149-2 
Ipecac acts as a hydragogue, expectorant, diaphoretic or emetic, according to the 
size of the dose. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh root, treated as directed 
under £. hypericifolia, yields a tincture having a clear, light lemon-yellow color by 
transmitted light, a sweetish odor, an acrid taste, and an acid reaction. 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—No analysis yet made of this species has 
resulted in the separation of the glucoside it seems to contain. Dr. Bigelow’s 
analysis separated caoutchouc, resin, and mucus; to which Mr. Cullen adds, by 
analysis, coloring-matter and starch. 
Euphorbon, C,,H,,O,.*—By evaporating the tincture to an extractive mass, 
dissolving in alcohol containing caustic potash, evaporating, and neutralizing the 
residue with dilute acetic acid, a brown body was precipitated (Euphorbic acid). 
On digesting the menstruum, separated from this precipitate, in ether, and evapo- 
rating spontaneously, crystals were obtained; these recrystallized frequently, and, 
boiled in a slightly-colored solution of permanganate of potash, resulted as taste- 
less, colorless, imperfect crystals, insoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol, 
readily soluble in ether, benzol and chloroform: melting at 241° (116.1° C.); and 
answering to the tests for the Euphorbon of Flickiger, 
Euphorbic Acid.+—This amorphous, brown body, obtained as above, was 
slightly acrid, very bitter, soluble in water and alcohol, and capable of neutralizing 
slightly alkaline solutions. 
The two bodies resulting as above were too small in quantity for experimen- 
tation in this analysis, as I had but little of the root in my possession. They are 
without a doubt identical with the bodies under which names I have described 
them, as given by experiments upon Gum Euphorbium from Euphorbia resinifera, 
Berg. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Euphorbia acts as an irritant to the mucous 
membranes throughout the alimentary tract, not only by its presence, but after 
the powder taken is all evacuated ; vomiting once commenced is associated with 
vertigo, dimness of vision, flashes of heat and thirst; when the vomiting ceases, 
purging commences and lasts some time, often followed by prostration and cold 
sweat.} 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 149. 
1 and 2. Flowering stems, Landisville, N. J., June 8th, 1885. 
. 3- Flower and involucre. 
4. Styles and stigmas. 
5- Stamen. 
6. Disk and fruit. 
‘7. A portion of the root. 
(3-6 enlarged.) 
+ Buchheim, ed Bigelow; Am, ied, Bob, ae. ot: 
