41-2 
over the eastern half of the United States and in Canada, growing in rich, open 
woods, and along the edges of fields, but especially noticeable on newly cleared 
hill-sides. When woods in its favorite localities are at all dense, the plant will 
be found only in the borders, Black cohosh was a favorite remedy among all 
tribes of the aborigines, being largely used by them in rheumatism, disorders of 
menstruation, and slow parturition. It was also used as a remedy against the bites 
of venomous snakes, with what success history does not relate, but we can easily 
judge. 
The plant was first made known by Pluckenet in 1696; Colden recommended 
its use in 1743, and Dr. S. Garden in 1823. In England its use began in 1860." 
Its uses at this time were confined to chorea, rheumatism, dropsy, hysteria, and 
affections of the lungs. In regard to chorea, Dr. G. B. Wood statest that he ad- 
ministered the drug in a case, which rapidly recovered under its use after the 
failure of purgatives and metallic tonics. In convulsions occurring periodically, 
connected with uterine disorder, Dr. Wood also derived the happiest effects from 
its use. In inflammatory rheumatism Dr. N. F. Johnson used the remedy with 
“the best results, the disease disappearing in from 2 to 10 days”; he says, “the 
more acute the disease the more prompt and decided will be the action of the 
drug.’t Dr. A. Clapp§ used the drug in “chronic facial erysipelas, with satisfac- 
tory results.” Dr. Williams says:|| “Indians and quacks recommend its use in 
rheumatism,” etc. ; he then recommends it himself! The statement of Dr. Whee- 
ler§j that some eminent physicians thought it to be a good substitute for Secale 
cornutum in parturition, relaxing the parts and thereby rendering labor short and 
easy, is one that.should have received much attention. 
In all the above uses except mayhap those concerning the lungs, we have 
proven its application trustworthy. Its usefulness in phthisis when given in proper 
dosage is simply to palliate the cough through its action upon the nerve centres. 
It will be found in most cases to act with far more constant success in females than 
in males, as its action upon the female economy is marked and distinctive. 
The officinal preparations in the U.S. Ph. are: EAxtractum Cimicifuge Flu- 
tdum, and Tinctura Cimicifuge. \n the Eclectic Materia Medica: Decoctum Cimt- 
cifuge ; Extractum Cimicifuge Alcoholicum and Fluidum; Resina Cimicifuge ; 
Tinctura Cimicifuge ; Tinclura Cimicifuge Composita ;** Tinctura Colchici Com- 
posita,y+ and Enema Cimicifuge Composita.tt 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root should be treated as in 
the preceding species. The resulting tincture is almost opaque; in thin layers it 
has a deep olive-green color by transmitted light; it retains the peculiar odor of 
the root ; its taste is at first peculiar, soon becoming very acrid and bitter, and its 
reaction acid. : 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Cimicifugin or Macrotin, the so-called resinoid, 
* ‘Fluck. & Han., Pharmacographia, p. 16. + Dunglison’s Mew Rem., p. 145- 
} Clapp, Cat., Am. Med. Ass'n, 1852, p. 725. @ Of. et loc. cit. 
iI Rept. Indig. Med. Bot. Mass., Am, Med. Ass'n, 1849, p. 914. § Bost. Med. and Surg. Four., Sept., 1839, p. 65 
** Cimicifuga, Sanguinaria, and Phytolacca. +t Colchicum and Cimicifuga. 
tt Cimicifuga and Geranium maculatum, 
