, iig
Stachydciv.
Scutellaria lateriflora, 120 Lnmium album, i 21
HYDROPHYLLACE^.
Hydrophyllum Virgin icum.
CONVOLVULACE^.
Convolvulus arvensis, 123
SOLANACE^.
Solanum Dulcamara, 124
nigrum, 125 Hyoscyamus niger, 126 D.itura Stramonium, 127 Nicotiana Tabacum, 128
GENTIANACE^.
Menyanthes trifoliata, 129
NATURAL ARRANT. EM KNT OF THK PLANTS.
LOGANIACEiE.
Gelsemium sempervirens, 130 Spigelia Marilandica, 131
APOCYNACEiE.
Apocymim andros;vtnifoliuni,
132 Apocynum cannahinum, 133
ASCLEPIADACE^.
Asclcpias (omuti, 134 tubcrosa, 135
OLEACEiE.
Chionanlhus \'irginica, 136 Fraxinus Americana, 137
ARISTOLOCHIACE^.
Aristolochia Serpentaria, i3<S
PHYTOLACCACE^.
Phytolacca decandra, 139
CHENOPODIACEiE.
Chenopodium album,
var. anthelminticiim, 140
POLYGONACEiE.
Polygonum acre, 141 Fagopyrum esculentum. 142 Rumcx rrispus, 143
obtusifolius, 144
LAURACEiE.
Lindera Benzoin. 145
THYMELEACEiE.
Dirca palustris, 146
EUPHORBIACEiE.
Appendiciilala.
Euphorbia hypericifolia, 147 coroUata, 148 E.xappeiidiciilatce.
Ipecacuanhae, 149
Lathyris, 150
Stillingia sylvatica, 151
URTICACE^.
I linacciC.
Celtis occidentalis, 152 Urlicece.
Urtica urens, 153
Cannahinae. Cannabis sativa, 154 Humulus Lupulus, 155
JUGLANDACEiE.
Jnglans cincrea, 156 Carya alba, 157
CUPULIFERiE.
Castanea vesca,
var. Americana, 158
Ostrya Virginica, 159
MYRICACEiE.
Myrica cerifera, 160
SALICACEiE.
Salix ])iirpurca, i6i Populus tremuloidt's, 162
CONIFERiE.
AI>ictiiu-iC.
Abies nigra, 163
Canadensis, 164
Ctipressittea:. Thuja occidentalis, 165 Juniperus Virginiana, 166
MoNOCOTVLEDONOUS Ph.-ENOGAMS.
ARACE-iE.
Arissema triphyllum, 167 dracontium, 168 Symplocarpus foetidus, 169
ORCHIDACE^.
Cypripedium pubescens, 170
HiEMORODACE^.
Lachnanthes tinctoria, 171 Aletris farinosa, 172
IRIDACE^.
Iris versicolor, i 73
DIOSCOREACEiE.
Dioscorea villosa, 174
LILIACE^.
TrillideiC.
Trillium erectum, 175
var. alinim, 175 MelaiithiccF.
Veratrum viridc, i7''i
Chamailiriuni luteum, 177 Lilicce.
Lilium superbum, 178
AcROGENOUS Cryptogams.
EQUISETACE/E. Equisetum hyemaie, 1 79
LYCOPODIACEiE.
Lycojiodiuni clavatum, iSo
PLATES I TO i66.
SERIES
PH^NOGAMIA.
Plants producing true flowers and seeds.
CLASS
DICOTYLEDONS
Plants with stems composed of l^ark, wood, and pith netted veined leaves; and a pair or more of opposite or whorled seed-lea\^es (cotvledons).
[To precede plale I.]
^
(pTH.adnatMetpinxt AnEMOnE PaTENS, var. NuTTALLIANA. Gray.
N. ORD.-RANUNCULACE^.
GENUS. — ANEMONE,* LINN. SEX. SY.ST.— rOLVAM.)KI.\ I'DI.YGNIA.
PULSATILLA NUTTALLIANA.
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. ; WOLP- 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. NUTTAI,LIANA, GRAY.
Description. — This beautiful prairie flower grows to a height of from 4 to lo inches, from a branched perennial root. Stc7n erect and hairy, encircled near the flower by a many-cleft, silky-haired involiicre, 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. Inflorescence 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. Petals wanting, or replaced by minute glandu- lar bodies, resembling abortive stamens. Stamens innumerable, in a dense cir- clet surrounding the pistils; fllanients slender; antJters extrose, 2-celled ; pollen with three longitudinal, deep sulci. Pistils numerous, in a dense cluster, separate, hairy ; style long and slender, with a somewhat recurved summit ; stigvia indcfinate. Fruit a plumose head, similar to that of Clematis ; carpels i -seeded, with long feathery tails, composed of the lengthened, persistent, hairy styles. Seeds sus- pended.
RanunculacesB.— This natural order is composed of herbs and woody climbers.
* AMfioj. anemos, ihe wind. So named upon the supposition that the flowers of this genus only opened when the wind was blowing.
D. H. HILL LIBRARY North Carolina State College
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 sepals ; 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 ovules 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 erccta, Helleboriis 7iiger, Delpliinuan Staphisagria, Aconiiutn napel- his, cavimariun, Jcrox, and lycoclomun, and Paonia 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- tide 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;"-!- ^"^ '^he silky-hariness of the involucre and newly-appearing leaves caused the children in locahties 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 Pulsatilla; nigricantis,
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The whole, fresh, flowering plant is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weicrht 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 strainino- and filtering, should have a light seal-brown color by transmitted light, an acrid astringent taste, and a decidedly acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.-I am unable to find any data upon this spe- cies. It is said to have been found similar to its European relative, Aiiemoiie Pulsatilla, which, together with Anemone nemorosa and pratensis (Eu.), contains:
Anemonin, Cj.Hj^O,,. — This body forms in colorless, klinorhombic prisms, from an aqueous distillate of the herb when the volatile oil is present. When dry it has a sharp and burning taste and neutral reaction. It softens at 150° (302.0° F.), and soon decomposes ; it dissolves in hot water and alcohol, slighdy also in cold.
Anemonic Acid, Cj^Hj^O,. — This amorphous, white powder separates from the aqueous distillate together with the above and under the same circumstances.
* Bot. Gaz., 1884, p. 104. f /bid, 1884, p. 77.
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 PulsatilUc nigricantis, differing mostly in a less intense action.
Description of Plate i.
I. Whole plant, from St. Cloud, Minn.,* April 24th, iS84.
2. Full-grown leaf in outline.
3. Sexual organs.
4. Receptacle.
5. Pistil (enlarged).
6. Stamen (enlarged).
7. Pollen X 380.
8. Ripe carpel.
9. Fruit.
* One of a number of typical living plants, sent me, with their natural soil intact, by Rev. E. V. Campbell, through who^c kindness 1 also procured the full-grown leaf and ripe fruit.
^m.ad
natdei.etpinxt
Anemone Hepatica , Linn.
N. ORD. RANUNCIJLACE/E. Tribe.-ANEMONE/E.
GENUS— ANEMONE, LINN. SEX. SVST.— rOLVANDKIA roLVGVNIA.
HEPATICA.
LIVER-LEAF.
SYN.— ANEMONE HEPATICA, LINN.; HEPATICA TRILOBA, CHAIX. ; HEPATICA TRILOBA, VAR. AMERICANA, D. C. ; HEPATICA TRI- LOBA, VAR. OBTUSA, PURSH. ; HEPATICA AMERICANA, KER.
COM. NAMES. — LIVER -LEAF, HEPATICA,* ROUND -LOBED HEPATICA, LIVER-WORT,t LIVER-WEED, TREFOIL, HERB TRINITY, KIDNEY- WORT ; (FR.) HEPATIQUE; (GER.), EDELLEBERE.
A TLNCTURE OF THE FRESH LEAVES OF ANEMONE HEPATICA, LINN.
Description.— This dwarf herb, so eagerly sought after as one of our earhest spring flowers, grows from radical scaly buds amid the thick, leathery leaves of the previous year's growth. Root fibrous, perennial. S/c7ii none. Leaves ever- green, all radical on long, slender petioles; light green and hairy when young; dark olive-green above and purplish beneath, when old, and while the plant is in blossom ; they are cordate in general outline, 3-lobed, the lobes ovate, obtuse. Inflorescence solitary, terminal, on long, hairy scapes, circinate, then erect. Invo- lucre simple, composed of three entire, obtuse, hairy, persistent leaves, somewhat resembling a calyx, from its close proximity to the flower. Calyx composed of from 6 to 9 ovate, obtuse, petaloid sepals, varying in color from pure white to a deep purplish-blue with white borders ; these latter, I have noticed, are always destitute of stamens. \ Stamens numerous, hypogynous ; filaments long, slender, and smooth; anthers short, 2-celled. Pistils 12 to 20, hairy; ovary i-celled ; oviilcs one in each cell, suspended, anatropous ; style single, short, pointed ; stigma a stig- matose marginal line, extending down the inner side of the style. Achenia loosely aggregated in a globose head, ovate-oblong, hairy, tipped with the short persistent style ; seed filling the whole cell to which it conforms.
History and Habitat. — Hcpatica is a native of the colder portions of the North Temperate Zone, growing in rich, open woods as far as the limit of trees. In North America it grows from Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri, east and north- east to the Atlantic ; flowering, in some seasons, as early as March, and continu- ing in flower until May. This plant was placed in the genus Anemone by
* Erariirdf, f^rt///t«, affecting the liver; or, "ijirop, <y»<7/-, the liver, from a fancied rescmlilance of the leaves to that organ, or their action upon it.
f The proper liverwort is Marchantia polymorpha, a cryptogamous plant (Afiiscales) of the order IlepalUac. % Author in Bull. Torr. Club, 1884, p. 55.
2-2
Linnseus, from whence it has received several removals, until finally it has been returned to its original place among its congeners. The Liver-leaf has held a place among medicinal plants from ancient times until the present. It is now falling into disuse on account of its mild properties, forming as it does simply a slightly astrin- gent, mucilaginous infusion. It was used in haemoptysis, coughs, and other lung affections, as well as in all diseases of the liver, and in hemorrhoids ; in the latter troubles its exhibition must have met with no very flattering success. As a pectoral it may be taken in the form of an infusion, hot or cold, in almost any amount, as its virtues are not of a powerful or disturbing nature.
Hepadca has been dismissed from the U. S. Ph., and is simply mentioned in the Eclectic Materia Medica.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.-The full-grown leaves of the year are chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alco- hol 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, separated by straining and filtering, should have a very light greenish- orange color by transmitted light, a slighdy astringent taste, and an acid reaedon.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.-The only bodies found in this plant are tan- nin, in small amount, sugar, and mucilage. No special analysis has been made to determine an active principle.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AOTION.-As far as known, Hepadca has very litde action upon the system. A farther proving may develop some symptoms in the direc- tion of a slight irritative cough with expectoration.
Description of Plate 2.
I. Whole plant, Binghamton, N. Y., April 27th, 1884.
2. Stamen (enlarged).
3. Pistil (enlarged).
^■-
.Tll.adnatdeI.etpinxl'.
Ranunculus Sceleratus, unn.
N. ORD-RANUNCULACE/E. Tribe.-RANUNCULE/E.
GENUS.— RANUNCULUS,* LINN. SEX. .SYST.— POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA.
RANUNCULUS S C E L E R A T U S.
C URSED Cli O WFO 0 T.
SYN.— RANUNCULUS SCELERATUS, LINN.
COM. NAMES. — CURSED CROWFOOT, CELERY -LEAVED CROWFOOT,
MARSH CROWFOOT; (FR.) RANONCULB ; (GER.) SCHARF HAHNEN-
FUSS.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT RANUNCULUS SCELERATUS, LINN.
Description. — This smooth perennial herb grows to a height of al)Out i foot. Stem erect, glabrous, thick, succulent, hollow, and branching ; Juice acrid and blis- tering. Leaves thickish, the upper sessile or nearly so, the lobes oblong-linear and nearly entire ; stem-leaves 3-lobed, rounded ; root-leaves 3-parted, but not to the base, the lobes obtusely cut and toothed ; petioles of the lower leaves long, and sheathing at their dilated bases. Flowers small, pale-yellow; sepals reflexed ; petals scarcely exceeding the sepals. Fruit an oblong, cylindrical head ; carpels numer- ous, barely mucronate.
Ranunculus. — This large genus contains, in North America, 53 species and 12, varieties, characterized as follows: Root annual or perennial. Leaves mostly radical, those of the stems alternate and situated at the base of the branches, variously lobed, cut, or dissected, seldom entire. Inflorescence solitary or some- times corymbed ; flozcers yellow, rarely white. Sepals 5, rarely only 3, not append - aged, deciduous, and imbricated in the bud. Petals 5, or often more, flat, with a little pit, pore, gland, or nectariferous scale at the base inside. Stamens numer- ous ; filaments filiform. Style short, subulate. /;7«V a cylindrical or rounded head, composed of numerous carpels; achenia mosdy flattened and pointed by the remains of the style ; seeds solitary, erect, rarely suspended.
History and Habitat. — The Cursed Crowfoot is indigenous to Europe and North America ; with us it appears as if introduced. It grows in marshy tracts and wet ditches, and blossoms from June to August.
The general and medical history of the species is generic, they having been used indiscriminately, R. sceleratus, however, being considered the most poisonous, its juice possessing remarkable caustic power, quickly raising a blister wherever
* Lntin for a little frog, referring to its habitat.
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applied, and a dose of two drops sometimes exciting fatal inflammation along the
whole alimentary tract.
This genus was known to the ancient physicians as BpaT^a^tov {BralrachioJi). Hippocrates, Paulus ^Egineta, and Dioscorides spoke of various species, the latter using them as external applications for the removal of psora, leprous nails, steoto- matous and other tumors, as well as fomentations to chilblains, and in toothache. Galen, Paulus, and the physicians of Arabia, all speak highly of the plants as powerful escharotics ; and the Bedouins use them as rubefacients.
Gerarde says : " There be divers sorts or kinds of these pernitious herbes comprehended under the name of Ranunculus or Crowfoote, whereof most are very dangerous to be taken into the body, and therefore they require a very exquisite moderation, with a most exact and due manner of tempering; not any of them are to be taken alone by themselves, because they are of a most violent force, and therefore have the great nede of correction. The knowledge of these plants is as necessarie to the phisition as of other herbes, to the end they may shun the same, as Scribonius Largus saith, and not take them ignorantly, or also if necessitie at any time require that they may use them, and that with some deliberation and special choice and with their proper correctives. For these dan- gerous simples are likewise many times of themselves beneficial and oftentimes profitable ; for some of them are not so dangerous but that they may in some sort and oftentimes in fit and due season profit and do good." In regard to the acrid properties of the plants, he further says : " Cunning beggars do use to stampe the leaves and lay it unto their legs and armes, which causeth such filthy ulcers as we daily see (among such wicked vagabondes), to moove the people the more to pittie."
Van Swieten, Tissot, and others mention a curious practice, formerly prevail- ing in several countries of Europe, of applying Ranunculus to the wrists and fingers for the cure of intermittent fevers. This practice we noted only a few days since, when called to see a child of a new-settled German family in our city ; the little one's wrists were bound up in the leaves and branches of R. acris ; it was suffering with an attack of lobar pneumonia.
In former practice the plants were used, in view of external stimulation, in rheumatism (especially sciatic), hip disease, hemicrania, and in local spasmodic and fixed pains; in asthma, icterus, dysuria, and pneumonia. Withering, in speak- ing of R. flammula, says : " It is an instantaneous emetic, as if Nature had furnished an antidote to poisons from among poisons of its own tribe ; and it is to be pre- ferred to almost any other vomit in promoting the instantaneous expulsion of deleterious substances from the stomach."
Many species of this genus are used as pot-herbs, as the process of boiling throws off the volatile acrid principle and renders them inert, though some cases are reported where this happy result failed, and serious symptoms supervened. In Northern Persia the young tubers, leaves, stems, and blossoms of R. cdults, Boiss, are brought into market and sold as a pot-herb; the Swedish peasantry use R.ficar-ia, Linn. ; and the shepherds of Wallachia, R. sceleratus, Linn.'-'
* Lewis Sturtevtint, M.D., in Bol. Ca~., vii, 316.
3-3
Ranunculus is among the articles dropped from the U. S. Ph. at the last revision.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The fresh herb, gathered when in fruit, but still green and untouched by frost, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-si.xth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole well, it is poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture is then separated by straining and filtering. Thus prepared it has a clear reddish-orange color by transmitted light; an acrid odor and taste; and an acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— We consider here the genus as a whole, taking this species as a chemical type.
Anemonol, or Oil of Ranuncuhts. — Mr. O. L. Erdmann* found this to be the acrid principle of this species, and extracted it as a golden-yellow volatile body, decomposing by age into aiicinonin and aucmonic acid, both of which are as described on pages 1-2 and 1-3, and
Anemoninic Acid. — When boiled with an excess of baryta water, anemonin decomposes, forming, among other bodies, red flakes of anemoninate oi barium (Lowig and Weidman). Prof. Frehling, who afterward examined into the subject, says, "this acid cannot be formed from anemonin by simply assumption with water." f
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — According to Basiner,+ the oil of Ranunculus acts, in warm-blooded animals, as an acrid narcotic, producing, in small doses, stupor and slow respiration ; in larger doses, also, paralysis of the posterior and anterior extremities, and, before death, convulsions of the whole body. The acrid action is shown by a corrosive gastritis and by hyperaemia of the kidneys, more particularly their cortical substance. Anemonin causes similar symptoms, but is followed by no convulsions, nor does it irritate sufficiently to corrode the organs, as in the oil.
Krapf states § that a small portion of a leaf or flower of R. scelcnitus, or two drops of the juice, excited acute pain in the stomach, and a sense of inflammation of the throat; when he chewed the most succulent leaves, the salivary glands were strongly stimulated ; his tongue was excoriated and cracked; his teeth smarted, and his cornea became tender and bloody. ||
A man, at Bevay, France, swallowed a glassful of the juice, which had been kept for some time; he was seized in four hours with violent colic and vomiting, and died the second day.^
* Am. Jour. Pliar., 1859, p. 440.
t Drugs and Med. of N. A., i, 68.
X Di^ I'ergifl mil Ranunkelol, .Uumonin, etc., in Am. Jour. P/iar., 1SS2, 130.
J Exp. de Nonnull. Ranuii. J'fii. Qua/.
II Or//a, Tor. Gtn., i, 754.
II Jour, de Chim. Med., 1836, 27J.
3-4
Krapf [op. cit.) relates a case in which the plant was used internally, giving the following serious symptoms and result: Contortion of the eyes; convulsions of the facial muscles, outer parts of the abdomen, and the limbs ; pain, swelling, redness, and bleeding of the gums ; peeling off of the cuticle and cracking of the tongue ; ptyalism ; hiccough ; complete inactivity of the stomach, with horrid pains and fits of anxiety ; slight fainting turns ; all followed by cold sweat and death.
The symptoms caused by this drug, as detailed in Alleiis Eyicyclopedia of Pure Materia Mcdica^'' as well as the cases reported above, show this drug to be an acrid irritant poison, both to the mucous membranes with which it comes in con- tact, and to the nerves themselves.
Description of Plate 3.
I. Whole plant (a small specimen), Salem, Mass., July 20th, 1S85.
2. Sepal.
3. Petal. A. Carpel.
5. Section of same. (2-5 enlarged. )
* Vol. viii, 270-77.
(ElU.adnat.del.et pinxt
Ranunculus Repens, unn.
4-2
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — The provings of this species are not yet suffi- ciently developed to distinguish its action from that of the preceding.
Description of Plate 4.
I. End of a flowering stem, Ithaca, N. Y., June 24th, 1885. 2, 3 and 4. Leaf forms.
5. Carpel.
6. Section of a carpel. (5 and 6 enlarged.)
.ad nal.dei.et pinxt.
Ranunculus BuLB6sus,Linn
N. ORD-RANUNCULACE/E. Tribe.-RANUNCULE/E.
GENUS.— RANUNCULUS, LINN.
SEX. SYST.— rOLVANURIA I'ULVGYA.MIA.
RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS.
BULBOUS BUTTERCUPS.
SYN.— RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS, LINN.
COM. NAMES.— BULBOUS CROWFOOT OR BUTTERCUPS, BUTTER-FLOW- ER, KING'S CUPS, GOLD CUPS, ST. ANTHONY'S TURNIP OR RAPE; (GER.) KNOLLINGER HAHNENFUSS.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRE.SH PLANT RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS, LINN.
Description. — This erect, hairy herb grows to a height of about i foot. Stcjus many, volute, villous, from a bulbous, onion-like base. Leaves all ternately divided to the very base, especially noticeable in the radical ones, all appearing more or less pinnate ; leaflets short, cuneate, cleft and toothed, the lateral sessile, tlie termi- nal stalked, all 3-parted. Peduncles furrowed. Petals 5 or more, round, cuneate at the base, bright glossy yellow, much longer than the calyx. Calyx reflexed. Fruit in a globular head ; achenia ovoid, Battish, and tipped with a very short beak. Read description of Ranunculus, under R. sccleratus, 3.
History and Habitat. — Bulbous Crowfoot is an immigrant from Europe, now pretty thoroughly established along the Atlantic coast, in some places being an actual pest in meadows and pastures ; it has not extended far inward, but seems decidedly prone so to do. It blossoms northward from May to July.
This species, being one of the more acrid of the genus, and of frequent occur- rence in the East, has been used, like R. scclcratiis, as a local irritant where vesica- tion seemed necessary ; its use was often prolonged to ulceration, from which severe cases of gangrene sometimes resulted.*
This was the officinal species of the U. S. Ph., now dismissed.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The whole fresh plant while in flower in the month of June, is treated as in the preceding species. The resulting tincture has a clear, light yellow color by transmitted light, a slightly sweetish then acrid taste, and a strongly acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — So far no analysis has been made of this species to determine (should such exist) a specific principle that might differ from the general constituents of the acrid Ranunculi as given under R. sceleratus, 3.
* The general uses of the Ranunculi will be found under R. sceleratus, 3, where special mention is made of the various species.
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PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — R. bulbosus has a peculiarly powerful irritant action upon the skin, whether applied locally or internally. Murray states* that a slice of the fresh root (bulb?) placed in contact with the palmar surface of a finger brought on pain in two minutes ; when taken off, the skin was found with- out signs of extra circulation or irritation, and the itching and heat passed away ; in two hours it nevertheless returned again, and in ten hours a serous blister had formed, followed by a bad ulcer, which proved very difficult to heal.
Early English practitioners used the bulb to produce vesication when a "last- ing blister" was judged necessary, but were very chary of prescribing the drug internally, so great was their dread of its properties.
Four persons who partook of the bulbs, boiled in a chicken-broth, suffered from violent burning in the hypogastric region, great anxiety about the region of the heart, pressure at the pit of the stomach, with painful soreness of that organ when pressed.
A lady who applied the bruised plant to the chest as a counter-irritant, became ill-humored, fretful, cross and disposed to quarrel, and suffered from soreness and smarting of the eyelashes some time before its action was felt at the region nearest the application.
Violent attacks of epilepsy are recorded as having been induced by this plant ; a sailor who inhaled the fumes of the burning plant was attacked with this disease for the first time in his life ; it returned again in two weeks, passed into cachexia, nodous gout, headache, and terminated in death.-j-
The specific symptoms caused by this drug, so carefully collated by Prof. Allen,| show a decided irritant action upon the brain and spinal cord, as well as the mucous membranes generally.
Description of Plate 5.
I. Whole plant, Salem, Mass., June 2Sth, 1885.
2. Petal.
3. Anther.
4. Fruit.
5. Achenium. .
6. Longitudinal section of achenium.
(3, 5 and 6 enlarged.)
* App. Med., iii, 87.
t Stapf, Add. to Mai. Med. Piira, I. c.
X Encyc. Pure Mai. Med., viii, 257-269.
.ad nat.del.et pinxt.
Ranunculus Acris Unn.
O. H. HILL LIBRARY
North Carolina State College
N. ORD -RANUNCULACE^.
GENUS— RANUNCULUS, LINN. SEX. SVST.— POl.YANDRIA I'ULYGVNIA.
RANUNCULUS ACRIS.
TALL BUTTERCUPS.
SYN.— RANUNCULUS ACRIS, LINN.; RANUNCULUS PRATBNSIS BRECTUS ACRIS, GERARDE.
COM. NAMES.— TALL BUTTERCUPS OR CROWF'OOT, UPRIGHT BUTTER- CUPS OR CROWFOOT, ACRID BUTTERCUPS, BLISTERWESD, YEL- LOW PILE-WEED, BUR- WORT, MBADOWBLOOM; (FR.) RENONCULB ACRE; (GER.) SCHARFHAHENFUSS.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH PLANT, RANUNCULUS ACRIS, LINN.
Description. — This erect, perennial herb attains a height of from 2 to 3 feet. Root fibrous, from a slightly tuber-like crown. S/ent subcylindrical, hollow, hairy, and branching above. Leaves 3-divided, the divisions all sessile, 3-parted, and clothed with more or less rigid hairs ; segments of the lower leaves cut into lan- ceolate, closely-crowded lobes ; of the upper linear, and sometimes entire ; petioles of the radicle and lower stem leaves long and hairy, upper cauline leaves some- times sessile. Inflorescence axillary and terminal ; flowers nearly as large as those of R. bulbosus (5), but not so deep a yellow. Calyx spreading, villous, much shorter than the corolla. Petals obovate, bright yellow. Filaments short ; anthers incurved. Fruit a globular head ; carpels numerous, lenticular and smooth ; beak short and recurved. Read description of the genus, under Ranunculus scelera- tus, 3 ; and the natural order, under Pulsatilla Nuttalliana, i.
History and Habitat. — This species of the genus has become quite widely distributed in this country since its introduction from Europe. It flowers from June until August. This plant, when past its flowering season, is often mistaken for Geranium maculatum, 32,''' both on account of its vulgar name, crowfoot, and from a similarity in the foliage.
The medical and general history, and the chemistry and action, of the differ- ent species of Ranunculus are generic rather than specific. I give a digest under R. sceleratus, 3.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The whole fresh herb, gathered in October, should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and pressed out in a piece
* Williams and I'artridgc, liosl. Med. and Surg. "Jour., March, 1838.
6-2
of new linen. The juice is then, by rapid succussion, mixed with an equal part by weight of alcohol, and allowed to stand eight days, in a well-stoppered bottle, in a dark, cool place.
The tincture, separated by filtration, has a brownish-orange color by trans- mitted light, a biting, then astringent taste, and an acid reaction.
Description of Plate 6. I. a, b, and c. Whole plant, Ithaca, N. Y., June 2d, 1880.
(^m.
ad nat.dei.et pinxt.
CaLTHA PaLUSTRIS, Linn.
N. ORD.-RANUNCULACE^.
GENUS.— C ALT HA," LINN.
-r01.V.\.\DRI.\ roi.VGVM.\.
CALTHA.
MAliSH MARIGOLD.
SYN.-CALTHA PALUSTRIS,t LINN. ; CALTHA ARTICA, R. BR.
COM. NAMES— MARSH MARIGOLD,: COWSLIPS,? COW'S LIPS, MEADOW- BOUTS, WATERBOUTS, COLT'S FOOT.il MARE-BLEBS OR -BLOBS.H AMERICAN COWSLIPS,** PALSY-WORT, WATER DRAGON; (GER.) SUMPP RINGELBLUME.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FIX)\VERING PLANT CALTH.A PALUSTRIS, LINN.
Description. — This glabrous, perennial herb, grows to a height of from 6 to 12 inches. Roof a bundle of coarse and closely fasciculated fibers. Sicm erect, somewhat quadrilateral, furrowed, hollow, thick, and juicy, branched above. Leaves alternate, large, orbicular, cordate, or reniform, finely crenate or entire ; petioles of the radical leaves long, those of the cauline about equal in length to the width of the leaf; stipules quite large, withering after the expansion of the leaf, which they cover in the bud. Inflorescence corymbose ; flowers large and regular. Sepals 56, petaloid, broadly ovate, imbricate in aestivation. Petals wanting. Stamens numerous ; filaments about the length of the anthers; anthers large, innate, and extrorse. Pistils 5-10 ; styles nearly or quite absent ; stigmas forming blunt, recurved, mucro- nations to the ovaries. Pruit a spreading whorl ; follicles latterly compressed ; seeds nimierous, oblong, purplish, furnished with a prominent raphe, and arranged in a double series. Read description of the Order under Pulsatilla Nuttalliana, i.
History and Habitat. — The marsh-marigold is indigenous to the northern portions of Europe, Asia, and America; growing on low, wet meadows, bogs, and the banks of spring-fed rivulets ; flowering in tiie United States from April to May.
* KdXaSa;, kalathos, a chalice, the golden calyx resembling that utensil.
f Care should be taken not to confound this plant with Calla pniuslris, I.inn , on account of the similarity in the names; it bears no resemblance whatever to Calla; the haliitats arc the same.
J I have known .American physicians who claimed that they made their tincture of Calendula from flowers gathered in their own neighborhoods (Caltha); this error arose from the common name of calendula being marigold. CnUiiJula officinalis, Linn., belongs to the Compositoe, and does not grow wild in this country. The corn-marigold belongs to the genus Chtysanthenium (Compjsiloe) ; t"ve fi^-mirigold to Af:sembryanlheinttm {^^i'^nmhx-ja.Mhtvazx); the Krcnch and African marigolds to Tagetes (Composila;), and the bur-marigold to Bidens (Com|K)sita').
J Cowslips are properly species of the primrose family (Primulaceoe).
II Colt's foot is only applical)le to Tussi.'a^o /•'ar/ura, Linn. (Compositae).
If Mare, marsh ; hlelis, bladders, more properly blisters.
** The true American cowslip is Dodeeathron Meadia, I^inn. (Primulacese).
7-2
The plant is extensively gathered in early spring, and cooked for " greens," making one of our most excellent pot-herbs ; the pickled flower-buds are mentioned as a fine substitute for capers. The fresh plant is very acrid, so much so that cattle will not eat of it. Rafinesque asserts that cattle browsing upon it die in conse- quence of an inflammation of the stomach.
The medical history of this herb is very sparse, and of no consequence ; it has been used in cough syrups, which would, without doubt, have been fully as efficacious without it.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The fresh herb, gathered when flower- ing, is chopped and pounded to a pulp, enclosed in a piece of new linen, and pressed. The expressed juice is then, by brisk succussion, 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, has a clear, orange- brown color by transmitted light, a sweet, then somewhat acrid taste, and a neutral reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — The acridity so noticeable in the fresh herb entirely disappears on the application of heat ; this property is considered by Lloyd to resemble, or be identical with, acrid oil of ranunculus,* though his attempt to extract this oil and anemonin, from a distillate of the fresh plant, was unsuccessful.
Tannin is present in appreciable quantity, the tincture responding quickly to the tests with acetate of lead and chloride of iron.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — We have a scanty proving of this drug detailed in the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica ; insufficient, however, to aflbrd an insight to its real action.
Description of Plate 7.
I. End of branch, from Binghamton, N. Y., May nth, 1884.
2. Section of flower.
3. Stamen (enlarged).
4. Achenium (enlarged).
5. Section of ovary (enlarged).
6. Section of stem.
* See under Ranunculus sceleralus, 3.
^m.sdnatdel.ttpinxt.
HELLCfi'ORUS Vi RID IS, Linn.
N. ORD-RANUNCULACEyE, Tribe.-HELLEBORINE/E.
GKNL .S— H E L L E B O R US,* LINX. SEX. SVST.— I'dl.VGAMIA rol.VGMA.
HELLEBORUS VIRIDIS.
GREEA' HELLEBORE.
SYN.— HELLEBORUS VIRIDIS, LINN.
COM. NAMES. -GREEN HELLEBORE; (FR.) ELLBBORE VERT- (GER GRUNE NIESSWURZ.
A TINCTURE OF THP: ROOI' OF HELLEBORUS VIRIDIS, LINN.
Description. — This ijerennial herb usually attains a growth of from i to 2 feet. Rhi-zornc thick ami wood)'. Stan smooth, usually a little inclined to branch above. Leaves alternate, compound, the leaflets sharply serrate ; those of the stem nearly sessile and palmately parted ; those of the root glabrous, long petioled and pedately divided into from 7 to 15 lanceolate, acute lobes. Inflorescence on axillary, solitary, nodding, sometimes geminate peduncles; flozuers regular, an inch or more in diameter. Calyx persistent; sepals 5, roundish- ovate, veiny, petaloid, imbricated in the bud. Petals 8 to 10, very small, cyathi- form, irregularly 2-lipped, all shorter than the stamens. Stamens indefinite. Pistils 3 to 10, sessile; stigmas orbicular. Friiit a cluster of sessile, coriaceous pods, all cohering at their bases; seeds numerous.
History and Habitat. — This European immigrant is now pretty thoroughly naturalized on Long Island and in a few counties of Eastern Pennsylvania, where it grows in the opens, and flowers in April.
On account of its general rarity, this species has had but litde use in medicine, its place being supplied by either H.ttiger or H. fetidus ; it is, how- ever, much more active than cither of these species, and ranks next in energy to //. orientalis, which is considered the most highly poisonous species of the genus. Green Hellebore has, however, been somewhat used as a drastic and hydragogue cathartic in dropsies; an emmenagogue in amenorrhoea ; a vermi- fuge in children afflicted with lumbricoids; as a nervine in mania and melan- cholia; and an anti-spasmodic in epilepsy. Its principal field, however, has been in veterinary medication, for animals afiflicted with lice or lumbrici For the rea- son given above, the root is no longer officinal in the pharmacopctias.
'EXtfi'. helein. to injure ; PIP'S, boia, food.
8-2
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh root, gathered when the leaves are about to fall, but before the first frost, is treated as directed under Hydrastis/'' The resulting tincture has a deep brownish-orange color by trans- mitted light; an odor somewhat resembling that of Bourbon whisky; an acrid, bitter taste, prickling the tongue and causing salivation ; and an acid reaction.
•CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — The chemistry of the Hellebores is generic rather than specific, the species differing, so far as known, only in the quantity of the principles contained.
Helleborin,t CjuHj^Og. — This glucoside was isolated by Marme and A. Husemann (1864) from the green, fatty matter extracted by boiling alcohol from an aqueous extract of the root. It resulted as shining, colorless, concen- tric needles, tasteless when dry, but acrid and burning in alcoholic solution. Helleborin proves a highly narcotic, powerful poison, more abundant in viridis than in nioer ; it is insoluble in water, soluble in hot alcohol, and fuses and carbonizes above 250° (482° F.). When boiled with zinc chloride, Helleborin breaks down into sugar and Helleboresin as follows:
Helleboiin. Water. Glucose. Helleboresin.
C„H,,0, + (H,0), = QH,p„ + Q„H3A.
Hellebor'ein, C,„H^^Oj-. — This slightly acid glucoside was also isolated by Marme and Husemann, as translucent, warty masses of microscopic needles, which quickly defloresce and are very hygroscopic ; they are of a sweetish taste, and are readily soluble in water, less so in alcohol, and insoluble in ether. Helleborein is a narcotic poison, more abundant in niger than viridis; its aqueous solution dries to a yellowish resin, which becomes straw-color at 160° (320° F.),and conglutinates ; at 220°-23o° (428°-446° F.) it becomes brown and pasty; and at 280° (536° F.) it chars.
When boiled with a dilute mineral acid, it breaks down into sugar and Hclle- boretin, as follows :
Helleborein. Glucose. Helleboretin.
c,.H,A5 = (QH,A). ^ c„H,A-
Helicboi'ctiti, Cj^H,„03, is strangely wanting in physiological effect, consider- ing its source; it has a violet color and no crystalline form.
Helleboric Acid. — This body is so far considered, if not identical, at least isomeric with aconilic and equisctic acids.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — According to the experiments of Von Schroff, with from 2 to 4 grains of the alcoholic extract of the root, this species causes : roaring in the ears ; violent sneezing ; burning in the mouth, and profuse sali- vation ; gurgling in the abdomen; profuse liquid stools, accompanied by violent
* Page 9-2.
f Bastic (1S52) discov^reJ a bitter, crystalline body in the roots of Hellebore, to which he gave this name. It proved, however, to be chemically indif'fi rent.
8-3
colic, great tenesmus, nausea, and inclination to vomit ; frequent passages of pale urine ; decreased heart's action : soporific condition : and a sensation of heat over the whole body.
The action of tht; Hellebores in general should be consulted in connection with this species.
Df.sc Rii'iiON oi' Plate S.
I. Top of plant, from .Sellersville, Pa., April 20th,
2. A mature lower leaf
3. Petal.
4. Stamen.
5. Pistil.
6. Fruiting carpel.
(4-6 enlarged.)
'V
^.TU.sdnatdel.etpinxt.
Hydrastis Canadensis, Um
N. ORD.-RANUNCULACEyE. Tribe-CIMICIFUGE/E.
(;KNUS.— HYDRASTIS,* IINN.
SEX. SVST.— POLVANDRIA POLYCJVNIA.
HYDRASTIS.
GOLDEJf-SEAL.
SYN.— HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS, LINN.; WARNBRIA CANADENSIS. MILL.
COM. NAMES.— GOLDEN-SEAL, ORANGE-ROOT, YELLOW-ROOT, YELLOW- PUCCOON, GROUND-RASPBERRY, WILD CURCUMA, TURMERIC- ROOT, INDIAN DYE, INDIAN TURMERIC; (FR.i HYDRASTIS; (GER.) CANADISCHE, GBLBWURZEL.
A TLVCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS, LINN.
Description. — This low perennial herb, now becoming^ quite rare in this State (N. Y.), grows from 6 to lo inches high, its leaves and fruit much resembling those of the raspberry. Rhizome thick, sarcous, oblong, irregular, and knotted, having a yellowish-brown, thin bark, and a bright-yellow interior; rootlets numerous, scattered, coriaceous fibres. Stem simple, subcylindrical, thick, erect, and very hairy, surrounded, at its point of issuance from the rootstalk, by several oblong, sheathing, scaphoid, greenish yellow, leafy bracts. Leaves 2, alternate, near the summit of the plant, orbicular-cordate at the base, palmately five- to seven-lobed, the lobes doubly serrate, acute, veiny; attaining, when full grown during the fruit- ing season, a width of from 4 to 10 inches. The root sometimes puts off an acces- sory or root-leaf which answers to the characteristics of the stem-leaves, with the one exception, that it is petiolate while they are sessile. Peduncle about i inch long; inflorescence — when fully expanded — a single, greenish-white, apetalous, ase- palous flower. Sepals 3, pale-rose color, caducous. Petals none. Stamens num- erous; Jilametits linear or linear-spatulate; anthers oval, innate. Pistils numerous, twelve or more in a dense head; ovary i -celled, one- to two-ovuled; styles short; stig7)ia flattened and dilated, one- to two-lipped. Fruit a succulent, globose berry, compounded of many miniature one- to two-seeded drupes; appearing like an enlarged red-raspberry. Seeds inversely egg-shaped, nearly black and glossy; embryo basal, very small; albumen sarcoid and oily. A description of the natural order may be found under Pulsatilla Nuttalliana, i.
* Derivation not positive, (?) iSup, water; ipAu, to act: its juice being very active.
9-2
History and Habitat. — Hydrastis is indigenous to Canada and the United States, east of the Mississippi, and but quite rare east of the Alleghany Moun- tains; in the southeastern portion of the country it grows only upon the mountains. It seeks the rich soil of shady woods, and moist places at the edge of wooded lands, flowering from April to May, and fruiting in July. The American aborigines valued the root highly as a tonic, stomachic, and application to sore eyes and general ulcerations, as well as a yellow dye for their clothing and implements of warfare.
The officinal preparations in the U.S. Ph. are: Extractimi Hydrastis Fliiidtim, and Tinctura Hydrastis. The Eclectic ; Decocttim Hydrastis, Extractnni Hydrastis Hydro-alcoJioliciim, Tinctura Hydrastis Cotnposita, Lotio Hydrastis Cotnposita, Tinctura Hydrastis^ and Vinum Hydrastis Compositiint.
PARTS USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh root, gathered as the plant is budding to blossom, or 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 remain eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture is then poured off, strained and filtered, and presents the following physical properties: a reddish-orange color, by transmitted light, staining everything with which it comes in contact, a deep yellow color; a persistent bitter, then burning taste; no distinguishing odor, and a slightly acid reaction.
Berberinum. — The pure alkaloid Berberina, one part to ten, or ninety-nine sugar of milk, and triturated.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Berberina {vide Berberis, 15). Dr. Mahla of Chicago proved this alkaloid identical with that obtained from Berberis (Am. jour. Phan, Vol. xxxv., p. 433).
Hydrastia, C^^ H^j NO^, an alkaloid discovered by A. B. Durand (Am. Jour. Phar., Vol. xxiii., p. 13), has been referred to by many writers upon Phyto-chem- istry, as pure-white crystals, but J. U. Lloyd (Am. Jour. Phar., Vol. li., p. 16) determines that it cannot be extracted pure, but is always so intimately associated with a yellow substance that when viewed in quantity it shows easily the impurity. He decides that this yellowishness is not due to berberina. The crystals when viewed separately are in the form of brilliant, yellowish-white, glossy, quadran- gular prisms, becoming opaque when dry. Hydrastia fuses at 135° (275° F.), and decomposes at higher temperatures; it is slightly soluble in cold alcohol, readily in hot, from which it is deposited on cooling in the crystalline form above des- cribed ; the taste is not bitter, but somewhat nauseous and acrid.
Xanthopuccina, a third alkaloid, was determined by Herm. Lerchen (Am. Jour. Phar., Vol. 1., p. 470) in the menstruum, after the extraction of berberina and hydrastia ; a yellow color is the only property given.
Hydrastis contains, beside the above-mentioned bodies, a green fixed oil of a disagreeable odor and taste ; a litde volatile oil, to which the odor of the root is
9-3
due; a black, resinous substance (Lloyd); albumen, sugar, starch, a fatty resin and lo per cent, of mineral matters (Herm. Lerchen).
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— WIkmi taken in large doses Hydrastis causes a train of symptoms clue to a hyper-secretion of the mucous membranes If per- sisted in, it causes severe ulceration of any surface it may touch; and a catarrhal intlammation oi mucous surfaces, followed by extreme dryness and fission. It causes also a catarrhal intlammation of the mucous linings of the hepatic ducts and gall-bladder — showing in an icteric hue of the skin — and a similar condition of the bladder catarrhal cystitis.
Description of Platf. 9.
1. Sepal (somewhat enlarged).
2. Stamen " "
3. Fruit.
4. Pistil (somewhat enlarged). 5-6. Seed.
7. Whole plant from Newfield, N. Y., May 20, 1880.
10.
^f:^^
, 0 I ■ f\
9C
Q IS
^
lU.adnat.del.et pinxt
7i
ACT/tA SPICATA Linn.
N. ORD -RANUNCULACE.^. 10
Tribe-CIMICIFUGE/E.
GENUS.— ACT/EA,* LINN. SEX. SYST.— I'OLYANDRI.\ MON0(iV.\l.\.
ACT^A ALBA.
WHITE BAJVEBERRY.
SYN.— ACT^A ALBA, BIGEL ; ACT^A SPICATA. VAR. ALBA, MICHX. ;
ACT^A PACHYPODA, ELL. ; ACT^A AMERICANA, VAR. a, PURSH. •
ACT^A BRACHYPETALA, VAR. a, DC. COM. NAMES.— WHITE BANEBBRRY, WHITE COHOSH, AMERICAN HERB
CHRISTOPHER, TOAD ROOT; (PR.) HERBB DE STE. CHRISTOPHE
BLANC ; (GER.) WBISSES CHRISTOPHSKRAUT.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF ACT^A ALBA, BIGEL.
Description. — This delicate-flowered perennial grows to a height of 2 feet and sometimes slightly over. Root somewhat similar to that of cimicifuga, but neither as odorous, dark in color, nor as large. Stem erect, nearly smooth. Leaves large, 2-3-ternately decompound ; leaflets ovate, acutely cleft, and dentate or in- cisely serrate. Inflorescence a short, terminal ovate-oblong, simple raceme ; flowers creamy-white, sometimes by abortion declinous ; pedicles becoming pink, and thick- ened in fruit, until they are equal in size to the common peduncle. Sepals 4 to 5 petaloid, early deciduous. Petals 3 to 9, small, slender and spatulate, their tips either truncate or emarginate, their bases converted into short claws. The petals of this species appear like metamorphosed stamens [staniinidia). Stamens numerous; filaments white, slender; anthers innate, introrse. Pistil simple, solitary, with a sulcus at the insertion of the parietal placenta ; stigma sessile, 2-lobed. Fricit a cluster of bluish-white, many-seeded berries or carpels ; seeds smooth, compressed, and horizontal.
History and Habitat. — The white cohosh is a common herb in our rocky woods, especially southward and westward. It flowers in May and ripens its pretty china-like fruit in October. This species, together with Actcea rubra (red cohosh), has received the attention of many writers upon medical botany. The two species vary principally in the color of the berries and thickness of the pedicles ; probably slightly only in their properties and action. They are, how- ever, widely different from Actcsa racemosa, our Cimicifuga, and should under no circumstances be confounded with that drug. Just how much our species of Actsa differ from the European Actcea spicata, Linn., still remains to be proven. This much we know, that the American species are much milder in their properties.
* A<ri}, aite, eliler, from a resemblance in the folLigc.
10-2
The white cohosh hardly deserves a place here, as the European baneberry will without doubt cover its entire action and more beside ; it will, however, often be found useful in many forms of reflex uterine headache, some types of chronic fleeting rheumatism, congestion, in the female especially, and reflex uterine gas- tralgia. Rafinesque says the roots are repellant, nervine, and used for debility in Canada.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The whole fresh plant, while the fruit is ripening, should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are to be taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one- sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. After mixing well, pour the whole into a well-stoppered bottle, and allow it to stand eight days in a dark, cool place.
The tincture is then separated by decanting, straining and filtering.
Description of Plate io.
ACT/EA SPICATA. var. ALBA.*
1. Flower, showing calyx.
2. Expanded flower of Actaa rubra.
3. Stamen (enlarged).
4. Pistil (enlarged).
5. Horizontal section of ovary (enlarged).
6. Top of plant, Ithaca, N. Y., May loth, 1880.
* The Plate is wrongly titled Acttca spicata.
. ■■ > -; 11. ,
.ad nal.dei.et pinxt
ClIVIl'CIFUCA RaCEMOSA, Ell.
N. ORD.-RANUNCULACE^. li
Tribe.-CIMICIFUGE^.
GKNL'S.- C I M I C I F U G A ,* LINN. SKX. SVST.— rol.VANDRIA MOXOCVMA.
CIMICIFUGA.
BLACK COHOSH.
SYN.— CIMICIFUGA RACEMOSA, ELL.; C. SERPENTARIA, PURSH. ; AC- T^A RACEMOSA, LINN. ; A. ORTHOSTACHYA, AND GYROSTACHYA, WEND. ; A. MONOGYNIA, WALT. ; MACROTRYS ACT^OIDES, RAF. ; M. SERPENTARIA, AND RACEMOSA, EATON; BOTROPHIS SERPEN- TARIA, RAF.; B. ACT^OIDES, FISCH AND MEY. ; CHRYSTOPHOR- lANA CAN A DENSE RACEMOSA, PLUCK.
COM. NAMES.— BLACK COHOSH, BLACK SNAKE-ROOT,t RICH WEED.t SQUAW-ROOT,? RATTLE-^^EED, RATTLE-ROOT, RATTLESNAKE ROOT,iiBUGBANE; IFR.) ACTEE AGRAPPE; (GER.) SWARZB COHOSCH, TRAUBENFORMIGES CHRISTOPHSKRAUT.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF CIMICIFUG.\ R.\CEMOS.\, LINN.
Description. — This tall, graceful, and showy perennial grows to a height ot from 3 to 8 feet. Rootstock thick, blackish, successively knotted and fringe-ringed, whitish-yellow internally, with a ring of cuneiform wood-bundles pointing inward ; rootlets long, simple, and uniform, a section under a lens shows the cuneiform- bundles arranged like a cross. Stem smooth, angular, or furrowed. Leaves alter- nate, tri-ternately divided, the lowermost almost radical, very large and ample, the petiole at its base almost as large as the stem ; leaflets various on the same petiole, simple, bifid, and trifid, all ovate-oblong, cut serrate. Inflorescence of very long, simple, or compound, virgate, inclined, upper-axillary or terminal racemes ; flowers scattered, foetid, creamy-white. Sepals 4-5, petal-like, scaphoid, early deciduous. Petals [Staminodia) 1-8, very small, long clawed, and 2-horned or forked ; apices ahtherose. Stamens numerous; filaments slender, club-shaped, creamy-white; anthers innate, introrse, yellow. Pistil solitary, simple ; ovary ovoid, sessile ; style short ; stigma simple, inclined to be lateral, the centre somewhat cylindrically de- pressed. Priiit numerous, dry, ovoid or globose, dehiscent carpels, arranged upon a raceme from i to 3 feet in length, and retaining each its stigma in the form of an oblique beak ; seeds semi-discoid, smooth, horizontal, and compressed.
History and Habitat. — This indigenous plant is comparatively common all
* Cimex, a bug, yV/^o, I drive away. A Sil>erian species being used as a vermifuge.
f The black snake-root is Sanicula Canadensis (Umbelliferoe). If written black-snake root the n,Tme might be applied, but does not apply.
J Two other plants are known by this name, viz. : Collinsonia Canadensis ( I.abialar), and Pi/ea piimila ( Lrticaceae), ^ The true squaw root is Conopholis (Oroianehe) Americana (Orobanchacea:). II This name properly belongs to many species of Nabalus (Compositcc).
11-2
over the eastern halt of the United States and in Canada, growing in rich, open woods, and along the edges of fields, but especially noticeable on newly cleared hill-sides. When woods in its favorite localities are at all dense, the plant will be found only in the borders. Black cohosh was a favorite remedy among all tribes of the aborigines, being largely used by them in rheumatism, disorders of menstruation, and slow parturition. It was also used as a remedy against the bites of venomous snakes, with what success history does not relate, but we can easily judge.
The plant was first made known by Pluckenet in 1696 ; Colden recommended its use in 174J, and Dr. S. Garden in 1823. In England its use began in i860.* Its uses at this time were confined to chorea, rheumatism, dropsy, hysteria, and affections of the lungs. In regard to chorea. Dr. G. B. Wood statesf that he ad- ministered the drug in a case, which rapidly recovered under its use after the failure of purgatives and metallic tonics. In convulsions occurring periodically, connected with uterine disorder, Dr. Wood also derived the happiest effects from its use. In inflammatory rheumatism Dr. N. F. Johnson used the remedy with "the best results, the disease disappearing in from 2 to 10 days"; he says, "the more acute the disease the more prompt and decided will be the action of the drug."J Dr. A. Clapp§ used the drug in " chronic facial erysipelas, with satisfac- tory results." Dr. Williams says :|| " Indians and quacks recommend its use in rheumatism," etc. ; he then recommends it himself! The statement of Dr. Whee- ler^l that some eminent physicians thought it to be a good substitute for Secale cornutum in parturition, relaxing the parts and thereby rendering labor short and easy, is one that should have received much attention.
In all the above uses except mayhap those concerning the lungs, we have proven its application trustworthy. Its usefulness in phthisis when given in proper dosage is simply to palliate the cough through its action upon the nerve centres. It will be found in most cases to act with far more constant success In females than In males, as its action upon the female economy Is marked and distinctive.
The ofificlnal preparations in the U. S. Ph. are : Extractum Cimicifug<e Flii- idtini, and Tinctiira CimicifugcE. In the Eclectic Materia Medica: Dccoctum Cimi- cifugiE ; Extractum Cnnicifiiga: AlcoJiolicuin and Fliudwn ; Rcsina Cimicifugce ; Tinctura Cimicifitgce ; Tinctiira Ciinicifiigce Composita /'''* Tiiictura Colchici Ctnn- posita;\-'\- and Enema Cimiciftigcs Composita:]^,
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The fresh root should be treated as in the preceding species. The resulting tincture Is almost opaque ; in thin layers it has a deep olive-green color by transmitted light ; it retains the peculiar odor of the root; its taste is at first peculiar, soon becoming very acrid and bitter, and Its reaction acid.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— G"ot2V?>!j-/« or Macrotin, the so-called resinoid,
* Fluck. & Hail., Pharmacosrapliia, p. 1 6. f Dunglison's Nnu Rem., p. 145.
X Clapp, Cat., Am. Met!. Ass'n, 1852, p. 725. I Op. et he. cit.
II Kept. Imlig. Med Bot. Mass., Am. Med. Ass' 11, £849, p. 914. \ Bost. Med. and Suig. Jour., Sept., 1S39, p. 65 *«• Ciniicifuga, Sanguinaria, and Phytolacca. ff Culchicuni and CimiciTuga.
\X Cimicifuga and Geranium maculatum.
il-3
is not strictly spcakiiii^ a chemical derivative, beiny; sim[)Iy a precipitate of what- ever principles in the root are not soluble in water. An alkaloid has, however, been determined by T. E. Conard,* and corroboratetl l)y M. S. Falck,i- to which the above name might be, but has not been, applied. This alkaloid is a neutral crystalline body, having an intensely acrid taste, and is soluble in alcohol, chloro- form, and ether, slightly also in water. It has been determinetl also in the " resinoid."
A resin soluble in alcohol and ether, another soluble in alcohol only ; fatty and waxy matters, volatile oil having the odor of the root, green and brown color- ing matters, gum, uncrystallizable sugar, tannic acid, extractive, and other plant constituents have also been determined.J
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — Cimicifuga acts as a severe irritant to die nerve centres in general, and causes through its action upon the vaso-motor system cere- bral, cerebro-spinal and pelvic congestion, followed by inflammatory action, espe- cially upon the nerves themselves. The cho^a-like spasmodic action following the exhibition of the drug is of two types, one having apparently a rheumatic basis, the other uterine ; the latter is most common, as the choreas curable by this drug will be found aggravated or originating at the age of puberty or during men- struation. It causes rheumatic pains resembling those of torticollis, lumbago, and especially pleurodynia, sympathetic angina pectoris, and rheumatoid gout. The drug seems also to cause irritation of the uterus directly, especially when this irri- tation is rheumatoid in its character, and in consequence the individual under the effects of the drug will present symptoms of epileptiform or hysterical spasms, restlessness and jactitation of muscles, dysmenorrhoea or amenorrhoea, cephalalgia, infra-mammary pain, etc., as the case may be. In pregnancy it often causes abor- tion, and in labor will stimulate the uterus and cause rapid, painless expansion of the parts. According to Dr. Chapman it produces free nausea, with abundant expectoration, followed by nervous trembling, vertigo, and remarkable slowness of the pulse.
Description of Pi,.\te ii.
1. Part of the summit of a plant showing one of the smaller racemes, Binghamton, N.Y., July 19th, 1884.
2. Luwer portion of stem, with a part of the root showing the remains of the growth of the two pre-
vious seasons.
3. Portion of one of the smaller leaves.
4. Section of the root.
5. \ sepal (somewhat enlarged).
6. A staminodium (enlarged).
7. Stamen (enlarged).
8. Pollen X 300.
9. Pistil (enlarged).
10. Section of pistil (enlarged).
11. Fruit.
12. Section of capsule showing seeds.
* ^m. your. Phar., 1871, p. 151. t P'riod. cU., 1884, p. 459.
t Tilghman, Jour. PAH. Coll. Phar., 1834, p. 20; J. .S. Jones, Am. Jour. Phar., 1843, P- > ; G. H. Davis, period, cit., 1861, p. 391 ; E. C. Jones, Proc. Am. Phar. Ass'n, 1865, p. 186; T. E. Conard, art. cil. sup. ; M. S. Kalck. vrt. cil. sup.
.TU.adnstdel.etfiinxt
Magnolia GiAOcA^unn.
N. ORD. MAGNOLIACE/E. 12
GENUS.— MAGNOLIA,* LINN.
SEX. SYST.— POLY.\KDRI.\ I'OI.VGV.N'I.V.
MAGNOLIA GLAUCA
SWEET BAY.
SYN.— MAGNOLIA GLAUCA, LINN; M. VIRGINICA, a GLAUCA, LINN • M
FRAGRANS, SALISB. ; M. LONGIPOLIA, SWEET. COM. NAMES. — SMALL, LAUREL, OR SWEET MAGNOLIA; SWEET, OR
WHITE BAY; CASTOR, OR BEAVER WOOD; ELK OR INDIAN BARK;
SWAMP SASSAFRAS, OR LAUREL; BEAVER TREE, BREWSTER- iFR j
LE MAGNOLIER GLAUQUE; (GER.) MAGNOLIE.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH FLOWERS OF MAGNOLIA GLAUCA, LINN.
Description. — This beautiful swamp shrub usually <rro\vs to a height of from 4 to 20 feet.f Bark smooth, whitish. Buds conical, silky; leaves all scattered, oblong, oval, or ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, thickish, shining green above and bluish- white beneath, evergreen southward, deciduous northward. Inflorescence solitary and terminal ; flowers globular, white, very fragrant. Sepals 3, oblong, scaphoid. Petals 6 to 9, erect, broadly ovate, and narrowed at the base. Stamens numerous, imbricated; filaments short; anthers long, adnate, introrse. Pistils coherent in a mass aggregated upon the elongated torus. Fruit oblong, conical, small, and rather ligneous ; carpels many, dehiscing by a longitudinal dorsal suture ; seeds I to 2 in each carpel, baccate, vermilion, hanging from the bursted carpels by an extenuate thread composed of spiral vessels ; endocarp bony.
Magnoliaceae. — This small but magnificent family of trees and shrubs, repre- sented in North America by 4 genera and i i species, is characterized by having: the biids covered by membranous stipules ; leaves alternate, coriaceous, pinnately veined, entire, and punctate with minute pellucid dots. Floivcrs single, laro-e, polypetalous, the calyx and corolla colored alike, in aestivation generally imbricate in 3 or more rows of 3, all deciduous. Stamens numerous, hypogynous ; filaments short ; aiithers long, adnate, introrse. Pistils many, coherent, generally closely packed together over the prolonged receptacle ; styles short or none ; stigmas simple. Fruit a fleshy, or dry cone, composed of many coherent carpels. Seeds I to 2 in each carpel, anatropous ; albumen fleshy ; embryo minute, basal.
* In honor of Professor Magnol, a botanist of the 17th century, at Montpellier.
f Mr. Brilton observed, in Manahawken Swamp, Ocean Co., N. J., an individual with a diameter of trunk of 32.25 inches, whose rings showed a growth of 150 years.
^2-2
The only other proven drug of this order is the Asiatic Star-anise {^Illicmm 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 arornatica, Murr., is used in Brazil as an aromatic tonic, especially though in colic. The North American Illiciiim floridanuiti, Ellis, is reputed to have an action similar to that of aromatic tonics in general ; and the Tulip Tree [Lmodendron 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 oi Manglietia glatica 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 per- 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 b^^rk of AL g7'andiflora was examined by Dr. Procter,* who found a volatile oil, resin, and a crystalline principle resembling liriodendnne.
Magnolin. — This bitter principle was extracted from the fruit of M. umbrella by W'allace Procter, 1S72, as acicular crystals, having a bitter taste. They are insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and chloroform, melt at 8o°-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,J 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 flotcers alone can hardly add to our medicamentse while we have Cactus erandiflorus.
Description of Plate 12.
I. End of a flowering branch, Landisville, N. J., July 3(1, 1885.
2. Stamen.
3. Section of a carpel.
4. Fruit.
(2 and 3 enlarged.)
* Am. your. Phar., 1842, p. 89. \ Am. Horn. Obs., June, 1875. \ Encyc. Pure Mat. Med., vi., 142.
15.
4 3
/.TU.iilnaiileletpinxt.
AsiMiNA Triloba, Dunai
N. ORD -ANONACE^. 13
GENUS.— AS I M I N A ,* ADANS. SEX. SYST.— POLYANDRIA I'ULYGYNIA.
ASIMINA TRILOBA.
PA WPA W.
SYN.- ASIMINA TRILOBA, DUNAL. ; ASIMINA CAMPANIFLOBA, SPACH. ;
ANNONA TRILOBA, LINN. ; ORCHIDOCARPUM ARIETINUM, MICHX. ;
PORCELIA TRILOBA, PERS. ; UVABIA 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 lo to 30 feet, with about the same diameter of foHage. 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. Inflorescence solitary in the a.xils of the previous year's leaves ; flowers dull purple, appearing with, or just before, the leaves. Sepals 3, ovate, much shorter than the petals. Petals 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. Pistils few, their stigmas projecting beyond the stamens than which they are longer. Fruits 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.
AnonaceaB. — This chiefly tropical order consists of trees or s/inibs having naked buds and aromatic or fetid bark. Leaves alternate, entire, pinnate-veined, and usually punctate ; stipules wanting. ^-Estivation V2i\vu\3ir \ floivers \3ir^(t, duW colored. Sepals 3, often connected at the base. Petals 6, thick, arranged in two rows. Torus rounded, hypogynous ; stamens numerous or 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; styles short or wanting ; stiginas sim- ple, capitellate. Fruit fleshy or pulpy ; seeds anatropous, one or more in each ovary; testa brittle; embryo basal, minute; albumen hard, ruminated.
* Asiminier, the name applied by the French Colonists.
f This name more properly applies to the West Indian Carica Papaya (Papay-iceKr).
i3-2
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 Frtitta de Burro {Xylopia longifolia) is termed by Humboldt a valuable fruit, for use as a febrifuge, along the river Orinoco. Piper A^tJiiopicurn is the seed of HabzeliaAithiopica; another species of the same genus (//. aroniaticd) 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 {Myiistica moscJiatd). Jamaica bit- terwood (^Xylopia glabra) is considered tonic and stimulant.-j- To the arts this order furnishes Jamaica Lancewood [Guatieria virgaia), useful on account of its lightness and elasticity, in the manufacture of coaches, fishing-rods, and bows. Succulent fruits are yielded by Anncna Cherimolia (Cherimoyer), and Anona squa- 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 somev/hat 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.J It is claimed that they improve greatly in size, taste, and succulency upon cultivation. Three other species : A. grandiflora, A. parinflora, and A. pygmcea complete the genus north of Mexico.
The former uses of this plant in medicine are of litde 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, Floy. Med., p. 29. f Idem, pp. 27-S. % Whence the name "American Custard-apple."
i3-3
Eisenboeg.* A preparation from the seeds, bark, and green fruit might prove of more utihty, and possess greater power of action.
Description ok Plate 13.
I. End of a flowering branch (several blossoms missing) from North Bend, Ohio, May 15th, 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. PI. Warder, son of the late Dr. John A. Warder, President of the American Forestry Association, 1881.
* Allen, Ency Pure Mai. Med., Vol. I, p. 498-9.
(S^m.adnatdeletpinxt MENISP^RMUM CANAD^NSE, Linn
jii^tmtsim
N. ORD.-MENISPERMACE/E. 14
GENUS.— M E N I S P E R M U M ,* LIXX. SEX. SVST.— DI(KCI.\ POI.V.\M)RI.\.
MENISPERMUM.
YELLOIJ' PA RILL J.
SYN.— MENISPERMUM CANADENSE, LINN.; M. ANGULATUM, MCEN. ; M.
SMILACINUM, D. C. ; CISSAMPELOS SMILACINA, LINN. COM. NAMES.— YELLOW PARILLA, CANADIAN MOONSEED, TEXAS OR
YELLOW SARSAPARILLA, MAPLE VINE.
A -J-INCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF MENISPERMUM CANADENSE, L.
Description. — This perennial climber reaches a length of from 8 to 15 feet. J^oo/ cylindrical, long, yellow ; s/e?u slender. Leaves ample, peltate, with the inser- tion of the petiole near the base, 3 to 7 lobed or angled ; [ohcs obtuse or more or less acute; ve)iation palmate, the veins pubescent below; pdioles about the length of the leaves. Inflorescence in long, supra-axillary compound racemes or panicles. Sepals 4 to 8, obovate-oblong, arranged in a double series. Petals 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 ; filaments hardly thickened at the summit; anthers innate, 4-celled. Pistils 2 to 4 (in the fertile flowers), raised upon a short, common torus, usually perfecting but two drupes ; stio7nas flattened. Fruit a globose- reniform, black, and stipitate drupe, furnished with a bloom, and retain- ing the mark of the stigma ; nutlet more or less lunate, wrinkled and grooved, laterally flattened ; embryo slender, horseshoe-shaped ; cotyledons filiform.
Menispermaceae. — 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 ; stipules none. Inflorescence in axillary racemes or panicles ; floivers small, monoecious, dioecious or polygamous ; (estivation imbricate. Sepals arranged in two or more rows, deciduous. Petals usually equal in number to the sepals, hypogynous. Stamens 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 (apparently horizontal. See Fig. 6). Pistils 3 to 6; ovaries several, united or separate, nearly straight; stigmas apical, but looking downward in fruit on account of the incurving of the ripening ovaries. Fniit 2^ i -celled drupe; seeds i in each cell ; embryo large, long and curved, surrounded by the albumen ; albumen scanty.
Our only proven plant of this order, beside Menispermum, is the Indian Cocculus Indicus {Anamirta paniculata. Cole), a narcotico-poison, used by the
* Mqi'i), mene, moon ; mlpfta, sperma, seed ; the seed being lunate in shape.
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 Clionodi-odciidron to7ucntos2iiu, R. et P., a tonic and diuretic, considered almost specific in its action upon the mucous membranes of the genito-urinary tract; the Indian Gulancha {Tinospora cordifolia, Miers.), a valuable tonic, antiperiodic and diuretic; the African Columbo [yateorhiza Cohimba, Miers.), a bitter stomachic and mild tonic, often used with good effect In vomiting of pregnancy and atonic dyspepsia; the West-Indian False Pareira brava [Cissn?>ipclos Fareira, Linn.), more often used than the true article for the purposes mentioned. The root of the Crayor and Senegal Coccidiis Bakis, GuilL, is used by the natives in the treatment of their intermittents and m urethral discharges; the root of the Cochin-China C. Jibraiirea, I ). C, is used like the former, and also in various liver aft'ections ; C. cincrasccns and A. platyphyllus, St. Hil., command the same attention by the Brazilians ; while the Javanese use C. ci'ispus, D. C , which is powerfully bitter, in like troubles. Coccu'ais acumiiiatus, D. C, is considered ale.xiteric in Brazil. The Malabar and Ceylon Clypea Bm-manni, W. and A., is employed, according to Lindley, in inter- mittents and hepatic disturbances, as well as a remedy against dysentery and hemorrhoids. Cissavipelos ova/ifolia, D. C, in Brazil, and AbiUa rufcsccns, Aubl, in Guayana are used, like most of the members of this order, as a remedy 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.
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 generall)' by early practidoners has been very similar to that of Sarsaparilla, /'. <?., in mercurial, syphilitic, scrofulous and rheumatic diatheses ; also as a laxative and tonic In general debility, atonic dyspepsia and kindred dis- orders ; and as a remedy in pleural adhesions and inflammation of the alimentative mucous membranes.
Menlspermum was admitted to the U. S. Ph. at the last revision, the rhizome and roodets being now officinal. In the Eclectic Materia Medica its preparations are : Decoctwn Meiiispermi, Menispermin, and as a component of Syrupiis Rnmecis Covipositus*
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 stirring the whole well, pour it into a well-stoppered botde and let It stand eight days in a dark, cool place.
* Yellowdock root ; False-bittersweet, root bark ; American ivy bark; Figwort; and Moonseed root.
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 astrint^ent 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. He also found a second alkaloid, which was afterward named
Menispermine.t — A white, amorphous, tasteless alkaloid, insoluble in water, slighdy soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform.
Menispine.t — This second specific alkaloid, determined by Barber in his analysis, differs in solubility and tests from both oxyca}ithine\ and mcnispcnnine. It resulted as a whitish, amorphous, very bitter powder, slighdy 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 mcuisperminc, 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 e.xperiments with from 35 drops upward of a tincture of the root, and various doses of the "resinoid" meiiis- pci'iniiic, 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.
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 the mucous membranes.
Description of Plate 14.
I. Part of male flowering stem, Ithaca, N. Y., June 24th, 1885. 2. End of stem. <,. Staminate flower.
4. Sepal.
5. Petal.
6. Stamen.
7. Female flower.
8. Carpel.
9. Outline of a leaf. (3-8 enlarged.)
* Am. your. Pilar., 1863, 303. t H- ^- Barber, Am. Jour. Phar., 1884, 401.
% Name proposed by Prof. Maisch, Ibui. J See page 15-2. || Barber, tbU.
uJTR.adnal.del.et pinxt
Berberis Vulgaris, Linn.
N. ORD-BERBERIDACE/E. 15
GEMS — B E R B E R I S,* LINN. SEX. SYST.— HEXANDRIA .NKi.NuL.V.MA.
BERBER IS.
BARBERRY.
SYN.-BERBERIS VULGARIS, LINN.; BERBERIS VULGARIS, VAR. CAN- ADENSIS, TORR., SPINA ACIDA; BERBERIS DUMETORUM, RAIL
COM. NAMES.— COMMON BARBERRY, BERBERRY; (FR.) EPINE VINETTE ; (GER.) SAURDORN.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT B.\RK 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. Leaves inversely efo-- shaped, short-petioled, closely serrate, and bristly-toothed. Occurrincr 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. Inflorescence long, drooping, many-flowered racemes, of pale yellow flowers. Bractlcts 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, \h€\T filajitents ligulate, blunt, opposite the petals, but shorter and attached to their bases; anthers adnate. Pistil about the length of the stamens ; ovary more or less inflated-cylindrical ; style rarely present, very short ; stig7na short, flattened, sessile or nearly so. Fruit 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.
BerberidacesB. — Shrubs or herbs with alternate leaves and perfect flowers. Sepals 3 to 9, deciduous, often colored and furnished with a calyculus of petal-like scales, all together with the petals imbricate in two or more rows in eestivation (Jeffersonia with a single row). Petals as many as the sepals. Stamens hypogy- nous, equal in number to the petals and opposite them (Podophyllum) twice as many) ; yf/rt;;/^«/i' short ; anther sextrorse, opening (except Podophyllum) by two 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; embryo small (Berberis excepted).
♦ 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 ior 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 accom- panied 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 coun- try as an ornamental bush, on account of its beautiful berries. Our own species, B. Canadensis, Pursk., is a shrub about three feet high, with /ess bristly teeth to the leaves, a few-flowered raceme, petals notched at the ape.x, 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; ^cidium 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 Materia Medica it is still retained, though not in an officinal preparation.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The fresh bark of the root. This is coarstly powdered and weighed. Then after adding two parts by weight .of alcohol the whole is put into a well-stoppered botde and allowed to stand eight days in a 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 trans- mitted light ; and stains the neck of the botde 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,f in 1851 in the root of Hydrastis Canadensis,! and in 1835 in the bark of Berberis vulgaris ;§ yet, it is only lately
* Jamaicin. | Xanthropicrit. % Hydrastin. g Berberin.
15-3
that its true properties were recogriized. It exists in a number of other plants, among which of particular interest to us are Coplis trifoliata, Caulophyllum, and Xanthorrhiza. Berberin crystallizes in fine yellow needles of a strong and per- sistent bitter taste, losing water at ioo° (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 \'inetina). 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 de- composes upon subjection to higher temperatures. It is soluble in both water and alcohol, though not freely. (Et supra W'ittstein.)
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.
I. End of branch in flower, with old leaves, Salem, Mass., June 4, 1S80.
2. Flower (enlarged).
3. Fruit.
4. Stamen ("enlarged).
5. Petal (enlarged, showing glands).
Cralegus oxyacantha conl.iins m\ .Tlk.Tloiil by this name.
16.
^m.adnafdeletpiittt CAULOPHV'LLUM THALICTROiOES, Micb
N. ORD -BERBERIDACE^. 16
GKNUS.— C AULOPHYLLUM,* MICHX.
-IIEXANDKIA MONDGVMA.
CAULOPHYLLUM.
BLUE COHOSH.
SYN.— CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES, MICHX. ; LEONTICB THALICT- ROIDBS, LINN. ; LEONTOPETALON THALICTROIDES, HILL.
COM. NAMES.— BLUE COHOSH, PAPPOOSE-ROOT, SQUAW-ROOT,t BLUB BERRY.t 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 i to 2]/i feet. Root horizontal or contorted, wrinkled and branched, showing many up- right nodules, bearing at their summits the scars of previous stems, and giving off numerous cylindrical, branching rootlets from the older portions. Siem sim- ple, glaucous when young, smooth when old, arising from several imbricate, membraneous scales. Leaves large, triternately decompound, the upper much smaller and biternate (pi. 1 6, fig. i ) ; leaflets 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. Inflorescence a loose raceme or panicle ; peduncle aris- ing from the base of the upper leaf; floiuers purplish or yellowish-green. Sepals 6, oval-oblong, with 3 small bracdets at the base. Petals 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. Pistils gibbous; ^:'(z;^ resembling the anthers in form, 2-celled; style short, apical; stigma 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 ; peri- carp fleshy, deep blue; albumen 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
» Ka'>X4;, kaulos, a stem; and ^iWtv, phyllon, a leaf, the stem resembling the petiole of a large leaf.
t The true squaw-root is Conopholis Amtritana, Wall. (Orobanchaceac).
\ This vulgarism properly belongs to several species of Vaccinium (EricacesE).
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 : Exlractiun Caidophylli Alcoholiciim, Resina Caulophylli, and Tinctura Caulophylli Composiia*
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 botde, 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.— 5^/^«/;?. This body was discovered in the roots of Caulophyllum by Prof Mayer. A. E. Ebertf 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,J " 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 showmg 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. your. Phar., 1S64, p. 203.
X " Berberidacea:;' C. G. and J. U. Lloyd, 1S7S.
16-3
Medica that needs, and probably merits, a more thoroii;^h proving, upon females especially, than Caulophylkim ; and the sooner it is done, the better able will we be to cope with many of our most obstinate uterine cases.
Description of Plaie i6.
1. Summit of flowering plant, Ithaca, N. Y., April iSth, iS8o.
2. Root, rootlet, sheathing scales, and stem.
3. Flower (enlarged).
4. .\n enlarged sepal, showing the gland-like petal (enlarged).
5. Under surface of sepal, showing bract (enlarged).
6. Pistil (enlarged).
7. Stamen (enlarged), showing open anther-cell.
8. Pollen X 200 (3 views).
9. Section of the root.
/.Tll.iilnatdel.etpinxt
Podophyllum Peltatum, Linn
<^.
N. ORD.-BERBERIDACE^. 17
G1:NT S — P O D O P H Y L L U M ,* LINNT.
SEX. SVST.— POI.VANDRIA MONOGVNIA.
PODOPHYLLUM.
MA Y- APPLE.
SYN.— PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM, LINN.; ANAPODOPHYLLUM CANA- DBNSE, CATESBY; ACONITIFOLIUS HUMILIS, Etc., MENTZ.
COM. NAMES.— MAY-APPLE, INDIAN-APPLE, HOG- APPLE, WILD LEMON, DUCK'S FOOT, WILD JALAP, PEC A, RACCOON -BERRY, MAN- DRAKE; t (FR.) PODOPHYLLE; (GER.) FUSSBLATT, SCHILDBLATT- IGER ENTENFUSS.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM, LINN.
Description.— This well-known plant grows to a height of from 8 to i8 inches. Root perennial, horizontal, extending several feet ; the annual growths are from I to 3 inches in length, distinguishable by the scars of previous stems ; they are cylindrical, from J/^ to i^ inches in diameter, and give off a few, nearly simple, fibrous rootlets. Steffis 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. Lujloresccnce a single, drooping, pedunculated flower, generally in the fork of the stem, but sometimes varying gready in its location. J 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. Petals either 6 or 9, obovate, creamy-white, and fleshy. Stamens generally 12 to 18, twice as many as the ^(ttaXs \ Jilaments 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. Pistil sim- ple; ovary more or less ovoid, i -celled; ovules many, situated in many rows upon a broad, lateral placenta, extending the whole length of the cell ; style not mani- fest ; stigma more or less peltate-globose, composed of a number of fleshy lobes
* noS,-, /o«i, a foot; •piyyi'^, fhyllon, a leaf. Probably from a supposed likeness of the leaf to the webbed foot o( some aquatic bird.
t The true mandrake is Atropa mandragora ; habitat, south of Europe. X See article by Foerste, Bull. Ton: Club, 1884. p. 63.
17-2
closely set, each resembling a half meat of the hickory-nut. Fruit an egg-shaped, yellow edible berry, i to 2 inches long, irregularly blotched, and retaining the withered stigma, or is marked by its scar ; seeds enclosed within a copious, pulpy arillus ; embryo 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 [Asiviina 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 ozasna 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 Podophylliim hexandnun.
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. Tlie use of podo- phyllum as a component of cathartic pills is very general.
The officinal preparations of the U. S. Ph. are : Abstractztm Bodophylli, Ex- tractum Podop/iylli, Exli-actjim Podophylli Fhiidiim, and Rcsina Podophylli ; the Eclectic: Decoctum Podophylli, Tinelura Podophylli and Podophyllin, and as a component of Emplastrum Picis Compositum, Pilulcp Aloes Compositte, Tinetura Corydalis Coinp., Pihdce Baptisics Composita, Pilulce Copaiba Composites, Pilules Ferri Composites, Pilulee Leptandrini Composites, Pihdcs Podop:hyllini Covipositee, Piilvis Lcptandidiii Composilus, and Ptilvis Podophyllini Compositits.
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 botde, 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 Maischf claim the absence of any alkaloid, their observations in this respect being corroborated by Podvvissotzki, whose exhaustive analyses of the resin % are largely drawn from here.
* 'S??-
t Am. Jour. P/uir., 1S79, p. 5S0.
X Archiv. fiir experimenlflle Palhologie iind Pharmacognosie, v. xiii, 1 and 2, 18S0; and PJiarm. Zeitschrift fiir Russland, Nos. 44-50. 1881. F. B. Tower, in Am. Jour. Pilar., 18S2, p. I02.
17-3
Podophyllin.— A resin mass, first observed and usctl by Prof. John King (1835). This resin is prepared substantially as follows : The root is exhausted 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 lovv-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, Cj^Hj^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, Cj^H^O^. — This bod)-, 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 e.xposure to air it takes on a greenish color. It melts at 247 to 250° (476.6 to 482° F.). It 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.
Fatty oils ami extractive matters were also determined. The claims as to the presence of hcrbcrin and saponin have been entirely refuted, as before men- tioned.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— The force of podophyllum seems to he almost entirely expended upon the lining membrane of the almentary canal. Whatever
* Biddle, Am. Jour. I'har., 1879, p. 544.
17-4
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 hypersemia 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 hypersemia ceased usually at the ileo- caecal valve. Post niortetn 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, followed by torpor and icterus. The symptoms of disturbance caused by the drug in doses varying from % to y^ 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.
Description of Plate 17.
1. Whole plant, once reduced, Newfield, N. Y., May 20th, iSSo.
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
^m.a(i
DK"
nat.dei.et pinxt.
NyMPHAA OoORATA.Ait.
N. ORD -NYMPHACE^. 18
Tribe. -NYMPHE/E.
GENUS.-NYM PH/E A,* TOURN.
SEX. SYST.— POLVAXDKIA .M()N( n;V.\l.\.
NYMPH^A.
SW'EET WATEB. LILY.
SYN.— NYMPH^A ODORATA, AIT ■ NYMPH^A 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 NYMPH^A ODORATA, AIT.
Description. — This beautiful perennial aquatic herb, grows to the surface of the water from a thick submerged horizontal rootstock. The stevi is absent, the liowers growing on long peduncles, and the leaves on separate petioles, all round, smooth, and furnished with four equal, central canals. StipuicH deltoid or nearly renniform, emarginate, closely appressed to the rootstalk at the base of the petiole ; leaves 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. Inflorescence solitary, axillary ; flowers large, white, showy and fragrant, often being nearly six inches in diameter when fully expanded. Sepals iour, ellip- tical, scaphoid, nearly free, persistent, bright green on the outer surface, greenish- white internally. Petals 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; Jila- tnents 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. Fruit a depressed, globular, fleshy body, retaining the stigma and marked plainly by the scars of the fallen petals and stamens, decaying ; dehiscence none ; seeds oblong, stipitate, shorter than the enveloping sac-like false coat ; embryo situated in the albumen, close to the hilum ; radicle very minute ; cotyledons large and thick, enveloping a well-formed plumule.
*The name is given on account of its situation being similar to the supposed habit of fabled water nymphs.
18-2
Nymphaceee. — 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 habitat. 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. Nymphcra lotus, 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 lotus-eaters^^ A^ymphcra alba. This European species differs but slightly from our N. odorata. This order contains in the United States the following genera : Brasenia, Cabomba, Neliumbium, Nuphar and Nymphcea.
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 Nymphcea 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 inter- nal remedy, and injection or wash for the worst forms of leucorrhoea, 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 fullv known and utilized.
*This plant is mentioned under Genista tinctoria, A,i>.
18-3 The roots have been used for dyeing- fabrics deep brown, the goods thus
dyed retaining their color admirably.
Nymphaia has no place in the U. S. Ph. ; in the Eclectic Materia Medica it is
officinal as Caiap/asina Ayiiipluc and /ii/nsiiii/ Nyiitpha-.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— I'he 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 mi.xed with one-sixth part of it, and ihe 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 Nympha?a 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, N. alba, the roots of which, according to Griining,'-' contain: Taiino-nytnp/uein, Cj^H.^Oje; NympJuro-pIt'obaphcne^Q.^^^^O^f,; and Nymplicca-tannic acid, C.5 H53 Ojg, a brown, red, transparent mass, yielding easily a pale yellow powder. This is the true special tannin, to which the great astringency 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 painful deglutition ; pain in the hypogastric region, with loose evacuations ; venereal excitement, and involuntary ])assage of the urine. '
Description 01 Plate 18.
I. A small flower, from a pond near New Milfonl, Pa., July 17th, 18.S3.
2. A medium-size leaf.
3. Section of a peduncle, showing air cavities or canals.
4. Root.
'Arch. ,/. 1 har.. 3, xvii , p. 73C.; Am. Jour. Ph„r., 1883, p. 96.
(pTU.adnat.del.etpinxt.
Sarracenia Purpurea, Linn.
N. ORD.-SARRACENIACE/E. 19
GENUS.— S ARRACENIA,* TOURN. SEX. svsT.— pi:nt.\ndria monogv.nia.
SARRACENIA.
PITCH ER-PLAJ\rT.
SYN.— SARRACENIA PURPUREA, LINN.; SARAZINA GIBBOSA, RAP.
COM. NAMES.— PITCBER-PLANT, HUNTSMAN'S CUP, WATER-CUP, EVE'S CUPS, SIDE-SADDLE FLOWER, FLY-CATCHER.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF SARRACENIA PURPUREA, LINN.
Description. — This peculiar bog perennial is characterized as follows : Root somewhat ligneous, yellowish, furnished with numerous yellowish-brown fibrous rootlets; stem none; leaves {ascidia) all radical, pitcher-shaped, and composed of four parts: ):he petiole about one-third the whole length, slender, dilated at the base and somewhat equitant ; tiide ovate, narrowing to the petiole, and longitudinally marked with reddish veins; /iood auriculate-cordate, wavy, covered in the throat with nu- merous stiff, sharp, curved bristles pointing downward ; zcu'ho- broad, laterally undu- late, passing along the median line of the upper surface of the tube, from the base of the hood to the petiole. These ascidia, usually six in number, lie dorsally pros- trate upon the sphagnum in which the plant usually grows, the open mouths of the tubes looking upward toward the nodding flower and forming about the scape a rosette of gaping wells half filled with water, and having a path represented by the free margin of the wings leading to each.f Inflorescence a single large reddish purple flower, terminal and nodding upon a long smooth and naked scape. Sepals 5, colored, persistent, 3-bracted at their base. Petals 5, obovate or somewhat fiddle-shaped, caducous, incurved over the style. Statnens numerous, hypogynous. Ovary globose, 5-celled ; style greenish-yellow, composed of a short erect shaft, and an umbrella-like expanded extremity consisting of 5 petaloid segments rayed at their approximations, each ray ending in a short nipple-like projection,, which con- stitutes the stigma. Frtdt a granular 5-celled and valved capsule ; placentce axial, many seeded ; seeds anatropous ; einbryo small, basal ; albumen flesh}-.
SarraceniacesB. — This family of bog plants is characterized as follows : Root perennial; leaves all radical, purplish or yellowish-green, more or less inflated tubular, the true blade represented by a hood or lamina surrounding the throat of the tube. Flowers single [Exc. Heliamphora) nodding at the summit of a long,
* In honor of Dr. Sarrazin of Quebec, who sent the plant to Tournefort.
t In the plate most of the leaves have been cut off, and those reni.-iining have been constrained to ta'<e such posi- tions as would best show their various characters within the small scope of the paper.
19-2
naked, (Exc. same) cylindrical scape; floral envelope consisting of from 4 to lo leaflets, the external more or less sepaloid and bracted at the base. Stamens nu- merous hypogynous; «;;//z£?;'^ versatile, introse, 2-celled, opening by longitudinal fissures. Style single, truncate, with a minute stigma (or as above described), per- sistent. Fruit a 3 to 5-celled capsule, opening loculicidally ; placentcs projecting from the axis into the cells. Seeds obovoid, numerous; embryo cylindrical ; albumen copious. This limited family is represented by three genera, viz. : Darlingtonia, with one species, having two free honeyed wings projecting laterally from the inner edge of the small mouth of the tube ; Sarracenia, with eight species and two varieties ; and Heliamphora, of Guiana and Venezuela. The leaves of this family are all apparently formed with the intent of capturing insects and digesting their remains through the agency of the water they hold, which becomes acid and causes decomposition of the captured insects. It certainly seems intentional adap- tation to the necessities of the plant that insects are caught and macerated, from the structure, for which no other reason would account. Mr. W. K. Higley, in his interesting paper on " The Northern Pitcher-Plant," * says : " Inside these pitchers are found hairs, which cover more or less of the inner surface. Those which cover the hood continue to or a little beyond the junction with the tube. Following this area is a smooth surface which extends to near the point where the leaf begins to contract, when a patch of less stiff hairs, are met with. This time they extend into the narrow portion of the tube. All the hairs point downward.
" The position and form of these hairs, especially those on the hood and upper part of the tube, and in fact, any that may be above the fluid, in the lower part of the leaf would show that their function, in part, at least, is to prevent the escape of any insect that may have entered the tube. The hairs in the lower part of the tube probably act, to some extent, as absorbents of the nitrogenous matter decay- ing within the leaf. Some acute observers claim that at the end of each hair there is a minute opening, thus allowing the nitrogenous fluid to pass directly into the apical cell of the hair. This does not seem to be the case, but instead, the wall surrounding the entire cell is very thin. These hairs are simple trichomes, that is, they are rather cells than organs. Unlike the tentacles of the sundew, in no case do the spiral bundles enter their tissue. I am inclined to believe that these cellu- lar hairs serve more than one purpose in the economy of the plant.
"A study of the structure and physiology of the whole family shows that all the forms need a great deal of absorbing surface, for there seems to be a lack of stomata. The tissue of the leaf is almost constantly gorged with a large supply of nourishment, consisting, evidently, of absorbed nitrogenous matter, and needs a great extent of surface exposed to the air for the purpose of absorption in car- rying on the functions of assimilation and metastasis. In support of this there is considerable evidence, the most important of which is the fact that many of these hairs, especially those on the hood, contain chlorophyl. From a study of marked leaves through the whole season I am led to believe that some of these hairs are
Bulletin Chicago Academy of Sciences, Vol. I, No. 5, p. 41.
19-3
absorbed as the leaves grow old. This would indicate that as the functions of the leaf are lessened the extent of absorbing surface is reduced.
"When the leaf has apparently nearly stopped absorbing the moisture from the tube, it may still be an active insect trap. At this time an especially strong odor is given off from the decaying mass of insects. It would seem that the insects caught now could be of no use except as a fertilizer, when by the decay of the leaves, all this mass of decomposing nitrogenous matter is deposited around the roots of the plant, the decaying material, moreover, seems to hasten the decay of the leaf, as its vitality is lessened by the advance of the season."
The acidity of the water, after it has stood a time in the leaf, is found to be due to malic and citric acids.
History and Habitat. — The Northern Pitcher-plant grows in sphagnum swamps from Pennsylvania northward and westward, and southward east of the Alleghanles. It flowers northward in June, and ripens its fruit in August. The previous use of this plant by the Indians in small-pox, for which it has been held by them as specific, is corroborated by homoeopathic practice, but has in almost all instances been an absolute failure in the hands of the "old school." They judged that the use of the root not only greatly shortened the run of the disease and checked maturation, but prevented deep pitting in convalescence. At the last meeting of the Epidemiological Society,* a communication was read from Mr. Herbert Miles, Assistant Surgeon to the Royal Artillery, respecting a plant that was stated to be a specific for small-pox. The remedy is given in the form of a strong infusion of the rhizome, and Mr. Miles had, after very considerable difficulty, succeeded in obtaining a small supply of the plant, which *he forwarded to the Society. Mr. Miles is quartered in Canada, where an epidemic of small-pox having broken out among the Indians, the disease had proved virulent in the extreme among the unprotected, because unvaccinated, natives. However, the alarm had greatly diminished on an old squaw going amongst them, and treating the cases with the infusion. This treatment, it is said, was so successful as to cure every case. Dr. Hooker pronounced the specimens received to be Sarracenia purpurea. At a meet- ing of the Medical Society of Nova Scotia, held at Halifax, a resolution was passed — concerning the use of Sarracenia in Variola — that there was not "any reliable data upon which to ground any opinion in favor of its value as a remedial agent." |
Across the face of an article on the use of this drug in small-pox, appearing in the volume I have cited above, a former owner of the book has written : "This medicine was thoroughly tested by Mr. John Thomas Lane in the spring of 1864 at the Small-pox Hospital at Claremont, in Alexandria, Va., for the period of several weeks, in the presence of the medical officers of the Third Division Hos- pital ; and proved to be without any curative powers in this disease, and Mr. Lane a humbug. He lost more than fifty per cent, of the cases of variola committed to him, more than were lost by any other treatment." Mr. F. H. Bignell says,J
* Land. Pharm. Journ., Dec, 1861 ; Jour. Mat. Med., IV, N. S., 37. f ■^"'- "«'' ^'"'S- R'po'ttr, ibid., 507.
J A paper read before the Quebec Geog. Soc'y.
19-4
in regard to the use of the drug in this disease : " On the Mistassini side my atten- tion was particularly attracted to the Sarracenia purpurea, of which the root fur- nishes the greatest remedy known for that dreadful scourge, small-pox. I may mention that, to my personal knowledge, this precious root not only saved my brother's life, but its use also appears to wholly obviate the unsightly pitting com- mon to the disease ; if it is extracted and dried at the proper season. Indeed, I have known many cases which were considered hopeless by medical men, but were cured by the Sarracenia purpurea; even Indians, with whom the dread malady so often proves fatal, finding it an absolute specific."
The root is also recommended in cases where there is a torpidity of the organs of the alimentary tract, and of the kidneys.
There are no officinal preparations outside of the Homoeopathic tincture.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh root gathered after the fruit- ino- season, or the whole fresh plant when budding to blossom and before the leaves are fully expanded, should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol taken, the mass mixed thoroughly with one- sixth part of it and the rest of the alcohol added. After thorough stirring, the whole should be poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place.
The tincture separated from the above by filtration, has a deep reddish-brown color by transmitted light; its taste is at first somewhat sourish, then bitter and slightly astringent, and its reaction strongly acid.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — Sarracenin. This bitter alkaloidal body was discovered by Martin. Hetet* isolated it as white handsome prisms and octahe- dra, soluble in water and alcohol. Its salts with acids are soluble, and that with sulphuric forms beautiful bitter needles. Hetet claims that this alkaloid is identi- cal with veratria, both in its properties and reactions.
Acrylic Acid. — C^H^O.,. This volatile body was discovered in the plant by Bjbrklund and Dragendorf. It is a limpid liquid, possessing a sour pungent smell and boiling at 142° (287°. 6 F.). Its vapor is irritating, attacking the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes violently, and causing severe inflammation.
Sarracenic Acid. — This body constitutes the yellow coloring matter predomi- nant in the older plants. Its characteristics are uninvestigated.
Besides these, the plant contains a pulverizable tanno resin, and a bitter, aro- matic extractive, soluble in water and alcohol.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — Dr. Porcher found in his experiments with 180 grains of the root, that it caused diuresis, moderate catharsis, and gastric excita- tion, as well as an increased and irregular heart's action, and congestion of the head; and remarks as follows: "These symptoms distinctly point to the parts of
* Rep. tie Phar., 879, p. 109.
19-5
the system inHuenced by the drug — the gastric filaments of the ganghonic or organic system of nerves. This produced an increased action of the circulating system, and drove the blood to the head ; it also increased the peristaltic action of the whole alimentary canal, and promoted the renal and other glandular secretions, without any apparent effect upon the nerves of animal life." Dr. Cigliano,=^= in his experiments, says the drug produces "eruptions similar to crusta lactea; on the forehead and hands papular eruptions, changing to vesicular with the depression, as in small-pox, lasting from seven to eight days." This last again corroborates the aborigine's use of the drug, and adds one more proof to the many that are tending to reveal the fact that our American native practice was essentially correct.
Description of Plate 19.
I and 2. Whole plant, with a number of the leaves removed, and those remaining brought into constrained positions to better show their characters within the limit of the sheet. From Spruce Pond, Smithsfields, N. Y., June i8th, 1884.
2. Scape and flower.
3. Pistil.
4. Stigma.
5. Stamens.
6. A portion of the hood, showing hairs.
7. Section of the root.
(4-6 enlarged.)
* II Dinamico, 1S71 ; translated in Am. Observer, 1S71, p. 467, Dr. Lilienthal.
20.
.lU.adnaldel.etpinxl.
ARGEMONE MEXICANA,Linn.
N. ORD -PAPAVERACE^. 20
GENUS.— ARGEMONE,* LINN.
SEX. SYST.— l'i>LVAXl)kI.\ Mo.M i( .\M.\.
ARGEMONE.
PRICKLY POPPY.
SYN.— ARGEMONE MEXICANA, LINN.
COM. NAMES.— PRICKLY POPPY, DEVIL'S FIG, MEXICAN POPPY, THORN
APPLE, t YELLOW THISTLE,! THORN POPPY; (MEX. i CHICALOTE • fFR )
ARGE'MONE; (GER.) STACHELMOHN.
.\ TLXCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT .ARGEMONE MEXICANA, L.
Description. — This annual weedy herb, grows to a height of from i to 3 feet. Root long, subcylindrical ; sie?n erect, branching, prickly-bristled, and furnished, as the rest of the plant, with a gamboge-yellow milky juice. Leaves sessile, broadly lanceolate in general outline, sinuate lobed, spiny toothed, and blotched or striped with white along the principal veins. Injioresecnee solitary in the axils of the upper leaves, and terminal ; buds erect, pedunculate \ floiL^ers large, yellow, or rarely white. Sepals 2 to 3, roundish, acuminate, often prickly, very fugacious. Petals 4 to 6, i. €., twice as many as the sepals, roundish, more or less crumpled in the bud. Stamens indefinitely numerous ; filaments filiform, greatly attenuated at the apex ; anthers large, innate. Ovai'y stricdy i -celled; style almost none; stigmas 3 to 6, stellate-radiate, purple, velvety on the receptive surface; lobes reflexed. Fruit an oblong-ovate, prickly pod, opening by 3 to 6 valves at the apex, leaving a skele- ton of from 3 to 6 filiform placentce in the shape of the original pod ; seeds globular, crested, and pitted.
Papaveraceae. — This principally European family of herbs, noted for their milky, and generally colored, narcotic or acrid juice, is represented in North America by 15 genera, 23 species, and 7 recognized varieties. The order is fur- ther characterized as follows: Leaves alternate, exstipulate. Peduncles i -flowered ; floiueis regular, the parts in twos or muliples of two. Sepals 2, very rarely 3, fugacious Petals 4 to 12, early deciduous, rarely absent, imbricated in the bud. Stamens numerous, rarely as few as 16, distinct, hypogynous ; anthers 2-celled, innate, introrse. Ovary i -celled, with two or more parietal placentce. Fruit a dry, I- rarely few or many-celled pod. Seeds numerous, anatropous ; embryo minute, basal ; albumen fleshy or oily.
* 'Apyifia, argema, cataract; as the juice was supposed to cure that disease.
■)■ Applicable only to Datura Stranionium (Solanacea;.)
X The true Yellow Thistle is Cirsiiim horridultim (Compositre.)
20-2
The only remedy in our Materia Medica derived from this order, beside the three here represented, is Opium, the inspissated juice obtained by incising the unripe capsules of the South European and Asiatic White Poppy {Papaver somni- fcrum, Linn.) ; our other remedies, Papaverinum and Morphinum, being also derived from the same substance ; the only other remedy used in general med- icine being the petals of the Red Poppy [Papaver Rhceas, Linn.) ; they have a slightly narcotic action, but are as yet principally used as a coloring-matter for pharmaceutical preparations.
History and Habitat. — The Prickly Poppy is indigenous to tropical and sub- tropical America, from whence it has become scattered even as far north as \'ir- ginia, and escaped from cultivation in many places still further north. It grows with us in waste places and blossoms from April to July.
The use of the oil of the seeds, the leaves, and the petals of this species has been quite prominent among the natives of all tropical countries in which the plant grows. Among the ancient Greeks the juice was supposed curative of cataract and of opacities of the cornea. The oil of the seeds is spoken of as being as active as that of Croton tiglium.* Lindley says that in India the juice is employed in chronic ophthalmia and in primary syphilis ; and the infusion in strangury from blisters (of cantharis?); he also states that the seeds are narcotic, and are smoked with tobacco. In Mexico the plant is still held In the pharma- copoeia, the juice being recommended, mixed with water, for skin diseases, and for incipient opacities, the flowers as a pectoral and narcotic.f In Java the juice is said to be employed as a caustic in chancres. In the West Indies the plant is administered as a substitute for Ipecacuanha. The juice when inspissated resembles, in its physical properties, gamboge. As a whole the plant has gen- erally been conceded to be anodyne, detersive, resolutive, hypnotic, diuretic, diaphoretic, ophthalmic, anti-icteric, and a hydragogue cathartic ; and, according to Rafinesque, appearing to unite the properties of Opium, Gamboge, and Celandine.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The whole fresh plant, gathered while in blossom, 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, separated from the above mass by pressure and filtration, has a brownish yellow color by transmitted light, no distinguishing odor or taste, and an acid reaction.
The plant, from its history, deserves at our hands a most thorough proving, and should by all means receive it; for a new proving the tincture should be made while the plant is in fruit, and just before the capsules are ripe.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. -Morphia, Cj-H^NO^.— There is considerable doubt that this alkaloid exists in this species, although CharbonnierJ reports its presence from his analysis of the carpels and leaves.
* Jour. Je P/iarm., xiv, 73. f Maisch, in Am. Jour. Pliarni., 18S5, 506. % Jour, de Pharm., 1S68.
20-3
Oil of Argemone. — This fat oil, obtained by pressure from the seeds, is reported by Wittstein, but upon whose authority we are unable to ascertain. He describes it as, light yellow, still liquid at 5° (41° F.), of a slighdy nauseous odor and raw taste, drying, dissolves in 5 to 6 times its volume of alcohol, and is easily saponified.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— This is as yet unknown, but certainly deserves prolonged experimentation.
Description of Plate 20.
I. Upper part of plant, Salem. Mass., July 31, 1885. 2. Root. 3 Stamens.
4. Pistil.
5. Horizontal section of ovary.
6. Fruit.
(3-5 enlarged.)
<^'
^ni.jiinaiiial.ttpinxi
CHELI06NIUM MAJUS,Linr
N. ORD.-PAPAVERACEyE. 21
(;KNUS.— CHELIDON I U M ,* l.INN. SEX. SVST.— Pt)LVAN'DRIA MON()G\NIA.
CHELIDONIUM.
CELAJ^DIME.
SYN.— CHELIDONIUM MAJUS, LINN.
COM. NAMBS.—COMMON CELANDINE, TETTER"WORT; (PR.) HERBE A L'HIRONDELLE ; (GER.) SCHOLLKRAUT.
A TINCTURK OF THE FRESH PLANT CHELIDONIUM MAJUS, LLNN.
Description. — This upright, widely branching, perennial herb, grows to a height of from i to 2 ieet from a fusiform root. Stem upright, cylindrical and branching, somewhat hairy and \ery brittle. Leaves alternate, petiolate, large, pale-green and glaucous, Urate, pinnatifid, with a crenately cut or lobed border, the terminal lobe obovate-cuneate. Inflorescence, pedunculated, somewhat umbel- late, axillary clusters, with nodding buds and medium-sized flowers, the sepals, petals and stamens of which are early deciduous. Peduncles 2 to 4 inches long, bearing from 3 to ^pedicels i inch in length, and involucrate at their base. Sepals 2. Corolla cruciform ; petals 4. Stamens 1 6 to 24. Style merely present ; stigma 2-lobed. Fruit a linear, slender pod, about i inch in length, somewhat swelled at intervals, the two valves opening upward from the base to the apex ; seeds rounded reniform, with a glandular ridge at the hilum, and a crustaceous, blackish-brown testa, marked with more or less regular, hexagonal reticulations. A description of the Papaverace:e will be found under Argemone Mexicana, 20.
History and Habitat. — Celandine grows all over Germany and France, in waste places, on old walls, along roadways, and about dwellings ; it is pretty well naturalized in the United States, but so far it is not found at any great distance from dwellings, Howering from early in May until October. A fine gamboge yel- low, acrid juice, pervades the plant, root, stem and leaves; this fact led those who practised upon the doctrine of signatures, to employ the drug in hepatic disorders, from its resemblance to bile in color. It proved one of the hits of that practice. The U. S. Ph. still mentions Chelidonium, but not officinally ; it will probably be thrown aside at the next revision as worthless, totidem verbis. In the Eclectic Materia Medica it is officinal as Decoctnm Chclidonii.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh plant, gathered in Spring, is chopped and pounded to a pulp, enclosed in a piece of new linen and subjected
* ,1-f''."'""', swnllo-aK lu flowers appearing with the arrival of that bird ; or, it was said that when the eyes of young swallows became, through injury or otherwise, affected with a white film, the parents gathered and applied the juice of this plant, rapidly curing the trouble.
21-2
to pressure, the fresh juice is then by brisk succussion mingled with an equal part by weight of alcohol. This mixture is allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place, then filtered. The tincture thus formed is of a brownish orange color by transmitted light, having an odor quite like that of tincture of apis mellifica, an acrid, bitter taste, and strong acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— O^Z-^/j////-^;/, C,^ H,, NO,. This alkaloid is identical with Sanguinarina, vide 22.
Chelidonin, C.^ H,^ N3 O3 + Aq. This alkaloid exists particularly in the root. When pure it has the following properties : colorless, glassy, tabular, bitter crys- tals, losing water at 100° (212° F.), fusing at 130° (266° F.), and decomposing at higher heats ; it is insoluble in water, slowly soluble in alcohol, and forms color- less salts.
Chelidoxanthin. — A bitter principle existing in all parts of the plant, crystal- lizing in short, friable, yellow needles, which are very slowly soluble in both water and alcohol.
Chelidonic Acid. — C, H (CO, OH)3. A tribasic acid occurring together with the other acids in all parts of the plant. It crystallizes in small colorless needles, which carbonize by heat, and are soluble both in water and alcohol.
Malic Acid. — Is also present in the plant, vide Pyrus Americana, 56.
Citric Acid. — Herr Haitinger determines (Monatsch., Ch. ii,, p. 485) that notable quantities are contained in this plant. Mdc iif supra.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — The principal action of Chelidonium seems to be that of causing congestion of the lungs and liver, especially the latter; it is also an excessive irritant, and has a narcotic action upon the nervous system. The lungs of animals poisoned by this drug have been found, post-mortem, to be highly engorged, and in some cases hepatized. The liver under its action becomes the seat of much pain, soreness and tenderness ; the bowels move rapidly and freely, with thin, bright-yellow, pasty evacuations ; the urine becomes bright-yellow, and even stains the linen dark-yellow. It irritates the respiratory nerves, causing a tickling, like dust, in the trachea and bronchi, with violent spasmodic coughing, followed by dyspnoea and oppression of the chest. Sensations of indolence, sleep- iness and languor are persistent. Its action upon the skin is that of vesication.
Description of Plate 21.
I. A portion of the upper part of a blossoming plant, from Ithaca, N. Y. , May loth, 1880.
2. Pistil (enlarged).
3. Section of the ovary (enlarged).
4. Fruit.
5. Pollen X 380.
22.
'W
Gjin.adnat.del.etpinxt.
Sanguinaria Canadensis, Linn.
N. ORD -PAPAVERACE^. 22
(lENUS— S ANGUINARIA,* IMI.L. SEX. SVST.— rULYANURIA MONOGVXIA.
SANGUINARIA.
BLOODROOT.
SYN.-SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS, L. SANGUINARIA MINOR, DILL.
COM. NAMES.— BLOODROOT, RED PUCCOON, PUCCOON, TETTERWORT, REDROOT, PAUSON, TURMERIC, INDIAN PAINT, (PR.) SANGUIN- AIRB, (GER.) BLUTWURZEL.
TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF S.\NGUINARIA CANADENSIS, L.
Description. — This low, erect, perennial plant, dots with its creamy white flowers our open woods and bottom lands in early spring, the most beautiful harbinger of Its season. It arises by a naked scape enveloped by its leaf to a height of from 3 to 6 inches. Root horizontal, extending from 2 to 4 inches, with a diameter of from one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch, slightly branched, cylindrical, giving off, especially from the under side, numerous tender rootlets, and somewhat annulate by the scars of previous membraneous sheathing scales which enveloped the scape and petiole. When fresh it is brownish-red externally, and, upon breaking or cutting, it shows minute points of bright red juice, which rapidly coalesce and cover the entire wounded surface. When dry similar red dots appear upon the fracture, the root becomes longitudinally wrinkled, the section showing a bark of about one-twelfth the whole diameter, a very slight cambium line and a granular white centre. The sfetu is a simple, smooth, naked scape, terminated by a single flower, from one to one and a half inches in diameter. The leaf, which does not reach its full expansion until the flower has fallen, is pal- mately seven- to nine-lobed, with an equal number of reddish ribs, from which (especially noticeable upon the under surface) extend a perfect network of veins; it has a heart-shaped base, and obtuse lobes ; the upper surface is light green, the under whitish, glaucous. Sepals 2, caducous, forming the ephemeral calyx. Petals 8-12, spatulate, not crumpled. The stamens, generally 24, unequal and about one-half the length of the petals, arranged more or less distinctly in two rows, jlnthers innate, introrse, dehiscent. Pollen grains globular, more or less six-sided by compression, of a beautiful golden-yellow color. Oz'ary i-celled, with 2 parietal placentae. Style short, thick, rounded. Stigma thick, glandularly pubescent, 2-grooved. Pod oh\ong, sharp-pointed, turgid, opening by two uplifting valves, allowing the escape of the numerous anatropous, sometimes crested seeds. Embryo minute, situated at the base of the sarcous, oily albumen,
* Sanguis, blood. From the color of llie juice.
22-2
History and Habitat.— This is the only species of the genus, although Rafi- nesque has described six varieties. It is found, as the specific name denotes, in Canada, and in all parts of the United States except southward to Florida, and westward to Mexico and Oregon, the sea-coasts, and high mountains. It o-rows in rich open woods, or on bottom lands along shaded streams, flowering from March, in eariy springs, until May, fruiting in June.
For many years it has been used by the aborigines of this country for paint- incr their faces, clothing and implements of warfare, and by the laity as a domestic remedy in gastric troubles, compounded with podophyllum and kali tartaricum. Applied to a denuded surface it is quite a powerful escharotic.
The root is still officinal in the U. S. Ph. as Acchim Sanguinarice , Tinctura Saiigidnaricr, Radix Sanguinarice, and Exh'actwn Sangtiinarice. In the Eclectic Materia Medica this drug and its derivatives have a prominent place, especially in compounds with Lobelia; sanguinaria not having emetic properties. It takes a part in the following preparations: Pilula Taraxaci Composite?; Pulvis Ipeca- C2ianhcs Compositus ; Pulvis Lobelia; Compositns; Pilvis Myricce Composilus ; Tinctura Lobelice Composita; Tinctura Vibw-nii Composita ; and Sanguinarin, a so-called alka-resinoid principle, which is often confused by both prescriber and pharmacist with the true alkaloid sanguinarina.
PART USED, AND PREPARATION. — The fresh root, gathered when the seeds are ripe, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, and after thoroughly mixing the pulp with one- sixth part of it the rest of the alcohol is added. After having stirred the whole, pour it into a well-stoppered botde and let it 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 deep orange-red color, slightly bitter and acid, and has a strong acid reaction to litmus.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Sanguinarina,='= C.^ H,^ NO,. This alkaloid crystallizes from alcohol in warty or needle-like masses, very acrid to the taste, toxic, and when pulverized and insufflated causes violent sneezing ; these masses are soluble in ether or alcohol, insoluble or nearly so in water. The various salts of this body are of a red color, and give orange-colored aqueous solutions.
Puccina has been claimed to be another alkaloid principle of this plant, remaining in the menstruum after the precipitation of sanguinarina by sulphuric acid ; but Hopp determined this body to be a sulphatic salt of sanguinarina.
Porphyroxin has been determined as a third alkaloid, so named from its supposed identity with Merck's opium principle porphyroxin, a mixture which owes its color reaction to Hesse's rhoeadine. (Maisch.) It exists as tabular or linear, white and tasteless crystals.
Acid. — The acid of sanguinaria is not fully determined, though it would prove doubtless to be chelidonic acid {vide Chelidonium).
* This alkaloid is identical with C/ieleiyt/irine, hom Chelidonium raajus, r'zVe', 21.
22-3
Gum, Lignin, an Orange-colored Resin, Albumen, and a Saccharine matter have also been determined.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — Sanouinaria in toxic doses causes a train of symptoms showing it to be an irritant; it causes nausea, vomiting, sensations of burning in the mucous membranes whenever it comes in contact with them, faint- ness, vertigo, and insensibility. It reduces the heart's action and muscular strength, and depresses the nerve force, central and peripheral. Death has occurred from overdoses, after the following sequence of symptoms ; violent vom- iting, followed by terrible thirst and great burning in the stomach and intestines, accompanied by soreness over the region of those organs ; heaviness of the upper chest with difficult breathing ; dilation of the pupils ; great muscular prostration ; faintness and coldness of the surface, showing that death follows from cardiac paralysis. (Allen, Ency. Pure Mat. Med., viii., p. 481, et seq.)
Description of 1'late 22.
I. NVhoIe plant, Chemung, N. V., May 3d, 1S80.
2. Expanded leaf.
3. Expanded flower.
4. Pistil (enlarged).
5. Bud, showing se|)als.
6. Seed (enlarged).
7. Pod.
8. Stamen (enlarged).
9. Pollen grains x 380.
23.
^lU.adnat.ilel.et piiut.
SINAPIS Alba, Linn.
N. ORD-CRUCIFER^. 23
Tribe.-BRASSICE/E.
GENUS.— SIN A PIS, TOURN.
SEX. SYST.— TETRADYN.\MI.\ SII.IOLOSA.
SINAPIS ALBA.
WHITE MUSTARD.
SYN.— BRASSICA ALBA, HOOK, f. ; SINAPIS ALBA, LINN. ; LEUCOSINAPIS
ALBA, SPACH. COM. NAMES.— WHITE OR YELLOW MUSTARD ;* (FR.i MOUTARDE BLANC ;
(GER.) WEISSBR SENF.
A TINCTURE OF THE RIPE SEEDS OF SINAPIS ALBA, LINN.
Description. — This coarse, hairy annual, usually grows to a height of about 2 feet. S/em erect ; branches few, ascending, all parts covered with bristling re- flexed hairs. Leaves all petioled and pinnatifid, the lowest having a large termi- nal lobe and the divisions cutting down to the midrib. Flozvers about twice as large as those of .S. nigra; sepals 4, narrowly oblong, spreading; petals 4, spread- ing, alternate with the sepals, and consisting of a narrow claw and an orbiculate blade. Stamens 6, hypogynous, tetradynamous, the two having shorter filaments being lateral and inserted lower down than the others, the four with longer fila- ments situated in pairs from before backward and accompanied by a quite large gland to each pair. Pistil slightly exceeding the stamens ; ovary hairy ; style nearly terete, persistent ; stigma bi-labiate. Fruit a linear, bristly, ascending silique ; valves short, furnished with 3 prominent veins ; pedicels spreading ; beak sword-shaped, i -seeded, about half the length of the pod. Seeds globular, pale- yellowish, 1 to 6 in each pod; cotyledons incumbent, conduplicatc, narrow, and plane.
Cruciferse. — This large family of pungent and often acrid herbs is represented in North America by 42 genera, containing in all 275 species and 50 recognized varieties. The order is characterized as follows : Leaves alternate ; stipules none. Inflorescence in terminal racemes or corymbs ; floioers cruciform, tetradynamous. Sepals 4, deciduous ; petals 4, hypogynous, regular, placed opposite each other in pairs. Stamens 6, rarely 4 or 2, when 6, then two are inserted lower down than the rest and furnished with shorter filaments. Fruit a 2-celled silicle, loment, silique or necument. Seeds campylotropous; embryo \airg&; albumen none; coiy- ledons incumbent o ||, acumbent o=, or conduplicate o)), being straight in one genus only.
* The name mustard is modernized from musliim aniens, hot must; as wine-must is often mixed with the seed- meal in the manufacture of table mustard.
23-2
Only three other plants of this order are proven and find place in our Materia Medica, viz.: The seeds of the European bitter Candytuft {Iberis aniara, Linn.), extolled as a remedy for cardiac hypertrophy, but needing further corroborative proving; the Buenos Ayres Pepperwort {Lepidium Bonariensc, D. C), used in Brazil much as arnica is among the laity here ; and the British Rape or Cole Seed [Brassica napus, Linn.).
Many species, however, find a place in domestic practice, principal among which are: The South European Scurvy Grass [Cochlcaria officinalis, Linn.), long known and used as an anti-scorbutic ; C. armoracia, Linn., our common horse- radish, is much used as a counter-irritant, diuretic, diaphoretic, and stimulant ; the dried flowers of the Cuckoo Flower {Cardamiiic pratensis, Linn.) have been recom- mended for the cure of epilepsy in children ; and the seeds of the Oriental Arabis Chi)iensis are considered by the natives stomachic, and are said to cause abortion in pregnant women.
Many species afford vegetables of value as foods, or, more properly, relishes, notably the Cresses, of which the following European species are most used: The Common Water Cress [Nasiurtiiim officijiale, R. Br.) ; Winter Cress {Barbai'ea vidgaris, R. Br.) ; Belleisle Cress [B. prcecox, R. Br.) ; and the Common Cress" i^Lepidium sativwn, Linn.). The edible Pepperwort of New Zealand (Z. olera- ceuni) is greatly valued, as also are the Chinese Mustard [Sinapis Chiiiensis, Linn.), and the British Sea Kale {Crambc viaritiima, Linn.). The most useful species, however, for relishes, and nourishment as well, are the Turnip [Brassica Rapa, Linn.), and the Cabbage [B. oleracca, Linn.), with its numerous varieties by culti- vation, prominent among which stands the Cauliflower as var. Botiyfis, Dec.
History and Habitat. — White Mustard has as yet hardly become naturalized in this country from its European and Oriental haunts, but has escaped from cul- tivation here in many places, and grows the life of what is commonly known as a roadside weed.
The previous uses of the seeds of this plant are intimately connected with those of 5. nigra, as they are usually mixed in the preparation of Sinapis or mustard flour, which is used as an emetic, diuretic, stomachic, and gastro-intestinal stimu- lant ; and externally applied, wet with vinegar, as a rubefacient and vesicant. The power of vesication resides in the oil to a high degree. The unground seeds of this species have held a high place in former practice as a remedy in atonic dys- pepsia, and various kindred complaints where there appeared to be a torpid state of the alimentary tract, as they were known to increase peristaltic activity ; but the e.xhibition of the seeds proved dangerous, as they are liable to become im- pacted in the bowel and set up a fatal inflammation.
The seeds, though mentioned, have no ofificinal preparation in the U. S. Ph. ; in the Eclectic Materia Medica their use is as Cataplasma Sinapis.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The ripe seeds, prepared as noted under the next (Sinapis Nigra, p. 24-2), yield a tincture having a light, clear orange color by transmitted light; a sinapic odor and taste, biting and burning the tongue; and an acid reaction.
23-3
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— 5/;/^?/^/;/. C.,„H^N,S,0„, or Sidpho-sinapisin. This peculiar compound body, determined by Hill, may be obtained from the seed- cake, after removal of the fat oil, by boiling the cake in alcohol. Sinalbin results as clear, colorless, united, acicular crystals, fusing at 130° (266° F.), soluble in water and slightly in alcohol. In the presence of water and myrosin, this body breaks down into its components as follows :
Sinalbin .= Sulphocyanatc .\crinol -|- Siilpliate of Sinapine -- Sugar.
Q„H^N,S,0,„ = C3H,NS0 + C,„H.,NSO„ + C„H,,,0,,
The first of these resultants is proven to be the vesicating principle of the seed, though it does not pre-exist in them while dry.
Sinapine, Cjj.H.,.,NO-. — This volatile alkaloid too readily decomposes to be isolated except as a sulpho-cyanide ; when heated with baryta water it breaks down as follows :
Sinapine. Water. Sinapic Acid Choline.*
Q„H.,3N0, + (H.p).-, = QjHj.X), + QH,.NO,.
Oil of Mustard (mixed). — This yellow, fixed, fat oil, obtainable by pressure from the seed-meal, has a sp. gr. of .917-.920, thickens at -12° (10.4° F.), is not drying, and contains glyceroles of Erucic,f Sinapoleic,J and Behenic Acids.§ This oil is used largely to adulterate olive oil, as it has a great power of resisting rancidity.
Myrosin. — This emulsion-like body is obtained from the seeds of this species by treating them with water, evaporating the menstruum at 40° (104° F.) to a syrup, and precipitating with alcohol. The precipitate, dried by gentle heat, results as impure myrosin, which has not yet been isolated from the albumen that is inti- mately mixed with it.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— The essential oil of mustard (Sinalbin ?) is a virulent, irritant poison, causing, when ingested, severe burning, followed by in- creased heart's action, and, if pushed to extremes, loss of sensibility, paralysis, stupor, rigors, and death. When applied to the skin it causes almost immediate vesication, followed by deep ulceration hard to heal. The symptoms caused by small repeated doses of the ground seeds are, in abstract: Salivation, with yellow- coated tongue ; burning and scraping in the throat, followed by a sense of con- striction ; thirst; nausea and vomiting ; painful flatulence; burning and crawling in the rectum ; copious pasty stools ; dark-colored urine ; creeping chills, and inclination to sweat.
Description of Pl.\te 23. I. End of flowering branch, Salem, Mass., July 28th, 18S5.
2. Essential organs.
3. Pistil.
4. Anthers.
5. Silique.
6. Seed.
7. Longitudinal section of seed.
(2-7 enlarged. )
*^w. 7o«7-. /'//<7r., 1883, 551. t Or Brassic (Cj,H„Oj). • J Ca,H„Oj. g C„H„0,.
24.
Gltt.adnat.del.et pinxt.
SiNAPIS NiGRA,Li
N. OKD-CRUCIFER^. • 24
Tribe.-BRASSICE/E.
GENUS.— S I N A P I S ,* TOURN. SEX. SYST.— TETR.\DYNAM1.\ SILIQUOSA.
SINAPIS NIGRA.
BLACK MUSTARD.
SYN.-SINAPIS NIGRA, LINN.; BRASSICA NIGRA, BOISS. ; BRASSICA SINAPIOIDES, ROTH.
COM. NAMES.— BLACK MUSTARD, BROWN OR RED MUSTARD; (FR.) MOUTARDE NOIRE; (GER.) SCHWARZ SENP.
A TINCTURE OF THE RIPE SEEDS OF SINAPIS NIGRA, LINN.
Description. — This useful plant has become a troublesome weed in many parts of North America, (growing from 3 to 6 feet high. The rool is fusiform, thin and branching. The stem generally erect, smooth and numerously branched ; the lower leaves are either lyrate or lobed, the terminal lobe large, rough, and harsh to the touch, with two or more small lateral divisions or lobes at its base, the stem leaves are entire, lanceolate and smooth. The inflorescence is a dense head at first, extending as the fruits form into an elongated raceme, which con- tinues flowering at its top until frost checks the growth. The pods are smooth, about one-quarter inch long, upon appressed pedicels, and closely set to the elongated axis of the inflorescence, they are 4-angled, erect, and surmounted by the 4-angled, stout, persistent style. Valves 2, each i -nerved. Seeds 4 to 6 in each cell, they are spherical, or somewhat oval, of a dark, reddish-brown color, 25 of them in line would about equal an inch, and 50 would generally weigh i grain. The pitted reticulation of the outer coat is coarser, while the seeds themselves are smaller and more pungent than S. alba.
A description of the order and genus is incorjjorated in the description of Sinapis alba, 23.
History and Habitat. — Black Mustard is found wild over the whole extent of Europe, excepting its most northern latitudes, as well as the central part of Asia and in Northern Africa. It is quite extensively cultivated in Italy, Germany, and England, and fully naturalized in both North and South America, flowering in temperate regions from June to September. It was well known to the ancients as a medicinal agent, but not as a condiment until somewhat more modern times. The seeds, when ground, form a greenish-yellow powder, inodorous when dry,
"Zn-aTTi, siiiapi, turnip. Biasska or Sinnpis campeslris.
24-2
penetrating when moist, with at first a bitter, then extremely pungent taste, blis- tering the tongue. The seeds should be of a bright reddish-brown color, free from gray coating, this ashy film being the effect of dampness, during the ripen- ing, and a great detriment to the value and properties of the seed.
The fresh plants, soon after their appearance, while the leaves are yet young and tender, are used by the laity in many jjarts of this country as a pot-herb (" greens "). This relish is termed at that stage of its growth, sciu^y-grass, though the true Scurvy-grass is Sinapis ati^ensis {Brassica Sinapistrum) . The use of Sinapis nigra in the U. S. Ph. is simply as Charta Sinapis. In the Eclectic Materia Medica the use is the same, and both employ the volatile oil in Linini'nihofi Sinapis Compositum.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The ripe seeds are coarsely powdered and covered with five parts by weight of alcohol, poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place, being shaken twice a day. The tincture is separated by decanting, straining and filtering.
Thus prepared, it has a clear, greenish-yellow color by transmitted or reflected light, a sweetish, biting taste, afterward somewhat burning, and is neutral to litmus paper.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — Sinapisin ; this body exists (Simon) as an unsaponifiable fat, in the seeds of black mustard, from which it may be obtained by percolating the powdered seeds with alcohol of 94 per cent., evaporating the percolate, treating the residue with ether, again evaporating, treating with alcohol of 90 per cent, and filtering through animal charcoal. The impure crystals thus gained are to be dissolved in ether, from which they deposit on evaporation as snowy scales, soluble in alcohol, ether and oils. (Wittstein).
Sinigrin, — Q^^W^^Y^^'^^O^^, or potasso-niyronic acid, xs the principle peculiar to this species, from which it may be obtained as silky, needle-like crystals, soluble in alcohol and water. When acted upon by myrosin it breaks down, forming mustard oil, glucose, and KHSO^.
An analysis of three samples of black mustard farina, made by A. R. Leeds and E. Everhart, reported in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, 1881, p. 130, gave the following averages, each sample differing but very slightly from the others :
Moisture, . .
6.833
Myronate of potash (sinigrin).
.646
Sulphocyanide of sinapine (sinalbin),
11.123
Myrosin,
28.483
Mustard oil
29.208
Ash,
3-757
Cellulose (by difference), . . .
19.950
For a full description of erucic acid, sinapoleic acid, my7-osin, and fat-oil, which exist alike in both S. alba and .S. nigra, see 23.
24-3 PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — So far as I can determine, no specific toxic symptoms have been noted ; under S. alba I have given the general action of mustard without differentiation.
Description of Pi.atf. 24.
I. End of a branch in fruit and flower, Binghamton, N. Y., July 5, li
2. Outline of one of the lower leaves.
3. Fruit (enlarged)i
4. Pollen grains x 380.
25.
^m.
ailnatdei.etpinxl.
CaPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS , Moench:
N. ORD.-CRUCIFER/E. 25
Thbe.-LEPIDINE/E AND THLASPIDE/E.
GENUS.— CAPSELLA,* VENT.
SEX. SYST.— TETRADYNAMIA.
BURSA-PASTORIS.
SHEPlfERD'S PURSE.
SYN.— CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS, MCBN. ; THLASPI BURSA-PASTORIS,
LINN. COM. NAMES.— SHEPHERD'S PURSE; (FR.) BOURSE DE PASTEUR; (GER.)
HIRTENTASCHLEIN.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PL.ANT CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS, MCEN.
Description. — This intrusive little annual grows to a height of from 6 to 18 inches. Root tap-shaped. Stem erect, simple, or branching at the summit, smooth or sometimes pubescent. Leaves mostly rosulate at the root, pinnatifid or pinna- tifidly toothed; stem leaves sessile and partly clasping, more or less sagittate, toothed or in some cases entire, especially those at the base of the racemes. Inflorcsce7ice apparently a dense cluster at the summit of the stem, but as fruiting advances showing a racemose arrangement ; floivers minute, white ; pedicels long, especially in fruit. Sepals ovate, long-pointed, and having inserted about their middle a filamentous appendage. Petals spatulate. Anthers sagittate. Style short ; stigma capitate. Silicle obcordate triangular, flattened contrary to the septum ; valves 2, scaphoid, wingless. Seeds numerous ; cotyledons plane, incumbent. Read description of Crucifers under Sinapis alba, 23.
History and Habitat. — This European immigrant has become too thoroughly a nuisance as a weed about the cultivated lands of this country from Florida north- ward and westward, where it flowers from earliest spring to September.
This plant was formerly classed with the genus Thlaspi, from which it was removed on account of its wingless valves.
The Shepherd's Purse has been used in English domestic practice from early times, as an astringent in diarrhoea ; it was much used in decoction with milk to check active purgings in calves. Later its value here was much doubted, and other properties accorded it, especially those of a stimulating astringent and diuretic. It has been employed in fresh decoction in hematuria, hemorrhoids, diarrhoea and dysentery, and locally as a vulnerary in ecchymosis and as an appli- cation in rheumatic affections. The juice on cotton, inserted in the nostrils, was often used to check hemorrhage in epistaxis.
* Fro-n capsula, a pod.
t I use the specific name, which should always distinguish tliis plant in medicine, to avoid confusion in synonyms.
25-2
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh plant, gathered when the flowering season is about half completed and the fruits rapidly forming, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two-thirds by weight of alcohol is taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with the spirit and the whole pressed out in a piece of new linen. The tincture thus prepared has, after filtration, an orange- brown color by transmitted light, a peculiar odor, resembling decayed vegetation, a pungent taste, too like its odor, and an acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — Several partial analyses have been made of this plant, but none have resulted in the separation and determination of a pecu- liar principle. The general constituents of plants, and a volatile oil said to be identical with oil of mustard, as well as a fixed oil, have been determined.
Clinical Uses. — In the absence of provings of this drug, it has been found curative in various uterine hemorrhages, especially those with which uterine cramp and colic are associated; also in various passive hemorrhages from mucous sur- faces.* A thorough proving is greatly to be desired.
Description of Plate 25.
I. Whole of young plant above the radicle leaves, Binghamton, N. Y., May 24th, 1S85. 2, 3, 4. Forms of radicle leaves.
5. Flower.
6. Petal.
7. Pistil.
8. Stamen.
9. Silicle.
10. Open silicle, showing seeds.
* See Hale, New Kern., p. 625.
(^m.adnaf.deletpinxt RaPHANUS RaPHANI'STRUM, Linn.
N. ORD.-CRUCIFER^. 26
Tribe.-RAPHANE^.
GENUS. — RAPH ANUS,- LINN. SEX. SVST.— TKTKA1)VNAMI.\ SlI.IoU ).SA.
RAPHANUS.
RADISH.
SYN.— RAPHANUS RAPHANISTRUM, LINN.
COM. NAMES.-WILD RADISH, JOINTED CHARLOCK, CHARLOCK- (FR ) RAIFOOT, COMMUNE; (GER.) WILDE RETTIG.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH ROOT OF RAPHANUS RHAPHANISTRU.M, LINN.
Description. — This rapid-growing annual or biennial herb usually attains a height of from i to 2 feet. Root tap-shaped ; skin erect, glaucous, sparino-ly brisdy, and much branched below. Leaves lyrate, petiolate or sessile, dentate, and rough, the terminal lobe oval or obovate. Ca/yx erect, somewhat 2-saccate at the base. Petals at first yellow and veiny, becoming purplish or whitish with age, obovate and unguiculate. 5/c?;//£';/.s- distinct toothless. Style \ov\g\ .y/'/Vw^ capitate. Pod linear-oblong, terete upward, longer than the style, 2-jointed, indehiscent, and valveless ; the upper joint markedly necklace-form by strong contractions between the seeds ; the lower joint often seedless and stalk-like. Seeds 3 to 8, lan-'e and spherical ; cotyledons conduplicate and incumbent.
History and Habitat. — The Wild Radish grows profusely over the fields of Great Britain and Europe, and has become a troublesome weed in New Eno-land, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, from whence it is spreading westward. It blossoms in July and fruits in September.
The cultivated forms, R. sativjis, Linn., and its varieties, niger (Black Spanish), oblongus (Long Radish), and rotiindus (Globose Radish), supposed to be of Chi- nese origin, are well-known salad roots ; all of them have contributed more or less to our provings. Very litde and unpronounced use has been made in medicine of these forms, or of the wild plant. The seeds have proved emetic, and the root diuretic and laxative.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh, perfect roots, gathered when full formed, at about the time of llowering, 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.
* 'Pn, ra, quickly ; ^aiVw, phaino, to appear; from its rapid germination.
26-2
After thoroughly stirring the whole, it is poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place, shaking twice a day. The tinc- ture, after straining and filtering, has a clear yellow color by transmitted light ; an offensive odor, something like that of boiling cabbage ; a similar miserable taste ; and an acid reaction.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— The effects noted in people who have eaten too freely of radishes, and in others who took large quantities of the tincture, were substantially as follows : Mental excitement, followed by depression and anxiety ; confusion and vertigo with cephallagia ; stuffiness of the nostrils ; paleness of the face ; bitter taste in the mouth ; constriction of the oesophagus ; violent thirst ; nausea with violent pressure in the stomach; great distention of the abdomen, which became hard and tense, though painless, and no flatulence escaped ; numer- ous liquid diarrhoeic stools ; great desire to urinate, with greatly augmented quan- tity; great sexual excitement in women, coming on in paroxysms of great violence ; lancinating pains in the chest ; violent palpitation of the heart ; attacks of hysteria ; emaciation ; itching of the skin ; restlessness ; and chilliness followed by inclination to sweat.
Description of Plate 26.
Whole plant, Jamaica, L. I., July 29th, i<
2. A sepal and stamen.
3. Petal.
4. Pistil.
5. A ripe pod.
6. A section of a pod. (2-4 and 6 enlarged.)
27.
F I
.lU.ailnat.iJei.etpinxf.
Viola Tricolor , Linn.
N. ORD -VrOLACE^. 27
GENUS.— V I O L A,* LINN. SEX. SY.ST.— PEXT.WURI.'V MONOGYNIA.
VIOLA TRICOLOR (JACEA).
WILD PA^'SY.
SYN.— VIOLA TRICOLOR, LINN. ; VIOLA BICOLOR, PUBSH ; VIOLA TEN- ELLA, MUHL. ; VIOLA ARVENSIS, ELL. ; JACEA TRICOLOR, SIVE TRINITATIS, ETC., J. BAUH.
COM. NAMES.-PANSY, PANSIE, PANSEY, HEART'S-BASE, THREE COL- ORED VIOLET, TRINITY VIOLET, FIELD PANSY. WILD PANSY; (FR.) PENSEE; (GER.) STIEFMUTTERCHBN-KRAUT, FRBISAMKRAUT.'
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH PLANT VIOLA TRICOLOR, LIXN.
Description. — This beautiful little plant, belonging to the leafy-stemmed violets, springs from an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial, fusiform root. Slcm 3 to 8 inches high, angled, at first creeping, then erect, simple or branched, and leafy throughout; stipules w&ry IdLVge, herbaceous, lyrate-pinnatifid. Jnftoi'cscouc sewGraA smallish flowers on a terminal and axillary peduncle. Ca/yx with short auricles. Corolla with an obtuse, thick spur ; petals short clawed. Ovary partly concealed in the concave receptacle ; style somewhat conical, narrowing toward the o\ary ; stigma cup-shaped. Capsule smooth ; seeds oblong.
Description. — Violaceae and Viola. — The plants under this natural order and genus are low, caulescent or acaulescent, those with stems springing from annual or perennial roots, those without stems from scaly root-stocks. The leaves are alter- nate and petiolate, with leaf-like persistent stipules. In the stemless violets the scapes are axillary, solitary, and furnished with two bracts at the base. Inflorescejice a single, more or less irregular flower upon the incurved summit of the scape or peduncle ; many species having also radical apetalous or cryptopetalous, fertile summer flowers. Calyx herbaceous, persistent; sepals 5, often auriculate at the base, the odd one superior. Corolla irregular ; petals 5, somewhat unequal, hypogynous, alternate with the sepals, the superior one — which becomes inferior by the inversion of the scape — is saccate or spurred at the base, the two lower petals with an appendage at the base concealed in the spur. Stamens 5, hypogy- nous upon a ring-like or concave torus, alternate with the petals, closely surround- ing the ovary, and are sometimes slightly coherent into a ring or tube ; filamcnis very short and broad, projecting beyond the anther into a little persistent wing or tip, or sometimes obsolete. The two lower filaments, when present, are furnished
* Derivation Latin, obscure. t Herring's Condensed Materia Medica.
27-2
each with a little projection, concealed in the sac or spur of the lower petal ; ajithers adnata, 2-celled. the cells somewhat separated at the base, opening by a longitu- dinal introrse slit. Ovary sessile, ovoid, one-celled, with three parietal placenta: ; jA'/^ terminal, various, usually declined; stigma vd.now'i. Fruit an ovoid, crusta- ceous or papyraceous, t, valved, loculicidal capsule; seeds many, horizontal, and furnished with a distinct wart-like excrescence at the hilum, raphe apparent; albu- men fleshy ; embryo straight, situated in the axis.
This description essentially includes the two genera lonidiim {solea) and Viola of the northern United States ; in the tropics many plants of this order are shrubby. The genus lonidum contains the Brazilian Poaya da Praja [lonidum IpecacuaJiha, A. de St. H. ; /. Itubu, H B K. ; Iwla Jtubu, Aubl. ; Pombalia Jtubu, D C.) ; the Poaya do campo [lonidniii Poaya.) ; the Chimborazian CuichunchuUi {lonidum microphylhnii, H B K.) noted as a supposed specific for the " mal de San Lazaro " or Elephantiasis tuberculata; and the Chilian purgative Maytensillo {lonidum parviflormn, Linn.), the roots of which arc stated by Lindley to bear in appearance and properties a great similarity to Ipecacuanha.
History and Habitat. — The wild pansy has become naturalized in this country from Europe, growing here in dry, sandy soils, from New York westward to Illi- nois and southward, blossoming northward from April until the summer months. The varieties of this plant in cultivation are innumerable, affording some of the most beautiful of our garden-plants ; the principal changes in cultivation are in the size and colors of the flowers, varying, as they now do, from pure white to silver, gold, bronze, and jet-black, with admixtures in immense variety. The use of the pansy in medicine dates far back in ancient medication, the first real experimenta- tion with the plant is that of Starck in i 776, who wrote '■■ De a^usta lactea infantum ejusdemqiie rcniedis disscrtatio, etc." in that year; the provings substantiate this use of the plant and show it to be useful in other forms of impetigo. Its use in some forms of burrowing ulcers, tinea capitis and scabies is also sanctioned by the provings.
The plant is mentioned in the U. S. Ph. and the Eclectic Materia Medica.
Part Used and PreparatioTi. — The whole plant, gathered while in flower, should be chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed ; then two parts by weight of alcohol taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. The whole should be well mixed, poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand at least eight days in a dark, cool place.
The tincture, separated by filtering, should have an orange-brown color by transmitted light, a cucumber-like odor, rich, sweet taste, and strong acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — Violin;'^ this acrid, bitter principle, bearing in its properties a close resemblance to emctia:\ was extracted by Boullay from Viola adorata ; it is found also in Viola tricolor and var. arvensis as well as in
* Violia, Vhline. -j- Alkaloid of Ctphalis Ipecacuanha.
27-3
Viola pcdata. According to Wittstein it is a pale yellow, bitter powder, fusible,
and inflammable at greater heat ; it dissolves slightly in water and alcohol, and is
insoluble in ether.
Violaqueritrin, Q.H^^Oo^. This coloring-matter was discovered by Karl
Mandelin* in viola tricolor var. arvensis ; it forms a yellow crystalline mass, easily
soluble in alkalies, and hot water, crystallizing from the latter on cooling.
f OH Salicylic Acid, QH^ < p^ tt This acid, so far in its history, has been but
rarely extracted under its own form from plants ; the flowers of Spij'ca ti/iiiaria alone yielding itf Karl Mandelin, however, who has made careful analyses of viola tricolor, extracts the acid pure. He reports in his " Inaugural Dissertation" (Dorpat, 1881) a proportion of from .043 per cent, in cultivated plants, to .107 per cent, in var. arvetisis. He finds it in all parts of the fresh plant, and principally in tiie roots, stems and leaves.
Pectin, or vegetable jelly, Q.y^^f}.,^ (H^O)^. From the fact that a mixture of one part of the juice of this plant with ten parts water, will form a jelly-like mass, the presence of the above body or a very strong mucilage seems proven. This property has given various uses to llola as an expectorant, emollient, and infusion for coughs and bronchial affections.
Sugar, both crystallizable and uncrystallizable, shiIs of potassium, tartrate of magnesium, and other general constituents of plants have been determined.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — The emetic effect of some of the violets, due to the presence of violin, has been noted to some extent in this species. The most characteristic symptom of its action is an offensive odor of the urine, like that of the cat. The pains caused by this drug are of a stitching character, while its action seems spent almost entirely upon the skin, and the male sexual organs. On the skin it causes burning, stinging, and itching, followed by breaking down of the tissues into either squamous spots, or any grade of incrusted eruptions; the erup- tion pours out a thin yellow fluid. Boils, impetigo, especially crustea lactea, ichorous and burrowing ulcers, and zoster followed the exhibition of generous doses of this drug. On the genital organs of the male the prepuce becomes swollen, with stitching and burning pains in the glans and scrotum, the testicle becomes indurated, and venereal ulcers form ; stitchings are frequent in the urethra, followed by urging to urinate with profuse discharge.
Description of Plate 27.
I. Whole plant from Binghamton, N. Y., May 13, 1884.
2. Bud showing sepals.
3. Pistil (enlarged).
4. Discharged anther (enlarged).
5. Pollen X 380.
» Phar. Zeit.fiir Russland, 1883, pp. 329-334- ^m- Jour. Phar., 1883, p. 47°- t Low'g-
28.
nat.dei.et pjnxt.
HeLIANTHEMUM CANADENSE,Michx.
N. ORD -CISTACE^. 28
GENUS.— HE LI A NTH EMU M,* TOURN. SEX. SVST.— P01.VA\I)RI.\ MUXOGVNIA.
C I S T U S.
ROCK ROSE.
SYN. — HELIANTHEMUM CANADENSB, MICHX. ; H. RAMULIFLORUM, MICHX. ; H. ROSMARINIFOLIUM, PURSH. ; H. CORYMBOSUM, PURSH.; CISTUS CANADENSIS, LINN.; C. RAMULIFLORUM, POIR. ; LECHEA MAJOR, LINN; HETERAMBRIS CANADENSIS, SPACH. ; H. MICHAUXII, SPACH.
COM. NAMES. — ROCK ROSE.t FROST -WORT, FROST -PLANT. FROST- WEED, HOLLY ROSE; iFR.) HELIANTHEME DU CANADA; (GER.) CANADISCHES SONNENROSCHEN.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PL.VNT HELIANTHEMUM CANADENSE, MICHX.
Description. — This peculiar plant grows to a height of from 6 to i 2 inches. Slem at first simple, erect or ascending, somewhat hairy ; pjibescence stellate and fasciculate. Leaves sessile or nearly so, oblong lanceolate. Flowers of two sorts, both diurnal; Primary foj-ni : few or solitary, large, pedunculate; calyx hairy pubescent ; petals 5, obovate, fugacious, crumpled in the bud, erosely marginate ; staineiis indefinitely numerous; pod ova.te, shining, many-seeded ; Secondary /or/u: numerous, small, sessile, axillary, solitary or few-clustered upon short leafy branches ; sepals 5, the outer pair sometimes wanting ; petals very small or absent ; staviens 3 to 10; pod minute, hoary, 3- few-seeded. Style columnar or absent; stigma capitate, 3-lobed, fimbriolate. Fruit -a. i -celled, 3-valved capsule. 6'^i'rt' somewhat triangular ; testa rough ; embryo incurved in the form of a hook or ring.
There are two very distinct forms of this species, difterentiable as follows :
Early Flowering Form (Fig. ij. ', Later Flowering Form (Fig. 2).
Stems upright, branching, bright crimson, nearly Stem upright, less branched, purplish, covered
glaucous. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, light green. Primary flowers axillary solitary. Secondary flower-buds minute. Capsule of primary flowers nearly twite as large Capsule of primary flowers smaller.
as the later form.
with a downy pubescence. Leaves dark green. Primary flowers terminal clustered. Secondary flowers numerous, larger.
Cistaceae. — This small family of low shrubs or herbs is represented in North America by 3 genera and 1 7 species ; its members are characterized as follows :
* HXioj, helios, the sun; a.v9tnov, anthftnon, a flower.
t The true Rock Rose is C. Creticus, Linn., a native of Syria.
28-2
Leaves simple, mostly entire, the lower often opposite, the upper alternate ; stipules absent. Flowers regular. Calyx persistent ; sepals 5, the two outer often smaller, bract-like, or absent, the three inner twisted in the bud. Petals 3 to 5, twisted in an opposite direction to the sepals, fugacious. Stamens distinct, mostly indefinite, hypogynous ; filainents slender ; anthers short, innate. Ovtdcs few or many, stipi- tate, and furnished with an apical orifice ; style small or wanting. Fruit a i -celled capsule ; valves 3 to 5, each with a dissepiment attached to its median line and pla- cental at the axis. Seeds mostly orthotropous ; embryo long and slender, straightish or curved ; albumen mealy.
The only other plant of this order used in medicine is the European Rock Rose [Gstus Creticus, Linn.), from which the natural exudation, a gum resin called Ladanum, has been much esteemed as a stimulant, especially to mucous mem- branes, and as an emmenagogue. C. Ladanijcrous, Linn., C. Ledon, Lam., and C. Laurifolius, Linn., are said to yield the same substance.
History and Habitat. — Frost-wort is indigenous to North America, where it ranges from Maine to Wisconsin and thence southward ; it habits sandy soils, and flowers from April to August. In early winter the bark near the root fissures, and spicules of ice project from the rents ; this fact gave the plant its vulgarisms. Frost-wort, etc.
This plant has been long held in repute as a remedy for scrofula and tor many disorders arising in persons of strumous diatheses, especially, however, those diseases in such persons which have seemed to need an astringent, tonic, or alterative, such as diarrhoea, aphthous ulcerations, ulcers, ophthalmia, syphilis, and the like.
The preparation of the Eclectic Materia Medica is DccoctJiiii Hclianthciiu.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The whole fresh flowering plant is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alco- hol 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, separated from the mass by pressing and filtering, has a beauti- ful crimson color by transmitted light ; an odor resembling that of damp clover hay; a sourish, bitterish, and astringent taste, and an acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — No analysis of this species has, to our knowl- edge, been made; the tincture, however, would indicate a bitter principle, and probably tannin.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — When taken in large doses the decoction causes nausea and vomiting. Small doses persisted in cause the following train of symptoms: Headache; pressure and stitches in the eyes; swelling and dis- charge in the internal ear, and of the salivary and cervical glands ; swelling of the inner nose, and sneezing; soreness, dryness, and rawness of the tongue, mouth.
28-3 and throat ; abdominal tlatulcncc ; diarrhoea ; swelling and hardness of the mam- mae ; pains in the chest; articular drawing and tearing pains; itching vesicular eruption ; chilliness, heat and resdessness, with thirst and trembling during the fever.
Description ok Plate 28.
1. Early flowering form, with primary flower, June 15th, 1885.
2. Late flowering form, August ist, 1885, •'^alem, Mass.
3. Primary flower-bud.
4. Pistil and stamen.
5. Horizontal section of ovary.
6. Ovule.
7. Open fruit.
8. Seeds.
9. Section of seed. 10. Secondary bud.
(3-6 and 8-10 enlarged.)
r
f j^»
1 '
.TQ..iiinatiJel.et|tinxt
DROSERA ROTUNDIFOLIA.Linn.
N. ORD -DROSERACE^. 29
GENUS.— DROSERA,* LINN.
SEX. SYST.— PENTANDRIA I'ENTAGVNIA.
DROSERA.
SUJ^DEW.
SYN.— DROSERA ROTUNDIFOLIA, L. ; RORELLA ROTUNDIFOLIA, AND ROS SOLIS FOL. ROTUND. RAIL
COM. NAMES.— ROUND -LEAVED SUNDEW, RED-ROT, MOOR GRASS, YOUTH ROOT; (FR.) DROSE'RE A FEUILLES RONDES, ROSEE DU SOLEIL; tGER.) RUNDBLATTRIGBR SONNBNTHAU.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH PLANT, DROSERA ROTUNDIFOLIA, L.
Description. — This low, stemless, perennial herb is characterized as follows : Leaves orbicular, tufted, the upper surface covered with red, glandular, setose hairs, each bearing a pellucid globule of glutinous fluid at its apex ; petioles long, hairy, and spreading ; stipules replaced by a fringy tuft of hairs. Scapes naked, i to 3 from each root; mflorescence a terminal, unilateral, at first circinate then nodding raceme which becomes gradually erect as the buds expand and fruits ripen ; thus each flower as it opens appears terminal. Flowers 5 to lo, white, diurnal, opening only in sunshine, the parts sometimes in sixes. Petals oblong, styles gene-rally 3, deeply forked ; stigmas 6, situated upon the inner face of the club shaped apex of each fork. Pod globular, 3— valved ; seeds numerous, fusiform, arranged in 2 to 5 rows along the placentiferous median line of each valve, testa loose, arllliform and chaffy.
Droseraceae. — The members of this small family of bog plants are known mainly by their being mostly clothed with gland-bearing hairs. Leaves clustered at the base of the scape, or alternate, petiolate, circinate in the bud. Flowers hypogynous ; calyx composed of 5 equal and persistent sepals; corolla of 5 equal and regular, marcescent petals, convolute in the bud. Stamefis equaling in num- ber the petals and alternate with them ; anthers innate, extrorse. Styles 3 to 5 gen- erally distinct, undivided, bifurcated or two-lobed, at the apex. Fruit 3. i -celled 3 to 5-valved, loculicidal capsule ; placenta thick at the base of the pod, or merely a line on each valve ; seeds numerous, anatropous ; albumen sarcous or cartilagi- nous; embryo basal, minute.
The species under consideration is the only one used in medicine. The North Carolinian fly-trap {Dionea muscipula, Ellis) has furnished material for the study of carnivority in plants ; the sundew has also been experimented upon in this
* Jponcpis, droseros, dewy ; in allusion to the appearance of the leaves.
29-2
reo-ard, but as yet the results are far from . proving it carnivorous per se, though the plants allowed insects as " food " appear to flourish better and ripen more seeds than those deprived of that nourishment.*
History and Habitat. — The sundew grows in dense sphagnum or sandy swamps in England and America. Its range here extends from Florida northward, most common north, where it blossoms in June and July.
The previous uses of this plant in medicine have been but slight; it was sup- posed in the sixteenth century to be curative of consumption ; of this quality, how- ever, Gerarde says : " The later physitians have thought this herbe to be a rare and singular remedie for all those that be in a consumption of the lungs, and especially the distilled water thereof ; for, as the best doth keep and hold fast the moisture and the dew, and so fast that the extreme heate of the sun cannot con- sume and waste away the same ; so, likewise, men thought that herewith the naturale and heate in men's bodies is preserved and cherished. But the use thereof doth otherwise teach, and reason showeth the contrarie ; for, seeing it is an extreme biting herbe, and that the distilled water is not altogether without this biting qualitie, it cannot be taken with safetie : for it hath also been observed that they have sooner perished that used the distilled water hereof, than those that abstained from it and have followed the right and ordinary course of diet." Geoffroi assertsf that its infusion is a valuable pectoral, useful in pulmonary ulceration and in asthma. Rafinesque saysj the juice is used " to destroy warts and corns ; with milk, for freckles and sunburns. It makes milk solid, but sour like bonyclabber, liked in Sweden. Deemed pectoral in South America, a sirup used in asthma." Many medical writers, among them Schenck and Valentin, recommend its use in "different kinds" of coughs, arising from bronchial attacks, phthisis, and other diseases of the lungs. A fit summary of all this practice may be found in Hahnemann's observations. " Drosera is one of the most powerful medicinal agents in our country. It was formerly used externally, but without success, in cutaneous affections, and it seems to have been taken with greater advantage internally. Modern practitioners who, according to custom, have tried only large doses, have not ventured upon giving it internally, fearing to kill their patients, and have therefore rejected it."
No preparations of Drosera are officinal either in the U. S. Ph. or Eclectic Materia Medica.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The entire fresh plant gathered in July should be chopped and pounded to a pulp, enclosed in a piece of new linen and pressed out. The juice should then be added to an equal part by weight of alcohol, thoroughly mixed and allowed to stand eight days in a well-stoppered bottle in a dark, cool place. The tincture separated from the above mass by
* Busgen, your. Chem. Soc, 1884, p. 917. A more extended discussion of this subject will be found under Sar- racenia, 19.
t Mtr. et de L. Diet, de M. Med., II., p. 699. X Med. Flora, II., p. 217.
29-3
filtration should be opaque, and present in thin layers a reddish-brown color, have an acrid, astringent taste, and an acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— ^/z>aW«, C,,H,0/= (C,„HP3 + H,0 or Cj^HjgOJ.f This dioxyanthroquinone coloring matter was first discovered in Madder root {Rubia titu/oria), as a glucoside J It crystallizes from its solution in alcohol in long, lustrous, translucent, yellowish-red, neutral and bitter prisms, containing three molecules of water, which it loses at ioo°-i20° (2i2°-248° F.). It sublimates at 215° (419° F.), in brilliant red needles that are only slighdy soluble in water, but fully in alcohol and ether. (Wittstein.)
The plant is acrid and corrosive, but the principle to which this property is due has not, as far as I can determine, been investigated. Rafinesque states that the glutinous secretion of the leaf hairs is acid ; this may be a similar body to that which renders the water in the leaves of the pitcher-plant acid.§
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— Drosera has long been deemed poisonous to animals, especially sheep ; in the latter its action was mostly supposed to be upon the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract. Dr. Curie slowly poisoned three cats with daily doses of the drug;|| the post-mortem examination with the micro- scope revealed the pleural surface of both lungs studded with true tubercle. In one cat the mesenteric glands were much enlarged; in another the submaxillary glands, with the solitary glands of the colon and Peyer's patches. Burdach states that in man the juice produces shuddering, sense of constriction at the chest, raw- ness in the throat, cough, haemoptysis, pain in the bowels, diarrhoea, sweat, and diminished secretion of urine. The cough caused by this drug arises from a tick- ling in the larynx ; it is spasmodic in its nature and causes vomiting if the stomach contains food.
Drosera asserts altogether a peculiar action upon the lungs and, in fact, the whole respiratory tract, thus leading us to value it deservingly in pertussis, bron- chial irritation and even phthisis, where in fact it gives many a patient a restful night and more peaceful day when the disease is too far advanced for still greater benefit.
Description of Plate 29.
I. Whole plant from Spruce Pond, N. Y., July 21st, 1884.
2. Stamen.
3. Pistil.
4. Leaf hair.
(2-4 enlarged.)
* Grieb et Lieb. f Schunck. % Rubianic acid. g Sarracenia purpurea, 19.
II French Acad. Sci., British your. Horn., xx., 39.
30.
]'<A^
(p'm.
ad naf.dei.et pinxt.
Hypericum Perforatum, unn.
N. ORD-HYPERICACE^. 30
GKNLS.— H YPERICUM,' LINN. SEX. SVST. — roLV.\l>KI.I'III.\ r(»LV.\\[)KI.\.
HYPERICUM.
.ST. JOIf.¥'S WORT.
SYN. — HYPERICUM PERFORATUM, LINN.; H. VULGARB, BAUH. ; H.
PSBUDOPERFORATUM, BERTOL. COM. NAMES. -ST. JOHN'S WORT, GOD'S WONDER PLANT, DEVIL'S
SCOURGE, WITCHES' HERB; (FR.) HERBE ST. JEAN, CHASSE DIABLE,
MILLS -PERTUIS; ^GBR.) JOHANNISKRAUT, HARTHEU, HEXEN-
KRAUT.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE PLANT HYPERICUM PERFOR.\TUM, LINN.
Description. — This rapidly-spreading perennial grows to a height of a foot or more. S^cm erect, somewhat two-edged, much branched at the summit and pro- ducing many long runners from its base. Z^^r'^.y elliptical to linear oblong, obtuse, and punctate with numerous scattered pellucid dots. Inflorescence in a dense, ter- minal, leafy cyme ; floi^'ers numerous, deep yellow. Calyx erect ; sepals lanceolate, acute. Petals twice as long as the sepals, black-dotted along the edges, margins unequal. Stamens numerous, in 3 to 5 clusters ; filainents filiform ; anthers black- dotted. Styles 3-divergent. Fruit a globose-ovoid capsule, 3-celled by the meeting of the placentae in the axis ; seeds pitted.
Hypericaceae. — This family of herbs or shrubs is represented in North America by 3 genera, containing in all 39 species and 6 varieties. Leaves opposite, entire, dotted ; stipules none. Inflorescoice cymose ; flowers regular, hypogynous. Sepals 5, nearly equal, sometimes united at the base, persistent, and imbricated in the bud. Petals 5, alternate with the sepals, deciduous, oblique, convolute or imbricated in the bud. Stamens mostly numerous, united or clustered, and not furnished with inter- posed glands ; anthers introrse, fi.xed by the middle. Ovules anatropous ; styles 2 to 5, persistent; stigmas hardly evident, capitate. Fruit a i - to 5-celled pod; dehiscence septicidal ; valves 2 to 5. Seeds numerous, usually c)'lindrical ; embryo straight ; albumen none ; tegmen fleshy.
The only plants of this order used in general medicine are: The Isle of France Hypericum lanceolatum, which is considered specific for syphilis by the natives ; the Brazilian H. connatum, used as an astringent in sore throat; //. laxiuscidum, considered ale.xiteric ; and some Russian species, which are vaunted as cures for hydrophobia. The European Androscstnmn ^j/^m/rt/^, All., is vulnerary ; and the Guiana P'isnia Guiancjisis, Pers., yields a purgative juice, greatly resembling gamboge.
* The ancient name, of unknown derivation.
30-2
History and Habitat. — This European immigrant has become so thoroughly naturaHzecl with us as to become a very troublesome weed upon our farm-lands, where its rapid and rank growth render it difficult to exterminate and very ex- hausting to the soil. It flowers in July and August, and fruits a little later.
Hypericum is mentioned by some of the earliest writers upon Materia Medica as a febrifuge and anthelmintic. Paul of ^gina speaks of it as an emmenagogue, and as being desiccative_ and diuretic ; also as a vulnerary. Galen, Dioscorides and others recommend its use as above. Gerarde says, in his Ha-ball : " S. John's Wort, with his flowers and seed boyled and drunken, provoketh urine, and is right good against stone in the bladder, and stoppeth the laske. The leaves, flowers, and seeds stamped, and put into a glass with oyle olive, and set in the hot sunne for certain weeks together, and then strained from these herbes, and the like quan- tity of new put In, and sunned in like manner, doth make an oyle of the colour of blood, which is a most precious remedy for deep wounds and those that are thorow the body, for sinews that are pricked, or any wound with a venomed weapon." The popular and empirical uses of this plant were various, depending in great part upon its balsamic odor and property. Among the more superstitious peas- antry of Middle Europe the most astonishing virtues were assigned to the herb; it became in fact with them a /}/£n danwn7un, and was gathered under this idea, especially on St. John's Day. It was also supposed to be useful in mania, hys- teria, and hypochondriasis. Later on, especially in Eclectic practice, it became noted as a diuretic, astringent, nervine, and anti-hemorrhagic, but is thrown aside by the so-called " regulars," whose latest author (our contemporary. Dr. Johnson) says:* "In scientific medicine it has become obsolete long ago. One author of comparatively recent date considers 'the saturated tincture nearly as valuable as that of arnica for bruises, etc' As tincture of arnica, however, apart from the alco- hol which it contains, is of doubtful efficacy in these cases, the above statement does not tend to inspire faith in St. John's Wort." This, my reader, is one of the deductions ot " scientific medicine."
The great use of Hypericum in wounds where the nerves are involved to any extent is the rightful discovery of the true science of medicine. Dr. Franklin, who had ample field to test it during the war, says : " Lacerated wounds of parts rich in nerves yield nicely to this drug." Many cases of injury to the cranium and spinal column are reported benefited by its use ; and every homoeopathic phy- sician of at least three months' practice can attest to its merits. It is to the ner- vous system what arnica is to the muscular.
Hypericum is no longer officinal in the pharmacopoeias. In the Eclectic Materia Medica its preparation is Infnsinu Hypcrici.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The fresh blossoming 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 well, pour it into a closely-stop- pered bottle, and let it stand eight days in a dark, cool place.
* Med. Bet. of North America, Wood's Library, Dec, 1884.
30-3 The tincture, separated from this mass by filtration, should have a deep crim- son color, almost opaque ; an odor resembling that of port wine ; a slightly astrin- gent vinous taste ; and an acid reaction.
CHEMICAL OONSITUENTS.— (9A7/W Hypcria. This body is a product of the apparently black dots upon the petals and fruits. It gives a beautiful red color to alcohol and essential oils. This oil is doubdess one of the active prin- ciples of the plant. A resin, acrid and slighdy bitter, however, is one of the most active, if not the active, principle. The Tilden analysis''' yields a " Bitter jjrinciple," which does not appear as a result in the analyses of Blairf or Buchner.
Tannin, and the usual plant constituents, have also been determined.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— The compiled results of the ingestion of this drug are in substance as follows : Mental depression and exhaustion ; vertigo and confusion of the head with pain, heat, and throbbing ; dilation of the pupils ; nau- sea; profuse urination ; dry, hacking cough ; increased heart's action ; numbness, weakness, and trembling of the legs ; tearing pains in the upper extremities ; great weakness and prostration ; fuzzy feeling of the hands ; restless sleep ; shiverings and coldness of the body followed by dry heat.
Description of Plate 30.
I and 2. Whole plant, Bingliamton. N. Y.. July 7th, 18S5. 3 and 4. Stamens.
5. Pistil.
6. Section of ovary.
7. Leaf. S. Petal.
(3-6 enlarged.)
Jour. Mat. Med., N. S., i, 232. t ■^'■"- Jour. P/inr., xi, 23.
natdei.etpinxt.
AGROSTEMMA GiTHAGO.Linn
N. ORD -CARYOPHYLLACE^. 31
Tribe.-SILENE^.
GENUS— LYCHNIS,* TOURN. SEX. SYST.— DECANDRIA I'ENTAGVNIA.
AGROSTEMMA GITHAGO.
CORM COCKLE.
SYN.— LYCHNIS GITHAGO, LAM. ; AGROSTEMMA GITHAGO.t LINN.
COM. NAMES.— CORN COCKLE, COCKLE OR COCKEL, ROSE CAMPION; (FR.) LA NIELLE DES BLE'S, L'IVRAIE ; (GBR.) GEMEINE RADE, KORN RADE.
A TINCTURE OF THE RIPE SEEDS OF LYCHNIS GITHAGO, L.'^M.
Description. — This softly pubescent annual, a pernicious emigrant, grows to a heig-ht of from i to ^ feet. Stem erect, dichotomous; leaves linear-lanceolate, acute, covered with a whitish cottony down ; stipules none ; pubescence consisting of long appressed cilia. Injloi'escence solitary, axillary and terminal, long-peduncled flowers. Calyx cylindrical-campanulate, pubescent; and naked as regards bracts ; lobes 5, linear-lanceolate, foliaceous, deciduous. Petals obovate, emarginate, crownless, slender-clawed, shorter than the lobes of the calyx. Stamens 10. Ovary stipe- less ; styles 5, or rarely 4. Fruit a i-celled coriacious capsule, opening by 8 or 10 teeth; seeds numerous, velvety black, reniform, muricately roughened in longitu- dinal concentric curved lines from the hilum.
CaryophyllacesB. — Stems usually enlarged at the nodes ; leaves opposite, entire, often united at the base, the upper sometimes alternate. Flowers sym- metrical, 4- to 5-merous ; sepals 4 to 5, distinct or cohering, persistent, continuous with the peduncle ; petals 4 to 5 or none, hypogynous or perigynous, the latter clawless, the former unguiculate, inserted upon the peduncle of the ovary, they are sometimes deeply notched, sometimes simply emarginate, and in a few species split through their whole length. Stamens not more than twice the number of the petals, in many species equal in number with the sepals and opposite them; fila- ments subulate, sometimes monadelphous at the base, inserted witli the petals upon the peduncle of the ovary; anthers versatile or innate, introrse, 2-celled, opening longitudinally. Ovary generally gynophorous, composed of from 2 to 5 confluent carpels; styles 2 to 5, rarely one by cohesion, filiform, stigmatic down the inner
* hixnoi, lychnos, a lamp; from the use of the cottony substance on the leaves of some spices in lieu of wicks.
f Git or gith, the name of certain black aromatic grains, \vhich were employed by the Romans in cookery. These grains are the seeds of the European fennel flower (A'4r//« sativa, Linn.); and bear little resemblance to those of the cockle except in size and color.
31-2
face. Fruit a coriaceous capsule, 2- to 5-valved and -celled, or more commonly I -celled by the wasting away of the dissepiments; placenta central and generally free ; dehiscence loculicidal, or more commonly terminal by the splitting of the apex into twice as many teeth as there are styles. Seeds generally indefinite, inserted upon, and clustered about, the base of the central placenta, amphitropous or cam- pylotropous ; embryo external to the albumen and generally coiled around it, or in Dianthus nearly straight ; albumen farinaceous.
The usefulness of this family of more or less mild plants lies mostly in the principle saponin found in many of its species, but especially prominent in two, viz.: the European soapwort [Saponaria officinalis, Linn.), and the Spanish fleshy- leaved Gypsophila [Gypsophila Struthiiim, Linn.). This substance is detergent and often used alone and in the composition of soap. The plants in which this prin- ciple exists are deemed nearly equal to Sarsaparilla as cleansers of the blood in syphilis and similar affections when the skin is involved ; pai'illin, the active prin- ciple of sarsaparilla, being similar in its properties to saponin. Several species of the genus Silene are considered to be anthelmintics, some measure of success having followed the use of the Fire pink (Silene Virginiaca, Linn.).* Many species of pinks (Dianthus) were formerly used and esteemed as astringents and sudorifics, and one species, Dianthus pluniarius, us(;ful in epilepsy, but all have fallen into disuse, their petals now only being utilized as a coloring matter for ointments and perfumes.
History and Habitat. — The cockle was introduced into this country with grain from Europe, and is very seldom to be found growing elsewhere than in a field of wheat. It blossoms and ripens its seed in good season for the harvest, thus mixing well with the grain. The seeds are so small that they are only with difficulty separated, and when left and ground with the wheat render the resulting flour dark-colored, unwholesome, bitter, and in some cases poisonous, as will be noted hereafter.
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The ripe, dried seeds are broken into a coarse powder and weighed. Then five parts by weight of alcohol are poured upon the powder, and the whole allowed to stand eight days in a well-stoppered bottle, in a dark, cool place, shaking thoroughly twice a day. The tincture separated from this mass by filtration should be of a clear, light bistre color by transmitted light ; its odor is strangely similar to the taste of the sweet acorn ; its taste like its odor, and also somewhat acrid ; and its reaction strongly acid.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — ^^ro^/^;«;«/«. — I am unable to find the authority for this body, which Wittstein says is an "alkaloid alleged to exist in the seeds of Lychnis Githago. It is obtained by extracting with alcohol of 40 per cent, containing acetic acid, and by precipitating with calcined magnesia. The precipi- tate to be treated with alcohol and left to crystallize. It results as yellowish-white,
* Barton Collections, vol. i, p. 39.
31-3
minute scales, fusible by heat and slowly soluble in water. It has a perceptibly alkaline reaction and yields crystallizable salts with acids."
Githagin. — Specific saponin, described under Aesculus Hippocastanum, page 43-4.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION — The seeds of the cockle are said to be fre- quendy allowed to adulterate the cheaper grades of flour in France, being inten- tionally ground with the wheat. Two 500 gram. (14^ oz.) lots of wheat flour, containing respectively 30 and 45 per cent, of these seeds, administered to two calves, caused severe cramps in the stomach within an hour, followed by diarrhoea, and finally death. Ducks and geese will eat of the seeds, but suffer death as above, and show post-mortem severe inflammation of the bowels.* In feeding my chickens " wheat screenings " I have often noted that they always carefully avoid the cockle seeds; not even the young chicks will pick up a single seed.
The following symptoms are noted by Dr. Allen ;f they were observed from eating bread made of flour contaminated by cockle seed : Coma, in some cases ; vertigo ; headache with a sensation of heat and burning rising into the vertex ; mouth hot and dry ; nausea, sour and bitter vomiting ; burning, extending along the oesophagus, from the stomach into the throat ; cutting pains in the stomach ; diar- rhoea, with tenesmus and burning in the bowels and rectum ; pulse at first small and rapid, then tense, hard, and slower ; hot skin ; tearing along the spine with impaired locomotion, and difficulty in maintaining an erect position. These symp- toms class the seeds among the cerebro-spinal irritants.
Description of Plate 31.
1. End of a flowering branch, Ithaca, N. Y., June 13th, 18S0.
2. Pistil.
3. Flower.
4. Seed, X 25.
(2 and 3 enlarged.)
* Ant. Jour. Phar., 1879, p. 129; from Arch. d. Phanii., 1S79, p. t Ency. Pure Mat. Med., vol. i, p. 132.
32.
1/ 4
^m.
41^1 /
r
iilnatdei.etpinxt.
Geranium Maculatum Unn.
N. ORD.-GERANIACE^. 32
GENUS.— G E R A N I U M,* LINN. SEX. .SYST.— MONADKI,riII.\ UL:CANDRI.\.
GERANIUM MACULATUM.
WILD GERAJsriUM.
SYN.— GERANIUM MACULATUM, LINN.
COM. NAMES.— WILD GERANIUM OR CRANESBILL, SPOTTED GERANIUM OR CRANESBILL, CROWFOOT.t ALUM-ROOT, TORMENTIL, STORK- BILL; (FR.) BEC DE GRUB; (GER.) GEFLECKTBR 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, hair)', 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. Stipules lanceolate. Inflorescence a terminal open panicle; pedicels ?Lho\\X. one inch long, from one to two sometimes three flowered ; flowers large and showy. Sepals equal, cuspidate, persistent, villous. Petals equal, entire, bearded upon the claw. Stamens 10, unequal, the longer 5 alternate with the petals, and furnished each with a basal gland \ filaments slightly hairy at the base ; anthers per- fect on all the filaments. Style terminal, persistent, smooth inside. (This is notice- able in the fruit after their cleavage from the axis.) S:ecls minutely reticulate.
GERANIACE.^. — This order, having a position between Zygophyllaccce and Rutacecv, is characterized by generally strong-scented herbs or shrubs, having as- tringent roots ; leaves palmately veined and usually lobed ; flowers symmetrical. (Exc. Impaticns and Tropceohim.) Calyx of 5 persistent sepals, imbricated in the bud; corolla of 5 petals, furnished with claws, mostly convolute in the bud; sta- mens 10, in two rows, the outer often sterile; filaments broad and united at the base; styles 5, connected about an axis; stigmas 5, separate; ^:'«;j 5-carpelcd, each carpel containing from i 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 : Erodiuni, Flwrkca, Geranium, Impatiens, Limnanthcs, and Oxalis. There are two particularly interesting genera besides the above, viz., Pelargonitmi, to which belong our cultivated geraniums, introduced from the Cape
* Tifa ot,geranos, a crane; the styles bearing resemblance to a crane's bill. I More applicable froin usage to the Raniiniula!.
32-2
of Good Hope, and Tropceo'.um, containing the garden nasturtium. Of this order
our only proven plants are the one under consideration and Oxalis stricta, Linn.*
History and Habitat. — The wild geranium grows lu.xuriantly 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 aphthae, passive hemorrhage, leucorrhoea, 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 Exlractum Geranii Fluidnm, and in the Eclectic Materia Medica as Extracliini Gcraiiii.
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, shoukl have a deep reddish- brown color by transrtiitted light, a bweet 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.-j-
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— An analysis by Dr. Bigelow in 1833 corrobo- rated Staples' determination of tannin In quite large percentage, and oallic acid. The gallic acid in his hands differed somewhat Irom that body as extracted from galls.
Messrs. Tilden (1863) J determined beside the above : tivo resins, one soluble in alcohol, the other in ether; an oleo-resin soluble in ether; gum, pectin, starch, sugar, and the usual plant constituents.
Dr. Staples (i8:29)§ 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 Acidiun Tannicum, which should be studied in this connection.
Description of Plate 32.
I. Whole plant (once reduced), with a portion of the stem removed ; I'amrapo, N. J., May 21st, 1S79.
2. Flower.
3. Pistil and calyx.
4. Ovary.
5. Fruit (once reduced).
* Author's proving. See Trans. Horn. Med. Sac. Staff N. K, Vol. XIX, 1S84, p. 136.
t .^ better method of preparing the tincture, should Iw l)y usinij dilute alcohol.
X .Am. Jour. Pilar., 1863, p. 22. I Jaitr. Phil. Col. Pilar., i, p. 171.
^Xa.adnatdeletpinxt XaNTHOXYLUM AmERICANUM, Mill.
N. ORD.-RUTACE^. 33
(; KNUS.— X A N T H O X Y L U M ,* GOLDEN.
SEX. SVST.— DI()i:CI.\ TENTANDKIA.
XANTHOXYLUM.
PRICKLY ASH.
SYN. — XANTHOXYLUM AMERICANUM. MILL.; X. CLAVA-HERCULIS, LAM. (Not LINN.); X. FRAXINBUM, AND MITE, WILLD. ; X. FRAX- INIFOLIUM, MARSH. (Not WALT.l; X. RAMIFLORUM, MICHX. ; X. TRICARPUM, HOOK. (Not MICHX. ) ; THYLAX FRAXINEUM. RAP.
COM. NAMES.— NORTHERN PRICKLY ASH.t TOOTHACHE TREE, PELLI- TORY.t YELLOW WOOD,? SUTERBERRY, ANGELICA TREE ; 1| (FR.) PRBNE E'PINEAUX; (GER.) ZAHNWEHOLZ.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH B.\RK 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. Baj-k grayish, smooth, white maculate, and slighdy warty; branches 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 ; leaves alternate, pinnately compound ; leaflets 4 to 5 pairs and an odd one, ovate-oblong, acute, entire or glandularly serrate, nearly sessile, the under surface downy when young; petiole often prickly on the upper side. Inflor- escence sessile umbellate clusters axillary to the yet undeveloped branchlets ; floivers yellowish-green, polygamo-dioecious, appearing before the leaves ; pei-fect floivers with 3 pistils, sterile flowers with rudimentary, abortive, gland-like ova- ries, fertile floiuers with 5 fruiting pistils. Calyx none. Petals 5, oblong, blunt, with a glandularly fibrillate border and somewhat inflated base. Stamens 5, exserted, alternate with the petals and inserted upon the torus; anthers innate, sagittate, 4- celled. Pistils 3 or 5 ; styles exserted, slender, somewhat intertwined, connivant, or sometimes united at the apex ; stigfnas capitate or obtuse. Ovaries distinct i- celled. Fruit reddish-green, short-stalked, fleshy, pitted, 2-valved pods ; seeds oval, blackish, one to each pod, suspended.
Rutaceae. — A large family of herbs, shrubs and trees inhabiting chiefly the Southern hemisphere. Leaves simple or compund, pellucid-dotted and rich in a pungent or bitter and aromatic oil ; stipules none. Flowers by abortion dioecious
* Sa^fliS,-, xanthos, yellow ; \i\ov, xylon, wood.
f The Southern Prickly Ash is X Caroliiiianum, Lam.
% The true Pellilories are the African Anacycltis pyrtlhrum, D. C. (Composit.-v), and various European and the American species of the genus Parietaria (Urticacecv).
J The true yellow-wood with us is Cladrastris tinctoria, Raf. (Leguminosx).
II The true Angelica tree, so often confounded with the prickly ash from its slightly similar effects, is Aralia spi- ttosa, Linn. (AraliaceDe).
33-2
or polygamous, usually regular and hypogynous; calyx 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. Pistils 2 to 5, separate or combined into a com- pound ovary of as many cells, gynophorus or raised on a glandular torus ; styles generally united or cohering, even when the ovaries are separate. Fruit mostly capsular, sometimes drupaceous, and baccate ; seeds few, anatropous and pendulus ; testa smooth, shiny, or crustaceous ; embryo large, curved or straight ; albumen sar- cous, generally enclosing the embryo ; cotyledons oval, flat.
This large order now contains, beside the typical Rutacese, the formerly sepa- rate families Xanthoxylacese and Aurantiaceae, 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 pennatif alius. Lam. ; the following febri- fuges : the ^rdizWidin Evodia febrifuga, Ticorea jasminifolia,z.x\d. T./ebriftiga,2i\\ of St. Hil. ; and the European Bastard Dittany {Dictamnus /raxinella, Linn.). Next our attention is brought to the Auraiiticccs, the latest addition to the order, where we find the following well-known fruits: the Bitter or Saville Orange {Citrus Vul- garis, Risso.), supposed to be the original of the Sweet or China Orange {Citrus Aurantium, Linn.), which cannot be said to be ever found in a really wild state; the source of the Oil of Bergamot {Citrus Bergamina, Risso.), supposed to be either a variety of the orange, or lemon, or a hybrid ; the Citron {Citrus Medica, Risso.), its wild state growing in the mountainous northern district of India ; the Limes {Citrus acida, Roxb., C. Ltmiina, and C. Limetta, Risso.) ; and finally the Indian astringent Bael {Aegle Marmelos, Correa, Cra'.cEva 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- thoxylacece 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 X. Clava-Herculis, Linn. ; the Bengalese A'. Alatum, Roxb. ; and the Japanese X. piperita, D. C. ; the astringent tonics Brucea Sumatrana, Roxb., and the Abyssinian B. antidysenterica. Mill., the Indian Toddalia aculeata, Pers., and the African sub-astringent Lopez- root T. 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. Caribceum, Lam. {X. Floridanum, Nutt.) ; and X. Pterota, H.B.K.
Xanthoxylum was an article of American aboriginal medicine called Hantola ;
33-3
the Western tribes used principally the bark of the root in decoction, for colics, gonorrhoea, and rheumatism ; chewed for aching teeth ; and made into a 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 :f "In tympanitis one half to one drachm of the tincture may be given per ons, in a little sweetened water, and repeated hourly, and the same amount used as an enema. The action is usually prompt and permanent. In Asiatic cholera, during 1S49 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, I 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 Extractuin Xanthoxyli Fhiidum ; and in the Eclectic Materia Medica its preparations are: Enema Xanthoxyli; ExtracUun Xanthoxyli Fluidimi ; Oleoresina Xanthoxyli ; Tinciura Xanthoxyli ; Tinctura Laricis Composita.\
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh bark, together with that of the root, is ground to a 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.— .Yrt«/'//fl-t:j'//«. This body, extracted by Dr. Staples from the bark, and so named, has been determined to be berberin.\
* Rafinesque, Med. Flora. 2, p. 115.
t Co//f^e Jour., March, 1856; quoted l.y Miller in The Jour, of Mat. Med., Vol. Ill, N. S., 1861. 9. X Tamarac bark, Juniper berries, Prickly Ash bark, Wild Cherry bark, Seneca Snake-root, Tansy, Whiskey, Molasses, and Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Podophyllum. \ See under Berberis, p. 16-2.
33-4
Oil of Xanlhoxyhim — 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 piperi- tum, which contains :
Xanthoxylen or Xantlwxylene, Cj„ Hj,., is the colorless watery liquid part of the volatile oil. It has a pleasant aromatic odor, and great refracting power ; it boils at t62° (324° F.).
Xanthoxylin, Q^ H,,^ Og. This crystallizable product of the volatile oil which may be extracted after the oil is freed from Xanthoxylene by distillation at 1 30° (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 {et supra, IViifsfein.)
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.
I. End of a flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., May Sth, 1S84.
2. End of fruiting brancli.
3. Sterile flower. 4-5. Fertile flowers.
5. Longitudinal section of a tri-pistillate flower. (2-5 enlarged.)
* Allen, Emj. Pure. Mat. Med., X, p. 169.
^Tll.adnaf.del.etpinxt.
Ptelea Trifoliata,Li
N. ORD -RUTACE^. 34
GENUS— PTELEA,* LINN.
SEX. SVST.— TETKAXDRIA MUNDGVNIA.
PTELEA.
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.i ORME DE SAMAIRE A TROIS FEUILLES; iGER.) DRIBLATTRIGE
LEDERBAUM.
.\ TINCTURE OF THE BARK OF PTELE.\ TRIFOLIATA, LINN.
Description. — This peculiar shrub attains a growth of from 6 to 8 feet. Leaves trifoliate, long petioled; /ca/fe^s 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. hiflorescence in compound lateral and terminal cymes; floivers numerous, greenish-white, polyga- mous, their odor disagreeable. Sepals 3 to 5, usually 4, somewhat deltoid, much shorter than the petals. Petals 3 to 5, usually 4, spreading, imbricated in the bud. Stamens as many as the petals and alternate with them ; filaments 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. Fruit 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.
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
* Ilrau, ptao, to fly: the Greek name of the elm, alluding to the winged fruits.
34-2
in ao^ues. 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 : Exti-actum PtelecB Hydro-alcoholicum ; Infu- siim Ptclece ; and PtelccB Oleo-resmece.
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. Smyserf 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,| 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 diarrhoeic 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.
(1-4 and 7-8 enlarged.)
* Eclectic Practice. f Am. Jour. Phar., 1862. % Ibid., 1867. I See p. 15-2.
InatdeI.etpinxt
'3 ■ 7
AlLANTHUS GlANDULOSUS, Desf.
^d
N. ORD-SIMARUBACE/E. 35
Tribe.-SIMARUBE/E.
GENUS. — A I LA NTH US,* DKSF. SEX. SY.ST.— MONtP:CI.\ I'OLVGAMIA.
AILANTUS.
TREE OF HEA VEjY.
SYN.^AILANTHUS GLANDULOSUS, DESP.
COM. NAMES.— TREE OF HEAVEN, CHINESE AILANTHUS, TILLOW TREE,
CHINESE SUMACH; (FR.i AILANTE, VERNIS DES JAPON;t (GER.)
GOTTERBAUM.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK AND FLOWERS OF AILANTHUS GLANDULOSUS, DESF.
Description. — This beautiful tree, which so much resembles an overo-rovvn staghorn sumach, grows in this country to a height of from 30 to 60 feet Sfem erect, columnar, much branched ; zoood hard, heavy and glossy, like satin. Leaves long, odd pinnately compound; petioles i to 2 feet long; leaflets oblong, pointed, with two blunt teeth at the base, rendering them somewhat hastate; tectJi glandu- lar upon the under surface. Inflorescence in large terminal thyrsoid panicles; floiL'srs greenish, dioeciously-polygamous. Calyx 5-toothed. Petals 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, I -celled, I -seeded samaras.
Simarubaceae. — This small family of mostly tropical trees and shrubs, is rep- resented in North America by 7 genera of i species each. The characteristics of the order are as follows : Bark bitter. Leaves alternate, pinnately-compound ; stipules none. Flozvers hermaphrodite or unisexual. Calyx persistent; sepals^ to 5. Corolla deciduous, twisted in aestivation ; petals 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, i in each cell ; style various. Carpels 2-valved, as many as the petals, capsular or keyed ; se:ds pendu- lous; albumen none; cotylcdoiis thick; radicle short, superior.
The only proven plants of this order, excepting the one under consideration, are : the tropical-American Cedron [Sitttaba 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 nanae should be spelled, Ailantiis, being derived from a Moluccian species called Ailanlo. t Also used to designate Rhus vernix.
35-2
The otiier more or less prominent medical plants are: the West-Indian Jamaica Quassia or Bitter Ash {Picrana excclsa, 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 Simarouha versicolor, St. Hil., noted as being so bitter that insects will not attack the wood ; and the Indian Nima qiiassioides, 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.
The Ailanthus tree was introduced into England in the year 1751, and tlirived 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 [Attaciis 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 tne 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 leucorrhoea ; 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-
* your. ,i'e Chine Med., D>.-c., 1S59.
35-3
oiighly with oiiL'-sixth part of it, ami the rest of the alcohol addetl. After stirring the whole well, and pouring it into a well-stoppered bottle, it is allowed to stand eight da)s 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.
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 Howers. 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 Pl.\te 35.
I. End of a flowering branch, several leaves and thyrsi removed, Binghamton, N. Y., June 30th, 1885.
2. Flower.
3. Calyx and pistil.
4. Petal and stamen.
5. Stigma.
6. Stamens.
7. Section of ovary.
8. A leaflet.
9. Fruit.
10. Full leaf in outline. (2-7 enlarged.)
* Am. Jour. Phar., 1885, 600.
36
3 4 5
^.TU.adnatdel.efpinxt
Rhus Glabra, Linn.
N. ORD -ANACARDIACE^. 36
Seciion.-SUMAC* D. C.
GENUS.— RHUS, LINN. SEX. SV.ST.— PENT.VNDRI.V TRI(;VNI.\.
RHUS GLABRA.
SMOOTH SUMACH.
SYN.— RHUS GLABRA, LINN. ; R. ELEGANS, AIT. ; R. VIRGINIGUM, 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 ; petioles crimson, 12 to 18 inches long; leaflets 12 to 30, lanceolate-oblong, acutely serrate, pointed, and whitened beneath. Itiflorescetice dense, terminal, thyrsoid panicles ; flowers perfect, polygamous. Sepals lanceolate, or more or less triangular, very acute, nearly as long as the petals. Petals incurved at the apex. Hypogynotis disk almost entire, its lobes, however, separating when a sepal is detached from the calyx, bringing away with it a stamen and petal ; lobe 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. Flowers polyga- mous or dioecious, greenish-white or yellowish-green ; sepals 5, small, united at the base, generally persistent; petals 5, ovate, spreading, slighdy hairy within. Stamens 5, alternate with the petals ; filaments inserted with the petals underneath the lobes of a chrome-yellow hypogynous disk, situated at the base of the sepals. Styles 3, short, generally united into one, sometimes distinct; stigmas 3, capitate. Fniit 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 R. venenata, of this country. The South European R. coriaria, and R. cotinus, are extensively used in tanning the finer grades of morocco leather ; the seeds of the former
* An .nlleration of the Arabic simaq (Forsk.).
f The ancient Greek and Latin name (Celtic Rhtidd., red).
36-2
species are said to be used at Aleppo to provoke an appetite, and in Turkey o-enerally, in tlie manufacture of vinegar. Inferior grades of the inimitable black lacquer, made from H. venii.w are furnished by R. Javanica, R. Sinense, and R. siiccedaneum. 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 R. toxicodendron. The Floridian and West Indian R. mctopium produces a substance called Doctor's Gum, which is said to be emetis and purgative ; and the Chinese R. Buchi-amela, Roxb., certain CTalls used in Germany for the manufacture of tannic and gallic acids, and pyrogallol.
Anacardiaceae. — 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 ; ccstivation 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. Ovaiy ovoid ; styles 3, distinct or combined ; stigmas 3, decidedly distinct. /v'?«V drupaceous, indehiscent, i -celled; seed borne upon a curved stalk arising from the base of the cell ; testa 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 Anacarditim, Linn.) ; the fruit of this tree is also called the marking-nut, and is almost universally used for stamping linen. The Cuban o-Jiao {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 Icevigatus, Foster) ; and the Mexican and Peruvian Schinus, a product of Schiims 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 arcsira, 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 Anacardium 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 Lentisk or Mastic Tree [Pistacia Lentiscus, h'lnn.) 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. Pistacia 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.
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The Indian Mango {Mangifera Indica, Linn.) fields a luscious fruit which holds the place in that country, that the peach does in this. The Malabar Holi- garna longifolia, Ro.xb., and Stagmai-ia veniicifliia. 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 sacacomi, 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 KiitikahJ^''
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.,- etc.
Smooth Sumac is officinal in the U. S. Ph., as : Exlractum Rhois Glabra. In the Eclectic Materia Medica the preparations are : Dccoctum Rhus (jlabri, and Extractuni R/uis FluidiDii.
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 botde, 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. — Ciallotaimic acid, C„H,„0,,. 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.
Rafincsque, MeJ. Flor., ii., 257.
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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 brilliandy, 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 diarrhoea, scanty secredon of urine, great weariness and fatigue, loss of flesh, heat and dryness of the skin, followed by copious sweat during sleep.f 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., I 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. Ouery: 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.
I. End of flowering branch, Waverly, N. Y., July 4th, 1884.
2. Flower.
3. Petal.
4. Pistil.
5. Stamen, lobe of disk, and sepal.
(2-5 enlarged.)
* AiN. Jour. Phar., N. S., i., 56 ; ibid., XXV., 193 ; Tilden, Jour. Mat. Med., N. S., i., 195 ; Proc. Royal Society, 1862 402. t I^'"- Marshall in Hale's Neiv Rem., 2d ed., 872.
^Ill.adnat.del.et pinxt
Rhus Venenata, dc
N. ORD.-ANACARDIACE^. 37
GENUS— RHUS, LINN. SEX. SVST.— PENTANDRI.'V TUIGVM.V.
RHUS VENENATA.
POISOM 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 B.\RK OF RHUS VENENATA, D. C.
Description. — This too common swamp shrub grows to a height of from 6 to 30 feet. Stem erect, brandling at the top ; branches smooth or nearly so, some- times verrucose. Leaves odd pinnately compound ; petiole brilHant red or purpHsh ; leaflets 7 to 13, smooth, ovate-lanceolate, acute, entire. Inflorescence loose, slender, erect panicles, in the axils of the uppermost leaves; flozocrs polygamous, greenish- white; pedicels pubescent. Calyx persistent. Fruit a persistent, drooping, thyrs- oid receme of globular, smooth, grayish-white berries, about the size of a small pea; testa thin, papyraceous, loose and shining; millet oblong, flattened, longitu- dinally striate by deep sulci ; inner 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 R. vernix, L. ; how near the resem- blance may be I have had no opportunity to judge ; however, we, as Homce- opathists, should not confound them, as climatic difference may cause varying properties, and R. veniix 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 R. 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 /t'. toxicodendron, 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 R. toxicodendron, page 38-3, would not be out of place here.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— Many opportunities are offered for study under this rubric, on account ol the numerous cases of poisoning, both on record and often occurring in country practice. The general effects are usually ushered in within a day ot 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 I 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 e.xclaimed, " That is the stuff we use." These cases all yielded finely to idem 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;
* Am. Med. Bot., I, 4C2.
37-3
tongue red, especially at tlie tip, swollen and cracked ; difficult dei^dutition ; 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, wMth aching and weakness ; tired, weak, and prostrated generally ; almost all forms of skin trouble, from simple redness and inirning 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.
DesCRIPTIDN ok I'LATli 37.
I. End of flowering branch, Ithaca, N. Y., June 24th, 1S85.
2. Flower.
3. Pistil.
4. Stamen.
5. Fruiting thyrsus.
6. Fruit.
7. Fruit, with outer coat removed.
8. Nutlet.
(2-4 and 6-S enlarged.)
^m.
ad nat.dei.et pinxt
Rhus Toxicodendron, unn.
N. ORD.-ANACARDIACE^. 38
Sect. - WXICODENDRON, 'n ) U R N. GENUS.— RHUS, SEX. SVST.— rENT.\NI)RI.\ TKK;VXI.\.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON.
FOISOJV IVY.
SYN.-RHUS TOXICODENDRON, LINN. ; R. TOXICODENDRON, VAR. QUER- CIPOLIUM, 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 VBNENEUX,ARBRE A POISON ; (GER.) GIPTSUMACH.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH LE.WES 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 /?/ius 7'adica7is is distinct from this species or not. Root reddish, branching. Leaves 3-foliate, thin ; leaflets 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. Iitflo7-esceiice loose, slender, axillary, racemose panicles. Flowers polygamous. Fruit glabrous, globose, pale brown ; tiutlct 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 eacn 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 caractires, du trailemtnt, el de la cure des dalres, etc., par F usage du Rhus radicans.
38-2
I an certain, however, that Rhus 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 Tinctnra Rhus Toxicodendron.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — On account of the care necessary in the preparation of our medicamentae, 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 R. Toxicodendron and its so-called variety radicans. The only differences acknowledged by authors are as follows :
Ji. toxicodendron, L.
Stem erect.
Height of growth 2 to 4 feet.
Stem devoid of rootlets.
Leaves trifoliate.
Leaflets variously toothed or crenate, smooth
R. mdiians, L.*
Stem more or less tortuous.
Height 4 to 30 feet or more.
Stem profusely studded with dark-colored rootlets,
by which it clings to its chosen support. Same. 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 toxicodendron 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 radicans 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 toxi- codendron. One large plant, on the bank of the Susquehanna River, below the usual high-water mark, has all the characters of radicans except the rootlets, and grows in a trailing manner along the bank ; passing in its growth four excel- lent supports : /. e., 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, toxicoden- dron choosing open places and radicans shady spots ; it however follows as a necessity that if toxicodendron is radicans when it climbs, radicans is in the shade because of its support.
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. radicatis iT&(\u&nl\y do not put out rooting fibers until they are
* Rhus Toxicodendron, vay. radicans, Tortey; Toxicodendron vulgare,'lA\\\.; Rhus Toxicodendron, var. a 7'ulgare, Michx. ; Rhus scandens, Salisbury.
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.— 7?/^(7/A?«;//f Acid Cj,H.,,0,,. 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." f 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
* Prot:. Am. Phar. Assoc, 1865, 166. f ^«"»' ^'M' 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 (Toxicodendric 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 bullae 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, alum-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.
I. 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.
39.
I naidel.et pinxt.
7 8
Rhus Aromatica, Ait.
N. ORD -ANACARDIACE^. 39
Series.-LOBADIUM. RAF.
GENUS.— RHUS. SEX. SVST.— PENTANDRI.\ TKIGVMA.
RHUS AROMATICA.
FRAGRAJ^T 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 strag^gling but very pretty bush usually grows to a height of about 4 feet. Leaves 3-foliate, slightly sweet-scented ; leaflets 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. hiflorescence single or clustered, scaly bracted, catkin-like spikes; scales reddish, and furnished with copious hairs upon the border ; flowers polygamo-dioecious, prefolial. Hypogynous disk 5-parted, large; lodes strongly reniform, the hilum of each almost entirely surrounding the base of the filament inserted under it. Fruit similar to that of R/ms glabra, but somewhat flattened ; nutlet 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 R. 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. Nat., 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.
9. Scale of same, inner face.
(3-9 enlarged.)
* Am. Jour. Phar., 1881, 212.
40
w^
^ta.ailialiiel.elpi.<l AmPE ' LOPSIS ■''•; QuINQUEFOLIA, Michx. Q
N. ORD -VITACE^. 40
GENUS— A MPELOPSIS,* MRHX. SEX. SV.ST.-I'KNTANnKlA MOXOGVNIA.
AMPELOPSIS.
MRGINIAN CREEPER.
SYN.-AMPELOPSIS QUINQUEPOLIA. MICHX., AMPELOPSIS HEDEEA- CEA, DC, VITIS QUINQUEPOLIA, LAM., VITIS HEDBRACEA, WILLD., HEDERA QUINQUEPOLIA, LINN., CISSUS HEDERACEA, PERS.
COM. NAMES.-VIRGINIAN CREEPER, AMERICAN IVY, WOODBINE, PIVE-LEAVES, PALSE GRAPE, WILD WOOD-VINE.
A TIXCTURE OF THE FRESH SHOOTS AND B.\RK OF AMPELOPSIS QUINQUE- POLIA, 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. Flower clusters cyme-like, the pedicels angularly jointed and somewhat umbellate. Flowers small, and perfect. Calyx entire, crenate, or slightly 5-toothed. Petals 5, at first seemingly united, then becoming distinct, concave and thick, expanding and reflexing before they fall. Disk none. Stamens 5 ; Jila?iients slender ; anthers large, oblong introrse. Ovary somewhat lobed at the base, conical, 5-angled, 2-celled ; style short or wanting ; stigma small and simple, or slightly 2-lobed. Ovules 2 in each cell of the ovary and erect, anatropous from its base. Fruit a dark purplish blue berry Avhen 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 mos^ striking points in an autumn landscape. It opens its yellowish green flowers, few at a time, in July ; the berries being ripe in October. The Virginian Creeper is dreaded by many, in its wild state, when
* u,ij;,\o;^ a vine, .mil oii;, appfaiatne.
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 Dccoctum ampelopsis, and Infusiini ampelopsis.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh young shoots and bark are chopped and pounded to a 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.— P)'rt7f«/tr////^* 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, Cj„ Hj., 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 insoluble or ehanged cisso-taimic acid (CjpH^gOjj), 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.
GlycoUic Acid, Q H^ O ,, and Calcium glycollate (QH^Og)^ 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. 1S76, 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.
I. Flowering spray, from Ithaca, N. Y., June 17, 18S0.
2. Branch showing tendrils.
3. Flower (enlarged).
4. Berries.
* Oxypbenic .'Vcid,
41.
(plU.adnaf.del.et pinxt
RhAMNUS CATHARTICUS.Linn.
■Sfi^ *■
N. ORD -RHAMNACE^. 41
GF:NUS.— RH AMNUS,* TOURN. SKX. SVST.— PENTANDKIA MONOCVNIA.
RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS.
BUCKTEORJf.
SYN.— RHAMNUS CATHARTICUS, LINN.; R. SOLUTIVUS, GER. ; CBRVIS-
PINA CATHARTICA, MCBNCH. 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; braiicJdcts numerous, tipped with a sharp spine. Leaves somewhat opposite or sometimes more or less tufted, oval, acuminate, and minutely denticulate-serrate ; veins prominent beneath, and arched in a direction parallel to the margin. Inflorescaice in axillary clusters ; y?<?zt:'^;'.f minute, greenish-yellow, polygamous or dioecious, the sterile ones with ovate sepals and petals and an abortive ovary. Calyx urceolate, 4 to 5 cleft, persistent; lobes lanceolate; torus thin, lining the tube. Petals 4 to 5 small, linear-oblong ; elates 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. Fruit 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.
Rhamnaceae. — A small family of shrubs or small trees, often with thorny branchlets. Leaves mostly alternate, simple ; stipules small or obsolete. Inflor- escence various ; fiozuers small and regular (sometimes apetalous, or, by abortion, dioecious or polygamous) ; in aestivation 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, perigynous, as many as the sepals and alternate with them. Ovary 2 to 5 celled ; ovules solitary, anatropous ; styles more
* From the Celtic ram, branching.
41-2
or less united ; stigmas 2 to 5, simple, and usually distinct. Frjiit a capsule, drupe, or berry ; seeds erect, one in each cell ; axil none ; embryo large ; cotyledons broad ; albumen sparing and fleshy.
This family furnishes us with only one other proven plant, viz. : the European Black Alder {Rhanimis frangiila, 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 Rhamnns ir.fectorius, Linn. The fruit of the Indian Zizyphus osnophila, Mill., is eaten by the natives, who consider the bark a fine vulnerary. The East Indian Z. Jtijuba, 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 Erench Pate'de Jujube ; 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 volubilis, 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 gonorrhoea, gleet, and leu- corrhoea; this plant is now being proven for a place in our Materia Medica. The Mexican Ceanothus azurea, Desf., is considered a powerful febrifuge ; while the Senegal C. discolor is a useful astringent in dysentery. Hovenia 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 i6th century. Buckthorn first appeared in the London Pharmacopoeia in 1650 ; it has also held a place in the Pharmacopoeia of the United States, but its space is now held by R. frangida. 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 tiiose 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 Vcssie, 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.— /?/'«w;^(;r^?/'//«;-/'/;/.=^= A bitter, brittle, yellow- ish, amorphous substance, soluble in water and alcohol, not soluble in ether; when fused it passes into a thick, yellow oil.
Rhamnin.f C,.,Hj.,05 + (n^O).,.^ — This glucoside, discovered in the berries by a Pontoise pharmacist named Fleury, in 1840, was isolated, named, and further studied by Lefort.§ Rhamnin, when pure, forms minute, yellow, translucent tables, scarcely soluble in cold water, soluble in hot alcohol, and breaks down as in the next body.
Rhamnegine, Cg^Hg^O,^. — This second glucoside of Lefort is in all respects, except solubility, identical in its physical and chemical properties with the preced- ing. When decomposed by heating with a dilute mineral acid, it breaks down into a crystallizable sugar, isomeric with mannite and rliavnictin, Cj^Hj^Oj.
Rhamnotannic Acid. — This tannin-like body, obta'ned in the separation of rhamnin, results as a greenish-yellowish, amorphous, friable, bitter mass, soluble in alcohol and insoluble in water.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — The purgation following the ingestion of the ripe fruit of Rhamnus calharticus is, in almost every instance, accompanied by con- siderable thirst, dryness of the mouth and throat, and severe griping pains in the abdomen. A case is reported]] of the effects of eating the berries by a lad; the symptoms were as follows : Eyes glistening and injected ; lips trembling ; a simu- lation of trismus; the abdomen became hard and distended; colic; diarrhoea; respiration short and anxious ; pulse variable ; the skin was at one time warm, at another cold ; the boy was unable to rise, could not walk, and seemed to
* Oithartin. f Rhamneitne (Gallatly, 1858); Chrysorhamnine (Scluitzeberger and Bertiche, 1865).
X C,|,HjjO,„ (Schutzenberger). \ Jour, de Phar., i836, p. 420. || Leopold, Casp. Woch., 1850.
41-4
endeavor to press the head against the wall. The symptoms all showed a high
state of irritation of the alimentary tract.
Description of Plate 41.
I. End of a fruiting branch, Ithaca, N. Y., July 17th, 1885.
2. Female flower.
3. Section of ovary.
4. Male flower.
5. Petal.
6. Stamen.
7. The persistent caly.x-tube.
8. Nutlet.
g. Horizontal section of the nutlet. (2-9 enlarged.)
Y^'-TO.-Jilnatdel.etpinxt
EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS.Jacq
N. ORD.-CELASTRACE^. 42
Tribe.-EUONYME/E.
GENUS.— EUONYM US,* TOURN. SEX. SYST.— PENTANDRIA MONOGVMA.
EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS.
WA-j-noo.
SYN.— EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS, JACQ. ; E. CAROLINIENSIS, AND LATI-
FOLIUS, MARSH. COM. NAMES.— WAHOO, WAHOON, BURNING BUSH, SPINDLE-TRBB, INDIAN
ARRO"W"-WOOD; (FR.) FUSAIN, OU BONNET DE PRETRE; (GER.) SPINDEL-
BAUM.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH BARK OF EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS, JACQ.
Description. — This low shrub seldom attains, out of cultivation, a height of over lo feet, varying- usually from 6 to lo. Stem erect; branches straight, appearing more or less terete by having 4 double, white, linear ridges upon its surface, bark blotched with white verrucose spots between the ridges. Leaves opposite, thin, petioled ; oval-oblong, acute at the base, and pointed; w^r^v'w finely serrate ; midrib prominent. Inflorescence loose, few-flowered, divaricate cymes, terminating long, lateral and axillary, drooping peduncles, ranged along the young shoots of the season ; flozvers perfect, their parts in fours. Calyx short and flat ; sepals orbicular, spreading, united at the base. Petals broadly ovate, somewhat acute, spreading. Stamens mounted upon the angles of a flat, somewhat quadrilateral disk, which Is more or less united with the ovary and covers its superior surface ; filaments merely mamma-like processes of the disk ; anthers appearing sessile, 2-celled, opening by a broad transverse chink upon their upper faces, and furnished with a broad dorsal connective. Style simply a central projection of the disk ; stigma hardly evident. Frjiit-A. smooth deeply four lobed and celled, locullcldal capsule ; cells 2 to 3 seeded; seeds elliptical, ashy, enveloped by a red aril.
Celastraceae. — Shrubs with simple, opposite or alternate leaves; stipu'es minute caducous. Flowers small and regular ; (estivation Imbricate. Calyx 4 to 5 lobed, persistent. Petals plane, as many as the sepals, and inserted by a broad base underneath the disk. Statnens as many as the petals and alternate with them, inserted upon a disk which fills the calyx cup and Is sometimes more or less
* Et,o..i,,i.j, Euonyme, the mother of the Furies; or iJ, <•«, well; J""/"", onoma, named; alluding to the poisonous effects of the plant upon cattle.
42-2
vinited with the ovary. Ovary free from the calyx ; ovules anatropous, erect or pendulous ; styles united into one. Fruit a 2 to 5 celled capsule ; seeds arilled, one or few to each cell, enibyro large, cotyledons faliaceous ; albumen sarcous, thin, or sometimes absent.
The only proven plant of this order is the European Spindle Tree [Euouytnus Europo'us, Linn. ), the properties of which are very similar to, if not identical with, the species under consideration. The following plants of the family are more or less useful, viz.: The common Bittersweet, or, better, Staff Vine {Cclastrus scan- dens), so often confounded, by the laity, with Dulcamara, has orange-colored fruit ; has been largely used in domestic practice, as an alterative, diuretic and cholagogue in various diseases where it seemed necessary to "cleanse the blood." It was considered without equal for the removal of hepatic obstruction. The Indian C. paniculatus is considered stimulant. The branches of the Chilian Ilfaytcnus C/iil- ensis are used in decoction by the natives as a wash for the swellings produced in those who have rested in the shade of the Lithri Tree.* The root-bark of the Indian ElcBodendron Roxbiirghii is used by the natives, in decoction, for the reduction of almost any kind of swelling ; and the African Catha edttlis is claimed to be used by the Arabs as an anti-somnolent and intoxicant. Almost all the species of this small order are used in their native countries to subdue inflamma- tion.
History and Habitat. — The Wahoo grows in moist, open woods, or along rivers from Western New York to Wisconsin, and southward. It flowers at the north in June and ripens its beautiful fruit in October. It is the fiery appearence of the fruiting bush after the leaves have fallen, and the capsules bursted, and especially when contrasted with a snow background, that gives it an appearance eminently fitting the name often applied, the Burning Bush.
Especially of late Wahoo has attracted much attention in medical circles as a laxative tonic, alterative, and depurant in torpidity of the liver; also as a remedy for derangement of the stomach and in secondary syphilis, and an expectorant in colds, coughs and asthma. It needs, however, more thorough proving to deter- mine its sphere of usefulness. Mr. Hardyman, of Cardiff, statesf that he has used Euonymin in 2 grain doses at bedtime, and finds it of much value in hepatic obstruction, needing, however, a saline purge to complete its usefulness. When used in this way I should much prefer the seeds of the plant to salts to procure the cathartic action. The oil of the seeds has been used both in this country and Europe to destroy lice {Pedictilus Capitis, Vesti)nenti, and Pubis).
The officinal preparation in the U. S. Ph. is Extractuni Euonyini.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh bark of the twigs and root, of the wild plant, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, and after thoroughly mixing the pulp with one-sixth part of it, the rest of the alcohol is 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.
* Lithrea causlicn (Laurus caustica), Lauiacese. f The practitioner in New Rem., 1880, 80.
42-3 The tincture separated from the mass by pressing and filtering, has a clear lemon-yellow color by transmitted light. It has an acrid and bitter taste, no specific odor, and an acid reaction.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Bnofij'wm. On treating the tincture with chloroform, a dark substance is obtained which partly dissolves in ether as a beautiful yellow resin. The insoluble portion dissolved in alcohol, and the resin precipitated by plumbic acetate, the menstruum after filtration and evaporation yields a neutral, amorphous, bitter body soluble in alcohol and sparingly in water.*
Euonic Acid. — This acid crystallizes in acicular forms, and is precipitablc from its solutions by plumbic subacetate (Wenzel).
Resins, gum, sugar, a crystallizable bitter principle, asparagin, tartaric, citric, and malic acids were also extracted.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.— In large doses the Wahoo acts as a drastic purge attended by griping and followed by prostration ; the discharges being sero- mucoid with an admixture of bile. It promotes the biliary functions and intestinal secretions, increasing capillary circulation generally.
The symptoms noted are : deathly nausea ; vertigo ; e.xcessive tormina ; prostration and cold sweat. Profuse and violent evacuation of the bowels, accompanied by much flatulence and colic.f
Description of Plate 42.
I. Portion of a flowering branch, Cincinnati, O., June 17th, 1885.
2. End of branch.
3. Flower showing calyx.
4. Face of flower.
5. Section of flower.
6. Stamen.
7. Fruit.
8 Horizontal section of ovary. (3-8 enlarged.)
* Wenzel in Am. jfour. P/iar., 1862, 312. f Hale, Nnu Remtdies, 293.
^m.iii
natdei.etpinxt
/tSCULUS HiPPOCACTANUM.Linn.
N. ORD -SAPINDACE^. - 43
Jribe.-HIPPOCASTAN£/E.
GENUS— AESCULUS,* LINN. SKX. SV.ST.-IIK1'TANDRIA MONOGVNIA.
AESCULUS HIPPO- CASTANUM.
HORSE CffESTJVUT.
SYN.— AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM, LINN. ; CASTANEA FOLIO MULTI- FIDO, BAUH. ; CASTANEA EQUINA, GER. ; CASTANEA PA VINA.
COM. NAMES.— COMMON HORSE CHESTNUT,! ASIATIC HORSE CHEST- NUT, BUCKEYE;! (FR.) MARRONNIER D'INDE ; (GER.) ROSSKAS- TANIB.
A TINCTURE OF THE FRESH, RIPE, HULLED NUT OF AESCULUS HIPPOCASTA- NUM, LINN.
Description. — This stately, umbrageous tree usually attains a growth of about 60 feet in height, and 50 feet in diameter of foliage. Trunk erect ; ovate, and smooth-barked when young; oval, tending to quadrilateral, when old; bark of the full grown tree greyish, rough, and fissured ; inner bark smooth, greenish- white, tough, fibrous, astringent, and bitter; ivood light, not durable. Leaves op- posite, digitately 7-lobed ; leaflets 7, obovate, with a cuneate base, acute tip, and doubly-serrate margin ; straight-feather-veined, early deciduous. Inflorescence dense, pyramidal, upright, hyacinthine thyrsi, terminal upon the shoots of the season ; flowers many, often polygamous, the greater proportion of them sterile ; pedicels articulated. Calyx tubular or bell-shaped, oblique or inflated at the base ; limb 5-lobed. Corolla spreading, white, spotted with purple and yellow ; petals 4-5, usually 5, more or less unequal, nearly hypogynous, clawed and undulate margined. Stamens 6-8, usually 7, declined ; filaments unequal, awl-shaped, long and slender; anthers oval, 2-celled. Ovary owaite, stipitate, 3- celled ; style i, fili- form ; stigma acute ; ovules 2 in each cell. Fruit a roundish, echinate, 3-celled, 3-valved capsule, splitting into 3 dissepiments, disclosing 1-2 full formed, some- what hemispherical nuts, and sometimes an aborted third ; seed a large amyla- ceous nut, having a dense shining testa marked with a large roundish hilum ; coty- ledons thick, sarcous, cohering; radicle conical, curved.
SapindaceaB. — This large and variable order is chiefly tropical, especially the
♦ An ancient Latin name. The Aesculus of the Romans was a kind of oak.
t Horses are said to eat greedily of the fruit, and the Arabs to use the powdered nuts in the food of their horses when affected with puhnonary disorders; hence the vulgarism.
X From a resemblance of the nut to the eye of that animal. This name is more applicable to the American species.
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typical suborder, of which the genus under consideration is the only North Ameri- can representative. The family is composed of trees, shrubs, or tendril-bearing climbers, showing widely different characters of leaf, flower, and fruit ; and in- cludes the soap-berries, bladder-nuts, and maples. The leaves are usually alter- nate (Exc. Aesculus), simple or compound. Flowers mostly irregular and un- symmetrical ; sepals 4-5, imbricate in aestivation ; petals 4-5, alternate with the sepals, and sometimes wanting. Disk sarcous, regular, expanded, or glandular, protruding between the petals and stamens. Stamens 5-10, perigynous or hypo- gynous ; filaments free or cohering at their bases ; anthei^s introrse. Ovary 2-3 celled and lobed ; ovules 1-2 in each cell ; style simple, or 2-3 cleft. Fridt a cap- sule, samara, or fleshy indehiscent drupe; embryo curved or convolute (Exc. Sta- phylea) ; albumen wanting.
The plants that are of particular interest to us in this family, beside the two under consideration here, are ; Guarana or Brazilian Cocoa [Patcllinja sorbilis, Mart.), and the Brazilian timbo-szpo [Panllinm pinnata, D. C ). Economically the berries of Sapindus saponaria and the bark and roots of other species are used in lieu of soap in cleansing woollens. The genus Paullinia contains many species in which a deleterious narcotic constituent is developed in the juice or seeds ; the native Brazilians prepare a slow but potent and certain poison from Patdlinia pinnata ; P. australis is supposed to be the origin of a venomous honey found in the Brazilian woods ; and P. curriiru yields an arrow poison to the natives of Guiana, who also prepare a narcotic intoxicating drink from P. cu'^ana. The products of most species of this order are to be regarded with suspicion, yet the Chinese Lee-chee i^Nephelium Lichti) and Longaii. [Nephelium Longan") are delicious fruits ; the Brazilian Fruta de Pavao {Schmidelia ediilis) is sweet and palatable ; and the Jamaica wing-leaved honey-berry [Melicocca bijiigis) edible, sub-acid, and pleas- ant. The berries of many species of the genus Sapindus are edible, though the seeds, used by the natives of the country of their growth to poison fish, are active narcotic toxicants.
History and Habitat. — The horse chestnut is a native of Asia ; it was intro- duced into Europe about the middle of the sixteenth century by seed, and first cultivated in England by Tradescant in 1633 ;* after this its growth became quite general, as the tree accommodates itself quickly to all temperate regions. It is one of our first trees to bud in the spring, and flowers in April and May, its fruit being fully ripe at the first autumn frost. Being one of our most dense shade trees, dark, cool, and clean, it is extensively planted in the yards and along the streets of almost every American city and village. The nuts are eaten greedily by horses, sheep, goats, cows, and pigs, and form an excellent fattening food for those animals when prepared in such a manner as to drive off the acrimony. This is best accomplished by boiling them in potash and washing them with water. Germination, however, renders them pleasant food through change of the bitter principles to saccharine, a result similar to that produced in malting barley. The
43-3
nuts are said to yield a starch of finer quality than that of any cereal (Parmen- tier) ; paste made of the powdered nuts is claimed to be very tenacious and not attacked by moths and vermin ; the saponaceous property of the seeds, when used in lieu of soap, is highly esteemed in cleaning and fulling woollens, espe- cially in France and Switzerland (Marcandier). The nuts of Aesctdus Californica are largely used by the natives of that State for making into bread, after remov- ing the bitterness by freely washing the powdered cotyledons. The fruit of Ae. pavia is used by the Aborigines for stupefying fish ; this species is so common in Ohio that it has become an emblem, and given rise to the sobriquet " Buckeye State."
The use of Cortex hippocastani dates from the writings of Matthiolus.'" In Europe it was put forward, especially by Zannichelli, as an efficient remedy for in- termittent fevers of various types ; this use has been upheld by many able medi- cal writers, from whose works it would appear equal if not superior at that time to Peruvian bark. The usual dose given was from one to four scruples of the powder, repeated from two to six times in twenty-four hours ; this use seems never to have extended to England or America. The bark and nuts were introduced into the Edinburgh College with a view to their errhine power ; it being known that insufflation of the powder caused violent sneezing, it was recommended for the purpose of producing or promoting nasal discharge.
In this country, especially among the laity, the nuts have been greatly es- teemed as a remedy for hemorrhoids and rheumatism, used either as a decoction or as a salve prepared with lard. So great is the faith of many people afflicted with either of these diseased conditions, that they carry a few nuts in their pockets from season to season, fully confident that the disorder is warded off by this means.f In Europe the oil procured by means of ether is used largely in neuralgia and rheumatism. An infusion of the bark or nuts is said to act favor- ably in the healing of indolent and gangrenous ulcers. The testa of the nuts is narcotic ; according to Dr. McDowell lo grains are equal to 3 grains of opium.
Aesculus is not officinal in the U. S. Ph., nor has it an officinal preparation in the Eclectic Materia Medica, though used — especially as an extract — under the name Aesculin.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh, ripe, hulled nut is 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, it is al- lowed to stand at least eight days in a dark, cool place.
The tincture, separated from the mass by filtration, has a clear brownish- orange color by transmitted light; no characteristic odor; an extremely bitter, acrid, and astringent taste, and an acid reaction. An amylaceous deposit takes place on standing, which, being of no value to the preparation, may be filtered off.
* Epist. Medicinal, op. omn. p. lOl, 125.
t I know at present many who indulge in this practice who ha\-e been suflTercrs, and they are really free from the disease while carrying the nuts. This should not seem a fallacy, lo us as homcvopathists, in cases where Aesculus is indicated.
43-4
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Aescu/m, C.,^ H^, O^^ + H,0. This aromatic crlucoside exists in the bark of many trees of the genera Pavia and Aesculiis. It crystallizes in fine, snowy needles and globules, which lose their water of crystalli- zation and fuse at 160° (320° F.), decomposing at higher temperatures. They are soluble in both hot and cold water and in alcohol, their solutions exhibiting a fine light-blue fluorescence. Boiling with dilute mineral acids decomposes this body into glucose and
Aesculetin, Q H^ O^, another glucoside, which also exists in a free state in the bark. This body is only sparingly soluble in water, and crystallizes in bitter needles, which break down under the action of boiling potash into formic, oxalic, and protocatechinic acids.
Faviin, Q^ H^ O.^^. This glucoside is considered identical with fraxin, and will be found described under Fraxinus Americana, 137.
Oil of Aesculus. This oil is readily obtained from the nuts of this species by etherial extraction. It resultsas a beautiful yellow liquid, congealing at 1° (33.8° F.), and becoming solid at— 5° (23° F.).
Quercitriii, C^ Hg^ O.. This coloring matter of quercitron, occurs in the testa of the nut,* and in the flowers.
Aesculetinic acid is one of the resultants of a still farther decomposition taking place in glucose and aesculetin when they are decomposition products of the ac- tion of baryta water upon aesculin.
Aescinic acid* This amorphous body is a decomposition product of aphro- daescin when boiled with liquor potassa.
Argyraescin. This acrid, amorphous glucoside was discovered by Rochelder in 1862 as a constituent of the seed. It is soluble in alcohol and water ; a watery solution forming a soapy foam on agitation. This body together with
Aphrodaescin* another acrid, amorphous principle, having the same proper- ties of solubility and saponification, and breaking down under the action of a con- centrated mineral acid into sugar and aescigenin* so markedly resemble saponin that a question arises as to whether they are specific principles, or are to be con- sidered together as
Saponin, Cg^ H^^ Oj^. This peculiar glucoside, existing in the roots of Sapo- naria officinalis, many species of Lych7iis,-\ Polygala Senega,\ Gypsophila Stru- thiuni\ Lucuma glycyphleza,\\ Monninia polystachya^ Quillaja SapoJiaria** and many other plants, including ferns ; has, before the observation of Rochelder, been accounted a principle of the nuts of this plant. It is a white, amorphous, sternu- tatory powder, having at first a sweetish, then a pungent and lastingly acrid taste. It is readily soluble in water, the solution frothing like that of soap on agitation, and is resolved under the action of concentrated hydrochloric acid into an amor- phous sugar and sapogenin.
Although our tincture is made of the nuclei of the nuts only, still it would seem as if the bitterness, astringency, and acrimony present, were due to all or nearly all of the above constituents found in the bark.
* Rochelder. f Gilhagin. \ Senegin, Polygalin. \ Strulliiin. I| Monesin. \ Monninin. ** Quillajin
43-5
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — Wc have no accessible accounts of poisonings by this drui^, still the provings, being made with goodly sized doses of the tinc- ture, are sutificient to give us an insight into the physiological action. Aesculus hippocastanum causes inflamniation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory and digestive tracts, and especially of the rectum ; this is shown in the following list of symptoms: Dryness, heat, burning and swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose, larynx, and trachea, with a subsequent copious catarrhal discharge; the same symptoms prevail in the mouth and oesophagus, followed by profuse ptyalism and mucous tlischarge : the tongue becomes coated with a thick white or yellow fur, and feels as if scalded ; the throat becomes congested, raw, and burn- ing, followed by a sense of constriction, and renders deglutition painful and diffi- cult. Constant burning in the stomach and epigastrium, followed by nausea, retch- ing, and violent vomiting, with great tenderness and colic throughout the abdomen, are markedly present. Severe dryness, burning, and soreness of th(; rectum, with prolapse, and sufficient inflammation of the hemorrhoidal veins to result in purple tumors, indicate the severity of the action of the drug in this locality. Ineffectual efforts at stool, with great urging, and constant severe pain in the lumbar region, extending to the hips and sacrum, are constant syniptoms of the drug. Its action upon the liver and portal system is marked by severe congestion, and attendant burning, constrictive pains and deep soreness. The provings, however, fail to substantiate its previous use in intermittent fever and neuralgia ; its lebrile symp- toms being only slight, and its pains, other than those referable to the alimentary tract, slight and not characteristic of nerve irritation.
Deslripiion ok Plate 43.
I. Eiul of flowering branch from Ithaca, N. Y., June 4, 1880. 2. A medium-size leaf. J. Flower.
4. Stamen.
5. Nut.
(3 and 4 slightly enlarged.)
44.
/
■"}^\t
\
Ae. Hippo< cistaauni..
it?
r4^
'^' ^ -^
k
V" ■•' •'"'•«
Ae. i'lav'i
^m.ad
naldel.elpinxt
A'esculus Glabra, wiiid.
N. ORD-SAPINDACE^. 44
Tribe.-HIPPOCASTANE/E.
GENUS.— /ESC ULUS.
SEX. SVST.— HEPTANDRIA MONOGVNIA.
^SCULUS GLABRA
BUCKEYE.
SYN.— ^SCULUS GLABRA AND PALLIDA, WILLD. ; ^. ECHINATA, MUHL. ; M. OHIOBNSIS AND MACROSTACHYA, MICHX. ; PA VIA GLABRA AND PALLIDA, SPACH. ; P. ALBA, POIR. ; P. MACROSTACHYA, LOIS.; MAC- ROTHYRSUS DISCOLOR, SPACH.
COM. NAMES. — OHIO BUCKEYE, FETID BUCKEYE, SMOOTH HORSE- CHESTNUT.
A TINCTURE UF THE FRESH NUT OF .•ESCULUS GLABRA, WILLD.
Description. — This species differs from the preceding in the following par- ticulars ; Bark exhaling a very unpleasant odor, similar to that of the flowers of the preceding. Leaf small, smooth ; leaflets 5, ovate-lanceolate, acute, and finely serrate. Inflorescence smaller and more cymose ; floioers small, pale yellow, nar- rowly tubular-campanulate, polygamous. Petals only 4, upright, not reflexed. Stamens curved, not declined ; filaments filiform, long-hairy. Fniit echinulate with very short pyramidal points.
History and Habitat. — The Buckeye is indigenous to the United States, where it ranges from Western Pennsylvania and \'irginia to Michigan, Indiana, and Ken- tucky ; it habits the rich alluvial soil along the bottom-lands of the Ohio River and the streams feeding it, and blossoms in June.
The previous uses of this species are almost identical with those of /E. Hip- pocastanum, though not so extensive, as its qualities are more toxic, and were, on that account, dreaded.
PART USED AND PREPARATION. — The fresh-hulled nut is treated as in the preceding species. The resulting tincture has a clear amber color by trans- mitted light; a honey-like odor; a slightly bitter and pungent taste; and an acid reaction.
.•lisculus glabra should be more thoroughly proven, as its symptoms cover a larger therapeutic field than its congener. The tincture for this further proving should include the nut-shells and bark as well as the kernels : a larger scope would undoubtedly be covered by such a preparation.
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CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS. — So far as we are able to ascertain, no special analysis of this species has been made that determines its individuality ; we can therefore do no better than refer to the preceding species.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — The principal proving of this remedy is that recorded by Prof. E. M. Hale,* who claims its sphere of action to be an irritant of the cerebro-spinal system and the alimentary tract. The symptoms prominent in his record are : Confusion of mind, vertigo, stupefaction and coma ; dimness of vision ; thickness of speech ; nausea and vomiting ; eyes fixed and expressionless ; paresis of the tongue ; tympanitic distension of the stomach with cramp-like pains ; constipation, with hard knotty stools ; lameness and weakness of the lumbar region ; and spasms and convulsions, followed by wryneck, episthotonos and paralysis.
Description of Pl.^te 44.7
1. A leaf.
2. Flower.
3. Stamen.
4. Anther.
5. Fruit. (2-4 enlarged.)
* New Remedies, 1877, p. 19 (Symptomatology).
f The fruits of .^. Hippocastanum and flava are added for comparison.
45.
(^in.adnat.del.etpinxt
POLYGALA Senega, Linn.
N. ORD-POLYGALACE^. 45
GENUS.— POL VGA LA,* TOURN.
SEX. SV.ST.— DI.Vnr.l.l'llIA DCTANDRI.V.
SENEGA.
SEJ^ECA SJVAKEROOT.
SYN.-POLYGALA SENEGA, LINN.; P. VIRGINIAN A, LEM.; PLANTULA MARILANDICA, RAIL; SENEGA OFFICINALIS, SPACH.
COM. NAMES. — SENECA, SENEKA, OR SENEGA SNAKEROOT, MILK- WORT, MOUNTAIN FLAX; (FR.) POLYGALE DE VIRGINIE; (GER.) SENEGAWURZEL.
A TINCTURE OF THE DRIED ROOT OF POLYGALA SENEGA, LINN.
Description. — Roolstock thick, hard, knotty, and sometimes slightly branched. Stems several, simple, tough and wiry, from 6 to 1 2 inches high. Leaves alternate, sessile, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acute at both ends; margins rough; stipuics none. Inflorescence a solitary, loose, terminal spike ; flowers small, greenish-white, almost sessile, and very irregular. Calyx persistent; sepals 5, arranged in two sets as to form ; the outer set, composed of 3, are small, acute, lanceolate, and green- ish ; the inner set, of 2, are large, broad, orbicular, concave, slightly veiny bodies, called ales, enclosing the petals. Petals 3, hypogynous, connected and united with the stamen-tube ; the middle or lower one keel-shaped, and short-crested along the back ; the two lateral oblong, blunt, and veiny. Stamens 8, enclosed by the lower petal; filaments united below into two bundles of 4 each; anthers small, i-celled, and opening by a pore at the apex. Ovary laterally compressed, 2-celled by a transverse partition ; ovules anatropous, pendulous, one in each cell. Style large, inflated, and curved above, greatly resembling in form a pipe thrust into the sum- mit of the ovary ; stigma a fringe-like appendage to the upper margin of the bowl-like enlargement of the style. Fruit a small, 2-celled capsule, flattened contrary to the partition, and partly enclosed by the persistent calyx ; deliiscence loculicidal. Seeds black, hairy, with a white caruncle extending the length of the seed ; etnhryo straight, axial ; albumen scanty.
PolygalacesB. — This small family is represented in North America by 3 genera, comprising 45 species, of which 40 belong to the typical genus Polygala. This natural order is characterized as follows : Herbs or shrubby plants having roots furnished with a bitter, milky juice. Leaves mosdy alternate and entire; stipules absent. Flotoers very irregular, hypogynous, and pseudopapilionaceous ; calyx consisting of 5 very irregular sepals, the odd one superior (Exc. Krameria).
* UoXi;, polus, much; yaXa,gala, milk; as some species were supposed to increase this secretion.
45-2
Stamens 4 to 8, monadelphous or diadelphous ; anthers innate, i -celled, opening at the top by a pore or chink. Style curved and hooded. Friiit a 2-celled and 2-seeded capsule.
The only remedy furnished to our Materia Medica by this order, beside Senega, is the Peruvian or Red Ratanhia {Krameria triandra, R. et Pav.), for which many other species are often substituted in general medicine, viz. : the Mexican and Brazilian Savanilla or Violet Ratanhia (A'. Ixina, Linn.) ; the Para or Brown Rhatany [K. argentca. Mart.) ; the North American K. lanccolata, Torr. ; the Texan K. secuiidiflora, D. C ; and the Chilian K. cistoidea, Hook. The genus Polygala furnishes many plants noted as tonics, alexiterics, cathartics, and dia- phoretics, notable amongst them being the North American P. sanquinea, L. ; the E^uropean P. amara, L., and rubella, Muhl. ; the Austrian P. chamcebtixus, L. ; the British P. vulgaris, L. ; and the Nepaul P. crotalarioidcs, D. C. The Brazilian P. Poaya, L., is strongly emetic when fresh, and is considered scarcely inferior in its action to Ipecacuanha ; while the Javanese P. venenosa, Juss., is so dreaded as a virulent poison that the natives refuse to touch it. The East Indian Soulamea amara, D. C, is a valuable febrifuge, used with marked success in pleurisy and Asiatic cholera ; and Bardiera diversifolia is considered an energetic diuretic and sudorific. The Peruvian astringents, termed by the natives Zallhoy, derived from Monninia polystachia, petrocarpa, and salicifolia, R. et Pav., are excellent anti- dysenteries, and, on account of the saponin-like body, monfiinin, contained in them, are also used as detergents and dentifrices.
History and Habitat. — Senega Snakeroot is indigenous to North America, growing in rocky soils, from New England northwest to the Saskatchewan River and thence southward. It flowers in May and June.
About the year i 735, John Tennent, a Scotch physician, noted that the Seneca Indians obtained excellent effects from a certain plant, as a remedy for the bite of the rattlesnake ; after considerable painstaking and much bribing, he was shown the roots and given to understand that what is now known to be Seneca Snake- root was the agent used. Noting, then, that the symptoms ot the bite were similar in some respects to those of pleurisy and the latter stages of peripneumonia, he conceived the idea of using this root also in those diseases. His success was such that he wrote to Dr. Mead, of London, the results of his experiments.* His epistle was printed at Edinburgh in 1738, and the new drug favorably received through- out Europe, and cultivated in England in 1 739. The action of Seneka was claimed to be that of a stimulating expectorant, thus claiming usage in the latter stages of croup, pneumonia, humid asthma in the aged, etc. ; also, when pushed to diuresis and diaphoresis, it was found valuable in rheumatism, anasarca from rehal troubles, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, and kindred complaints. Among the German physi- cians Seneka received praise in the treatment of ophthalmia after the inflammatory period had passed ; and was claimed by Dr. Ammon to prevent the formation of cataract, and promote the formation of pus in hypopyon. The use of Seneka against
* Tennent, Epist. to Dr. Richard Mead concerning the Epidemical Diseases of Virginia, etc.
45-3
the poisonous effects of rattlesnake bit<,'s, and those of rabid animals (Barton), is not warranted by the results so far gained, at least in civilized practice.
Seneka is officinal in the U. S. Phar. as : Abstracium Senegce, Extracliim Senega Fluidtim, Syrupiis SenegcB, and Syrupics Scillcs Composilus'^' In the Eclectic Materia Medica the preparations are : Infusorum Senegcs and Tinclura Lands Compost (a. ^
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The dried root, gathered when the leaves are dead, and before the first frost, is coarsely powdered and covered with five parts by weight of alcohol, poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, moderately warm place, being shaken twice a day.
The tincture, separated from this mass by decanting and filtering, has a clear, slightly brownish, orange color by transmitted light, an odor greatly resembling sweet cider, at first an aromatic then bitterish and chokingly acrid taste, and an acid reaction. After tasting the tincture or chewing the rootlets, a very peculiar sensation of acridity and enlargement is felt at the root of the tongue, which, once recognized, will always mentally associate itself with this plant.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— /'tf/j'^'^/zV AcidX C,„H,,0„. This peculiar body, existing principally in the rootlets, was discovered by M. Peschier, and more thoroughly studied, fifteen years later, by Ouevenne,§ who isolated it as a white, odorless, acrid, amorphous powder. This acid has not yet been proven to be characteristically different from the general characters of various specific forms of saponin, though it has been carefully studied by many organic chemists, among whom are Gehlin, Procter, Dulong, Bucholz, Bolley, Christophsohn, Schneider, Fentulle, Folchi and others. The stubbornness of this body in resisting the action of sol- vents and reagents without changing form completely renders it, like trilliiic, very difficult to comprehend. Polygalic acid, when superheated upon platinum foil, bursts into a bright flame and leaves no residue; it dissolves thoroughly in hot water, and remains in solution ; it dissolves also in boiling absolute alcohol, but deposits again on cooling; on evaporating its watery solution without stirring, it is deposited in greenish scales. This acid forms a frothing, saponaceous solution in boiling water; breaks down under the action of dilute mineral acids into sapo- gcnin and amorphous sugar; and has prominent acridity and sternutatory power; — all of which prompted Gehlin to give it the name of ScnLgin}^ Christophsohn, Bolley, Schneider, and Bucholz regard the acid as identical with Saponin. The physiological action of Senega would also tend to prove at least a similarity between this acid and Saponin.
Virgineic Acid. — This still doubtful body exists, according to Quevenne, in the fixed oil of the root.
* Squills, .Seneka, Tartar Emetic, and Calcium Phosphate.
■f- Tamarac bark, Juniper berries, Prickly Ash bark. Wild Cherry bark, Seneca Snakeroot, Tansy, and Podophyllum.
\ Senegin ; Polygalin.
\ Jour, de Phar., 1836, 449.
II Berlin Jahrsbuch, 1804, 112.
45-4
Polygalin. — The body termed thus by Peschier is now deemed to be simply the volatile oil of Dulong* and other analysts.
Isolusin. — A doubtful bitter principle isolated by Peschier; and
Oil of Senega.t — A bitter, rancid, disagreeable, reddish-brown body, having the consistency of syrup, and an acid reaction.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. — In doses of from lo minims of the tincture to a scruple of the powdered root, Seneka causes : anxiousness, with heaviness and dullness of the head and vertigo ; aching and weakness of the eyes, with lachry- mation, pressure in the ball, flickerings, dazzling vision, and contracted pupils; sneezing ; pytalism ; inflammation of the fauces and oesophagus, with constric- tion ; thirst and anorexia ; nausea ; mucous vomiting ; burning in the stomach ; cutting colic; copious, thin, watery stools; profuse urination, with burning, scald- ing, and sticking pains along the urethra, and frothing urine; roughness and irri- tation of the larynx, with orgasm of blood to the chest, accompanied by constriction, aching, soreness, and oppression; general debility; restless sleep; and profuse diaphoresis.
From these symptoms, it will be noted that Seneka acts quite similarly to Saponin, causing, like it, a paresis of the muscles of the respiratory tract, the termi- nal filaments of the vagus, inhibitory centres, accelerator nerves, and the vaso- motor system in general, resulting in capillary congestions, followed by rapid exosmosis.
Description of Plate 45.
1. Whole plant, Ithaca, N. Y., June 7th, 1S85.
2. The calyx from below.
3. The face of a flower.
4. Middle petal, showing the crest, hood, and stamens.
5. Petal and stamen.
6. Pistil.
7. Section of ovary.
8. Capsule.
9. Section of same.
lo. Seed, showing caruncle. II and 12. Sections of same. 13. Plan of flower.
(2-13 enlarged.)
* Jour, de Phar., 1S37, 567. f Not Seneca Oil.
46.
a
(i/.Ifl..adnat(lel.etpinxt.
GENISTA TlNCT6RIA,Linr
N. ORD-LEGUMINOS^. 46
Thbe.-GENISTE/E.
GENUS.— GENISTA,* I.INN. SEX. SYST.— MONADEI.l'HIA DECANDRI.V.
GENISTA.
DYER'S BROOM.
SYN.— GENISTA TINCTORIA, LINN.
COM. NAMES.— DYER'S BROOM, GREENWOOD, DYER'S GRBBN-WEBD,
WOAD- OR WOOD-WAXEN, WHIN; (PR.) GENET DES TEINTUIERsi
(QER.) PARBEGINSTBR.
A TINCTURE OF THE WHOLE FRESH PLANT GENISTA TINCTORIA, LINN.
Description. — This thornless, perennial, shrubby plant grows to a height of a foot or more. Stc?}i erect; brancJics numerous, terete-angled, the younger ones erect. Leaves alternate, simple, lanceolate, nearly smooth, and sessile. Inflores- cence a terminal spiked raceme ; floxuers yellow, nearly sessile, bracted. Calyx 2-lipped, the upper 2-parted, the lower 3-toothed ; lobes 5, acute, pointed. Corolla perigynous, papilionaceous ; petals 5, as follows : vexilhim or standard straight, oblong-oval, spreading, superior to and partly enclosing the other petals ; alee or wings 1, oblique, spatulate with a straight claw, and exterior to the two lower petals ; carina or keel oblong, straight, deflexed, claws curved, composed of two connivant petals coherent by their anterior edges and enclosing the essential organs; cestivation imbricate. Stamejis 10, monadelphous ; Ji laments inserted with the petals upon the base of the calyx ; sheath entire ; anthers of two forms, the alternate ones shorter. Ovary i -celled. Pod flat, continuous, smooth. Seeds several ; cotyledons large, sarcous ; radicle incurved.
Leguminosae. — This immense family of herbs, shrubs, and trees, growing in every part of the world, from the equator to the frigid zones, is represented in North America alone by 78 genera, having, in all, 791 species and 122 recognized varieties. The general features of this order are: Leaves alternate, usually com- pound, mostly entire ; stipules present. Flowers papilionaceous or regular, hypo- gynous. Sepals 5, more or less combined, with the odd sepal inferior in its relation to the bract. Petals 5, the odd one superior, i. e., next the axis of inflorescence. Stametts 5, 10, or many ; fllaments monadelphous, diadelphous, or in rare instances distinct. Pistil single, simple, and free ; o-vary solitary and simple, free from the calyx. Fruit a legume ; seeds various ; albumen mostly wanting.
To give the materia-medicist a better idea of phyto-grouping, I shall mention
* Celtic ^.f», a small bush.
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somewhat extensively the numerous medical and oeconomical products furnished by this magnificent family, though to specify all would fill a volume, extending as they do from some of our most esculent vegetables through almost all the neces- sities of man to many narcotico-acrid poisons. The species proven and established as curative agents in the Homoeopathic Materia Medica, are, beside the eight represented in this work : Copiava, the oleoresin of Copaifera multijuga, Hayne, and many other South American species of the genus, prominent among which are : C. officinalis, Linn. ; C. bijuga^ Hayne ; C. Langsdorfii, Desf. ; C. coriacea, Mart. ; and C. Guianensis, Desf. ; the Cochin-China Derris pinnata, Linn. ; the irritating Cowitch gathered from the pods of Dolichos {Mticuna) purietis, Linn., which grows in both the Elast and West Indies ; the Central American Logwood, the heart of Hcematoxyloti Campechianum, Linn. ; the Brazilian Barba de boi, called by Mure Hedysariim ildefonsianum, but more probably, from his descrip- tion, the H. lagocephalum of Link. ; Indigo or Indigotin, a blue coloring-matter extracted from different species of the genus Indigofcra, growing in India, Africa, and South America, principally, however, from Indigo/era tinctoria, Linn., /. ani/, Linn., and /. argentea, Linn. ; an inferior quality of this substance is also obtainable from Isa/is tinctoria (Cruciferse) ; Polygonum ti^ictorium (Polygonaceae) ; Ncrinm tinctoriini (Apocynaceae) ; Baptisia tinctoria ; Tephrosia apollinea ; and several minor plants ; Laburnum, a South European poisonous tree, Cyticus La- burnum, Linn. ; Lathyrus, the European Chickling vetch, Lathyrus sativus, Linn. ; Mim. ; the Brazilian Mimosa humilis, Willd. ; the powerful Calabar Bean, the state poison of Old Calabar, in Western Africa, P hysostigma venetiosum, Balf. ; Jamaica Dogwood [Piscidia crythrina, Linn.), which produced in Mr. Hamilton such sud- den and powerful sleep that the glass from which a drachm of the tincture had been taken remained for twelve hours in his hand;* the Alexandrian Senna, the well-known anthelmintic, consisting of the dried leaves of Cassia obovata. Coll., C. aculifolia, Del., and C. lanceolata. Lam. ; Tongo, the Tonka Bean, the odorous fruit of the Guianlan Dipteryx (Coumarouna) odorata, Willd. ; the Californian Astragalus Menziesii, Gray; the Guianian Erythrophlcsum Guinense, G. Don; and the Brazilian Cabbage Tree Geoffroya [Andira) verttiifuga, Mart.
In the pharmacopoeias of the United States, Great Britain, Germany, India, etc., and in general secondary lists we find more or less prominent the following members of this order: The European Broom {Cytisus, Genista, scoparius, Link), a renovvTied diuretic, emetic, and purgative, which has long enjoyed a popular reputation in dropsical affections, though contraindicated in all acute renal troubles; it contains a body of the tannic-acid group, termed scoparin (C^^H^aOjJ to which its diuretic qualities are due, and an oily, narcotico-poisonous, volatile alkaloid, sparteine (Cj^H^jN), which resembles, chemically, nicotia and conia in having no oxygen. The Oriental Fenugreek {Trigonella Fcetmm-grcecum, Linn.), whose fatty seeds are largely used in veterinary practice, mostly as a vehicle for drugs. The common Liquorice, a product of several varieties of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Linn., growing along both shores of the Mediterranean and in Asia, can hardly be classed as a medicine, but rather as an adjunct to prescriptions. The Bengal Kino or Dhak,
* Pharm. Jour., 1 845, p. 76.
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the inspissated juice of tlie Iinlian Bulca /nvidosa, KcL-nig, is considered to be a good substitute for the officinal Kino; the seeds form a Mohammedan vermifuge of consiilerable repute. Kino, noted as an astringent application to indolent ulcers, and internally as a remedy in diarrhiea and pyrosis, is the inspissated juice of two species of the genus Ph-rocarpus, as follows : Malabar Kino, from /'. 7}iarstipi2im, D.C, African Kino, from P. crinaccus, Poir. ; other kinos are used, produced by plants outside of this family. Balsam of Peru, a well-known astringent, used to check excessive discharges from mucous surfaces, as in leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, and gleet, and internally in asthma and bronchitis as an expectorant, is the resinous exudation of the Central American Toiui/cra Pereira, Baill. Balsam of Tolu is the resinous exudation of the South American Toliiifcra balsannim, Linn.; it forms one of the most useful stimulant expectorants, and components of cough-candies, of the day; the tropical Bonduc Seeds, the fruit of Ccesalpuiia Bonducella, Roxb., are used in India as a tonic and antiperiodic in general debility and intermittent fevers. The Cassias used, other than those previously mentioned, are : the Asiatic Indian Laburnum {Cassia Fisiii/a, Linn.), a noted purgative or mild laxative, accord- ing as the dose is large or small ; the American Wild Senna {Cassia Marila)idica, Linn.), a cathartic, whose action often causes severe griping; and Tinnivelly Senna {Cassia augustifolia, Vahl.), which is considered a safe and brisk purgative. The active principle of the sennas (cathartic acid) seems to be eliminated by digestion, and to pass into mother's milk in an active state, as babes are often purposely or accidentally purged by the nurse's use of senna leaves. The well-known laxative refrigerants. East and West Indian and Egyptian Tamarinds, are the fruits of Tamarindits Iiidica, Linn. Cutch or Catechu, a product of the Indian Acacia Catechu, \^\}\6.., is used, like "pale catechu," as an astringent, useful in chronic dysentery and diarrhoea, as well as in s