14-3 
The tincture, separated from this mass by filtration, is opaque; in thin layers 
it has a deep madder-lake color by transmitted light; a bitterish odor; an acid, 
bitter and astringent taste; and acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Berberina. Prof. J. M. Maisch, who first 
investigated this root,* found a small quantity of this alkaloid, the nature of which 
is detailed in the next drug, page 15-2. Healso found a second alkaloid, which 
was afterward named 
Menispermine.t—A_ white, amorphous, tasteless alkaloid, insoluble in water, 
slightly soluble in alcohol, ether and chloroform. 
Menispine.|—This second specific alkaloid, determined by Barber in his 
analysis, differs in solubility and tests from both oxycanthine§ and menispermine. 
It resulted as a whitish, amorphous, very bitter powder, slightly soluble in water, 
ether and chloroform; and very soluble in absolute alcohol. Tincture of iodine 
gives a dark-red precipitate with ‘this body, and with menispermine, a yellow 
precipitate. | ; 
Menispermo-tannic Acid.||—This specific tannin gives a dark-green color 
with ferric chloride. ; 
: Two yellowish resins, one soluble in ether, and the general constituents of 
plants, were also determined. | 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Prof. E. M. Hale’s experiments with from 35 
drops upward of a tincture of the root, and various doses of the “resinoid” mevis- 
permine, resulted as follows: Temporal and occipital headache, with stretching and 
yawning, and fullness of the head; swollen tongue; salivation; dryness of the 
buccal mucous membranes and of the throat; nausea; thirst; colic; rectal tenes- 
mus; scanty, high-colored urine; aching of the extremities; itching of the skin ; 
restlessness and troubled sleep. esis ‘ 
Excessive doses cause an increase in the rate and volume of the pulse, and 
excessive vomiting and purging. The action of the drug is that of an irritant to 
the nerves governing the alimentary tract, resulting in increased secretions from 
ie mucous membranes 77 : ae et | 
PTION OF PLATE 14. 
» Ithaca, N. Yay June agth, 1885. 
