NAT. ORDER. — CUIS VOLVULACEiE. 47 



showy wlicii ill blossom, and much admired. Tlie ishrubby aud 

 perennial herbaceous kinds reqiure a Ughi, rich soil, or a niLxture of 

 loam and peat, or decayed leaves and loam suits them best. They 

 are well adapted for trauiing up trellis-work, or pillars in stoves. 

 Youug cuttings strilie root readily under a hand-glass, in heat. The 

 aimual species shoidd be reared in a hot-bed, and when of sufllcient 

 size, shoidd be placed in pots of a suitable size. A light, rich soil, or 

 a inixtui'e of loam and decayed leaves suits them best. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Jalap was first introduced into 

 medical practice in Europe in the latter part of the sixteenth century, 

 and from there into the United States, where it now ranks among the 

 purgative medicines most extensively employed. The United States 

 Dispensatory highly recommends it as being applicable in most cases 

 where an active cathartic is required, and from its hydragogue powers 

 is especially adapted to the treatment of dropsy. It is generally given 

 with other medicines, which assist or qualify its operation. In drop- 

 sical complaints it is used in connection with the bitartrate of potassa ; 

 also in the treatment of the hip disease and other scrofulous affections 

 of the joints. With calomel it forms a cathartic compound, which has 

 long been very popular with some physicians in the treatment of bil- 

 ious fever, and otlier complaints attended with conjestion of the liver 

 or portal circle. In over doses it sometimes produces dangerous, 

 symptoms, hype rcathar sis, and will often purge when applied to a 

 wound. 



The dose of Jalap in powder is from fifteen to thirty grains ; of 

 the resin or alcoholic extract, which is chiefly used in Europe, and is, 

 now directed by the Edinburgh College, from four to eight grains . 

 the latter is usually given rubbed up with sugar, or in emulsion, by 

 which its tendency to irritate painfnlly the mucous membrane of the 

 bowels is thought to be in some measure obviated. Various species 

 of the Jalap have at diflferent periods been introduced into medical 

 practice, all possessing more or less cathartic quahties. 



