CISSAMPELOS PAREIRA. 
bladder and kidneys, and even considered as a powerful lithon- 
triptic, its virtues were so highly thought of, that Helvetius 
declares that calculi of a large size had completely disappeared 
under its use, and that the operation of lithotomy was no longer 
required. 
The part used in modicine is the root which as found in com- 
merce, is generally in large billets, very tortuous, of a dark color 
externally, and of a yellowish hue within. The axis is not cen- 
tral, and a section displays a number of concentric iayers, tra- 
versed by many radiating lines, between which are triangular 
bundles of woody fibres and ducts. The taste is sweetish, some- 
what aromatic, but leaving a bitter and unpleasant impression in 
the mouth. The smell is very faint. Pareira has been ana- 
lyzed by Feneulle, (Journ. de Pharm.) It was found to contain 
a soft resin, yellow bitter principle, brown coloring principle, 
vegeto-animal matter, fecula, supermalate of lime, nitrate of 
potash, and some ammoniacal and mineral salts. Wiggers more 
recently, in 1838, announced the discovery of a new vegetable 
alkaloid, which he calls Cissampelin, but its properties have not 
been described. The yellow bitter matter is supposed to be the 
active principle. 
The medical] properties are those of a tonic and diuretic, de- 
mulcent, and purifying. It has been employed with some 
advantage in affections of the urino-genital organs, and respec- 
- table authority asserts that more good has been effected by this 
root in cases of this character, than by uva ursi. In chronic 
inflammation of the bladder, the testimony of Sir B. Brodie, 
(who was one of the first to resume its use,) is strongly in its 
favor, he says, “‘ J am satisfied that it has great influence, les- 
sening very materially the secretion of the ropy mucus, which 
is itself a very great evil, and I believe diminishing the inflam- 
mation and irritability of the bladder itself.’ He recommends 
it to be given in decoction, to which some tincture of Hyoscya- 
mus may be added. Dr. T. F. Betten, Philadelphia, a also 
employed it successfully in similar cases. 
It is also given in powder, in doses of from half a drachm to 
a drachm, but the infusion or decoction is a far more eligible 
mode of administration. An extract and a tincture have been pre- 
_ parea from it. The tincture may be made by maserating one 
part of the root in five parts of alcohol. Dose, a fluid drachm. 
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