IPECACUANHA SPURGE,. 441 
gives no precipitate with gelatin or sulphate of 
iron. With alcohol it gaye out a white precipi- 
tate which rendered. the. solution turbid, and 
subsided in flocks. The cold infusion exhibited 
the same phenomena in a smaller degree... From 
these appearances we may infer that the root 
contains caoutchouc, resin, mucus and probably 
known to possess the same property, which is so 
frequent in its genus, of exciting the stomach 
powerfully as an emetic. The appropriation of 
jts specific name seems even to imply that such 
a property had been recognised in this species 
in.a more eminent degree, than in the rest. It 
does not appear, however, that it has ever con- 
tinued long in use, this being prevented, proba- 
bly, by the suspicious character of the race of 
plants to which it belongs, The late Dr. Barton 
mentions this vegetable among his indigenous 
emeties, but considers it too violent and uncer- 
tain to be depended on as a safe medicine. 
. Within a. few. years. the, plant has. been 
attended to by some medical gentlemen im 
Philadelphia, who report more. favourably of its 
powers and mode of operation; and consider it 
as a safe, certain and manageable emetic, applica- 
