BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 53 
having a pale-green color. Flowers are of a- 
rich yellow, interrupted by a spike of whorls, 
with 5 stamens and 2 pistils, ovary and capsule 
fusiform. The root as found in commerce is 
brownish-white externally, very much twisted 
and contorted; 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centi- 
meters) in length, and about 1 inch 2 5 milli- 
meters) in diameter. Internally it is of a dirty- 
white appearance, damp and tough; when 
thoroughly dry, brittle, and breaking with an 
uneven fracture; odor faint and peculiar; taste 
sweetish and persistently bitter. Gentian root 
contains, according to analysis. a fixed o@/, pectin, 
genteopicrin, and gentistic acted, called gentisin, 
Gentiopicrin occurs as an amorphous, crystal- 
line glucoside, very soluble in water and alco- 
hol; whilst gentistic acid crystallizes in golden 
spicula, almost tasteless; soluble in alcohol and 
ether, and giving a dark-brown color to the 
iron salts. Gentian as a therapeutic agent is 
classed as a simple tonic, and is found in the 
form of powder, extract, tincture, and infusion, 
all of which are recognized. as cfficinal. The 
dose of the powder (which is rarely given) is 5 - 
to 30 grains (0.3 to 2.0 grams); of the extracts, 
5 to 30 drops; of the tinctures, 3i (4 grams); 
of the infusion, 2 to 4 drachms fluid (8 to 16 
gram-). The infusions should be made fresh, 
as they are liable to ferment if kept for a day 
or two, especially if the weather be warm. 
Glycyrrhiza Glabra, or as some have it, 
Liquirite Glabra, Licorice.—Natural order 
Leguminose Papillionacee. A herbaceous 
perennial plant, native of the northern parts of 
Syria, and cultivated in the southern parts of 
