139-3 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root gathered in Autumn, is 
chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alco- 
hol are taken, the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of 
the alcohol added. After stirring the whole well, it is placed in a well-stoppered 
bottle and allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. 
The tincture separated from the above by filtration, should have a clear, light 
yellowish-orange color by transmitted light, a bitterish odor and taste, and a very 
slight acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—/%ytolaccine. Although an acrid principle was 
deemed present by all previous analysts of the root of this plant, it seems to have 
remained in some doubt prior to the analysis of Edmond Preston.* His analysis 
yielded small crystals, almost white when purified, giving precipitates with the 
four alkaloidal reagents—phosphomolybdic acid, tannin, iodohydrargyrate of potas- 
sium, and auric chloride, and were entirely dissipated when fused and subjected to 
further heat upon platinum foil. They proved entirely soluble in alcohol, moder- 
ately so in water, and fully in nitric, sulphuric, and hydrochloric acids, giving, how- 
ever, no characteristic color test. He also found the hydrochlorate salt, as nearly 
colorless, strongly acid, acicular crystals, moderately soluble in alcohol, and fully 
so in water. 
Phytolaccic Acid.—There seems to be little doubt that A. C. Erhard’s analysis 
determines such an acid to exist in the root.+ Its crystals were in his analysis, 
however, combined with potassium. A. Terreil { found the same acid salt of potas- 
sium in an alcoholic extract of the berries. Isolated, it was amorphous, yellowish- 
brown, transparent, non-deliquescent and very soluble in water and alcohol. 
An analysis of the berries, however, by Cramer, elicited no acid answering to 
the above, but instead, one proving itself to be malic.§ Concerning this acid M. 
Braconnot says:|| The alkali of this plant is neutralized by an acid having con- 
siderable affinity to the malic, but with a few shades of difference. With lime and 
lead malic acid forms flocculent precipitates, very easily soluble in distilled vinegar ; 
but those with the phytolaccic acid are insoluble. He farther judges this peculiar 
acid to be probably a body between malic and oxalic acids, or an oxygenized malic. 
- Beside the above, potash exists in such large per cent. that some thought has 
been devoted to the advisability of its manufacture from the roots. Starch, tannin, 
gum, sugar, resin, and fixed oil have also been determined.{[ 
The coloring matter of the berries has been largely experimented upon, with 
a view to its utility as a dye. No mordant, however, is found that will fix its 
color. With alum, it is somewhat fast but not permanent; with urine, it dyes 
blue; and alone, it is very fugitive, although very brilliant at first. M. Braconnot, 
in his experiments with the juice of the berry, turned yellow by the addition of 
lime-water, found it to be one of the most delicate tests = acre: four times as 
. © Adm. Four. pe 1884, 567. f. New Remedi s, 1879, 25%. 
t Compt. rend., xci., pp. 856-8; Am. Four. Phar., 1881, 325. 
% Walter Cramer, Am. Four. Phar., 1881, 598. || Annals de Chi 
qT ee. Am. ce ea shed 1843, 1655 = Tbid., mac 5795 rr c.; Erh 
