ASS—ATR on 
Cabinet a Jeff. Coll. No. 117—figure of the plant, 
No. 118. 
Astringent tonic ; a reputed remedy for tape-worm ; always 
prescribed with a cathartic, to which its anthelmintic pow- 
ers are doubly owing. Was Madame Noufer’s remedy, 
purchased from her by the French ~tt 1 
dear for the whistle. Rarely to be met with in this coun- 
try—the cabinet specimens are from Switzerland. 
No. 94.—Assar@aria. A fetid gum. See Ferula 
Assafeetida. 
‘No. 95.—ASTRAGALUS TRAGACANTHA, 
Orricixat. T'ragacanth. Lond. Astragali Tragacan 
Cabinet specimen, Jeff. Coll. No, 119. CA ae 
A Persian shrub, yielding the Gum Tragacanth, which may pes 
be used as a local demulcent, like Acacie gum; chiefly — 
employed, from its tenacity, in pharmaceutical prepara- 
tions ; it is used by apothecaries, to paste labels on their 
bottles, &c. The shoemakers call it gum dragon, and use 
it in pasting the inner to the outer soles of shoes and boots, 
2 Se 
No. 96.—ATROPINE. 
Cabinet specimen, Jeff. Coll. No. 120. 
The alkaline or salifiable base of tropa disco- 
vered by Brandes. He boiled 2tb6 dried leaves of the 
plant, in water q. s.—pressed decoction, and reboiled in 
water. The two decoctions were mixed, and sulphuric 
id added to precipitate albumen and similar bodies ; fil- 
tered and ted the decoction with potass. The — 
precipitate ined, when was in pure water and dri- 
ed, —e 89 grs. in . all crystals ; solution of them in — 
acids, and precipitation by jelded pure atropine. 
In Virey’s edition of Gmelin, is anotlier | Ssaminks cages 
the decoction with magnesia, boiling the precipitate oy 
cohol, and filtering. On cooling, atropine crystallizes in 
needles, or translucent and shining prisms, without colour, 
Qvazitres. White ; nearly insoluble in water—more soluble 
in hot than cold alcohol—insoluble in ether and oils, 
Forms crystallizable neutral salts with acids. Very dele- 
terious ; its vapour occasions vertigo, head-ache, pains in 
back. Vapour of solutions of its nitrate phosphate or sul- 
phate, applied to the eye, dilates the pupil; more conspi- 
cuous and continued, if atropine be tasted. It also in thi 
way produces vertigo, cerebral pains, shaking of the limbs, 
flushings, with alternations of sensation of cold and heat, 
dyspnea, and reduced arterial excitement. 
* 
