VERATEUM VIRIDE IOQ 



Preparation of Convallamarin. The estimation of the value of the drug is 

 based upon the separation of this constituent. The drug is extracted with alcohol, 

 the tincture treated with subacetate of lead, and filtered; excess of lead removed 

 by careful addition of H 2 SO 4 ; filter, distil off alcohol, add water, neutralize care- 

 fully with Na 2 CO 3 , add solution of tannin. The precipitate of tannin compound 

 is'dissolved in 60 per cent, of alcohol, decolorized with animal charcoal, decomposed 

 with zinc oxide. The filtrate is then evaporated to dryness. 

 ACTION AND USES. Convallaria was introduced as a safer cardiac tonic than 

 digitalis. Its absence of cumulative action was pointed out by therapeutists. 

 "It does not disturb the stomach or cerebro-spinal. functions if preparations 

 free from convallarin are used." It is one of the most active diuretics, 

 especially in cardiac dropsies. Dose: 5 to 30 gr. (0.3 to 2 Gm.); of convalla- 

 marin J^ to 2 gr. (0.0324 to 0.13 Gm.). 



60. VERATRUM VIRIDE 



AMERICAN HELLEBORE 



The dried rhizome and roots of Vera'trum vir'ide Aiton (American). 

 BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Roots fibrous; stem 2 to 7 feet high, stout and very 



leafy, somewhat pubescent. Leaves broadly oval, clasping. Flowers in dense 



panicles, yellowish-green. Capsule many-seeded. 



HABITAT. North America and Europe. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. Usually in small pieces or large slices. When 

 entire, obconical, from 50 to 75 mm. (2 to 3 in.) long, truncate at 

 the base, tufted above with the inert stem-remnants and leaf-stalks, 

 and beset on all sides with light yellowish-brown rootlets about the 

 thickness of a knitting needle; externally blackish. A transverse 

 section shows a dingy white surface dotted with darker colored dots 

 and wavy lines within the nucleus sheath. The larger part of the 

 tissue consists of parenchyma containing starch and calcium oxalate; 

 nucleus sheath wavy, wood-bundles numerous. Rootlets have a 

 thick, cortical parenchyma. Inodorous; taste bitter, very acrid, 

 causing a tingling, benumbing sensation in the tongue. The powder 

 is sternutatory. Starch grains of Veratrum, see Fig. 283. 



Powder. Characteristic elements: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



CONSTITUENTS. Veratrum viride contains the alkaloids jervine, C 2 6H 3 r 

 NOs (to which the depressant action on the circulation is partly 

 due) and protoveratrine, CsaHsiNOn. This, the most important 

 of the Veratrum alkaloids, occurs in colorless shining crystal's, belong- 

 ing to the monoclinic system, which are permanent in air and melt 

 at 245 to 250. Insoluble in water, benzene and petroleum benzin, 

 and dissolves with difficulty in most other solvents. Chloroform 

 and boiling 96 per cent, alcohol are its best solvents. Its alcoholic 

 solution rapidly changes red litmus to blue. It forms a greenish 

 colored solution with concentrated H 2 SO 4 which gradually changes 

 to blue and finally to violet. 



If dissolved in diluted alcohol, it will usually be obtained in the 



