336 



The World's Commercial Products 



FOUNDING A QUININE PLANTATION 



begun to be depleted of their starch by the growth of new shoots, for it is at this stage that 

 the proportion of alkaloid is generally regarded to be greatest. After the removal of the 

 rootlets the roots are washed and dried, either whole or in longitudinal slices. The most 

 important constituent of Aconite root;, is the alkaloid aconitine, which is used externally for 

 certain forms of neuralgia and rheumatism. It is also used internally in cases of fever and 

 for relieving pain, its general effect being to lower the temperature, increase the amount of 

 urine, and to lessen- sensibility. Japanese Aconite {A. Fischeri) and Indian aconite (A. ferox) 

 are imported into this country and contain alkaloids very similar to those of the officinal drug. 



Ipecacuanha Root. This drug, which has long been known in Brazil as a remedy for 

 dysentery, consists of the thickened roots of Psychotria Ipecacuanha, a shrub growing in the 

 shady forests of South America. Most of the supplies come from Brazil, but more or less 

 successful attempts have been made to cultivate the plant in other parts of the world, notably 

 in the East Indies. The slender roots, as they appear on the market, are about a quarter 

 of an inch thick, breaking with a short fracture. The bark is markedly constricted at short 

 intervals, and contains a large amount of starch. 



Ipecacuanha is largely used in dysentery, and is a powerful emetic and expectorant ; the 

 principal constituents are the two alkaloids emetine and cephaeline. Besides the officinal drug, 

 several varieties and substitutes are imported. New Granada and Carthagena Ipecacuanha 

 is less active than the true root, and its botanical origin is uncertain. White or Undulated 

 Ipecacuanha (Richardsonia scabra), False Brazilian (Ionidium Ipecacuanha), and other roots 

 are substitutes of little, if any, medicinal value. 



Jalap. The ovoid tuberous roots which arise from the runners of Ipomcea Purga are 



