48 | Aristolochia serpentaria. 
precipitates tannin nor gelatin, nor affects the salts of iron or tinc- 
ture of turnsole. When the diluted tincture is distilled, the spirit and — 
tincture pass over milky, strongly impregnated with its peculiar 
flavour.>* : 
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. 
It is remarkable that the snake-root, which is so deservedly es- 
teemed as a medicine, has no reputation among regular practitioners 
as a remedy for those affections for which it was first brought 
into notice. It is now universally acknowledged to be useful in cer- 
tain diseases, for which it was not thought of as a remedy, until a 
considerable period subsequent to its introduction into medical prac- 
tice. 
In 1635, Dr. J. Cornutus published at Paris, a work entitled “ Cana- 
densium plantarum, aliarumque nondum editarum, Historia ;?? and in 
that book noticed the serpentaria under the name of Radix Sanagroel 
Noth Angliz, and extolled it as an effectual remedy for the bites of 
the most poisonous serpents.t The ancient and now exploded doc- 
* Edin. Disp. 
+ M. M. vol. 1. p. 521. 
