THE PHILIPPINE 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 
VOL) I DECEMBER, 1906 No. 10 
THE PHYSIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS OF 
CERTAIN PHILIPPINE MEDICINAL PLANTS, 
By Raymonp Foss Bacon. 
(From the Chemical Laboratory, Bureau of Science.) 
INTRODUCTION. 
The number of native plants used for medicinal purposes by the Fili- 
pinos is very great. Among this multitude of remedies it is desirable to 
know which ones are really valuable and which ones are worthless, and it 
is also important to isolate and study their active constituents, as such 
work may reveal substances valuable in pharmacology which hitherto have 
been unknown. It is also true that many plants are found in the Philip- 
pines which are closely allied botanically to well-known species which 
in other countries produce physiologically active substances, but the 
natures of which are as yet unknown to the native. 
With such a vast field to choose from, it was considered advisable to 
adopt the following plan: A preliminary examination is being made as 
rapidly as possible of such plants as are reputed by the natives to have 
‘medicinal value, or of such as are known to be used in other countries, 
These preliminary experiments have included both chemical and physio- 
logical tests. In cases where a physiologically active substance can be 
isolated in a pure condition, and especially where large yield, accessibility, 
and easy separation render feasible the acquisition of quantities of these 
active chemical compounds, it is proposed to make detailed studies. It 
is expected that these investigations will include not only chemical work 
but also thorough physiological and practical medicinal tests, when these 
seem to be warranted. 
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