52-3 
odor, a peculiar bitter and astringent taste, imparts to the tongue on first applica- 
tion a cold sensation quite similar to that of sulphate of soda (Glauber’s Salt). 
and has an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—An analysis of the root was made by Dr. 
Greene,* U.S. N., for the express purpose of obtaining the alkaloid, the previous 
analyses by Smedley,+ and Warner,{ resulting in alkaloidal salts only. Dr. Greene 
succeeded in obtaining pale yellow crystals of various forms, some being perfect 
octahedra. This purified alkaloid was found to be soluble in water, alcohol, and 
ether, other physical and chemical properties are as yet unknown. A whitish 
yellow resin was also determined in his analysis, whether or not it is the same as 
one isolated by Smedley is not stated. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The symptoms of disturbance in the system 
following the ingestion of doses varying from 1 to 200 drops of the tincture of the 
root, 30 grs. of the powdeg, and 4 to 14 gts. of “ Baptisin” in different individuals 
are marked, and correspond to those of Typhoid or disintegrating forms of fever. 
They are substantially as follows :§ mentally gloomy, low-spirited, indisposed to 
think followed’ by inability, dullness, and stupidity. Vertigo. Dull, heavy headache 
with weakness and weariness of body, and tendency to delirium. Soreness and 
lameness of the eyeballs, with hot, flushed face. Tongue coated white, yellow or 
yellowish-brown. Loss of appetite, nausea, and burning in the stomach, Dull 
pains in the region of the liver, especially at the site of the gall-bladder. Face 
sallow, with burning cheeks. Constant pain and aching in the abdomen, followed 
by marked distention, and soreness on pressure, Soft, dark, mucous stools, 
followed by constipation. Urine dark red. Difficult breathing with oppression of 
the chest. Pulse at first accelerated and full, then low and faint. Aching, stiffness, 
and soreness of back and extremities. Chills general, followed by fever, restless- 
ness, weakness and great prostration. No sweat. e 
Dr. Hughes says:|| “ Baptisia is capable of exciting true primary pyrexia in 
the human subject. This is no slight thing, for there are very few other drugs to 
which we can ascribe such power. And this pyrexia is exceedingly like that of 
the early stages of Typhoid. We have no evidence that Baptisia affects Peyer's 
patches as they are affected in Typhoid, nor even that it acts upon them at all as 
Arsenic and Jodine, and perhaps Mercury and Turpentine do. But it is certain 
that it produces congestion and catarrh of the intestinal mucous membrane with 
abdominal tenderness, distention, and diarrhoea.” Still, as the specific condition 
of inflammation of the patches of Peyer does not appear until the second or 
perhaps third stage, our remedy properly used has done its work ere this and is 
not then required, nor will any other be, such condition not following, having 
been thwarted. 
* Am. Four. Phar., 1879; P- 577: 
+ Jdem, 1862, p. 310. 
¢ Jdem, 1871, p. 251- : . 
% Allen, Ency. Pure Mat. Med, vol, ii, pp. 31-39- : 
| Pharmacodynamics, p. 162. 
