RADIX SASSAFRAS. o39 



Another constituent of sassafras oil has been termed by Grimaiix 

 and Ruotte Safrene.; it boils at 155° to 157^ C, has a sp. gr. of ()'8v)+ 

 and the formula C^'^H^*'. It has the same odour as safrol, but deviates 

 the plane of polarization to the right. 



It was further found by the same observers that the crude oil contains 

 an extremely small quantity of a substance of the phenol class, which 

 can be removed by caustic lye and separated by an acid. 



We succeeded in obtaining this substance by using that portion of 

 the crude oil from which the safrol had separated. The phenol 

 remains in the mother-liquor after it has again been cooled and has 

 afforded a new crystallization of safrol. The phenol thus obtained 

 assumes a beautiful greenish blue hue on addition of an alcoholic 



solution of perchloride of iron. 



The Sassarubin and 8assafnn of Hare (1837) are impure products 

 of the decomposition of sassafras oil by means of sulphuric acid. 



The hark and also to some extent the ivood, in both cases of the 

 root, contain tannic acid which produces a blue colour with persalts of 

 iron. By oxidation, we must suppose, it is converted into the red 

 colouring matter deposited in the bark and, in smaller quantity, in the 

 heart- wood of old trees. The young wood is nearly white. The_ said 

 red substance probably agrees with that to which Reinsch in 1S45 and 

 1846 gave the name of Sassafrid, and is doubtless analogous to cin- 

 chona-red and ratanhia-red. Reinsch obtained it to the extent of 92 

 per cent. 



Production and Commerce— Baltimore is the chief mart for 

 sassafras root, bark and oil, which are brought thither from withm a 

 circuit of 300 miles. The roots are extracted from the ground by the 

 help of levers, partly barked and partly sent untouched to the market, 

 or are cut up into chips for distillation on the spot. Of the bark as 

 much as 100,000 lb. were received in Baltimore m 1SG6. ^^f 4";^"^/ 

 of oil annually produced previous to the war is estimated at lo.OUO to 

 20,000 lb. There are isolated small distillers in Pennsylvania and 

 West New Jersey, who are allowed by the owners of a ms^vjms 

 v'ilderness" to remove from the ground the roots and stumps without 

 charge. Sassafras root is not medicinal in the United States, the more 

 aromatic root-bark being reasonably preferred.^ _ 



Uses-Sassafras is reputed to be sudorific ^^.<Jjtimulant but in 

 British practice it is only given in combination with sarsapanlk and 

 guaiacum. Shavings of the wood are sold to make SlissaMsfea. 



, In America the essential oil is used to give a pleasant flavoui to 

 effervescing drinks, tobacco and toilet soaps. i i i. r 



Substitutes-The odour of sassafras is common ^o several pla^^^^^^^^ 



tlie order Lauracecu. Thus the bark of ^^^P^^'^^^^ ^^"^ZZ 

 Meissn., a tree of Brazil, resembles in odour true «assaft as JV e have 



seen a ^^^y thick sasTafrls bark brought from ^-^^^f^^f^^;^^''' 

 as that which Mason' describes as abundantly produced in bui ma 



Besides tins, l/ce pith of i^a^sa/ra ■•< is ftlso ^ T,,,,.™,,/, ,7., prorde oivl nnt.inU pro- 



there used as a popular remedy ; it IS a.- . ,. ' ,0(in 497 



tirely devoid of odour and taste, and is cindwux, 1800. iJi. 

 "^'^ry slightly nmcilagiiious, 



