274 



SIMARUBACE^: 



Preparation of Quassin. Neutralize infusion with NaOH; add tannin to 

 precipitate the neutral principle; heat with lead oxide or lime to decompose 

 precipitate, and dissolve out with alcohol. White, opaque, very bitter. Soluble 

 in hot alcohol, chloroform; slowly in water. 



Preparation of Picrasmin. Precipitate tannate with lead acetate, the former 

 obtained by precipitating the neutral infusion with tannin. In needles; very 

 soluble in hot alcohol, chloroform, acetic acid, but sparingly in water. 



ACTION AND USES. A valuable simple bitter tonic. Dose: 15 to 60 gr. 

 (i to 4 Gm.). It is poisonous to insects, a strong infusion being often 

 used as a parasiticide on animals. 



FIG. 135. Quassia Cross-section of wood. 

 C, Wood fibers. 



OFFICIAL PREPARATION. 



Tinctura Quassiae (20 per cent.),. 



(65 diam.) A, Water tube. 

 (Photomicrograph.) 



B, Medullary ray. 



Dose: 30 to 60 njj (2 to 4 mils). 



288. QUASSIA CORTEX. QUASSIA BARK. The bark of Picrae'na excel'sa 

 Lindley. In flat or curved pieces 5 mm. (^ in.) or more thick. The outer 

 surface is of a dark gray color and longitudinally furrowed; inner surface 

 yellowish-white and smooth; inodorous; very bitter. The bark of Surinam 

 Quassia is much thinner. These barks have the same constituents and are 

 used for the same purposes as the wood as tonics. 



289. SIMARUBA. The root-bark of Simaru'ba officina'lis De Candolle. Habitat: 

 Northern South America and West Indies. In curved or quilled pieces 

 about 50 to loo mm. (2 to 4 in.) long, and 3 mm. (^ in.) thick; it is of a 

 yellowish-white color, generally deprived of the yellowish or brownish peri- 



