174 MAGNOLIACE2E 



and motor but does not affect the cerebrum. Murrell has called 

 attention to the fact that the English alkaloid is seventeen times 

 stronger than the German, while the French is variable, but generally 

 between these; the crystalline variety (Duquesnel's or Merck's acon- 

 itine) is therefore to be preferred on account of its uniform strength. 

 The dose of the commercial aconitine is ^54 gr. ; the crystallized alka- 

 loid, however, is given in doses of only from J-^oo to ^50 gr. 

 Dose of drug: i gr. (0.06 Gm.). 



OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



Fluidextractum Aconiti, Dose: J to 2 njj (0.015 to 0.12 mil). 



Extractum Aconiti, % to % gr. (o.oio to 0.02 Gm.). 



Tinctura_ Aconiti (10 per cent.), M to 4 ^S. (0.03 to 0.25 mil). 



147. HEPATICA. LIVERWORT. The leaves of Anem'one hepa'tica LinnS. 

 Habitat: North America and Europe. Heart-shaped, about 50 mm. (2 in.) 

 long, slightly leathery; inodorous; astringent and bitter. The more correct 

 synonym for this plant is liverleaf , as the term liverwort is applied to a family 

 of cryptogamic, moss-like plants Hepaticce. Used as a demulcent and 

 tonic. Dose: ^ to 2 dr. (2 to 8 Gm.) in decoction. 



148. PJ2ONIA. PEONY. The root of Pseonia officinalis Linnet Seldom used, 

 although at one time a popular remedy in epilepsy, diarrhea, and as an 

 emmenagogue. Occasionally used in chorea, whooping-cough, etc. Dose: 

 15 to 60 gr. (i to 4 Gm.), in infusion. 



MAGNOLIACE^E. Magnolia Family 



Trees and shrubs, mostly of subtropical regions. Leaves coriaceous; alternate, 

 simple, usually pellucid-punctate, entire, or rarely dentate; flowers axillary or 

 terminal, usually solitary, perfect, or, in a few genera, unisexual; sepals, petals, 

 stamens, and pistils numerous and hypogynous. Fruit various, cone-like, or 

 forming a stellate group of whorl (illicium), or capsular with ventral or dorsal 

 dehiscence. 



Synopsis of Drugs from the Magnoliacea 

 A. Fruit. B. Barks. 



Illicium, 149. Magnolia, 150. 



Wintera, 151. 

 Liriodendron, 152. 



149. Illicium. STAR ANISE. The dry fruit of nii'cium ve'rum Hooker films. 

 Off. U.S.P. 1890. The fruit is pedunculate, and consists of light, stellately- 

 arranged, one-seeded carpels, which are boat-shaped and united around 

 a short central column rising from an oblique pedicle. Each carpel is 12 

 or 15 mm. (^ to % in.) long, woody, wrinkled, with a straight beak; rusty- 

 brown in color, and split at the ventral suture, exposing the flattish, bright, 

 glossy-brown, oval seed; odor intermediate between fennel and anise; taste 

 (residing in the carpel,) aromatic and sweet; seed not aromatic, but oily. 

 Adulterated with Illicium religiosum Siebold (found growing around Buddhist 

 temples in southwest China, whence its name), a poisonous plant cultivated 

 in China and Japan, which resembles it in appearance, but is more woody, 

 has a curved beak, a clove-like odor, and a disagreeable taste. Constituents: 

 A volatile oil resembling the oil of pimpinella anise. The former oil is solidified 

 at 35C., and the latter between 50 and 6oC., almost entirely composed of 

 anethol (CioHuO), with small amounts of terpenes, safrol, anisic acid, etc. 



It has stimulant, anodyne, diuretic, and carminative properties which 

 reside exclusively in the volatile oil. Dose: 5 to 30 gr. (0.3 to 2 Gm.). 



