IPECACUANHA 



395 



as a creeping vine or bush. The roots usually grow thicker as they 

 penetrate the ground and then taper off again to a point or thin root- 

 let. Collectors usually leave a part of every other plant in the ground, 

 so that in about three years another crop may be harvested. "Wiry 

 root," consisting of about 75 per cent, of woody portion and 25 per 

 cent, cortex, is, according to Dohme, richest in alkaloids. It has a 

 rather rough, uneven appearance, and is popularly less esteemed than 



FIG. 226. Cephcelis ipecacuanha Plant and dried root. 



This 



the so-called "fancy" root consisting of 75 per cent, cortex, 

 prejudice, according to Dohme, is difficult to overcome. 

 DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. Rio Ipecac. In pieces of irregular length, 

 rarely exceeding 25 cm.; stem portion 2 to 3 mm. thick, light gray- 

 brown, cylindrical and smoothish; root portion usually red-brown, 

 occasionally blackish-brown, rarely gray-brown, 3 to 6 mm. thick, 

 curved and sharply tortuous, nearly free from rootlets, occasionally 



