ANISE 589 



the tincture is made with an ounce of the root in powder 

 (No. 40) to a pint of alcohol (70 per cent.). Watery infu- 

 sions can be of little efficacy, for neither the arnicin nor 

 volatile oil is soluble in water. Arnica opodeldoc consists 

 of white soap four parts, rectified spirit ten, tincture of 

 arnica five and camphor one. It is used as a local stimu- 

 lant. 



ANISE 



ANISI FRUCTUS. Anise fruit. The dried ripe fruit of Pim- 

 pinella anisum. Nat. Ord. Umbelliferae. 



OLEUM ANISI. Oil of Anise. The oil distilled from anise 

 fruit ; or from the fruit of the Star anise, Illicium 

 verum (B.P.). 



The natural order Umbelliferae yields many aromatic 

 fruits, such as anise, caraway, coriander, dill, and fennel, 

 as well as the aromatic gum-resins, asafcetida, galbanum, 

 and ammoniacum. These aromatic umbelliferous fruits, 

 like the fruits, leaves, and other parts of various plants of 

 such orders as the Myrtacese, Labiatae, and Coniferae, owe 

 their medicinal value chiefly to their yielding volatile oils. 

 These oils possess certain properties and actions in common, 

 and the student should be familiar with their group char- 

 acters. 



ACTIONS OF VOLATILE OILS. Volatile oils are readily 

 diffusible ; their in-contact effects are produced, not only 

 when they are applied topically, but when they are absorbed 

 and distributed in the blood stream. When concentrated 

 they are local irritants and parasiticides ; when diluted 

 they paralyse sensory nerve-endings. Internally, they 

 exert the same actions in the alimentary tract, and hence 

 are anodyne, carminative, and antispasmodic. As a result 

 of this topical action they reflexly stimulate circulation, 

 respiration, and secretion. When absorbed they have 

 little effect on the system in medicinal doses, but large doses 

 first stimulate and later paralyse the central nervous system. 

 As with other stimulants large doses paralyse the heart. 

 They reduce inordinate reflex activity of the spinal cord. 

 They are eliminated chiefly (1) by the respiratory mucous 



