ARISTOLOCHIA BIRTHWORT. 233 



Preparations. Commonly administered in infusion. 



Medical l*roperties and Uses. Wild ginger has a peculiar, pungent, aro- 

 matic taste, and is an aromatic stimulant. In hot infusion it produces 

 diaphoresis, and may relieve the pains of colic. It is, however, less agree- 

 able to most persons than many other drugs of its class, and scarcely de- 

 serves to rank as a medicinal agent. 



ARISTOLOCHIA. BIRTHWORT. 



Aristolochia Serpentaria Linne. Virginia Snakeroot. 



Description. Calyx tubular, contorted, bent in the shape of the letter 

 S, dilated at both extremities, the limb 5-lobed, and somewhat 2-iipped. 

 Stamens 6, the sessile anthers ad- 

 herent to the 3-lobed sigma. Pod 

 G-valved, 6-angled, many-seeded. 



A perennial herb. Stems sev- 

 eral, from a short, fibrous-rooted 

 rhizome ; they are simple or 

 slightly branched, flexuous, some- 

 what swollen at the joints, about 

 one foot high, often tinged with 

 red, especially near the base. 

 Leaves alternate, ovate or oblong, 

 cordate or halberd-shaped at the 

 base, pointed, entire, petiolate. 

 Flowers near the root, axillary, 

 on short peduncles, of a stiff 

 leathery texture and a dull brown- 

 ish-purple color, appearing in mid- 

 summer. 



Habitat. In rich woods from 

 Connecticut to Indiana and south- 

 ward ; most common along the 



FIG. 150. Arlstolochia Serpentaria. 



Alleghanies. 



Parts Used. The rhizome and rootlets. Official name : Serpentaria 

 United States Pharmacopoeia. 



Constituents. A small proportion of volatile oil, an amorphous bitter 

 principle, and common vegetable constituents. 



Preparations. Extractum serpentariae fluidum fluid extract of ser- 

 pentaria ; tinctura serpentarise tincture of serpentaria. One of the 

 constituents of tiuctura cinchonse composite compound tincture of cin- 

 chona. United States Pharmacopoeia. An infusion was formerly official. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Serpentaria is a stimulant tonic, but may 

 also produce diaphoretic, diuretic, or emetic effects, according to the dose 



