100-4 
The leaves of Uva-Ursi are officinal in the U. S. Ph., as well as Evtvactum 
Uva-Ursi Fluidum ; in Eclectic practice the preparation is Decoctum Uva-Urst. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh leaves, particularly those of 
the sterile branches, gathered in September or October, are to be chopped and 
pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then take two-thirds’ part by weight of 
dilute alcohol, add to it the pulp with constant agitation, and strain the whole 
through a piece of new linen. The grainy menstruum thus obtained should be’ 
allowed to stand eight days, in a well-stoppered bottle, in a dark, cool place, 
before filtering. ; 
The tincture obtained by filtration should be opaque, and have, in thin layers, 
a deep blackish-brown color by transmitted light; its odor should be heavily herb- 
aceous and slightly terebinthic; its taste extremely astringent and slightly bitter ; 
and its reaction acid. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—According to many observers, especially 
Prof. Murray and Dr. J. S. Mitchell, water is the best menstruum with which to 
extract the principles of this plant. The large amount of tannin contained in the 
leaves causes them to be extensively gathered in Iceland, Sweden, and Russia for 
tanning fine grades of leather. 
[Arbutose.*—Treat the mixture of several successive decoctions of the 
coarsely-powdered leaves of Uva-Ursi with subacetate of lead, thereby precipi- 
tating the tannin and extractive matters. Decolorize the liquid with sulphydric 
acid, and evaporate quickly. This process decomposes a certain quantity of arbu- 
tin and a sticky crystalline mass is produced (Arbutose), containing 55 per cent. 
at butin, 35 per cent. glucose, and 10 per cent, water. After drying this body in 
air as far as possible, and treating it with charcoal, followed by successive quan- 
Mes of alcohol and distilled water, crystallized arbutin may be obtained.] | ae 
oe ‘Arbutin,+ C.5H,,0,,.4—This 
eS , oe us glucoside, in an impure state, was first deter-_ 
‘Mined by Hughes,§ and called by him Ursin ; Kawalier, however, in 18 53, isolated © 
2 the body in 4 pure state, and gave it the name it now bears, Arbutin crystallizes ? 
- een ames shining, radiate forms, odorless, bitter, and neutral 3 they lose ; 
Sesagted: oe ee Bae A aes F.), are soluble in water, slightly sol- _ 
a CORO, 2nd if e in ethe: ating the ‘eros a Ree En Gs 
| nganese they are Sasi eee a : sl asieet the crystals with SS of | 
: — Arbutin, - > Kenone, 
