164 PHARMACOPEIAL DRUGS 



cine. A "hop bag" wetted with alcohol and placed hot, 

 on an inflamed part, is of great service. 



HYDRASTIS (Golden Seal) 



Introduced in 1860 (Secondary List). Official in all later 

 editions. 



Hydrastis canadensis is a native of North America. 

 Once abundant in the thick woodlands of the Central 

 West, in the territory bordering the Ohio River from 

 Illinois to Virginia, it is now, in its native home, prac- 

 tically exterminated. Hydrastis is known by the com- 

 mon names golden seal, yellow puccoon, yellow root, 

 and other similar expressive appellations signifying its 

 color, or applying to its nature. The root of this plant, 

 of a rich golden yellow, like its companion, sanguinaria, 

 which, however, has a red color, was used by the Indians 

 as a cuticle stain, and also as a dye for their garments. 

 Being exceedingly bitter, it was also useful in repelling 

 insects, when mixed with grease and smeared upon the 

 skin, and hence served a double purpose in the use of 

 primitive man. Its first printed conspicuity came from 

 a paper read by Mr. Hugh Martin (408) before the 

 American Philosophical Society, 1782, published in 

 their Transactions, 1793, under the title "An Account 

 of some of the Principal Dyes employed by the North 

 American Indians" By reason of its red berry, hy- 

 drastis was also called ground raspberry. Although it 

 had been mentioned in various medical publications, 

 the drug was held in slight repute, and was of no com- 

 mercial importance until the advent of the American 

 Eclectics, who first prepared its alkaloidal salts for 

 professional use. (388a). Its medical history therefore 

 dates from its use by the Indians, who introduced it as 



