HUMULUS LUPULUS. ORD. XLI. Scabridez. -. 308 
confirmed Dr. Ives’ opinion, that the properties of the hop reside in the lu- 
pulin, or the yellow grains which are scattered over the membranous scales 
of the strobiles. They also discovered a volatile oil in lupulin, which is si- 
milar in odour to the hop, bnt much more penetrating. The following pro- 
cess has been practised by M. Planche, for purifying lupulin :— 
“ To separate the sand from the lupulin—put it into water, shake it for a 
few minutes, decant that which is held in solution by the water, and a dark- 
coloured sand is deposited: repeat the process several times, and spread the 
lupulin, which is insoluble in water, on bibulous paper; let it drain, and 
then dry it in the air, neither exposed to the sun, nor to a temperature above 
76° Fahrenheit. It should be prepared yearly, and this cleansing process 
must be quickly conducted, or it will undergo a change.” 
Medical Properties and Uses. Hops are narcotic, tonic, and diuretic. We 
are told by Dr. Maton, that, besides allaying pain and producing sleep, the 
preparations of hops reduce the frequency of the pulse, and increase its firm- 
ness in a very decided manner. One drachm of the tincture, and four grains 
of the extract, given once in six hours, reduced the pulsations from ninety- 
six to sixty in twenty-four hours.* He found the extract very efficacious in 
allaying the pain in articular rheumatism, in which disease we have fre- 
quently administered both the tincture and extract with much benefit to our 
patients. As a narcotic it is very far inferior to opium; but under certain 
circumstances, where opium disagrees, (which is not unfrequently the case) 
it will generally procure undisturbed and refreshing sleep. Dr. Ives ob- 
serves, “ with regard to the medicinal efficacy of hops, every accurate obser- 
ver must acknowledge, that they possess little merit if administered according 
to the directions given in our pharmacop@ias. The quantity of proof-spirit 
which enters into the tincture would produce stimulating effects, indepen- 
dent of any properties which it imbibes from the hops; and, although its 
action may be modified by their combined agency, so as, in some measure, 
to increase the cordial and invigorating influence of the alcohol, it is diffi- 
cult to conceive, that the tonic or narcotic virtues of the hop should be sufhi- 
ciently concentrated to produce much remedial benefit. It is otherwise with 
the pharmaceutical preparations of the lupulin, which I have been accus- 
tomed to prescribe. Pretty extensive observation has confirmed my former 
opinion, that diseases which are the consequence of exhausted excitability, 
» Observations on the Humulus Lupulus, Sc. by A. Freake. 
