138-3 
A. sempervirens, Linn, (Colombia), A. fragrantissima, Ruiz. (Peru), A. grandiflora, 
Swartz (Jamaica), 4. macroura, Gomez (Brazil), A. tomentosa, Sims (U. S.), A. 
hirsuta, Muhl., and A. Szpho, L’Her. (N. A.). 
The medical history of Serpentaria begins with Cornutus’ first notice of the 
plant in 1635,* augmented by: Parkinson in 1640. These authors, together with 
Dale (1693) and Geoffroy (1741), speak in high terms of its alexiteric properties. 
The root was admitted into the London Pharmacopeeia in 1650. 
Serpentaria has been classed among the diuretics and warm stimulating tonics 
and diaphoretics, and used with some success in the treatment of low forms of 
fevers, especially those of a septicemic type, this use resulting from its alexiphar- 
mic properties. It was also used in intermittents and remittents before Quinine 
had been isolated from bark. Of this use Sydenham says:+ “To cure tertians 
in poor people who are not able to bear the charge of a long process (Ital. ours), take 
of Virginia Snake-weed, finely powdered, one scruple, of white wine, three ounces, 
mingle them; let the sick take it two hours before the fit, and being well covered 
with clothing, let him sweat three or four hours, and let it be repeated twice as 
the fit approaches.”t Serpentaria was also often given in mixture with Peruvian 
Bark, thus rendering the latter more active, and at the same time preventing the 
ill effect of bark upon the stomach; of this Dr. Chapman says,§ that “in some 
patients such is the irritability of the stomach, that bark, in substance, cannot be 
retained even in the smallest dose. In such cases we resort to it in decoction or 
compounded with Serpentaria, which, I think, renders the mixture quite as pleasant 
to the taste, as would cloves or cinnamon, as comfortable to the stomach, and per- 
haps more efficacious. Combinations too of this sort well cure tntermittents when 
the bark, alone, fails” (Ital. ours). Serpentaria was also used in bilious, typhoid, 
and typhus fevers, small-pox, erysipelas, pneumonia, amenorrhoea, and in fact 
wherever a stimulating diaphoretic was deemed advisable. It was also considered 
a stimulating and antiseptic poultice for open, indolent wounds, ulcers, etc.; of 
this use Dr. Porcher wisely remarks:|] “This antiseptic power of certain vegeta- 
bles should be compared with their medicinal effects when prescribed internally.” 
The officinal preparations of this drug in the U. S. Ph, are: Latractum 
Serpentarie Fluidum,; Tinctura Serpentarie and Tinctura Cinchor.e@ Composita, 
The Eclectic preparations are: Jnfusum Serpentarie; Extractum Soper 
flucdum ; and Tinctura Serpentaria Composita.** 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The deed root, nels scaieee is ee 
covered by five parts by weight of alcohol, and kept eight days in a well stoppered 
bottle, in a dark, cool satis ox shaken paoresy twice a day. ee 
* Canadens ham Plantarum Historia, \.c. 
+ 1679. : ce es 3 
_t Did Sydenham sleds know; by experience, ‘that the ‘as exhibition of Peruvian Pak in fevers was 5 only << 
applicable to the wealthy who could stand the com - a gttics attendance ? ? 
¢ Llement. Ther. ik, 4it. 3 ie fee 
|| Resources South. Field and Forests, bie ns AG Gee LORS eS 
me Cnetone ee Citrus speaions, and Aristolochia serpentara. Rae 
