BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 195 
of potassium, volatile oil, absinthic and succinic 
acids, also absinthin, which is capable of crystal- 
lizing, but soon breaks up into a friable powder. 
Wormwood is anthelmintic, tonic, stimulant and 
febrifuge in its effects, and is given in form of 
an infusion, one ounce of the leaves and tops to 
one pint of boiling water, the dose of which is 
one to two fluid ounces. The only officinal 
place it holds in the Pharmacopceia is an in- 
gredient in the aromatic wine. Absinthe, the 
much favored drink of the French, is a com- 
bination of wormwood (several species), anise, 
coriander and star anise seeds, besides mint, 
hyssop, balm, citron peel, etc., all of which are 
distilled together. The name is thought to be 
derived from Artemis, one of the names of the 
goddess Diana. 
Achillea Millefolium, Yarrow or Milfoil.— 
Natural order Composite. This small plant is 
found in the temperate climates of both con- 
tinents, its perennial root sending up stems 12 
to 18 inches high (30 to 45 centimeters), _is 
adorned with doubly pinnatifid leaves, which 
are pubescent and minutely divided into many 
dentate mucronate divisions. The flowers are 
white and infloresce in form of acorymb. The 
leaves and flowers have both been used as a 
remedy and even other parts of the plants have 
been recommended. Odor not unlike camomile, 
taste bitter and aromatic. Yarrow contains 
resin, tannin, volatile oil and a substance termed 
achillein, which is amorphous and intensely 
bitter; like most plants in this order yarrow is 
tonic, stimulant and with some emmenagogue 
properties; usually given in form of an infusion, 
