368 



HYDROPHYLLACE^E 



odor, slight, resembling that of jalap; taste, slightly sweet, becoming 

 slightly acrid. 



ACTION AND USES. For its action it depends on the gum resin. Hydro- 

 gogue, cathartic, on account of its harshness it is generally given in 

 combination. Its action is often uncertain due to adulteration. 



Powder. Characteristic elements: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 



OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS. 



Resina Scammonii, ............................. Dose: 3 gr. (0.2 Gm.). 



Extractum colocynthidis Compositum, ............ 7)^ gr. (0.5 Gm.). 



POLEMONIACE^;. Polemonium Family 



463. POLEMONIUM REPTANS Linne. ABSCESS ROOT. The root of this 

 American plant has been used as an alterative, astringent, diaphoretic, and 

 expectorant. Dose: 30 to 60 gr. (2 to 4 Gm.). 



HYDROPHYLLACE^:. Waterleaf Family 



464. ERIODICTYON. ERIODICTYON 



YERBA SANTA. MOUNTAIN BALM. CONSUMPTIVE'S WEED 

 The dried leaves of Eriodic'tyon Califomicum Greene. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Low shrubs with alternate 

 leaves. Calyx of narrow sepals; corolla violet or purple, 

 occasionally white, with the filaments adherent to it; 

 ovary 2-celled. Fruit a small capsule. 



HABITAT. California, and in mountains of Northern 

 Mexico. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. Oblong-lanceolate, from 50 to 

 100 mm. (2 to 4 in.) long, 10 to 30 mm. (% to i% 

 in.) broad, with a sharp apex, and narrowed at the 

 base into a short foot-stalk; margin sinuate or 

 almost entire; upper surface brownish-green and 

 varnished with a resinous coating; under surface 

 greenish-white, hairy, with a prominent midrib 

 and distinct reticulations ; brittle, odor aromatic; 

 taste balsamic, sweetish, free from bitterness. 



RELATED SPECIES. Eriodictyon tomentosum, growing 

 with the other, is large and has a dense coat of 

 short, villous hairs, becoming whitish or musty- 

 colored with age. 



Powder. Characteristic elements: See Part iv, Chap. I, B. 

 FIG. 213. Leaf of Yer- CONSTITUENTS. Volatile oil. an acrid resin, tannin. 



ba Santa. Under side. 



encohn, 



ACTION AND USES. Long used in California as a stimulant balsamic 

 expectorant. Its preparations are principally used, however, as 



