COHOSH, BLACK. 75 



and drowsiness, and is also used in cases of alcohol 

 habit. Possessing decided diuretic properties it can be 

 employed with advantage in gout, rheumatism, and 

 gravel. Dropsies of cardiac origin are also benefited by 

 it. The dose of Caffeine is from ^-10 grains. 



Distinctive character Caffeine occurs in com- 

 merce in silky white crystals. The seeds are oval, 

 concave on one side, flat on the other, greenish grey, 

 with a central longitudinal furrow. 



COHOSH, BLACK. Cimicifuga racemosa, Nutt. 



N.O. Ranunculacece . 



Syn. Black Snakeroot, Rattleroot, Rattleweed, 

 Squawroot, Actcea racemosa, Linn., Macrotys actceoides, Raf. 



Part used Root. 



Action Astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, altera- 

 tive. In small doses useful in children's diarrhoea. In 

 paroxysms of consumption it gives relief by allaying the 

 cough, reducing rapidity of pulse, and inducing per- 

 spiration. Is specially recommended in cases of 

 obstructed menses. In whooping cough its action is 

 very highly spoken of. Said to be a specific in St. 

 Vitus's Dance of children. Overdoses produce nausea 

 and vomiting. 



Preparations Fluid extract U.S. P. : Dose, 15-30 

 drops. Liquid extract B.P. : Dose, 5-30 drops. Tinc- 

 ture B.P. : Dose, 15 drops to i drachm. Cimicifugin or 

 Macrotin : Dose, 1-6 grains. Powdered extract U.S. P. : 

 Dose, 4 grains. Tincture U.S.P. : Dose, i drachm. 

 Solid extract : Dose, 1-3 grains. 



Distinctive character Rhizome blackish, with short 

 lateral branches, cylindrical, compressed, marked with 

 transverse leaf scars. Transverse section horny, en- 

 closing a ring of woody tissue within a hard, thick bark. 

 Rootlets, when present, show on transverse section the 

 woody tissue like a Maltese cross. Taste, bitter and 

 acrid, and rather astringent. Odour, disagreeable. 



