28 BIRTHWORT BISTORT. 



Russian leather. From this tar a volatile oil Oleum 

 Rusci, or Oleum betulinum is distilled. This oil has been 

 used successfully internally for gonorrhoea, but is most 

 highly esteemed as a remedy in cutaneous affections, 

 especially those of eczematous nature. 



Distinctive character Leaves stalked, rhomboidal, 

 ovate, pointed, shiny, biserrate at the margin, about 

 i-ij inch long, and f-i inch broad. Young bark having 

 externally white papery layers marked with linear 

 brown lenticels ; inner dark brown, granular, with 

 numerous hard white points, the old bark rough 

 blackish brown outside, with white lines showing in 

 the brown transverse section. Fracture short. Taste, 

 astringent and bitter. 



BIRTHWORT. Aristolochia longa, Linn. 



N.O. Aristolochiacea. 

 Part used Root. 



Action Aromatic, stimulant. Used in rheumatism 

 and gout. 



Preparation Powdered root: Dose, ^-i drachm. 



Distinctive character Root somewhat cylindrical, 

 i inch or more in diameter, externally pale brown, 

 smooth, striated or warty. Transverse fracture whitish, 

 with brown dots due to vascular bundles containing 

 oleo-resin. Taste, sweetish, then acrid and disagreeable. 



BISTORT. Polygonum Bistorta, Linn. 



N.O. Polygonacece. 

 Syn. Snakeweed, Adderwort. 



Part used Root. 



Action Astringent. Used chiefly in haemorrhages 

 and mucous discharges as a medicine, injection, or a 

 gargle. 



