I'hjisical and Chemical Papers. 109 



of the poison. The circumstances were as follows : The plants 

 were taken from a vasculum among which was the Rhus (all 

 liandled by an assistant). His face became severely poisoned. 

 As the box was opened he leaned over and looked in, being 

 careful not to come in contact with either the box or the 

 plants. His record of his experience seems to indicate that 

 his conclusion of the volatility of a part of the poison is well 

 founded. 



As to the value of Prunella, it would seem, from our obser- 

 vation and investigation, that its remedial value lies very 

 largely in its soothing qualities. We are not without many of 

 such plants growing in the state of Kansas, as, for example, 

 the Grindelki. This plant, which is so common to our western 

 plains, gives rapid relief in ivy poison by the application of 

 cloths dipped in a mixture of the fluid extract and water. 

 G)i)ideUa )-obusfa and Grindelia squa))-osa (gum plant, tar 

 weed) both contain principles which have the effect of allaying 

 local irritation of various kinds. It allays, for example, pain 

 in the affection of herpes zoster (shingles) , burns and blisters. 

 It makes a good application for chafed and irritating surfaces 

 without imparting any other complications in the way of irri- 

 tation. The principles residing in these are tannic acid, to- 

 gether with certain mucilagenous and oleoresinous principles 

 not well defined. 



Analysis of Prunella vulgaris. 



Per cunt. 



1 . Moisture 7 . 83 



2. Chloroform extract 6.55 



.3. Alcohol extract (80 per cent) 13.35 



4. Soluble in water 11.04 



5. Soluble, in dilute acid 14.64 



6. Soluble in dilute alkali 22 . 23 



7. Cellulose 25.07 



8. Residual ash 7 . 07 



Total 107.78 



9. Total ash 14 . 54 



10. Nitrogen: 



a. As Nj 1.69 



h. As albuminous material 10.69 



