"3 A COMPENDIUM OF 
berry like fruit, one to three seeded, embryo 
very small. There are four varieties of Sarsa- 
parilla, used in medicine, viz: the Honduras 
(mealy), with a pale brown coat, or epidermis; 
the Guatemala (mealy), with an orange-colored 
epidermis, both varieties containing starch; the 
Jamaica (non-mealy), has a red brown epider- 
mis, and the Mexican variety with its dull brown 
coat without the mealy appearance of the first 
two species, and entirely free from starch ; hence 
the two last named are considered by the ma- 
jority of medical men as the best for medicinal 
purposes, Although not strictly speaking 4 
rhizome, still, it belongs to that class of roots 
more properly, from the fact that the rootlets 
come from one common centre. According to 
analysis, Sarsaparilla contains a volatile o7/, 
starch, resin, and a coloring matter besides its 
active principle, which is variously termed sz- 
lacin, salseparin and parillonic acid; this active 
principle when pure is said to crystallize in scales 
or colorless acicular crystals, which have a per- 
sistent acid taste. It is said to be identical in 
character to saponin, the active principle of Sen- 
eka; itis atrue glucoside. The preparations of 
Sarsaparilla are the solid and fluid extracts, in- 
fusion, decoction, simple and compound syrups. 
The dose of the decoction and infusion is from 
7% to 1 ounce (8 to 16 grams); of the fluid ex- 
tract, 2 to 4 grams; of the syrups, 4 to 8 grams. 
Sarsaparilla was first introduced by the Span- 
iards in the sixteenth century, and believed by 
them a specific for syphilitic disorders. Its ac- 
tion is alterative and purifying. A remedy much 
used by nostrum venders as a cure-all. 
