Line 
Mitchella is one of the many plants used by the American Aborigines as a 
parturient, frequent doses of a decoction being taken during the few weeks just 
preceding confinement. It has also been found to be a valuable diuretic and 
astringent, and to have an especial affinity to various forms of uterine difficulties, 
The plant is not mentioned in the U.S. Ph. In the Eclectic Materia Medica 
its preparations are: Extractum Mitchelle and Syrupus Mitchelle Compositus.* 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh plant is chopped and 
pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, 
the pulp well mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. 
After a thorough mixture, the whole is poured into a well-stoppered bottle, and 
allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. 
The tincture, separated by filtering the mass, should have a deep orange-red 
color by transmitted light, an odor between that of Scotch snuff and oil of winter- 
green, an astringent taste, and an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis has been made, as far as J can 
determine, of this plant. The tincture, made as above, contains a large percent- 
age of tannin, and a resin precipitable by water. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—The symptoms, as recorded by Drs. F. C. 
Duncan and P. H. Hale,} show that Mitchella causes a general congestion, with 
dryness and burning of the mucous membranes of the alimentary tract. The 
clinical results would seem to show a tonic action upon involuntary muscular 
fibres, The drug merits more extended proving. | 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 77. 
1. Whole plant (somewhat reduced) ; Pamrapo, N. J., June 8th, 1879. 
2. A pair of flowers (somewhat enlarged). 
3- A double flower (somewhat enlarged). 
* Mitchella, Helonias, Viburnum op., and Caulophyllum. 
ft Allen, Ency. Pure Mat. Med., vol. vi, p- 373. 
