SARSAPARILLA. 161 



portion readily cracks transversely, and shells off, leaving the 

 meditullium, which is thinner than in the Jamaica kind. The 

 taste of the root is amylaceous, and ultimately somewhat acrid; 

 its decoction becomes intensely blue by the addition of a 

 solution of iodine. Its powder is fawn coloured, and when 

 rubbed with water and tincture of iodine becomes intensely 

 bluish-black (Pereira). In preparing for homoeopathic pur- 

 poses, care must be taken to free the roots from all impurities, 

 by scraping, etc. The three first attenuations are made by 

 trituration. Alcohol does not dissolve all the active properties 

 of the root. The Honduras Sarsaparilla is that which is 

 generally used for homoeopathic purposes. 



Physiological Effects. — To the taste Sarsaparilla is slightly 

 acrid and somewhat nauseous. Diaphoresis is by far the most 

 common effect of its internal use ; when the skin is kept cool, 

 diuresis is not unusual. In several cases, I have given the 

 powder of this root in very large doses, in order to ascertain its 

 effects. Nausea, vomiting, and temporary loss of appetite were 

 alone observed (Pereira, op. cit.) 



Dr. Hancock (Trans. Med. Bot. Society, 1829) says that, in 

 one patient, an African, an infusion of four ounces of the Negro 

 Sarsa acted as a narcotic, producing nausea, great prostration of 

 strength., torpor, and unwillingness to move; the pulse was 

 scarcely altered, unless it were a little retarded. 



Medical Uses (HQMCEOPATH.ic).- j *-Hahne??iann's observations : 

 66 As Sarsaparilla bears some resemblance in its external appear- 

 ance to the root of Carex Arenaria, the authors of the Materia 

 Medica have prescribed the latter in preference, persuaded that 

 it is equal, if not superior, in its virtues ; and being of in- 

 digenous growth, it is patriotic to employ it. For this reason, 

 and because it has a more powerful though very different odour, 

 and possesses a similar form, they judge it worthy to take place 



of Sarsaparilla ! 



u It is evident that Sarsaparilla has been suspected, without 



