180°; A COMPENDIUM OF 
ple and white, with from six to nine petals, with 
many stamens and many pistils, although some 
writers assert that the petals are but the sepals 
of the calyx. This plant was formerly in the 
secondary list of the U. S. Pharmacopceia, and 
was used asa demulcent, tonic and deobstruent, 
and highly thought of at one time for chronic 
liver affections, but is no longer used except as 
a domesticremedy. When given, administered 
in form of an infusion, the dose of which is one 
or two ounces. The name is derived from the 
shape of the leaf, which somewhat resembles 
the lobe of the animal liver, from the Greek 
epatikes, relating to the liver. 
Hyoscyami, Hyoscyamus, Henbane, Hyos- 
cyamus Niger.—Natural order Solanacee. Na- 
‘tive of Europe and Asia, but now found grow- 
ing in many parts of the United States. This 
small plant is both an annual and biennial; the 
latter being preferred as a remedy. The stem 
_ arises to the height of from 1 to 3 feet, and is 
adorned with dull-green, pubescent leaves, ses- 
sile and ovate oblong, and acutely simulate, 
with a prominent midrib; when fresh the odor 
1s strong and unpleasant. The leaves contain 
resin, muctlage, albumen, and two alkaloids, 
Hyoscyamine and Hyocine. The former occurs 
in crystals and is soluble in alcohol, ether and 
water; the latter constituent occurs as an amor- 
phous substance, Hyoscipicrin, a glucoside of 
intensely bitter taste, and is obtained in crys- 
pr pgruign The flower of the hyoscyamus is 
: a straw color and funnel-form in shape; it 
pa _ Stamens, with a capitate stigma, ovary 
gg-shaped, with two cells with numerous 
