22-2 
History and Habitat.—This is the only species of the genus, although Rafi- 
nesque has described six varieties. It is found, as the specific name denotes, 
in Canada, and in all parts of the United States except southward to Florida, 
and westward to Mexico and Oregon, the sea-coasts, and high mountains, It 
grows in rich open woods, or on bottom lands along shaded streams, flowering 
from March, in early springs, until May, fruiting in June. 
For many years it has been used by the aborigines of this country for paint- 
ing their faces, clothing and implements of warfare, and by the laity as a domestic 
remedy in gastric troubles, compounded with podophyllum and kali tartaricum. 
Applied to a denuded surface it is quite a powerful escharotic. 
The root is still officinal in the U.S. Ph. as Acetum Sanguinarie, Tinctura 
Sanguinarie, Radix Sanguinarie, and Extractum Sanguinaria, In the Eclectic 
materia medica this drug and its derivatives have a prominent place, especially in 
compounds with Lobelia; sanguinaria not having emetic properties. It takesa 
part in the following preparations: ilule Taraxact Composite ; Pulvis Ipeca- 
cuanhe Compositus; Pulvis Lobelie Compositus; Pulvis Myrice Compositus ; 
Tinctura Lobehie Comfosita; Tinctura Viburnit Composita; and Sanguinarin, a 
so-called alica-repinotd. principle, which is often confused by both preeeneey and 
pharmacist with the true alkaloid sanguinarina. 
PART USED, AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, gathered when the 
seeds are ripe, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts 
by weight of alcohol are taken, and after thoroughly mixing the pulp with one- 
sixth part of it the rest of the alcohol is added. After having stirred the whole, 
pour it into a well-stoppered bottle and let it stand eight days in a dark, cool 
place. The tincture is then separated by decanting, straining, and filtering. 
Thus prepared it is, by transmitted light, of a deep orange-red color, slightly 
bitter and acid, and has a strong acid reaction to litmus. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Sanguinarina,* C,, H,, NO,. This alkaloid 
crystallizes from alcohol in warty or needle-like masses, very acrid to the taste, - 
toxic, and when pulverized and insufflated causes violent sneezing; these masses 
are soluble in ether or alcohol, insoluble or nearly so in water. The various 
salts of this body are of a red color, and give orange-colored aqueous solutions. 
Puccina has been claimed to be another alkaloid principle of this plant, 
remaining in the menstruum after the precipitation of sanguinarina by sulphuric 
acid ; but Hopp determined this body to be a sulphatic salt of sanguinarina. 
Porphyroxin has been determined as a third alkaloid, so named from its © ) 
supposed identity with Merck’s opium principle porphyroxin, a mixture which 
owes its color reaction to Hesse’s rhceadine. (Maisch.) It exists as tabular or 
linear, white and tasteless crystals. 
Acid. The acid of sanguinaria is not fully determined, though it would prove 
doubtless to be chelidonic acid (vide Chelidonium). 
* This alkaloid is identical with Chelerythrine, from Ctelidonium majus, vide, 21. 
