28-2 
Leaves simple, mostly entire, the lower often opposite, the upper alternate ; stipules 
absent. Flowers regular. Calyx persistent; sefa/s 5, the two outer often smaller, 
bract-like, or absent, the three inner twisted in the bud. /eéa/s 3 to 5, twisted in 
an opposite direction to the sepals, fugacious. Stamens distinct, mostly indefinite, 
hypogynous ; //aments slender ; anthers short, innate. Ovz/es few or many, stipi- 
tate, and furnished with an apical orifice; s¢y/e small or wanting. Fyu7ta 1-celled 
capsule; va/ves 3 to 5, each witha dissepiment attached to its median line and pla- 
cental at the axis. Seeds mostly orthotropous ; eméryo long and slender, straightish 
or curved; albumen mealy. 
The only other plant of this order used in medicine is the European Rock 
Rose (Céstus Cretecus, Linn.), from which the natural exudation, a gum resin called 
Ladanum, has been much esteemed as a stimulant, especially to mucous mem- 
branes, and as an emmenagogue. C. Ladaniferous, Linn., C. Ledon, Lam., and 
C. Laurifolius, Linn., are said to yield the same substance. 
History and Habitat—Frost-wort is indigenous to North America, where it 
ranges from Maine to Wisconsin and thence southward: it habits sandy soils, and 
flowers from April to August. In early winter the bark near the root fissures, 
and spicules of ice project from the rents; this fact gave the plant its vulgarisms, | 
Frost-wort, etc. 
This plant has been long held in repute as a remedy for scrofula and for 
many disorders arising in persons of strumous diatheses, especially, however, 
those diseases in such persons which have seemed to need an astringent, tonic, 
or alterative, such as diarrhoea, aphthous ulcerations, ulcers, ophthalmia, syphilis, 
and the like. 
The preparation of the Eclectic Materia Medica is Decoctum Helianthemt. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh flowering plant is 
chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alco- 
hol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of 
the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, it is poured into a well-stoppered 
bottle, and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. | 
The tincture, separated from the mass by pressing and filtering, has a beauti- 
ful crimson color by transmitted light ; an odor resembling that of damp clover hays. 
a sourish, bitterish, and astringent taste, and an acid reaction. te 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis of this species has, to our knowl- 
edge, been made; the tincture, however, would indicate a bitter principle, and 
probably tannin. a 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—When taken in large doses the decoction 
causes nausea and vomiting. Small doses persisted in cause the following train 
of symptoms: Headache; pressure and stitches in the eyes; swelling and dis-— 
charge in the internal ear, and of the salivary and cervical glands; swelling of the | 
inner nose, and sneezing; soreness, dryness, and rawness of the tongue, mouth, 
