366 CONVOLVULACE.E 



mixture, termed jalapurgin or convolvulin (a glucoside, C 3 iH 50 Oi6); 

 this latter is supposed to be the active principle. The U.S. Pharma- 

 copoeia (IX) has fixed the lowest limit of resin at 7 per cent, (which 

 includes both resins). 



The varying strength in jalap may be accounted for by the fact 

 that the roots are dug at all seasons of the year. In the fall, when 

 the aerial stem has decayed, it is better than in the spring, at the 

 sprouting season. Ash, not to exceed 6.5 per cent. 



ACTION AND USES. Hydragogue cathartic, generally used in dropsy 

 in the compound powder of jalap. Dose: 15 to 30 gr. (i to 2 Gm.). 



OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



Pulvis Jalapae Compositus (35 per cent. 



with potassium bitartrate), Dose: 15 to 60 gr. (i to 4 Gm.). 



Resina Jalapae, 2 to 5 gr. (0.13 to 0.3 Gm.). 



Pilulae Cathartic Composite, 2 to 5 pills. 



461 a. IPOMCEA PANDURATA. WILD JALAP. MAN-ROOT. MAN OF THE 

 EARTH. The root of Ipomoe'a pandura'ta Meyer. Occasionally met with in 

 commerce, in the form of longitudinal slices with an irregularly wrinkled, 

 brownish-gray bark overlapping the white wood. The woody center is di- 

 vided into narrow wood- wedges by medullary rays dotted with resin cells. 

 Nearly inodorous; taste sweetish and bitter. Contains panaquilon (the 

 sweet principle found in panax), mucilage, starch, resin, etc. Diuretic and 

 cathartic. Dose: 15 to 60 gr. (i to 4 Gm.). 



461 b. FALSE JALAPS. Ipomcea simulans (Tampico jalap), a somewhat globu- 

 lar root yielding a resin (tampicin), very similar to jalapin, nearly soluble in 

 ether. /. orizabensis (fusiform or male jalap), a spindle-shaped, large, woody 

 root, often in sections, the resin orizabini (unfortunately named jalapin) 

 entirely soluble in ether. 



462. SCAMMONIUM. SCAMMONY 



SCAMMONY 

 A gum resin obtained by incising the living root of Convol'vulus scammo'niaLinne. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Root perennial, tapering, 3 to 4 feet long, from 

 9 to 12 in. in circumference at the crown, and abounding in a milky, acrid 

 juice. Stem annual, smooth. Leaves petiolate, sagittate, entire. Peduncles 

 cymose, 3-flowered, twice the length of the leaves; calyx-lobes with a re- 

 flexed point; corolla pale yellow. Capsule 2-celled, 4-seeded. 



HABITAT. Western Asia. Obtained in the same manner as asafcetida. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. The pure, or, as it is called, the "genuine" scammony 

 is scarce in the market, the ordinary article being impure from flour, chalk, 

 ashes, sand, etc., mixed with the exuded milk-juice before it has entirely 

 hardened. It usually comes in hemispherical cakes, convex on one side, 

 about 100 to 150 mm. (4 to 6 in.) in diameter; externally dark gray or nearly 

 black; fracture brittle, shining, somewhat rough, exhibiting a usually porous 

 interior, lighter colored and tinged with yellow or green. It yields a light- 

 gray powder having a peculiar odor resembling cheese or putty ; taste slight , 

 but leaves an acrid sensation in the throat. 



