18 PHARMACOPEIA!, DRUGS 



Apocynum cannabinum, this common name being used 

 in contradistinction to the true "Indian Hemp," of 

 India, Cannabis indica. The name "Indian Hemp" 

 was given to this plant by the early settlers because of 

 its bark, which, of a fibrous character, was in domestic 

 use by the American Indians. Since the days of the 

 earliest settlers, who learned its qualities from the 

 Indians, the root of apocynum has been used in de- 

 coction as an active hydragogue cathartic and also as 

 a diuretic. As a remedy in "dropsy" it was extensively 

 employed in home medication, and was thus intro- 

 duced to physicians concerned in remedial agents of 

 American origin. Its favor with physicians engaged in 

 general practice, led finally to its introduction to the 

 pages of the Pharmacopeia. For nearly a hundred years, 

 Eclectic literature as well as that of American botanies 

 has been prolific in the praises of apocynum, as shown 

 by all their publications; note especially all revisions of 

 the American Dispensatory, (356). In their early prac- 

 tice, apocynum was often called "The Vegetable Tro- 

 car." In 1909, Dr. Frederick B. Power and Charles W. 

 Moore, of the Wellcome Research Laboratories, Lon- 

 don (677), presented a special and very scientific treatise 

 on the Apocynum constituents. 



ARNICA (Arnica) 



Arnica montana is official in all editions of the Pharmacopeia, 

 but until 1860 it is mentioned only in the Secondary List. A wide 

 divergence appears as regards the part used. The early editions 

 name "The plant," and give as the common name, "Leopard's 

 Bane." The 1840 edition mentions "The root and herb of Arnica 

 montana." In 1850 we find the common name, Leopard's Bane, 

 used for the last time. This edition is notable for mentioning, for 

 the first time, Arnica, flowers, neglecting all other parts of the plant, 

 a ruling followed by all later editions, although the editions of 1880 

 and 1890 admit arnica root, as well as Arnica flowers. The edi- 

 tions of 1900 and 1910 give place to the flowers only. 



