160 ORD. VIII. Sarmentacee. anistonocuia CLEMATITIS, 
Various species of Aristolochia were formerly included in the. 
Materia Medica, as noticed in the first part of this work; but the 
Clematitis here figured is the only species still retained in the 
Edinburgh Pharmacopeeia, and therefore ought to have superseded 
the A. longa, of which a plate is given at page 157. 
The root, which is the part medicinally used, has a somewhat 
aromatic smell, and a warm bitterish taste. 
Not only writers on the Materia Medica, but most authors on the 
practice of medicine, from the remotest times, have ascribed many 
virtues to the roots of Aristolochia, which it would be useless here to. 
enumerate. The qualities for which they have been chiefly esteemed 
are sufficiently noticed in the following extract from Dr. Cullen :— 
«« Which of the species of Aristolochia are to be preferred I cannot 
«© determine, and believe the difference between the rotunda, longa, 
** and tenuis, is not considerable, though the latter seems now to be 
* preferred by both the Colleges of London and Edinburgh. They 
«¢ are all of them considerably bitter, with more acrimony than in 
« any other of the bitters commonly employed. Its name seems to 
« have arisen from the supposition of its emmenagogue virtues, 
«and in some cases of retention and ‘chlorosis, as a warm and, 
= stimulating medicine, I have found it useful; but in cases of 
«* suppression I never found it of any use: and the commendation 
“« of it by the ancients in promoting the lochia, facilitating birth, &c. 
« is very ill founded. The Aristolochia has been long commended 
«© gs a cure for the gout. It makes a considerable part of the 
« Portland powder,* and has often been employed by itself in the; 
«© same manner as that powder, to be taken every day for a length 
** of time.”* 
But Dr. Cullen thinks with Werlhoff,’ that though it may, prevent. 
the recurrence of the gouty paroxyms, yet the long continued use- 
of such medicines is extremely hurtful, and commonly brings on a. 
general state of disease more fatal than the original distemper. 
_ * For the. Saxe 3 of. oe powder, sce p. 158, 
M. M. 7 
* See Cautiones Medic ka. Wickman. p 346, 
