BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA, 167 
aromatic and sweetish. The bark contains 
resin, gum, volatile and fixed oil, also an active 
principle termed xanthoxylin, which is not iden- 
tical in all the xanthoxylli. The medical prop- 
erties are stimulant, alterative and sialagogue. 
It is also said to be an emmenagogue. The dose 
is 8 to 15 grains (0.5 to 10 grams), and it is given 
in form of powder, tincture, decoction and fluid 
extract. Rarely prescribed. The fluid extract 
is officinal. The medical effects of prickly ash 
closely resemble mezereon. The dose of the 
fluid extract is 15 to 30 drops (1 to 2 grams). 
The nameis derived from the Greek ‘‘xanthos,” 
yellow, and ‘‘xulon,” wood. 
