394 RUBIACE^E 



PLANTAGINE^E 



529. PLANTAGO. PLANTAIN. The herb of Planta'go ma'jor and other species. 

 Used principally in domestic practice, the leaves being externally applied as 

 a stimulant application to sores, frequently in the form of a poultice, not 

 infrequently applied whole. 



RUBIACEjE. Madder Family 



Herbs, shrubs, or trees, with opposite, simple, and entire leaves, connected 

 with interposed stipules, or in whorls without stipules. A very large family in 

 tropical regions, represented by the coffee plant (Arabia and Africa) and by 

 the cinchonas (South America), 



Synopsis of Drugs from the Rubiacece 



A. Root. D. Herb. 



IPECACUANHA, 530. Mitchella, 535. 



B. Rhizome. Galium, 536. 



Rubia, 531. E. Seed. 



C. Bark. *Coffea, 537. 



CINCHONA, 532. F. Extractive. 



CINCHONA RUBRA, 532 a. Catechu Pallidum (Gambir), 538. 



Remijia, 533. 



Cephalanthus, 534. 



530. IPECACUANHA. IPECAC 

 IPECAC 



The dried root, of Cephae'lis Ipecacuan'ha (Brotero) A. Richard (Pam. Rubiacete), 

 known commercially as Rio Ipecac, C. acuminata Karsten, known commercially 

 as Cartagena Ipecac. The value is dependent upon the percentage of alkaloidal 

 constituents, should yield not less than 1.75 per cent, of ether soluble alkaloids of 

 Ipecac, U.S.P. 



Two important alkaloids (emetine and cephaeline) are present in ipecac; the 

 proportion in which these exist seems to vary, and this variation seems to de- 

 pend upon the accidents of growth and the surroundings of the individual plant. 

 See Constituents. 



BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. The root perennial, knotty, with transverse rings; 

 stems suffruticose, ascending, somewhat pubescent toward the apex. Leaves 

 opposite, oblong, roughish above, finely pubescent beneath. Inflorescence 

 capitate, inclosed by a large one-leafed involucre; flowers bracteate; corolla 

 white, funnel-form, the limb with reflexed segments; stamens 5, slightly 

 exserted. Fruit a dark violet berry, crowned by the limb of the calyx, 

 2-celled, 2-seeded. 



SOURCE AND VARIETIES. Grows in the damp woods of the Brazilian 

 valleys, notably in the provinces of Para, Rio Janeiro, Pernambuco, 

 etc. This variety is known in commerce as Rio ipecac, while that 

 from Colombia is called Carthagena ipecac. The former is usually 

 preferred, but the latter is now more common. The plant Psychotrin 

 . medica is sometimes termed and sold as Carthagena ipecac, but it is 

 devoid of alkaloid. The Brazilian plant is quite hardy, appearing 



