45-3 
the poisonous effects of rattlesnake bites, and those of rabid animals (Barton), is 
not warranted by the results so far gained, at least in civilized practice. 
Seneka is officinal in the U. S, Phar. as: Adstractum Senege, Extraclum 
Senege Fludum, Syrupus Senege, and Syrupus Scille Compositus.* nthe 
Eclectic Materia Medica the preparations are: Jnfusorum Senege and Tinctura 
Laricis Composita.+ 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The-dried root, gathered when the 
leaves are dead, and before the first frost, is coarsely powdered and covered with 
five parts by weight of alcohol, poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and allowed 
to stand eight days in a dark, moderately warm place, being shaken twice a day. 
The tincture, separated from this mass by decanting and filtering, has a clear, 
slightly brownish, orange color by transmitted light, an odor greatly resembling 
sweet cider, at first an aromatic then bitterish and chokingly acrid taste, and an 
acid reaction. After tasting the tincture or chewing the rootlets, a very peculiar 
sensation of acridity and enlargement is felt at the root of the tongue, which, once 
recognized, will always mentally associate itself with this plant. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—Polygalic Acid{ C,,H,,O0,, This peculiar 
body, existing principally in the rootlets, was discovered by M. Peschier, and more 
thoroughly studied, fifteen years later, by Quevenne,§ who isolated it as a white, 
odorless, acrid, amorphous powder. This acid has not yet been proven to be 
characteristically different from the general characters of various specific forms of 
saponin, though it has been carefully studied by many organic chemists, among whom 
are Gehlin, Procter, Dulong, Bucholz, Bolley, Christophsohn, Schneider, Fentulle, 
Folchi and others. The stubbornness of this body in resisting the action of sol- 
vents and reagents without changing form completely renders it, like ¢ridline, very 
difficult to comprehend. Polygalic acid, when superheated upon platinum foil, 
bursts into a bright flame and leaves no residue; it dissolves thoroughly in hot 
water, and remains in solution; it dissolves also in boiling absolute alcohol, but 
deposits again on cooling; on evaporating its watery solution without stirring, it 
is deposited in greenish scales. This acid forms a frothing, saponaceous solution 
in boiling water; breaks down under the action of dilute mineral acids into sapo- 
genin and amorphous sugar ; and has prominent acridity and sternutatory power ; 
—all of which prompted Gehlin to give it the name of Senegin.|| Christophsohn, 
Bolley, Schneider, and Bucholz regard the acid as identical with Saponin. The 
physiological action of Senega would also tend to prove at least a similarity 
between this acid and Saponin. | : 
Virgineic Acid.—This still doubtful body exists, according to Quevenne, in 
the fixed oil of the root. 
* Squills, Seneka, Tartar Emetic, and Calcium Phosphate, 
+ Tamarac bark, Juniper berries, Prickly Ash bark, Wild Cherry bark, Seneca Snakeroot, Tansy, and Podophyllum, 
t Senegin; Polygalin. © 
4 Four. de Phar., 1836, 449. 
‘|| Berlin Fahkrsbuch, 1804, 112. — 
