DRUGS. 83 



biennial herb, 9 to 18 inches high, widely distributed over 

 the Northern United States. The plant belongs to the 

 natural order Campanulacese. The dried herb is imported 

 into this country in pieces of varying sizes, and compressed 

 into oblong packages. In moderate doses it is a powerful 

 emetic, but in large doses it acts as an aero-narcotic poison. 

 It is administered in spasmodic asthma. Its properties 

 have long been known in America, but it was not till about 

 1829 that it was introduced to England. 



CHIRETTA (Swertia chlrata). An annual herb belonging 

 to the natural order Gentianese, and native of the moun- 

 tainous regions of Northern India. The whole plant 

 possesses a strong bitter taste, and has long been held in 

 high repute by the Hindoos as a tonic. About 1829 it 

 began to attract some attention in England, and was ad- 

 mitted to the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia in 1839. It is a 

 pure bitter tonic, without aroma or astringency, and is used 

 in this country chiefly in the form of tincture. It is also 

 said to be usdd, in the place of gentian, to give flavour to 

 the compound cattle foods now so general 



BELLADONNA or DEADLY NIGHTSHADE (Atropa Bettor 

 donna). This well-known herbaceous plant is very widely 

 spread, not only in this country, but also through Central 

 and Southern Europe, Caucasia, and Northern Asia Minor. 

 The roots are chiefly used for the preparation of atropine, 

 employed in ophthalmia for dilating the pupil of the eye, and 

 for making a liniment for neuralgic pains ; for this purpose 

 it was introduced about 1860. The leaves were introduced 

 into the London Pharmacopoeia in 1809, for the preparation 

 of extracts and tincture. 



BEBEERU or GREENHEART BARK (Nectandra Rodicei.) 

 A large hard- wooded forest tree of British Guiana, belong- 

 ing to the natural order Laurinese. The thick bark con- 

 tains an alkaloid known as JBeberine, and has been recom- 

 mended as a bitter tonic and febrifuge. It first attracted 

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