RADIX CIMICIFUG^. 15 



Microscopic Structure — The tissue is formed of large angular 

 thin-walled cells loaded with starch which is either in the form of 

 isolated or compound granules. The vascular bundles contain numer- 

 ous spii-oid vessels which seen in transverse section appear arranged 

 so as to form about four rays. The outer coat of the root is made 

 up of about six rows of compressed, tabular cells with faintly brown- 

 ish walls. 



Chemical Composition — The root contains Atishie, an amorphous 

 alkaloid of intensely bitter taste discovered by Broughton/ who assigns 

 to it the formula C^H"^]S['0^ obtained from concurrent analysis of a 

 platinum salt. The alkaloid is readily soluble in bisulphide of carbon 

 or in benzol, also to some extent in water. It is of decidedly alkaline 

 reaction, devoid of any acridity. Atisinc has also been prepared (1877) 

 by Dunin^ from the root in the laboratory of one of us. We have 

 before us its liydroiodate, forming colourless crystallized scales, which 

 w^e find to be very sparingly soluble in cold alcohol or water. At 

 boiling temperature the hydroiodate of atisine is readily dissolved; the 

 aqueous solution on cooling yields beautiful crystals. They agree, 

 according to Dunin, Avith the formula C^^H'-^N'^O'. HI + OH'^ ; this 

 chemist has also shown atisine not to be poisonous. The absence in 

 the drug of aconitine is proved by medfical experience,^ and fully con- 

 firmed by the absence of any acridity in the root. 



Uses— The drug is stated to have proved a valuable remedy in 

 intermittent and other paroxysmal fevers. In ordinary intermittents 

 it may be given in powder in 20-grain doses. As a simple tonic the 

 dose is 5 to 10 grains thrice a day. 



Substitutes — The native name Atis is applied in India to several 

 other drugs, one of which is an inert tasteless root commonly referred 

 to Asparagus sarmentosus L. In Kunawar the tubers of Aconitum 

 Napellus L. are dug up and eaten as a tonic, the name atu being 

 applied to them as well as to those of A, heterophyllum.^ 



RADIX CIMICIFUG-^. 



Radix Achvw raceviosce ; Blach Snake-root, Black Cohosh, Bughane. 



Botanical Origin^-C Imicifiiga racemosa Elliott (Aetata racemosa 

 L.), a perennial herb 3 to 8 feet high, abundant in rich w^oods in 



United 



It 



much resembles Acfwa spicaia L., a plant widely spread over the 

 northern jmrts of Europe, Asia, and America, occurring also in Britain; 

 but it differs in having an elongjated raceme of 3 to 8 inches in length 



& — - ^-v.«^ 



and dr}^ dehiscent capsules. A. sjdcata has a vshort raceme and juicy 

 berries, usually red. 



^ Pharm Journ, vi. (1875) 189; also structure, which he illustrates by eii- 

 Blue Book, East India Chinchona Cultiva- giaviiigs, 

 tion, 1877. 133. ^ » pharm, of India, 1868. 4. 434. 



- Br. M, Duuin von Wasowicz has * Hooker and Thomson (ou the authority 



devoted to the drug under notice an of Muuro) Flor, hid, 1855, 58. 



^ For figure, see Beutley and Trinien, 

 Med. Plants, Part 23 n877L 



elaborate paper in the Archiv der Phar- 

 made, 214 (1879) 193-216, includmg its 



