BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 75 
cence. Flowers of a pale yellowish-green color, 
perianth six-parted with nine stamens, hence 
belonging to the class enneandria, seed oval, and 
the size of a small pea. The pith (medulla) is 
light and spongy and is termed the parenchym- 
matous tissue, forming a limpid mucilage with 
water ; the officinal preparation of Mucilago Sas- 
safras is much used as a soothing application to 
inflamed eyes. The officinal preparations are 
the mucilage of the pith, and the bark enters 
into the decoction of sarsaparilla comp. and fluid 
extract sarsaparillacomp. The oil is used almost 
exclusively as an embrocation with other reme- 
dies, but may be given in doses of five or ten 
drops. The infusion and simple decoction has 
long been known and used as a domestic remedy, 
as a blood purifier. One ounce of the bark put 
in a pint of hot or cold water and taken in doses 
of a wineglass full two or three times a day is a 
simple and safe remedy, and was at one time an 
officinal preparation. It is stimulant, aromatic, 
astringent and alterative in its effects. As a 
rule, it is used only as an adjunct to other and 
more efficient medicines. For further account, 
see the U. S. Dispensatory. 
Scammonium, Scammony.—Obtained from 
the root of the Convolvulus Scammonia. Nat- 
ural order of Convolvulace, The Scammony 
is a twining perennial plant, native of Asia and 
found growing in Syria and Greece; flowers not 
unlike the common Morning Glory, funnel- 
shaped and of a pale yellow color, leaves cor- 
date; capsules contain four seeds. Scammony 
has no cellular structure, sotospeak. The root 
is hard, and when broken or cut exhibits many 
