144 CUPULIFER^E 



be kept in amber-colored bottles; inodorous; astringent. Soluble in 

 water and alcohol. Used exclusively externally in the form of 

 ointments, in lupus, psoriasis, and other skin diseases. Its absorp- 

 tion through abrasions in the skin has caused death by general 

 poisoning. 



1 06. CASTANEA, N. P. CHESTNUT. The leaves of Castan'ea denta'ta Sud worth, 

 collected in September or October while yet green. Off. U.S.P. 1 890. Oblong, 



elliptical, from 150 to 250 mm. (6 to 10 in.) 

 long, and about 50 mm. (2 in.) broad, with 

 a sharply pointed apex and a short petiole; 

 margin somewhat unequally, but strongly, 

 repand-dentate, with prominent parallel veins 

 beneath each tooth (f eather- veined) ; texture 

 firm, flexible; odor slight; taste somewhat as- 

 tringent. Constituents: Tannic acid about 9 

 per cent., gum, albumen, salts, and traces of 

 resin and fats. Tonic and astringent, used 

 almost exclusively in whooping-cough in the 

 form of infusion or fl'ext. Dose: M to 2 dr. 

 (2 to 8 Gm.). 



Fluidextractum Castaneae, U.S.P. 1890, Dose: 

 M to.2 fl. dr. (2 to 8 mils). 



107. OLEUM BETUL.E. VOLATILE OIL 

 OF BETULA 



OIL OP SWEET BIRCH 



A volatile oil distilled from the bark of Betula lenta 

 Linne" (Pam. Betulaceae, U.S.P. 1900). 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. A tree often ex- 

 ceeding 60 feet in height, with a diameter of 

 2 or 3 feet. The trunk is invested with a 

 dark brown or reddish bark, separating in 

 thin layers. Remarkable for its agreeable 

 fragrance and flavor. Leaves cordate, ovate- 

 acuminate, acutely, finely, and doubly serrate, 

 veined beneath. Flowers monoecious, sterile 

 catkins 2 or 3 inches long, fertile much shorter 

 and thicker; petals hairy; wood reddish, strong, 

 compact. 



DESCRIPTION. This oil is identical with 

 FIG. 60. chestnut leaf, natural methyl salicykte, CH 3 C 7 H 6 03, and 



S1Z6> 



nearly identical with oil of wintergreen 



(413 a). Its specific gravity is 1.18. In fact, is one of the sources 

 of commercial oil of wintergreen. Dose: 5 to 30 ITU (o-3 to 2 mils). 

 It should be kept in well-stoppered bottles, protected from the light. 



io7 7 a. OLEUM BETUL^E EMPYREUMATICUM!RECTIFICATUM, N. P. Obtained by the 

 dry distillation of the bark and wood of Betula alba and rectified by steam 

 distillation. Is used mainly as an external remedy in cutaneous diseases. 



108. OSTRYA VIRGINICA. IRON-WOOD. HOP-HORNBEAM. The wood has 

 some reputation as an antiperiodic, tonic, etc. The fl'ext. is used in malaria, 

 in doses of J to i fl. dr. {2 to 4 mils). 



