ARECA NUT ARENARIA RUBRA. 13 



on the prominent veins below, and on the stem, margin 

 with large serrate teeth. Flowers large, white, two- 

 lipped with two long and two short stamens. Taste, 

 slightly bitter. Odour, none, when dried. 



ARECA NUT. Areca Catechu, Linn. 



N.O. Palmocece. 

 Syn. Betelnut. 



Action Astringent, taenicide. Is chiefly used to 

 expel tapeworms. The powdered nut is administered 

 in doses from 2-4 drachms. The smaller dose is 

 generally given in syrup, followed by a purgative. 



Preparation Fluid extract : Dose, 1-4 drachms. 



Distinctive character Seed conical or nearly 

 spherical, i inch or more in diameter, hard and horny, 

 marbled with brown lines internally. Taste, astringent 

 and slightly acrid. The larger and more conical seeds 

 are more active than the globular variety. 



ARENARIA RUBRA. Linn. 



Lepigonum rubrum, Fries. 

 N.O. Caryophyllacece. 



Syn. Spergularia rubra, Pers. Sabline rouge (Fr.). 

 Tissa rubra, ^dans. Btidra rubra, Dum. 



Action. Diuretic. A popular remedy in Malta for 

 diseases of the bladder. Recommended in cystitis, 

 stone, &c. 



Dose of infusion, i ounce to pint, a wineglassful 

 frequently. Fluid extract, i drachm. 



Distinctive character. Herb with jointed stems 

 and flat linear leaves, about ^ inch wide and nearly 

 % inch long, with ovate pointed stipules, flowers small, 

 pink, in spreading, loose, panicles, seeds not winged. 

 Taste, saline and slightly aromatic. 



