202 
HH 
into many temperate regions. 
medicine at the beginning of t 
It was introduced into European 
re XVI Century and its use has 
continued up to the present day. The attractive black berries are 
extremely toxic and have caused fatal cases of poisoning when 
— 
eaten by children. It is used as an anodyne in lumbago and rheu- 
matism, also as a carminative and in abdominal colic. The alkaloid 
atropine is used by oculists for dilating the pupil in examinations 
of the eye. In 1940 the U. S. imported 125,394 Ibs. valued at 
$50,309. This plant is one of the drug sources reduced seriously 
by the war. One commercial drug firm increased their annual 
acreage immediately from 50 to over 500 acres of this plant with 
the cooperation of the U. S. government. 
Oat (Avena sativa) N.F. Oats have been noted by the an- 
cient Greek and Roman writers; at present they are cultivated in 
nearly all northern temperate latitudes. Medicinally, Oat is a 
nutrient and to some extent a demulcent. 
ORANGE (Citrus aurantium var. sinensis), Sweet orange, U.S.P. 
The sweet orange was introduced into Europe in the XV Century 
by the Portugese. The Arabs are credited with the introduction 
of the bitter orange long before, from its home in India where a 
wild orange still grows. The outer colored portion of the rind is 
used as a confection and flavoring agent due to the volatile oil 
present. The dried flowers are a source of a beverage tea. 
Orrts Roor (/ris florentina), White flag, N.F. The rhizomes 
of this plant are collected and yield the so-called Orris root of com- 
merce. The characteristic odor resembling violets is developed 
during the drying and curing process. The plant is widely culti- 
vated for its flowers throughout Europe, being propagated by 
rhizome cuttings. Orris root is rarely employed in medicine, but 
large amounts are used in sachet powders and tooth powders. 
Pawpaw (Carica papaya) N.O. The pawpaw tree is native to 
tropical America and is cultivated in other regions for its edible 
fruit. The fruit is large, melon-like and when incised exudes a 
milky juice. This juice is carefully dried and contains a pro- 
teolytic enzyme known as papain. This has digestant properties 
similar to those of the substance bromelin found in the pineapple 
and to pepsin. 
Pepper, BLack (Piper nigrum) N.O. Black pepper has been 
