152 ARISTOLOCHIACE^; 



n6a. OLEUM SANTALI, U.S. OIL OF SANTAL. A yellowish, somewhat thick 

 volatile oil, having a peculiar, strongly aromatic odor, and a pungently 

 aromatic taste. It is a valuable remedy in inflammation of the mucous 

 membrane, used especially in gonorrhea and bronchitis. Its principal use is 

 in the manufacture of perfumery. Dose: 10 to 30 ITJJ (0.6 to 2 Gm.) adminis- 

 tered usually in capsule. 



LORANTHACEjE. Mistletoe Family 



117. MISTLETOE. The bark of Phoraden'dron flaves'cens Nuttall, a parasitic 

 evergreen growing on various trees, particularly on fruit trees. Laxative, 

 oxytocic, and antispasmodic. As an oxytocic it is claimed to be superior 

 to ergot. Dose: 15 to 60 gr. (i to 4 Gm.). 



ARISTOLOCHIACE^:. Birthwort Family 



Climbing shrubs, or low herbs, with perfect flowers, the lurid calyx coherent 

 with the ovary, which forms a 6-celled capsule or berry in fruit. Leaves petiolate. 

 Principal constituents are volatile oil and resinous principles. 



1 1 8. SERPENT ARI A. SERPENTARIA 



VIRGINIA SNAKE-ROOT 



The dried rhizome and roots of Aristolo'chia serpenta'ria Linne (Virginia), and of 

 Aristolochia reticula'ta Nuttall (Texas). 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Stem 8 to 15 inches high, pubescent. Leaves 

 alternate, ovate, or oblong, with a heart-shaped or halberd-shaped base. 

 Flowers all next the root, short-peduncled; calyx-tube bent like the letter 

 S ; stamens 6, the sessile anthers adnate to the fleshy style. 



HABITAT. United States (Virginia and Texas). 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. A rhizome about 25 mm. (i in.) long, and 

 about the thickness of a quill; contorted, bent up and down; exter- 

 nally light grayish-brown, with short stem-bases on the upper side 

 and numerous long, fibrous, branching rootlets below, interlaced; in- 

 ternally grayish, closely matted. The bark is thin, overlaying quite 

 a large woody zone, and separated into wood-wedges by broad medul- 

 lary rays; the pith is not in the center but is nearer the upper side, 

 making the lower wood-wedges the longest. Odor family tere- 

 binthinate, characteristic ; taste warm, bitter, and camphoraceous. 

 Virginia and Texas Serpentaria are both recognized by the U.S.P. 

 The latter is about twice as large as the former, with fewer and 

 thicker rootlets. 



