33-4 
Oil of Xanthoxylum—probably also containing resin and extractive—is a dark 
brown, aromatic, warm, pungent, turbid body, found in about 25 per cent. in the 
berries by W. S. Merrell. An etherial oil of the bark is obtainable, answering 
to the above; it is, though, simply an extract containing all the principles in the 
bark. Volatile oil and resin have also been determined. 
This plant has not been carefully analyzed. Some idea of its probable con- 
stituents other than the above might be gained from those of Xanthoxylum pipert- 
tum, which contains: 
Xanthoxylen or Xanthoxylene, C,, H,,, is the colorless watery liquid part of the 
volatile oil. It has a pleasant aromatic odor, and great refracting power; it boils 
at 162° (324° F.). 
Xanthoxylin, C,, H,, O, This crystallizable product of the volatile oil which 
may be extracted after the oil is freed from Xanthoxylene by distillation at 130° 
(266° F.). It crystallizes in large, colorless, silky, neutral, aromatic, klinorhombic 
forms, soluble in alcohol and ether. The crystals fuse at 80° (176° F.), and vola- 
tilize at higher temperatures undecomposed (ef supra, Wittstein.) 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Although we have a quite full proving of this 
drug by Dr. C. Cullis,* it is hardly sufficient to determine its physiological sphere 
of action. The drug proves, however, at least a stimulant of mucous surfaces and 
attendant secretory glands by an irritant action upon the nerves. Its action, taken 
all in all, appears quite like that of Mezereum. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 33. 
1. End of a flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., May 8th, 1884. 
2. End of fruiting branch. 
3. Sterile flower. 
4-5. Fertile flowers. 
5. Longitudinal section of a tri-pistillate flower. 
(2-5 enlarged.) 
* Allen, Ency. Pure. Mat. Med., X, p. 169. 
