BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 73 
Saponaria Officinalis.—Natural order Cary- 
ophyllacez. Also called by the common names 
of Soapwort, Bruisewort and Bouncing Bet. 
Native of the southern and central parts of Eu- 
Tope, and now found naturalized in many of the 
Southern and Middle States of the North Amer- 
ican continent. It receives its common names 
from the facts that it makes a lather with water, 
that it is held in high estimation as an applica- 
tion to bruises, and the last and vulgar name 
from the luxuriant and vigorous growth of the 
flowers The stem (caulis) grows from 1 to 2 
feet (30 to 60 centimeters) high, bearing a vig- 
orous cluster of flowers at the summit, of a rose 
color, with a five-toothed calyx, ten stamens 
(decandria), two pistils (digynia). Leaves ovate, 
or ovate-oblong, and many times lanceolate 
(lance) in shape. Saponaria Officinalis bears a 
one-celled pod. The root is the part used in 
medicine, and is recognized in Europe, but not 
in this country, as an officinal remedy. The- 
root is cylindrical in shape, 10 inches (25 centi- 
meters) long, and 1-12 to 1-6 of an inch (2 to 4 
' millimeters) in diameter. It contains saponin, 
resin, muctlage and other matter, but free from 
starch. The Saponin acted upon by acids breaks 
up intosugar and a crystalizable substance called 
sapogein. It is alterativg, diuretic and diapho- 
retic. Used in the form of a decoction, one 
ounce to a pint of water. 
Saponaria Levantica, Levant Soaproot.— 
The root of the Gypsophila Struthium. Natu- 
ral order Caryophyllacexw. It is found along the 
borders of the Mediterranean Sea, and differs 
little from the other varieties in general char- 
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