590 ANISE 



membrane, being stimulant antiseptic expectorants, in- 

 creasing bronchial secretion, and counteracting septic 

 conditions of the membrane ; and (2) by the kidneys, in 

 moderate doses producing diuresis and antisepsis through- 

 out the urinary tract, but in large doses causing over- 

 stimulation and strangury. 



Anise is chiefly imported from Spain, Germany, and 

 Southern Russia. It is an ovoid, grey-brown fruit, 

 one-fifth of an inch in length, and covered with minute 

 hairs. Like other fruits of this order, it is separable into 

 two symmetrical mericarps, each of which is encircled by 

 five slender ridges, while its transverse section exhibits 

 about fifteen vittse, which elaborate the oil. 



Both anise fruits yield about 5 per cent, of a mixture, in 

 nearly equal proportions, of a fixed oil, and a volatile 

 anethol or camphor-like body, common to the Umbelli- 

 ferse, and some other plants, and having the formula 

 C 10 H 12 0. It is a phenol derivative, with some of its hydro- 

 gen atoms displaced by methyl and allyl, and having the 

 rational formula C 3 H 5 .C 6 H 4 .OCH 3 . It is colourless, but 

 becomes yellow on keeping ; exhibits intensely the char- 

 acteristic aromatic odour and taste of the fruit, and is 

 soluble in alcohol and ether. The oil from the pimpinella 

 solidifies at from 50 to 60 Fahr. ; that from the star- 

 anise at about 36 Fahr. 



ACTIONS AND USES. Anise is an aromatic stimulant, 

 stomachic, and carminative. It is used to relieve indiges- 

 tion and flatulence, to communicate an agreeable flavour 

 to many medicines, and to diminish the griping of purga- 

 tives. 



DOSES, etc. Horses receive about gi. ; cattle, i. to gij. ; 

 sheep and swine, 39- to S^i- ; dogs, grs. xx. to grs. 1., 

 given powdered, repeated several times a day, often con- 

 joined with ginger or other aromatics, and conveniently 

 administered in ale or in spirit and water. Oil of anise, 

 like oil of caraway, or coriander, is a diffusible stimulant, 

 antiseptic, carminative, and antispasmodic. For such pur- 

 poses cheaper remedies are generally, however, employed ; 

 but it is occasionally used as a flavouring ingredient, 

 more especially for ball masses, and, mixed with a little 



