230 LEGUMZNOS.E 



231. ABRI RADIX. INDIAN LICORICE. The root of A'brus precato'rius Linn6, 

 indigenous to India, naturalized in most tropical countries. Reddish-brown, 

 twisted pieces, having a thin bark, and a meditullium composed of alter- 

 nating zones of porous wood-bundles and parenchyma, traversed by medullary 

 rays. Inodorous; taste bitter, afterward sweetish. It is thought to contain 

 glycyrrhizin, and is used as a demulcent like glycyrrhiza. 



232. ABRI SEMEN. PRAYER BEADS. JEQUIRITY. The seeds of A'brus pre- 

 cato'rius Linne\ Subglobular, about 5 to 8 mm. (J^ to % in.) long, scarlet- 

 red, glossy, with a black spot at the hilum; inodorous; taste bean-like. They 

 contain two proteids, paraglobulin, and albumose, which are irritating to the 

 eyes. A weak infusion of the seed is used in granular ophthalmia. 



233. BAPTISIA, N. P. WILD INDIGO. The root of Bapti'sia tincto'ria R. Brown. 

 Habitat: United States. It contains baptisine (acrid, poisonous), baptism (a 

 bitter glucoside), and baptin (a purgative glucoside). Chiefly used for its 

 antiseptic properties, in lotion and ointment, although it acts also as an emetic 

 and cathartic. Dose: 5 to 15 gr. (0.3 to I Gm.). 



234. ERYTHROPHLCEUM. SASSY BARK. A poisonous bark from Erythro- 

 phloe'um guineens'e Don, used as an ordeal in Africa, where the tree grows, and 

 therefore sometimes called doom-bark. It is in thick, warty, curved pieces, 

 reddish-brown, fissured. Inodorous; taste astringent and bitter. It contains 

 an alkaloid, erythrophleine, which gives it an action on the heart similar to 

 digitalis; also astringent, emetic, diaphoretic, and analgesic. Dose: 5 to 15 

 gr. (0.3 to I Gm.). 



Preparation of Erythrophleine. Treat concentrated aqueous solution of the 

 alcoholic extract of the bark with ammonia and exhaust the mixture with acetic 

 ether. The alkaloid is yielded on evaporation. 



235. CERCIS CANADENSIS Linnet REDBUD. The bark of this indigenous tree 

 has been recommended as a mild, non-irritating, but active astringent in 

 diarrhea and dysentery. Also used as a local application to mucous mem- 

 branes. Dose of fluidextract: 15 to 60 TIJ (i to 4 mils). 



236. SARACA INDICA Linne". ASOCA. (Bark.) Much employed by the 

 Hindoo physicians as a sedative in the treatment of uterine affections; it is also 

 astringent. Dose of fluidextract: 15 to 60 TTJJ (i to 4 mils). 



237. PISCIDIA. JAMAICA DOGWOOD. The bark of Piscid'ia erythri'na Jacquin. 

 Habitat: West Indies. Quills or curved pieces about 4 mm. (J^ in.) thick; 

 externally of a dark, yellowish-gray color, ridged longitudinally. Odor 

 opium-like when broken. Taste bitter, acrid, producing a burning sensation 

 in the mouth. Used as a mild soporific for children and aged persons, and 

 for those not able to bear a strong narcotic like opium. Dose: 15 to 45 gr. 

 (i to 3 Gm.). 



238. ILEMATOXYLON, N.F. H^MATOXYLON 



LOGWOOD 



The heart- wood of Haematox'ylon campechia'num Linne". Usually found in com- 

 merce in the form of deep, brownish-red chips. When the surface has a 

 greenish metallic luster, the wood has undergone fermentation and should be 

 rejected. Odor slight; taste sweetish, astringent. 



CONSTITUENTS. Haematoxylin, CieHuOe, sweet, colorless crystals, giving to the 

 wood its characteristic colors by the combined action of the oxygen of the 

 air and the alkaline bases existing in the wood; it is readily soluble in hot 

 water and alcohol, sparingly in cold water; by the action of ammonia and 

 oxygen in the air dark purple scales of haematein, CieHizOe, are formed, often 

 observable as the fine greenish hue upon logwood chips. This principle gives 

 a blue color with alkalies. Haematoxylon also contains tannin, fat, resin, and 



