BOTANIC MATERIA MEDICA. 251 
and potassium, they are diuretic, astringent, 
and refrigerant in their action, and have been 
given in form of decoction and fluid extract, 
the latter being the only officinal preparation, 
and used principally as a gargle; name supposed 
to be of Celtic origin, rkudd, red, from the color 
of the fruit. There are several species of Su- 
mach, R. Copallina and Rhus Venenata. 
Uva-Passa, Raisins, the dried fruit of the 
Vitis Vinifera.—Natural order Vitacee. Native 
of western Asia, and cultivated in many parts of 
southern Europe. The particular species of 
grape from which the raisins are procured is con- 
fined tocertain sections of southern Europe. The 
plant or vine differs little in general character- 
istics from that of our own species of grape, 
except in the formation of the leaf, the European 
plant being more prominently lobed and sinuate. 
The culture of the grape differs; some vines 
are staked, some arbored, whilst others again 
are trellised. The modes of preparing the fruit 
for commerce are various; some are punctured 
and dried, some dried and then dessicated with 
lye. The first method is considered the best. 
The Sultana raisins are seedless and come from 
Smyrna; the Valencia raisins are usually em- 
ployedin pharmacy. The epicarp of the raisins 
contain /aznin and coloring matter, whilst the 
pulp contain mucilage, sugar, potassium, tar- 
trate, and malic acid, The only officinal prepa- 
ration in which they enter is the compound 
tincture of Cardamon. The raisin is considered 
of little or no value as a medicine, but has been 
used as a food from the remotest times. 
Vanilla, Vanilla, Vanilla Planifolia.—Nat- 
ural order Orchidacez. Native of eastern Mex- 
ico and now cultivated in many tropical coun- 
