182 MENISPERMACE^; 



istic. Sometimes sections of the stem are found in the drug; these have a 

 rather thick bark and a narrow pith. Taste at first mild, then bitter and 

 somewhat acrid; odorless. 



Powder. Brownish-yellow. Characteristic elements: Starch, ellipsoidal, sim- 

 ple or 2 to 4 compound (7 to 15 n in diam.); sclerenchyma consisting of long bast 

 fibers and numerous isodiametric or elongated stone cells 20 to 50 n across; wood 

 fibers, simple or bordered pits; cork, dark brown cells (20 to 25 n in diam.) ; calcium 

 oxalate, in rosettes, few. 



CONSTITUENTS. Pelosine (cissampeline), amorphous, insoluble in hot or cold 

 water, soluble in alcohol and chloroform; starch, gum, tannin; taste sweetish- 

 bitter. 



Preparation of Pelosine (also known as Cissampeline). Boil root in acidulated 

 HjSO* water, precipitate with KjCOs, purify by redissolving in acidulated water, 

 decolorize with charcoal, again precipitate with K^COs, and purify from solution 

 in ether. 



FIG. 85. Cross-section of Menispermum Magnified 14 diam. 



ACTION AND USES. As a remedial agent pareira is generally conceded to be bene- 

 ficial as a diuretic and tonic in the treatment of cystitis and suppurative kidney 

 diseases, acting in a soothing manner, especially on the bladder. Formerly 

 renowned as a lithontriptic. Dose: 30 to 60 gr. (2 to 4 Gm.). Fluid- 

 extractum Pareirae, U.S.P. 1900, Dose: J^ to 2 f 3 (2 to 8 mils). 



158. MENISPERMUM. YELLOW PARILLA. The dry rhizome and roots of 

 Menisper'mum canaden'se Linn6. Rhizome about 1,000 mm. (40 in.) or 

 more long, and 6 mm. (% in-) thick; externally dark yellowish-brown, knotty, 

 and longitudinally wrinkled; fracture woody and tough; nearly inodorous; 

 taste bitter. Rootlets thin, brittle, yellow. A cross-section of the rhizome 

 displays a thick bark and a yellowish interior. Under the microscope are 

 seen numerous wood-wedges separated by narrow medullary rays; at the 

 extremity of each wood-ray there appears a semilunar bundle, which on longi- 

 tudinal section proves to be composed of bast fibers penetrating the bark. 

 The diameter of the pith varies, not infrequently occupying one-third of the 

 space between the bark. The overground stem, with which the drug is not 

 infrequently mixed, has a very large, porous pith. Constituents: Berberine 



