ARNICA 425 



In cross-section are seen wood-wedges and medullary rays, colored dark gray 

 or blackish; fracture short and rough; taste peculiar and somewhat acrid and 

 biting, reminding one of pyrethrum; odor heavy, mousey, accompanied by a 

 peculiar pungency. The root contains a very small percentage of alkaloid and a 

 crystalline principle soluble in carbon disulphide. Active principle contained, 

 apparently, in an oleoresin which represents the medicinal properties. Allied 

 species: Echinacea purpurea. 



FIG. 252. Echinacea angustifolia Root. A, Cross-section of root. (Photograph.) 



564. ARNICA RADIX. ARNICA ROOT. A horizontal, contorted rhizome about 

 50 to 75 mm. (2 to 3 in.) long, and 3 to 4 mm. (% to ^ in.) thick; externally 

 dark brown, rough from scars, longitudinally wrinkled, and beset with numer- 

 ous thin, fragile rootlets. Fracture short, showing a rather thick bark con- 

 taining a circle of resin cells near the cambium line, a circle of short, yellowish 

 wood-bundles, and a very large, whitish pith. Odor slightly aromatic; taste 

 pungent and bitter. Adulterated with other roots of the Composites, also 

 with Geum urbanum roots and Frageria vesca Off. in. U.S.P. 1890. Stimulant 

 and tonic. Dose: 5 to 30 gr. (0.3 to 2 Gm.). 



565. ARNICA. ARNICA FLOWERS 

 The dried flower heads of Ar'nica montana Linn6. 



DESCRIPTION OF DRUG. About 25 mm. (i in.) in length and 15 to 20 

 mm. (% to % in.) in diameter, surrounded by lanceolate, iiivolucral 

 scales; the receptacle is flat, and bears about 15 to 20 bright yellow, 

 ligulate ray-florets, 3-toothed, striate, about 25 mm. (i in.) long, and 

 numerous shorter, tubular disk-florets; pappus long and hairy, giving 

 the heads a characteristic appearance; odor peculiar and agreeable; 

 taste persistently acrid and bitter. The powder is sternutatory. 

 Adulterated with many flowers of the Compositae, such as calendula, 

 anthemis, inula, senecio, etc. 

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



