104-2 
5 crenations. od depressed-globose, 5-lobed, 5-celled and 5-valved, loculicidal 
from the apex downward; seeds innumerable, minute. 
ee * , _ 
follows: Peduncles from 1 to 5 flowered. Leaves oyate-lanceoluie, obtuse at the 
base, the edges widely toothed, their upper surface white-maculate. A description 
of the natural order will be found under Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi. 
History and Habitat.—This hardy little plant seeks the deep shaded portion 
of woodlands, where it flourishes best in the loamy formations of rotted leaves. 
It abounds throughout the central portion of North America, the forests of 
Siberia and the Northern countries of Europe. It blossoms here in June and 
July, fruiting in September. It is used among the aborigines of this country as a 
tonic and diuretic, as well as for rheumatic and scrofulous disorders, and latterly 
as an application to scrofulous and other open sores. Chimaphila is still retained 
in the U. S. Ph. as Extvactum Chimaphile Fluidum. In the Eclectic Materia 
Medica its officinal preparation is Decoctum Chimaphile; it is also a component of 
Syrupus Stillingte Compositus. 
PART USED, AND PREPARATION.—The fresh plants while in flower are 
_ chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of 
alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest 
of the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well it is poured into a well- 
: stoppered bottle and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The 
_ tincture is then decanted, strained and filtered. . 3 
ae Thus formed it is opaque; thin layers have a deep, rich, reddish-brown 
. color ; it is decidedly bitter, slightly astringent, and has an acid reaction to litmus. 
es CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—The chemistry of this plant corresponds 
with that of Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi (vide Uva-ursi, plate 100), differing probably 
little except in also containing the following principle, determined by: Fairbank : 
Chimaphilin.—On the aqueous distillation of the stems in a retort, a deposit 
of golden-yellow, odorless, tasteless crystals takes place upon. the Ken, the 
chemical nature of which has not yet been determined: their physics So 
are: a slight solubility in water, and a free solution in alcohol. The perce + Pa ges 
nin in this plant is somewhat less than in Uva-ursi, © : & oe - 
5 _ PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Here again Uvailies: theuld be cometicd 
himaphila does not cause nausea and vomiting to the extent of Uvacursi, while 
diuretic action is greater. Its physiological action as such is undetermined, 
> 
_ DEscrirrion or PLatE re 
a Sees Whole plant in fui, | 
2. Flowering stem, Binghamton, N. Y., June 26. 1882. 
