76-2 
cordifolia, Mut.), \ancifolia bark (Cinchona lancifolia, Mut.), crown bark (Cinchona 
condaminea, D. C. var. crispa and var. Chahuarguera), gray bark (Crnchona mt- 
crantha, Ru.et Pav.), and many minor species; Gambier, or pallid catechu (Un- 
caria Gambier, Rox.), coffee (Coffea Arabica, Linn.), ipecacuanha (Cephelis [pe- 
cacuanha, A. Rich.), Cainca (Chiococca racemosa, Linn.), madder (Rudia tinctoria, 
Linn.), bitter bark (Pinckneya pubens, Mich.), cleavers (Gallium aparine, Linn.) 
and others of minor import. 
History and Habitat.—The button bush is indigenous to the United States 
and Canadas, growing as far south as Florida and Louisiana, and west to Missouri. 
It habits the borders of wet places, and flowers from July to August. The flowers 
of cephalanthus, especially those of the more southern individuals, are pleasantly 
odorous, the perfume being likened to that of jessamine. Rafinesque mentions 
several varieties of this species, the only one apparently deserving special desig- 
nation being var. macrophylla, Raf. distinguishable by having larger leaves, and 
an hirsute corolla; he stations this plant in Louisiana. 
The medical history of Cephalanthus is not important; it has been used with 
1 success in intermittent and remittent fevers, obstinate coughs (Elliott), 
ous venereal disorders (Merat), and in general as a tonic, laxative, and 
diuretic. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh bark of the stem, branches, 
and root* is chopped and pounded toa pulp and weighed. Then two parts by 
weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, 
and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole well, pour it 
into a well-stoppered bottle, and let it stand eight days in a dark, cool place. 
The tincture, separated from the above mass by filtration, has a light, clear, 
orange-brown color, by transmitted light, a bitter, astringent taste, and an acid re- 
action. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—An analysis of the bark by E. M. nae 
yielded : 
An uncrystallizable bitter principle, soluble in both water and alcohol. 
A fluorescent body, forming apicular crystals, soluble in water and alcohol. 
Two resins (uninvestigated), and tannin. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—We have a proving of this drug by Dr. E. D. 
Wright,t but it is not complete enough to give us an idea of the action. It would 
seem, from the close resemblance and botanical relation of this plant to the cin- 
chonas, that a more thorougs ee might develop in it a very useful addition 
to our remedies. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 76. 
1. End of flowering branch, Binghamton, N. Y., June 18th, 1883. 
2. Flower (enlarged). 
Fe nna 
* The bark of the root apparently contains the greatest proportion of the bitter principle of the plant. 
t Am. Four. Phar., 1874, p. 357. ¢ Am. Hom. Obs., ¥875, Pp. 177: 
