108 A COMPENDIUM OF 
cretion of the prescriber. A vinegar of san- 
- guinaria is also officinal. The dose of the alka- 
loid has been given in minute proportions, 
varying from 51, to % of a grain (0,005 to 0.016) 
in large and repeated doses; the blood root and 
its preparations are undoubtedly poisonous; 
therefore, caution should be used in the admin- 
istration of this remedy. 
Scrophularie Nodosa, Figwort.—Natural 
order Scrophulariacez, Scrophularic has many 
names, such as_scrofula-plant, heal-all, ete. 
Figwort is a rank perennial grower, found in 
damp places, reaching the height of four or five 
feet; a native of Europe, according to some bot- 
anists, but found in North America. The root 
is a horizontal fleshy rhizome to which many 
tubers are attached, about the size of one’s 
thumb. The leaves are ovate, oblong and op- 
posite, or else heart-shaped (cordate); margins 
of the leaves are serrate (saw-like), The flow- 
ers tubular and of a brown color inclining to 
green, or a greenish-purple color; five-lobed, 
with four stamens (Tetandria) with two cells, 
and a many-seeded capsule; odor, nauseous and 
bitter. The dried plant has little odor, but a 
bitter, acrid taste. Walz obtained from the de- 
— coction, tannic and citric, tartaric and malic 
acids ; besides pectin and colorin g matter; also 
an active principle termed scrophularin. At one 
time considerably used as a tonic, diuretic and 
anthelmintic, No longer officinal, but occasion- 
ally used in England as a fomentation or an 
Ointment. These are made from the leaves, 
and applied to any glandular swelling with 
seeming good effect. 
