40-2 
without support, from its often being taken for poison ivy, to which, however, 
it bears no resemblance, except perhaps in this mode of growth. This indigenous 
vine is being cultivated in Europe much as the European ivy is here, for adorning 
walls. Ampelopsis is not mentioned in the U. S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Materia 
Medica its preparations are Decoctum ampelopsis, and Infusum ampclopsis, 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh young shoots and bark are 
chopped and pounded toa pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of 
alcohol are taken, and having mixed the pulp well with one-sixth part of it, the 
rest of the alcohol is added. The whole is then stirred, poured into a well- 
stoppered bottle and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. 
Having separated the tincture by decanting, straining, and filtering, it 
presents by transmitted light a slightly brownish-red color; is of a decided sour, - 
astringent taste and has a strong acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Pyrocatechin,* C,H,O,, determined by 
Gorup-Besanez in small quantity in the green leaves, This body crystallizes in 
Square prisms readily soluble in water and alcohol. 
Cisso-Tannic Acid, C,,H,,O,, determined by Wittstein in the autumnal 
colored leaves as the pigment of the red coloration: it is liquid at ordinary tem- 
peratures, and has an astringent, bitter taste. In this acid as a sediment is 
another body termed by this author zwso/uéle or changed cisso-tannic acid 
(C,, H,, O,,), insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, It exists when dry as a dense 
dark-brown, brittle, shining mass, having a bitter, acrid taste, 
The leaves when green contain also free tartaric acid and its salts, with 
sodium and potassium. ; 
Glycollic Acid, C,H,O, and Calcium glycollate (C,H, O,), Ca, exist in the 
ripe berries. (Schorlemmer.) 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Little or nothing is known of the action of this 
drug upon man. Mr, Bernay, however, in Pharm. Jour. and Trans., vol. vii. 1876, p. 
So, reports that two children, aged respectively two and a half and five years, after 
chewing the leaves and swallowing the juice were quickly seized with vomiting 
and purging, with tenesmus: then collapse, sweating, and faint pulse; followed 
by deep sleep for two hours, from which a return of the vomiting and purging 
aroused them. The pupils were dilated and remained somewhat so four hours 
after the commencement of the attack. , 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 40. 
1. Flowering spray, from Ithaca, N. Y., June 17, 1880. 
2. Branch showing tendrils. 
3- Flower (enlarged). 
4. Berries. 
* Oxyphenic Acid, 
