BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 115 
from that country; it has a light-brown epider- 
mis, with short lobes. The East India is rather 
more flat, with no epidermic layer; the Chinese 
is coated, and has very short, stumpy lobes; 
whilst the Jamaica is distinguished by its hand- 
some appearance and its greater length of lobe. 
It is more delicately branched, about 3 of an 
inch (15 millimeters) in breadth, of a buff color, 
and has a fibrous fracture when broken. The 
bleaching is done by means of a solution of lime, 
some of which we find adherent when the root 
is dry. Ginger contains starch, muctlage, resin, 
and a volatile oil. Ginger is a universal remedy 
in the household, and its properties are carmin- 
ative, stimulant, rubefacientand anodyne. The 
tincture, extract, and powder are officinal, and 
it enters into combination with many officinal 
preparations. The syrup, although recognized 
as officinal, is very feeble as a remedy, and only 
used as an adjunct to the more nauseous drugs. 
The dose is from % to 1 fluid drachm (4 grams) 
of the fluid extract ortincture. Dose of the pow- 
der, 10 to 30 grains. Ginger forms one of the 
prominent ingredients of the aromatic powder 
and plaster. 
