178 MENISPERMACE.E 



is called oil of mace or mace butter; it contains chiefly myristin, with 

 some myristic acid, olein, paLmitin, resin, and volatile oil (see 154 b). 

 The aromatic properties of nutmeg depend upon 2 to 8 per cent, of 

 volatile oil. Ash, not exceeding 5 per cent. 



ACTION AND USES. Aromatic stimulant and stomachic. Used as a cor- 

 rective and as a condiment. In large doses it possesses narcotic 

 properties. Dose: 8 to 30 gr. (0.5 to 2 Gm.). 



OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



154 a. Oleum Myristicae, U.S. OIL OF NUTMEG. A thin, colorless 

 or pale straw-colored volatile oil, lighter than water, and having 

 the characteristic properties of nutmeg; on standing for a consid- 

 erable length of time it becomes darker and thicker, and deposits a 

 crystalline fatty glyceride of myristic acid. It contains a hydrocarbon, 

 pinene, myristicin, and an oxygenated compound, myristicol, isomeric 

 with carvol. Action and uses same as nutmeg, but rarely used. 

 Dose: i to 3 IIR (0.065 to - 2 mil). 



154 b. OLEUM MYRISTIC^ EXPRESSUM. EXPRESSED OIL OF NUTMEG. 

 MACE BUTTER (see Myristica Constituents). Unctuous blocks, marbled 

 whitish and brown. Mostly used externally. 



155. Macis, N.F. (U.S. 1890). The thick membrane or "arillode" immediately 

 investing the kernel of the nutmeg. It conies in narrow bands, irregularly 

 slit above into somewhat branched and lobed divisions, united at the base 

 in an unbroken band; reddish or orange-yellow in color, with a fatty feeling 

 when scratched or pressed; peculiar aromatic odor and taste. It contains 

 volatile oil (about 8 per cent.), a red fixed oil, gum, resin, sugar, and pro- 

 teids, but no starch. Aromatic stimulant and tonic; mostly used as a 

 flavoring agent. Dose: 5 to 20 gr. (0.3 to 1.3 Gm.). 



MENISPERMACE^:. Moonseed Family 



Woody climbers, mostly tropical, with peltate or palmate alternate exstipulate 

 leaves, and small dioecious, greenish, or whitish flowers in axillary panicles. Sepals 

 and petals alike, in three rows the petals sometimes wanting. The stamens 

 equal or exceed the petals in number. Pistils 2 to 6, with nearly straight ovaries, 

 which, however, are incurved in fruiting, so that the seed is either a crescent or 

 a ring. 



Synopsis of Drugs from the Menispermacece 



A. Roots. B. Rhizome. C. Fruit. 



CALUMBA, 156. Menispermum, 158. *Cocculus, 159. 



*Pareira, 157. 



156. CALUMBA. CALUMBA 



COLUMBO 

 The root of Jateorrhi'za palma'ta Lamarck, sliced transversely and dried. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Underground stem a short, irregular rhizome, 

 from which start numerous fleshy fusiform roots i to 4 inches in diameter. 



