50 Medical Botany. 
violet upon the out side, and as whitish and mealy within, 
without any smell or taste. The second he calls malignant, 
and affirms, that it is externally dark violet, blue, or binck: 
ish; and internally of a bluish grey colour, a fetid smell and 
a sharp pungent taste. 
He supposes the latter to be active upon the human sys- 
tem, and the former ert. 
From the best chemical analysis it appears that this arti- 
cle ut 
First ale or fawn ne eee matter, soluble in 
seohol a tasting like fish-oil. 
Sec 
. A white oily matter, of a sweetish wste, which 
is very Anke ant. 
Third. A violet colouring matter, of the same shade as 
orchil, but differing from it, by being insoluble in alcohol, 
and easily applicable, to aluminated wool, and silk 
. An acid, probably the Phosphori 
F ith. * vegeto-animal matter, very ania and prone | 
to puurefaction, Yighding much thiek oil, and ammonia, by 
ie 
Sixth. oe small ‘quantity of free ammonia, which ¢ can be 
obtained at the temperature of boiling water. 
This article, when taken in substance into the stomach, 
in moderately large doses, occasions nausea; and even a 
piss or a prea: has produced vomiting, but without 
there is a schon to action, in t organ, | and re- 
storing the catamenial secretion, when obstructed. It must 
therefor in the Materia-medica as a Partus- 
accelerator, and as an EEmmenagogue 
The cases in which it is indicated asa Partus-accelerator, 
are— 
First. In the early stages of pregnancy, when abortion 
has become inevitable, uterine contractions are feeble, and 
hemorrhage considerable, so that it has become important 
to abridge the sufferings, and lessen the danger of the pa- 
tient. 
' Second. In cases of i alarming hemorrhage, near the close 
of the period of utero-gestation, not occasioned by attach- 
rte A ceeaeneccerneette 
~ 
i 
