Muscles – NoMoSpazms Capsules

The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, Edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others. - Angelica Root

Angelica.—Two species of this genus are used in medicine, the Angelica Archangelica L. (Garden Angelica), a native of Europe, and the A. atropurpurea (Masterwort), which grows throughout the eastern United States. Garden angelica has a long, thick, fleshy, biennial root, furnished with many rootlets, and sending up annually a, hollow, jointed, round, channelled, smooth purplish stem, which rises five feet or more in height, and divides into numerous branches. The plant is a native of the north of Europe, and is found in the high mountainous regions in the southern section of that continent, as in Switzerland and among the Pyrenees. It is often cultivated. The whole plant is aromatic, but the root only is official in the Swiss, Austrian, and German Pharmacopoeias, while the fruit is official in the N. F. IV. The root should be dug up in the autumn of the first year, as it is then least liable to become mouldy and worm eaten. It is spindle-shaped, 4 to 6 cm. thick at the crown, and beset with long descending rootlets. The fresh root has a yellowish-gray epidermis, a fleshy yellow parenchyma, and when wounded yields a honey-colored juice, having all the aromatic properties of the plant. The dried root is grayish-brown and much wrinkled externally, whitish and spongy within, and breaks with a starchy fracture, exhibiting shining resinous masses. It la very apt to be attacked by insects. The drug and the powder should be conserved by the addition of a few drops of chloroform or carbon tetrachloride. The odor is strong and fragrant, and the taste at first sweetish, afterwards warm, aromatic, bitterish, and somewhat musky. These properties are extracted by alcohol, and less perfectly by water. The constituents of the root are angelic acid, C5H8O2, a monatomic acid of the acrylic series, valeric acid, C5H10O2, resin, bitter principle, tannin, pectin, malic acid, sugar starch and a volatile oil consisting largely of phellandrene. For further information concerning the constituents of this drug, see U. S. D., 19th ed., p. 1386. Schim. Rep., 1902, 15; 1911, 21; 1913, 26. Angelicae Fructus, N. F. IV, Angelica Seed, is described by the N. F. as "the ripe fruit of Angelica Archangelica Linne (Fam. Umbelliferae) and of other species of Angelica, without the presence of more than 3 per cent. of foreign matter. Cremocarps oval, externally of a pale yellowish-brown color, from 4 to 8 mm. in length, 3 to 6 mm. in breadth and from 1 to 2 mm. in thickness, the base faintly notched, the summit bearing five minute calyx-teeth and the remains of the style; the two mericarps joined by their broad faces, or separate; each mericarp nearly flat upon one surface, which bears a central longitudinal groove and has sharp, slightly upturned margins, convex upon the other surface which is traversed longitudinally upon the back by three strong ribs, separated from one another by narrow grooves and from the margin by much broader grooves; pericarp soft, rather tough and corky, and enclosing a single seed, showing on cross section six large oil-tubes. Odor characteristic and agreeable; taste aromatic, pungent, and sweetish. Angelica Fruit yields not more than 8 per cent. of ash." Garden angelica is an aromatic tonic. The Laplanders, in whose country it nourishes, esteem it highly as a condiment and medicine. In Europe the stems are frequently made into a preserve. The dose of the root or seeds is from thirty grains to a drachm (2-3.9 Gm.). The N. F. IV recognizes under the name of Angelica Radix (Angelica Root) "the rhizome and roots of Angelica atropurpurea Linne (Fam. Umbelliferae) and of other species of Angelica, without the presence of more than 5 per cent. of stem bases and leaves or other foreign matter. Preserve Angelica Root in air-tight containers, adding a few drops of chloroform or carbon tetrachloride, from time to time, to prevent attack by insects. Rhizomes short and thick, from 5 to 10 cm. in length, sometimes split, frequently crowned with the bases of stem and leaves; the roots are numerous, from 10 to 20 cm. in length and from 5 to 7 mm. in thickness at the base and gradually tapering to about 1 mm.; frequently twisted or braided together, externally dark gray-brown to reddish- or purplish-brown and with conspicuous, rather deep furrows; when dry breaking with a smooth fracture. On cross section, the rhizome shows a distinct pith, which is absent in the root, and both exhibit a spongy bark nearly or quite as wide as the woody zone; in the bark are radial rows of brownish canals containing oleoresin. The wood rays are finely porous and narrower than the medullary rays. The bark is rich in starch. Odor strongly aromatic; taste sweetish, pungent, aromatic, and then bitter. The powdered drug is yellowish-brown and, when examined under the microscope, exhibits numerous, mostly simple, irregularly spherical starch grains, up to 0.008 mm. in diameter, sometimes with the cleft at the center and occasionally two- or more compound; tracheae or fragments of tracheae, with reticulate markings or large simple pores up to 0.075 mm. in width; brownish oil canals or fragments thereof, up to 0.23 mm. in diameter, sometimes with adjoining epithelial cells; fragments of parenchyma tissue with some of the cells filled with starch; fragments of large brownish cork cells; sclerenchymatous fibers with thin walls and often with oblique markings; yellowish oil globules. Angelica Root yields not more than 8 per cent. of ash." It has a strong odor and a warm aromatic taste. The juice of the recent root is acrid, and is said to be poisonous; but the acridity is dissipated by drying. The medicinal virtues of the plant are similar to those of the garden angelica of Europe, for which it has been proposed as a substitute. It is, however, inferior to the European angelica. Its uses are similar to those of the root.

King's American Dispensatory By Harvey Wickes Felter and John Uri Lloyd 1898 - Black Cohosh

This is a ver active, powerful, and useful remedy, and appears to fulfil a great number of in ications. It possesses an undoubted influence over the nervous system. In small doses the appetite and digestion are improved, and larger amounts augment the secretions of the ' gastro-intestinal tract. Excretions from the skin and kidneys are increased by lit, the peculiar earthy odor of the drug being imparted to the urine; the score tions of the bronchial mucous surfaces are also augmented under its administra~ tion. Upon the heart and circulatory system its effects have been compared to those of digitalis, though being much less pronounced. The heart-beat is slowed and given increased power by it, while arterial tension is elevated. In large doses its action on the nervous system is very decided, producing vertigo. impaired vision, dilatation of the pupils, nausea, vomiting, and a reduction of the circula tion, but no alarming narcotic efl'ects. Three drops of the saturated tincture given every hour, for 20 hours, have been known to produce symptoms in every way sirgulating those of delirium tremens. Green tea is said to counteract its narcotic 1n uences. CIMI(‘I FUGA. 531 Upon the reproductive organs it exerts a specific influence, romoting the menstrual discharge, and by its power of increasing contractility ofPthe unstriped fibres of the uterus, it acts as an efficient parturient. The venereal propensity in man is said to be stimulated by cimicifuga. Few of our remedies have acquired as great a reputation in the treatment of rheumatism and neuralgia. As early as 1844, in the New York Philosophical Journal, Dr. King recommended the use of a saturated tincture of cimicifuga in acute rheu matism, stating that the remedy would permanentl cure the disease. Prof. King’s own statement of his use of it is as follows: “ he saturated tincture of this article was recommended by me in acute rheumatism, in the New York Philo sophical Journal, as early as in the year 1844; to be given in doses of 10 drops every 2 hours, gradually increasing to 60 drops, or until its action on the brain is observed, which action must be ke t u for several days; it almost always removes the disease permanently, es eciale i it is a first attack.” The experiences of other ph sicrans since that a give abundant evidence of the truth of his state ment. ndeed, few cases of rheumatism, or conditions depending upon a rheu matic basis, will present, which will not beinfiuenced for the better by macrotys. Rheumatism of the heart, diaphragm, psoae muscles, “lumbago,” “stifl'ueck,” in fact all cases characterized by that kind of pain known as “rheumatic,” dull, tensive, intermittent, as if dependent upon a contracted state of muscular fibre, soreness in muscular tissue, especially over the abdomen and in the extensor and flexor muscles of the extremities, all yield readilyto it. If there be febrile and inflam ma tory conditions it should be associated with specific aconite, or specific veratrum; or possibly specific asclepias will be indicated. If the pain be greatly aggravated by motion, and es ecially if the serous tissues be involved, specific brvonia should be added to it. S ould there be burning pain, aggravated by warmth of the bed, s ecific rhus. If efi'usion of serum into cellular structures be present, combine t e macrot s with specific apocynum. ' In car iae rheumatism it should be given 'early and in quite full doses, with drawing the remedy when the full and dull headache is produced by the drug. In this way confirmed rheumatism of that organ may often be averted. It is most useful in acute cases, being of value only to relieve the acute complications that may arise in chronic cardiac rheumatism. Muscular pain of a rheumatoid character, when not amounting to a true rheu matic attack, and other rheumatoid pains, when acute and not of spinal origin, such as gastralg-ia, enteralgia, tenesmie vesical pain, pleurodyrtia, pain in the mediastina, orbits or ears, are relieved by cimicifu a. In diseases of the,ea-r the drug is indi cated when the condition is aggravate b rheumatic association, or in neuralgia. of the arts with stiffness in the faucial an pharyngeal muscles. The dose should be a out 1- to 1} drop of specific macrotys every 2 hours. In eye strain, giving rise to headache, and associated with a sensation of stiffness in the ocular muscles, or a bruised feeling in the muscles of the frontal region, the same sized doses will give marked benefit. In doses of 1 fluid drach-m of the tincture, repeated every hour, it has effected thorough cures of acute conjunrtivitis, without the aid of any local application. Cimicifuga is a remedy for dyspeptic manifestations when due to rheumatoid states of the gastro-intestinal tube, or when associated with rheumatism of other parts of the body. It should be remembered in those cases where there is a dull or aching pain and tendency to metastasis, made worse by taking food or drink, and when the walls of the stomach seem to be contracting upon a hard lump, the patient having a rheumatic tendency or history (Webster). Macrotys plays a very important part in the therapeutics of gynaecology. It is a. remedy for atom; of the reproductive tract. In the painful conditions incident to imperfect menstruation, its remedial action is fully displayed. By its special affinity for the female reproductive organs, it is an efiicient agent for the restora tion of suppressed mmses. It is even a better remedy in that variety of amenorrhoea termed “absentio rrtemium.” In dysmerwrrhoza it is surpassed by no other drug. being of greatest utility in irritative and congestive conditions of the uterus and appendages, characterized by tensive, dragging pains, resembling the pains of rheumatism. If the patient be despondent and chilly, combine macrotys w1th s ecific pulsatilla, especiall in anemic subjects. In the o posite condition asso ciate it with gelsemium. it is a good remedy for the re ex “side-aches” of the 532 cnncrrucs. unmarried woman; also for mastitis and mastodynia. It should be remembered in rheumatism of the uterus, and in uterine lcucorrhcea, with a flabby condition of the viscus, its effects are decided. When there is a disordered action or lack of func tional power in the uterus, giving rise to sterility, cimicifuga often corrects the impaired condition and cures. Reflex mammary pains during gestation are met by it, and in rheumatic subjects it promptly relieves such ovarian troubles as ovari algia and neuralgia, the pain being of an aching character. Orchialgia and aching semations of the prostate are conditions calling for macrotys, and as a tonic it is not without good effects in vermatorrhtea. Macrotys has prove a better agent in obstetrical practice than ergot. It pro duces natural intermittent uterine contractions, whereas ergot produces constant contractions, thereby endangering the life of the child, or rupture of the uterus. Where the pains are inefficient, feeble, or irregular, macrotys will stimulate to normal action. It is an excellent “purl-us prmpnrntor” if given for several weeks before confinement. It is a diagnostic agent to differentiate between spurious and true labor ains, the latter being increased, while the _former are dissipated under its use. t is the best and safest agent known for the relief of after-pains, and is effectual in allaying the general excitement of the nervous system after labor. Macrot 's exerts a powerful influence over the nervous system, and has long been favora ly known as a remedy for chorea. It may be used alone or with spe cific valerian, equal parts. It is particularly useful here when associated with amenorrhoaa, or when the menstrual function fails to act for the first time. Its action is slow, but its effects are permanent. It has been used successfully as an antispasmodic in hysteria, epilepsy when due to menstrual failures, asthma and kindred affections, periodical convulsiom, nervous excitability, pertussis, delirium tre mens, and many other spasmodic affections. For headache, whether congestive or from cold, neuralgia, dysmmorrhwa, or from la grippe, it is promptly curative. As a palliative agent in phthisis pulmonalis, good results are obtained, in that it-lessens cough, soothes the pain, especially the “aching” under the scapulas, lessens secretions and allays nervous irritability. Fevers, intermittent and remittent, have been benefited by it, well-marked antiperi odic and tonic virtues having been observed in the drug. For rheumatic fever we have no better agent, when combined with aconite or veratrum. In the cerebral complications of the simple and eruptive fevers, especially in children, its action is prompt and decisive. It uniformly lessens the force and frequency of the pulse, soothes pain, allays irritability, and lessens the disposition to cerebral irritation and congestion. In febrile diseases especially, it frequently produces diaphoresis and diuresis. In the exanthmnata, it isa valuable agent, controlling pain, especially the terrible “bone aches” of small or, rendering the disease much milder. In scar latina and measles it relieves the eadache and the backache preceding the erup tions. It is stated that it has been used in the South with some success as a prophy lactic against variola. Cimicifuga exerts a tonic influence over both the serous and mucous tissues of the system, and will be found a superior remedy in the majority of chronic diseases of these parts. In all cases where acidity of the stomach is pres ent, this should first be removed, or some mild alkaline reparation be adminis tered in conjunction with the remedy, before any bene cial change will ensue. As a remedy for pain, macrotys is a very rompt agent, often relieving in a few hours, painful conditions that have existe for a long time. The saturated tincture of the root is recommended as a valuable embrocation in all cases wherea stimulant, tonic, anodyne, and alterative combined is required, as—in all cases of inflammation of the nerves, tic-douloureuz, periodic cephalic pain, inflammation of the spine, ovarian inflammation, spasms of the broad ligaments, rheuma tism, crick in the back or side, inflammation of the eyes, old ulcers, etc. Ifa more active preparation is desired, add tincture of (grains of paradise in roper quantity, and if a more powerful anod ne be neede add tincture of su phate of morphine. The specific macrot'ys wili’be preferable to the saturated tincture. The local use of the drug, however, is not extensive. Cimicifugin, whose action differs somewhat from macrotys, was used by Prof. King in the treatment of “chronic ovaritis, endometritis, a'mmtorrhcea, dysnwnorrhwa, morrhagia, frigidity, sterility, threatened abortion, uterine subinvolutinn, and to relieve severe after-pains.” CINCHONA. 533 Preparations of cimicifuga, to be of any medicinal value, must be prepared from recently dried roots. In phthisis pulmonalis, cough, acute rheumatism, neuralgia, scrofula, phlegmasia dolcns, amenorrhcea, dymnenorrhaza, leacorrhaea, and other uterine afl'ections, the alcoholic preparations, as the saturated tincture or the specific macrotys are the best modes of exhibition, and exert a therapeutic influence not to be obtained from the impure resin, termed cimicifugin. As a artus accelerator, it may be substituted for, and should be preferred to, ergot; b rachm of the powdered root may be given in warm water every 15 or 20 minutes, until the expulsive action of the uterus is induced, and which it sel dom fails to bring on speedily and powerfully. The powder, however, is seldom now used, the specific macrotys in from 15 drops to 1} fluid drachm being given in the same manner. In acute troubles, as acute mil-scalar rhemnatism, and in false aim, and as an oxytocic, Webster prefers the stron decoction of the recent root in tablespoonful doses. The fluid extract of blac cohosh may be used in all cases where the article is indicated; its dose is from J; fluid drachm to 2 fluid drachms. The ordinary dose of macrotys for its specific efi'ects is a teaspoonful of a mixture of from 10 drops to 1 drachm of specific macrotys in 4 ounces of water, the larger or smaller dose bein determined by the condition of the atient. Specific Indications and sea—Dr. Scudder gives as the speci c indications for this drug: “ Muscular pains; uterine ains, with tenderness; false pains; irregular pains; rheumatism of the uterus; ysmenorrhcea. As an antirheumatic, when the pulse is open, the pain paroxysmal, the skin not dry and constricted.” To these may be added a sense of soreness, with dragging pains in the hips and loins; rheumatoid muscular pain; rheumatoid dyspepsia; chorea, associated with “absentio 'me'nsium.”

The Dispensatory of the United States of America, 1918, Edited by Joseph P. Remington, Horatio C. Wood and others. - Cramp Bark

Botanical name: Viburnum opulus Related entry: Viburnum prunifolium Viburnum Opulus. N. F. IV (U. S. P. VIII). High Bush Cranberry Bark. Cramp-bark. Wild Guelderrose. Cherry-wood. Red or Rose Elder. Pincushion Tree. Squaw Bush; in cultivation Snowball Bush. Obier, Fr. Wasserholderrinde. Wasserschweike, G.—"The dried bark of Viburnum, Opulus Linné var. americanum (Miller) Aiton (Fam. Caprifoliaceae), without the presence of more than 5 per cent. of wood and other foreign matter." N. F. Viburnum Opulus, cranberry tree or high bush cranberry, belongs to the section of the genus which has peduncled cymes, light red, acid, roundish drupes, with very flat orbicular not sulcate stones, palmately veined leaves, and scaly winter buda. It is a large bush, reaching the height of ten feet, growing in low grounds from New Brunswick far westward, and southward to Pennsylvania. The leaves are from three- to five-ribbed, strongly three-lobed, broadly wedge-shaped or truncate at the base, with the spreading pointed lobes mostly toothed in the sides and entire in the sinuses. The petioles bear two glands at the apex. The snow-ball tree, or Guelder rose, is a variety in which the whole inflorescence has been turned into a mass of showy sterile flowers. "In strips, or occasionally in quills or chip-like fragments, the bark attaining a thickness of 3 mm.; outer surface of the thinner pieces of a light gray color with crooked, longitudinal, purplish-brown stripes and very small brown lenticels, the thicker pieces purplish-red or occasionally blackish, except when very young, and more or less finely fissured or thinly scaly; inner surface varying in color from yellowish to rusty-brown, with very short oblique striae, except where the outer wood layer adheres; fracture short and weak, the fractured surface mostly whitish, varying to pale brown in the inner layer, rusty brown in the outer layer, covering the green tangential layers of phelloderm. Odor strong and characteristic; taste mildly astringent and decidedly bitter. Under the microscope, sections of Viburnum Opulus show as outer corky layer, of five to twenty-five rows of cells, the walls being nearly colorless, frequently thickened on the inner surface, individual cork cells from 0.015 to 0.045 mm. in radial diameter and from 0.030 to 0.075 mm. in tangential diameter; outer bark of about ten rows of cells containing a brownish-yellow, amorphous substance, small starch grains or chloroplastids; medullary rays one to two cells in width, usually not more than one cell wide; inner bark with occasional groups of bast fibers composed of one to ten cells, the walls being very thick, non-lignified, lamellated and finely porous; adhering wood with large tracheae having scalariform or reticulate thickenings, and being surrounded by wood fibers with thick lignified walls; starch grains, mostly in cells of parenchyma and medullary rays, either single or compound, the individual grains not exceeding 0.006 mm. in diameter; calcium oxalate in rosette aggregates, 0.015 to 0.04 mm. in diameter, numerous fragments of parenchyma cells, the lumina filled with a reddish-brown amorphous substance. The powder of Viburnum Opulus is light grayish-brown, consisting of irregular fragments; polygonal cork cells, with thin, colorless walls; parenchyma with rosette aggregates of calcium oxalate, from 0.015 to 0.04 mm. in diameter; starch grains very small and mostly in parenchyma cells; fragments of parenchyma containing a brownish-yellow amorphous substance; occasional tracheal fragments associated with lignified wood fibers, bast fibers. and stone-cells." N. F. For studies of Viburnum barks, see A. J. P., 1895, 378, 394; also Ph. Post. 35, 773, Gibson (Proc. Indiana Pharm. Assoc; 1900, 112) believes that there is a glucoside present in the bark of V. Opulus; he describes it as resinous, greenish in color, soluble in alcohol, slightly soluble in water. The berries of this plant are used to a considerable extent as a substitute for the ordinary cranberry, and are antiscorbutic, but there is no sufficient reason to believe the bark has any medicinal properties of any kind. V. obovatum. Walt., a tree shrub growing from Virginia southward, is said to be an antiperiodic. (A. J. P., 1878.) Viburnum opulus was dismissed from the U. S. P. IX, but introduced in the N. F. IV. It is used in making Fluidextract of Viburnum Opulus with a menstruum of 2 volumes of alcohol and 1 volume of water. Compound Tincture of Viburnum, and Compound Elixir of Viburnum Opulus. Dose, thirty to sixty grains (2.0-3.9 Gm.).

King's American Dispensatory By Harvey Wickes Felter and John Uri Lloyd 1898 - Lobelia

Botanical Source.—This plant, generally known as Wild, or Indian tobacco, is an annual or biennial indigenous plant, nore commonly the latter, with a fibrous, very hairy yellowish-white stem, in theroot,full-sized and an plant erect, angular, much Fig. 163. branched, and from 6 inches to 3 feet in height. The sº §§ late, leavesserrate, are alternate, veiny, andscattered, hairy. sessile, The flowers ovate-lanceo- are Nf, §2 % WWºº small, numerous, pale-blue, on short peduncles, each & \\ N. originating from the axil of a small leaf. The calyx º § \º consists of 5, subulate segments. The corolla is tubu- º lar, small, slit on the upper side, ventricose at the base; the limb bilabiate; tube prismatic ; segments spreading, acute ; two upper ones lanceolate, three lower ones Oval. The anthers are united into an ob long, curved body, and of a purple color; filaments white. Style filiform ; stigma curved, 2-lobed, in closed by the anthers. The capsule is 2-celled, ovoid, inflated, striated, 10-angled, crowned with the persistent calyx. The seeds are numerous, small, oblong, and brown (L.-B.—W.). History.—Lobelia is very plentiful throughout the United States, and is usually along roadsides, found thriving in dry soil - in dry fields, and old LObella inflata. pastures, as well as in woodland grazing grounds. It flowers from July to September, or until frost checks its blooming. It grows from a few inches to 2 feet in height, and is peculiar in that it will blossom when the flowering time arrives, even iſ it be but an inch in height. The plant has alternate leaves, and flowers of a light blue color, inconspicuous, yet very pretty when closely examined, having the characteristic split corolla tube (along the upper side) seedlºelia of the Lobelias. The fruit is an inflated pod, resembling a small 8. balloon, easily compressible, and contains an innumerable number of minute brown seeds. The plant, when broken or cut, exudes an acrid, milky juice, imparting a taste very much resembling that of tobacco. The whole plant is active, but the leaves and seeds are more usually employed. The root is sup posed to be more emergetic, medicinally, than any other part of the plant. The Fig. 164. 1200 - LOBELIA. proper time for gathering the plant is from the last of July to the middle of October, during which period the seed-vessels are in great abundance. The plant should be dried in the shade, and then be preserved in packages, or covered ves sels, more especially if it be reduced to powder. When dried, it has a faint, nau seous, rather disagreeable odor, and a strong, acrid, nauseous taste developed by chewing, somewhat similar to that of tobacco, which powerfully affects the throat and fauces, occasioning ptyalism and sickness at stomach. The leaves form a greenish powder; the seeds a brownish. Hot water, vinegar, ether, or alcohol take up its medicinal principles, but boiling dissipates them. Few drugs are more favored among Eclectic physicians than lobelia, and cer tainly none others have so interesting a history. This plant is vulgarly known as Indian tobacco, though why it should have this name is difficult to say, as there is no distinct record as is the case with other plants (unless we accept the statements made that it was known to the Penobscot tribes), that it was ever employed as a medicine by the natives. As the plant resembles somewhat in taste the common tobacco (Nicotiama Tabacum), and was for this reason called Wild tobacco, the authors of “Drugs and Medicines of North America” advance the opinion that if known as Wild tobacco it was but a step farther to call it Indian tobacco, on the presumption that a tobacco that was wild would be used by the Indians. The earliest botanists did not use a common name for lobelia, and it was not until 1810 that we find the first popular name—Bladder-pod—given it by Aiton. Following this came Inflated lobelia and Bladder-pod lobelia for obvious reasons. So much for names suggested by the plant itself. When it came to be used in medicine a new set of popular names, having reference to its properties, were applied. Thomson and Cutler called it Emetic weed and Emetic herb. These names suggested those to follow—Puke weed, Vomit weed, and Gag root. Although the term gag root was employed, the root was never used in medicine, statements to the contrary notwithstanding. One of its very old names is Eye-bright—a name properly belonging to Euphrasia officinalis, and, from its use as an anti-asthmatic, some writers have referred to it as Asthma weed. Its generic name—lobelia—was given it in honor of Matthias de Lobel (de l'Obel), a distinguished botanist of the sixteenth century; its specific name—inflata—on account of its inflated seed pods. Though lobelia grows nearly all over this country, much of the drug supply of commerce comes from the mountainous districts of North Carolina. Dobelia was known to the Penobscot Indians, and was also extensively used by the people in New England in domestic practice, long before the time of Samuel Thomson, its assumed discoverer. Though used by a few in domestic practice, the credit for the introduction of lobelia into medical practice is due to Drs. Manasseh Cutler and Samuel Thomson. The latter claims to have been the first to employ it and, indeed, it would seem probable that Cutler learned the use of it from Thomson. As before stated, few drugs have been so notoriously historical as the one under consideration. It became widely known to the people during the early part of the present century, through the famous trials of Drs. Thomson and Frost. ... The name of lobelia became so odious, that to be known as a “lobelia doctor” was sufficient to subject the physician to all manner of ridicule. The prosecution of Thomson was brought at the instigation of a jealous physician–Dr. French— backed by a jealous profession. While under treatment by Dr. Thomson, one Ezra Lovett, of Beverly, Mass., died after a tedious course of medicine applied after the peculiar method of Thomson. The prosecutors charged the latter with killing Lovett with lobelia. Thomson denied it, claiming the drug employed to be marsh rosemary. The prosecutors showed their ignorance by exhibiting to to the court some of the powder alleged to have been employed, which powder actually proved to be marsh rosemary. Judge Parsons instructed the jury to acquit Thomson. The memory of lobelia was again revived, in 1837, by the trial of Dr. R. K. Frost, of New York City, for the alleged killing of T. G. French. The charge against Frost was that he put French into a “vapor bath” and “adminis tered to him poisonous decoctions of lobelia, and giving deleterious herbs which no reasonable man would administer to a dog.” He was tried for manslaughter, the trial lasting ten days, and the jury found him guilty (in the fourth degree), but recommended him to the mercy of the court. The court sentenced him to three months' imprisonment. LOBELIA. 1201. The first published account of the use of lobelia in regular medicine, is by the Rev. Manasseh Cutler, LL.D., in his “Account of Indigenous Vegetables” (1785), stating that the leaves, if chewed, “produce a giddiness and pain in the head, with a trembling agitation of the whole body.” Cutler was a great sufferer from asthma and found this drug to give him more relief than any other, and as Thomson had been in the habit of using lobelia for this complaint, and prac ticing so mear to the home of Cutler, in Massachusetts, it is fair to presume that the latter derived his knowledge of the drug from Thomson. As early as 1820, the first edition of the U. S. P. recognized lobelia and it has continued official until the present time. Description.—The U. S. P. officially describes lobelia as follows: “Leaves alternate, petiolate, the upper ones sessile, ovate or oblong, about 5 Cm. (2 inches) long, irregularly toothed, pubescent, pale-green; branches hairy, terminating in long racemes of small, pale-blue flowers, having an adherent, 5-toothed calyx, which is inflated in fruit, a bilabiate corolla, and 5 united stamens; Odor slight, irritating; taste mild, afterward burning and acrid"—(U. S. P.). LOBELIA SEED.—Lobelia seeds are not official, excepting as included in the inflated pods of the plant. Lobelia seeds, viewed under the microscope, are about # of an inch in length, gºs of an inch in breadth, of a dark-brown color, oblong, with ridges and furrows, somewhat resembling basket-work; the only seeds which resemble them are those of the L. cardinalis, which are not so dark-colored, but are oval, or almond-shaped, reticulated with irregular, oblong-square, or rectan gular reticulations not so well defined, and are of larger size (P-F. Curtis). Lobelia in the powdered form enters into the composition of the compound emetic powder, and is a constituent of the compound tincture of lobelia and capsicum (King's Antispasmodic), and the acetous emetic tincture. The oil, as before stated, is contained in the stillingia limiment. Specific lobelia, the pre ferred preparation of this plant, has a deep wine color and a peculiar fatty odor. When dropped into water it produces a white turbidity, forming a yellowish white, milky liquid, when viewed by reflected light. It mixes with alcohol without change. The taste is peppery and persistent, leaving a disagreeable acrid impression in the throat and fauces. A few drops only will sicken some persons and even produce emesis. Specific lobelia contains a large amount of oil of lobelia, which preserves the alkaloid in the preparation. Investigations made by Prof. Lloyd demonstrated that solutions devoid of the oil were inferior, being altered by age. Specific lobelia retains its emergies indefinitely. Chemical Composition.—The active principle of lobelia is an acrid, irrita ting, unstable alkaloid, called lobeline, first obtained by Wm. Procter, Jr. (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1838, p. 98, and 1841, p. 1), as a yellowish liquid of faintly aromatic taste, soluble in water and exhibiting an alka line reaction. It exists in combination with a vegetable acid—lobelic acid—form ing precipitates with solutions of metallic salts (Pereira, 1842). Lobeline and its salts are exceedingly active emetics. Though stable when thus combined, it readily decomposes when freed from contact with the other constituents of the plant. Heat applied to either an aqueous preparation or an alcoholic tincture of lobelia, destroys this alkaloid, hence a decoction or hot infusion of this plant is irrational, Lobeline was obtained by Prof. Lloyd (see D. and M. of N. A., by J. U. and C. G. Lloyd, Vol. II, pp. 75 and 76), by depriving lobelia seeds of fat by means of benzin, abstracting the seeds with alcohol acidulated with acetic acid in a percolator, and evaporating and extracting the alkaloid with ammoniated ether. As thus obtained, lobeline, after further purification, is a colorless, odorless, amorphous, and non-hygroscopic alkaloid, of an alkaline reaction, soluble in alcohol, chloroform, benzol, ether, and carbon bisulphide. It is also somewhat soluble in water and exhibits in solution alkaloidal reactions. No crystallizable salts could be obtained, though Prof. Procter (loc. cit.) alludes to a crystallizable muriate, sulphate, nitrate, and oxalate of lobeline. Paschkis and Smita obtained from lobeline benzoic acid by oxidation with potassium permangamate (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1890, p. 339). Crystals of Inflatin, typical form. 76 1202 LOBELIA. H. von Rosen (Amer. Jour. Pharm., 1889, p. 393), isolated two alkaloids, one liquid (lobeline) and another solid. According to Prof. Lloyd, the plant also contains a crystallizable, non-basic substance, to which he gave the name inflatin. This body exists in the plant, intimately associated with the alkaloid and some volatile oil (see below). Inflatin is tasteless and odorless, “insoluble in water, or glycerin, but soluble in carbon disulphide, benzol, chloroform, ether, and alcohol, in the order given" (Lloyd, D. and M. of N. A.,Vol. II, p. 78). It is not important in a medical sense. The lobelacrim of Enders (1871), which was obtained in warty tufts of a brown color, was regarded by W. H. D. Leurs (Pharm. Jour. Trams., Vol. VIII, 1878, p. 562), as probably lobeliate of lobeline. Lobelia contains a non-acrid, volatile oil of a pungent odor, possessing but little taste and no acridity. It was named lobeliamin by Pareira in 1840. In addition, the plant contains about 30 per cent of non volatile oily matters. The impure oil (so-called) of lobelia, so extensively em ployed by Eclectic doctors, is simply a syrupy extract of lobelia made with stronger alcohol, preferably acidulated with acetic acid. This so-called oil is the active constituent of that favorite Eclectic preparation, the compound stillingia liniment. The pure or true fived oil of lobelia is non-acrid and bland, but as usually obtained (impure), is acrid and of a green color. The fixed oil of lobelia (impure) may be obtained by bruising the seeds between heated rollers, and press ing while hot in a strong linen cloth, between proper iron plates. Its consistence is nearly like that of linseed oil, and eminently possesses the drying qualities common to many fixed oils. It possesses all the medicinal properties of the seeds. Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Lobelia, in the ordinary sense of the term, is not a poison. Undoubtedly, its injudicious use has, and might produce death, but the same is true of many other drugs that are not ordinarily considered as poisons. That the alkaloid lobeline will kill animals, has been fully demon strated. A drop of the alkaloidal solution placed upon the tongue of a strong, healthy man, instantly vomited him. To this property of its alkaloid, is undoubt edly due the failure of lobelia to act as a toxic agent. Its emetic action is so prompt and decided, that the contained alkaloid could not, under ordinary cir cumstances, produce fatal results. Given in cases in extremis, the resulting exhaus tion from repeated emesis would very likely hasten death, but death would be more likely due to the act of vomiting exhausting the patient, than to any poison ous effect of the medicine. If lobelia be chewed, it gives rise to an acrid, prickling, and persistently pungent sensation in the throat and fauces, accompanied by slight nausea and a feeling of warmth and distension along the esophageal tract and in the stomach. The sensation is not very unlike that produced by tobacco. The salivary and buccal glands are impressed, pouring out saliva and mucus in abundance. A sense of epigastric depression succeeds, followed by profound nausea, and if the amount chewed be large enough, severe and thorough emesis results. The gas tric mucus is secreted in great abundance and ejected with the contents of the stomach. The emetic action of lobelia is extremely depressing, and is usually accompanied by profuse perspiration. Oppressive prostration, relaxation of the muscular system, and a languid pulse accompany the emetic stage. The depres sion, however, is of short duration, and is immediately followed by a sense of extreme Satisfaction and repose. Under its action the mental powers are unusu ally acute, and the muscles are powerfully relaxed. The circulation is enfeebled by large and strengthened by small doses, and the bronchial secretions are aug mented. When the drug does not prove emetic, it is said that it usually purges. Death, when due to lobeline, is said to result from respiratory paralysis. Lobelia is nauseant, emetic, expectorant, relaxant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, Sialagogue, sedative, and, secondarily, occasionally cathartic and diuretic and astringent. It is in no sense a narcotic. The earliest use of lobelia, as will be seen from its history, was that of an emetic, and for this purpose it is still em ployed when we desire the action of a systemic emetic. Though momentarily depressing, its beneficial after-effects cause it to be preferred above other agents, ipecac not excepted, when such an agent is required. Its action is somewhat modified by combination with ipecacuanha, and other vegetable emetics, and rendered safer and more effectual. Such a combination is the emetic powder. LOBELIA. 1203 It may be used in forming stages of febrile affections, and is especially indicated by a general sluggishness of the whole system with an oppressive feeling, and the tongue is heavily and foully coated at the base. In some chronic diseases its emetic action is salutary in arousing the system from its atomic state. When its emetic action is desired, small doses should be frequently administered until profound nausea is induced, and then the drug should rapidly be pushed to emesis. Copious draughts of warm water will hasten its action and render the act of emesis much easier. Spasmodic movement is incompatible with nervous and muscular relaxation, hence we find prompt relief in many spasmodic con ditions by the use of this drug. The powerfully relaxant properties of lobelia render it a very efficient agent in several conditions, whose chief feature is the spasmodic element. For its control over spasmodic movement, nauseant or emetic doses must be given. For this purpose it may be exhibited in chorea, tetanus, “worm fits” of children, hysteric and infantile convulsions, epileptiform and other convulsive disorders. For puerperal eclamp sia, chloroform by inhalation, and morphine subcutaneously injected, give better results than lobelia, though the latter drug has been used with success in some cases. Lobelia is of value in obstetrical practice. It powerfully subdues muscular rigidity. It is the remedy to overcome a rigid os uteri during parturition, and at the same time it relaxes the perimeal tissues. This it does when there is fullness of tissue—a thick, doughy, yet unyielding, os uteri; when, however, the edge of the os is thin and closely drawn, sharp like a knife edge, full doses of gelsemium are indicated. For its antispasmodic action it may be given by mouth and by rectum. Intestinal obstructions have been overcome by lobelia when other agents would have been inadmissible, hence it is of value in the reduction of Strangulated hermia, an enema being employed. Intussusception and fecal impaction may be treated with this drug when cathartics would result fatally. It is for its antispasmodic effects that it is given in asthmatic paroxysms, spasmodic croup, and whooping-cough. It has been successfully used to overcome the violent convulsions resulting from Strychnine pois0ning. Chloroform and ether excepted, it is the best antispasmodic drug in the materia medica, and much safer than either of these. In the so-called “worm fits” it should be carried to nausea and then followed by Santonin, after which a mild purgative may be given. Lobelia is a stimulant to the sympathetic system. It improves the inner vation of the parts supplied by both the prleumogastric and sympathetic nerves. The appetite and digestion are improved by small doses of the drug. It will fre quently be found indicated in indigestion and dyspepsia. We have frequently used it in small doses for sick headache due to gastric derangement. It is indicated by the feeling of “qualmishness” and nausea present. Though frequently over looked when we are looking for a drug to overcome intestimal atomy, lobelia will be found one of the best drugs at our command for the relief of habitual constipation. B. Specific lobelia, gtt. i-ij, every 2 hours. Administered with podophyllin it tends to prevent the costiveness so frequently the result after using a “bowel persuader” in cathartic doses. It increases peristalsis. Small doses of it relieve infantile colic. Lobelia is the drug for angina pectoris, newſralgia of the heart, and pulmonary apoplexy. Though evanescent in its action, large doses of specific lobelia (about 20 drops), may be administered with the expectation of relieving the patient. The dose may be repeated if necessary. Lobelia is a cardiac stimulant, thus we class it with the sedatives, for all sedatives in medicinal (small) doses are heart stimu lants. When the circulation exhibits a markedly slow pulse-wave it will be better corrected by lobelia than by any other drug we possess. In fact the most promi ment indication for the drug is the full, oppressed, sluggish, doughy pulse. Asso ciate this with praecordial oppression, thoracic pain, difficult breathing, Soreness or bruised feeling within the chest, nausea, with tongue heavily coated at base, fullness of tissue, and we have before us a fair range of the action of lobelia. It is a good remedy in cardiac congestion. Perhaps the most important use for this drug will be in the treatment of respiratory affections. For this class of diseases no remedy is more highly valued by physicians of our school. “Lobelia is an admirable pectoral remedy. As a nauseant expectorant it has no equal. When an emetic is desired in pulmonary 1204 LOBELIA. complaints it is one of the most efficient that can be employed. It has come to be the first of remedies for spasmodic asthma, and is not without utility in whoop ing cough. It improves innervation and the circulation, and is one of the best remedies to employ in congestive conditions. It is frequently indicated in pleu risy and pleuro-pneumonia. As a sedative it ranks between veratrum and aconite. Acute pneumonia, with tendency to congestion, the breathing being oppressed, is quickly relieved by lobelia. All chronic forms of sore throat, especially when ulcera ted, are benefited by it. Chronic pneumonia, bronchitis, and laryngitis are all con ditions in which lobelia will be of great service. In asthenic laryngitis of children it is exceedingly useful. It is a remedy of great value in chronic catarrh, dry, hard, or barking coughs, colds, and all forms of irritation of the respiratory tract, with oppression. It relaxes the tissues, favors expectoration when a large quantity of mucus is secreted and there is want of power to remove it. The indications for this drug are the full, oppressed, or small, feeble pulse, præcordial oppression, with difficult respiration, oppression anywhere in the chest, with accumulation of the bronchial secretions, cough with loud mucous rales within the chest. The “ace tous emetic tincture,” which contains this agent, may be used to fulfil most of the indications for this drug. Powdered lobelia seeds or leaves, or the “com pound powder of lobelia and capsicum,” are the best local applications that can be employed in acute pulmonary complaints, and give great relief in chronic cases with a sense of suffocation and fullness, accompanied by soreness within the chest” (Felter). When in the eruptive diseases retrocession takes place, lobelia, by promoting determination of blood to the skin, will promptly bring the eruption to the sur face. It is also indicated in Scarlatina and measles when the eruption is tardy in making its appearance. Lobelia was formerly used to a considerable extent in the eruptive skin diseases. In the Western Medical Reformer for 1838, we find it lauded as a local wash for “herpes, lichen, eczema, mettlerash, and erysipelas.” There is one condition in which its use should not be overlooked, and that is in poisoning by Rhus Toxicodendrom. An aqueous solution of specific lonelia, or an infusion of the plant should be freely used by wetting the cloths in the lotion and applying frequently to the affected parts. Externally, the infusion has been found useful in ophthalmic affec tions; and the tincture is a valuable local application to sprains, bruises, rheumatic pains, erysipelas, and erysipelatows inflammations, tetter, and other forms of cutaneous diseases. A poultice of powdered lobelia and slippery-elm bark, with a weak lye water, will be found valuable in erysipelatous diseases, bites, and stings of poisomous insects, spasmodic affections of the limbs, pains, and to produce muscular relaxation. Tincture of lobelia, painted upon the parts before suppuration has begun, is said to abort felons. The oil of lobelia is valuable in tetanus and some other extreme cases, as it is easy to introduce enough upon the tongue to relax the whole system immediately. On account of the tendency to produce inflammation of the stomach, it should not be employed alone as a common emetic, but a few drops of it should be triturated with sugar, and diffused in chamomile, boneset, or other emetic infusion. One drop of the oil, triturated with 20 grains of sugar, and divided into from 6 to 12 doses will be found highly useful as an expectorant, nauseant, sedative, and diapho retic, when given every 1 or 2 hours, as may be required. As a local application, much benefit may be derived from it, where a particular nerve is to be quieted, or a muscle to be relaxed. An excellent liniment may be made of a mixture of ounce, each, of oils of amber and sassafras, 1 drachm of oil of lobelia, and drachm of ethereal oil of capsicum. To be used in painful meuralgic and rheu matic affections. That lobelia is a valuable remedy will be conceded by all, and that it has been notoriously misrepresented is apparent to all. Carefully used according to its specific indications, it will be better appreciated the more it is used. As an emetic, dose of the powder, from 20 to 60 grains; of the tincture, from 2 to 4 fluid drachms; as a nauseant and expectorant, from 5 to 20 grains. The dose of specific lobelia ranges from 1 to 40 drops, according to use, taken in a little water. When lobelia does not act as an emetic, it is very apt to purge. The relaxation caused by lobelia may be counteracted by the stimulating and tonic influence of capsicum. ; LOTIONES. 1205 Specific Indications and Uses.—Lobelia is specifically indicated by the full, labored, doughy pulse; the blood moves with difficulty; pain in chest of a heavy, Sore, or oppressive character; angina pectoris; cardiac neuralgia; pulmonary apoplexy; mucus accumulation in bronchiae; convulsive movements; rigidity of muscular tissues; rigid OS uteri, with thick doughy edges; rigid perineum, or vagi. nal walls; nausea; oppressive sick headache, with nausea. As an emetic when tongue is heavily coated at base. Related Species.—There are other species of Lobelia, as the Blue lobelia (Lobelia syphi litica, Linné), and the Red lobelia (L. Cardinalis, Linné). The first is diaphoretic, emetic, and cathartic; also diuretic and antisyphilitic, and a strong infusion of it has cured gomorrhoea. It has likewise been used in dropsy, diarrhoea, and dysentery. . The root is the part used; dose, from 20 to 60 grains of the powder. The L. cardinalis is said to be anthelmintic, nervine, and antispasmodic. These two varieties are seldom, if ever, used in medicine. Wm. Procter, Jr. (1839) obtained a bitter, acrid, aromatic, oily, liquid alkaloidal body from this plant. It was probably a mixture of the alkaloid with impurities (see D. and M. of N. A.,Vol. II, p. 106). Lobelia Kalmii is the plant shown to Mr. Kalm by Col. Johnson, as the one used by the Indians of Some parts of North America to cure syphilis; and he was likewise informed that Syphilis was known among them previous to their acquaintance with the Europeans, and that they cured it very readily, even when “the patient is half rotten and insupportable to be approached” (General Practice of Physic, by R. Brookes, M. D., 7th ed., 1777, Vol. II, pp. 67–71).

The Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, Vol. II, 3th American ed., was written by Jonathan Pereira in 1854 - Oat Straw

History.—The oat is not mentioned in the Old Testament; but it is noticed by the ancient Greek [Hippocrates De victus ratione, lib. ii. sect. lv. p. 356, ed. Foes.; Theophrastus, Hist. Plant. lib. viii. cap. 9; Dioscorides, lib. li. cap. 116, and lib. lv. cap. 140; Galen, De Alisn. Facult. lib. i. cap. 13, p. 322, tom. vi.—Fraas (Synops. Plant. Florae Classicae, p. 303, 1845) considers that the term βρόμος includes both Avena sativa and A. fatua, Linn.] and Roman [Pliny, Hist. Nat. lib. xviii. cap. 44.] writers, the former of whom called it βρόμος, the latter avena. Botany. Gen. Char.— Spikelets three, many-flowered; flowers remote; the upper one withered. Glumes two, thin, membranous, awnless. Paleae two, herbaceous; the lower one awned on the back, above the base, at the point almost bicuspidate; the upper one bicarinate, awnless; awn twisted. Stamina three. Ovarium somewhat pyriform, hairy at the point. Stigmata two, sessile, distant, villoso-plumose; with simple hairs. Scales two, smooth, usually two-cleft, large. Caryopsis long, slightly terete, internally marked by a longitudinal furrow, hairy at the point, covered by the paleae, adherent to the upper one (?) (Kunth). Sp. Char.—Panicle equal. Spikelets two-flowered. Florets smaller than the calyx, naked at the base, alternately awned. Root fibrous, annual (Kunth). Hab.—Cultivated in Europe. A considerable number of varieties [For an account of the different sorts of cultivated oats, see The Agriculturist's Manual, by Peter Lawson and Son, 1836; and Supplement, 1842. Also, Loudon's Encyclopedia of Agriculture.] of this species are cultivated; these may be arranged under the two heads of white oats and the red, dun, or black oats. The white oats have the paleae of a whitish or straw colour. To this division belong the potato oat, the Georgian oat, the Poland oat, and the Friezland or Dutch oat. The red, dun, or black oats, are so called on account of their colour. Besides the Avena sativa, several other species of Avena are cultivated as oats. The following are the chief:— Avena orientalis, Kunth.—Tartarian, Hungarian, or one-seeded oat. Cultivated in Europe. Avena brevis, Kunth.—Short oat. Germany, Austria, and Hungary. Cultivated in France and Spain. Avena nuda, Kunth.—Naked oat. Cultivated in Europe. Description.—Oats (caryopsides vel semina avenae cruda) are too well known to need description. As found in commerce, they are usually enclosed in the paleae or husk. When deprived of their integuments, they are called groats (semina integumentis nudata, L.; avena excorticata seu grutum): these, when crushed, are denominated Embden groats. Oatmeal (farina ex seminibus, D.) is prepared by grinding the grains. It is not so white as wheaten flour, and has a somewhat bitterish taste. Physiological Effects.—Oatmeal is an important and valuable article of food. With the exception of maize or Indian corn, it is richer in oily or fatty matter than any other of the cultivated cereal grains; and its proportion of protein compounds exceeds that of the finest English wheaten flour. So that both with respect to its heat- and fat-making, and its flesh-and blood-making principles, it holds a high rank. A diet of unfermented oat-bread is apt to occasion dyspepsia in those unaccustomed to its use; and it was formerly suspected of producing or aggravating chronic skin diseases, but without just grounds. Oatmeal porridge, taken at breakfast, sometimes relieves habitual constipation. Intestinal concretions, composed of phosphate of lime, agglutinating animal matter, and the small, stiff, silky bristles seen at one end of the inner integument of the oat, are sometimes formed in those who habitually employ oats as food: forty-one specimens, collected by Dr. Monro secundus, are still in the Anatomical Museum of the University of Edinburgh. These formations are now comparatively rare, probably because the oats are more perfectly deprived of their investing membranes before being ground (Christison). Uses.—The oat is employed dietetically and medicinally. As a dietetical agent, it is employed in the form of oat-cake or unfermented oatbread, oatmeal porridge or stir-about, and gruel. The latter is sometimes given to infants as a substitute for the mother's milk. When there is a tendency to diarrhoea, either in adults or infants, it is advisable to substitute wheatmeal for oatmeal. In medicine we employ gruel, prepared from groats or oatmeal, as a mild, nutritious, and, in most cases, easily-digested article of food in fevers and inflammatory affections. It is also in general use after parturition; and is the basis of caudle. In poisoning by acrid substances, it is employed as an emollient and demulcent. It is given, after the use of purgatives, to render them more efficient and less in jurious. It is frequently used, either alone or in conjunction with other agents, as a clyster. Oatmeal is used for making poultices. Oats are also employed by distillers for the production of spirit (see Alcohol). DECOCTUM AVENAE; Oatmeal Gruel; Water Gruel.—This is usually prepared by boiling oatmeal or groats in water for about half an hour, and then straining. Dr. Cullen [Treatise of the Materia Medica, p. 280.] directs it to be prepared by boiling an ounce of oatmeal with three quarts of water to a quart, constantly stirring; strain, and when cold decant the clear liquid from the sediment. Sugar, acids, or aromatics may be employed for flavouring.

A Manual Materia Medica Pharmacology. Comprising All Organic And Iinorganic Drugs Which Are Or Have Been Official In The United States Pharmacopia by David M. K. Culbreth, Pn.G., M.D. 1917 - Willow Bark

HairiUit. Europe, N. America; cultivated. Sun. White Willow, O»mmon European-, Duck-, Huntington-, Salicin Willow, Withe, Withy; Fr. Haulc blanc, Halicine; («er. Weidcnriride, Salicin. Sa'llz. L. eee etymology, above, of Salicarete. Pop'u-lus. L. poplar, fr. populwt, the people—being often planted along the public waye in Rome, where it was called arlx/r jxjjmli, tree of the people. 148 ORGAX1С DRVGS FROM THE VEGETABLE K1XGD0M Plants.—These two juxta-positioned сенега are composed mostly of large trees 15-1$ M. (50-00°) high, with flexible branches: &i/¿r leaves, long pointed, entire or glandularly toothed; Populus leaves, broad, more or less heart-shaped, ovate, toothed: flowers May, both in catkins appearing before the leaves, dioecious, buds covered with scales, or a varnish; barks of both genera resemble; that of Salix slips from the wood more readily. CoNsmTKXTS»—Salicin 1-3 p. c, tannin 12 p. c, extractive matter. Salicinum. Salicin.—Obtained by several methods: 1. Add litharge or basic lead acetate to hot concentrated decoction of young bark to remove tannin, gum. extractive; the filtrate contains salicin ami some absorbed lead, the latter is separated by adding sulphuric acid and barium sulphide, while salicin. upon concentration of the filtrate, crys tallizes out. When basic lead acetate is used, the free acid should lie neutralized with calcium carbonate, and then the filtrate evaporated. 2. Boil hark with milk of lime to remove tannin, evaporate filtrate to soft extract, digest this with alcohol, from which salicin will crystallize after distilling off the alcohol. It is in color less, silky, shining, crystalline needles, rhombic prisms, white, crystalline powder, odorless, very bitter taste, soluble in water (23.5). hot water (3.3). alcohol (SS.5), hot alcohol (30), insoluble in chloroform, ether; aqueous solution (1 in 30) neutral. Uevorotatory, melts at 2(H)0 C. (392° F.). Tests: 1. Heat small portion in test-tube until brown, add distilled water (few Ml.; Cc), + few drops of ferric chloride T. S.—violet .^^^Л"™^! «>br. 2. With sulphuric acid—red color, dis- transvrtw sootion, magnified , r . * is di«m. appearingon adding distilled water; incinerate 2 Gm.—ash .05 p. с 3. Heat gently .1 Gm. with potassium dichromate .2 Gm. + diluted sulphuric acid 2 Ml. (.Cc.)—fragrant odor of salicylic aldehyde. Impurities: Heavy metals, alkaloids, salicylic acid. Should lie kept in well-closed containers. Dose. gr. 10-30 (.0-2 Gm.). Commercial.—The White Willow (Salis al'baï ami Crack Willow (8. frag'His) contain most tannin, the Purrfe Willow (S. purpu'rea) most salicin, it being even in the leaves, although largest quantity in bark of young wood. Populus al'ba, P. angustifo'lia, P. acuminata, P. trcm'ula, all yield salicin to a considerable extent. Preparation's,—(I'noff.): May give in powder, pill, syrup, water, or with licorice extract, in small and frequent doses. Properties.—Bitter tonic, antiperiodie, antipyretic, antiseptic, antiferment. Its action is slower, weaker, and depresses heart less than salicylic acid; it is non-toxic, possibly circulates like salicylic acid in the blood as sodium salicylate, and is eliminated chiefly by the urine as salicylic, salicyluric, salicylous acids and saligenin, being first con verted in the stomach into glucose and saligenin. SALIX—SALIX 149 FAGACE-* USES.—Acute rheumatism, lower temperature in fevers; relieves pain, reduces arterial swellings, intermittents (not nearly so effective as quinine), coryza, hay fever, influenza, neuralgia, diabetes. Externally —gangrenous wounds, eczema, cancer, burns, fetid perspiration (applied in solution with borax).