46 . MATERIA MEDICA. 



are not bitter, would serve to prove that bitterness is not absolutely 

 indispensable in a tonic medicine. 



Tonics may be conveniently arrayed under the two orders of 

 Vegetable and Mineral tonics. 



VEGETABLE TONICS. 



These may be divided into 1, the Simple Bitters ; 2, Bitters of 

 Modified Properties. This modification may be* caused by some 

 property inherent in the bitter principle, as in the Peruvian bark ; 

 or it may be caused by the presence of some stimulating volatile oil, 

 as in serpentaria ; or of a sedative principle, as in the case of wild 

 cherry bark. 



I. SIMPLE BITTERS. 



Quassia, U. S. 



Wood of the Quassia amara, and Q. excelsa, trees growing in 

 South America, and Jamaica. Imported in billets, which are nearly 

 white, very light in texture, no odour, and a pure, intensely bitter 

 taste. Kept in the shops in the form of chips or raspings. Con- 

 tains a peculiar bitter principle called quassin. 



Uses. — A pure bitter tonic ; does not excite the system ; appli- 

 cable in simple dyspepsia, and in convalescence from acute disorders. 

 Used in South America in the treatment of remittent fever. 



Dose of powder, 20 grains to 3j ; of the infusion, made with 3ij 

 to Oj of cold water, f 3ij ; of the extract, (very powerful) gr. ij to 

 gr. V ; of the tincture, f 3j to f 3ij. 



The bark of the Quassia Simaruba possesses properties similar 

 to those of quassia, and may be substituted for it. 



CoLUMBO. (COLOMBA, U. S.) 



Root of the Cocculus palmatus (Fig. 9), a climbing plant, growing in 

 Mozambique, The root is perennial, consisting of a main body and nu- 

 merous offsets. The root, when dug up by the natives is sliced trans- 

 versely, and dried. Found in the shops inxiircular or oval disks, from 

 half an inch to two inches in diameter, and from a quarter to three 

 quarters of an inch in thickness. The epidermis is wrinkled, and 

 of a brownish colour; beneath this is a yellow cutical portion, and 

 within this the shrunken, whitish, medullary part. It is liable to be 

 attacked by worms, from the starch which it contains. Odour, 

 slightly aromatic; taste, bitter and mucilaginous. Should not be 

 kept in the state of powder, from its liability to attract moisture. 

 Water and alcohol attract its active properties, which depend on a 

 peculiar principle called cohmilmi. 



Prop. — A mild and excellent tonic ; a good remedy in simple 



