84 COTTON ROOT COUCHGRASS. 



wide, and -J-f inch thick, of a full brown colour, a more 

 or less corky outer surface, sometimes with patches of 

 whitish epidermis, and a rough, coarsely striated inner 

 surface. The transverse section shows numerous small 

 groups of stone cells. Taste, hot and biting. Flavour, 

 aromatic. The edges of the section, both transverse 

 and longitudinal, if kept in a bottle, become coated with 

 a fine whitish crystalline efflorescence. 



COTTON ROOT. Qossypium herbaceum, Linn. 

 Part used-Bark of root. N '' Molvocta. 



Action Emmenagogue, parturient, oxytocic. Said 

 to contract the uterus in a more effective and safe 

 manner than Ergot. Used in cases of difficult and 

 obstructed menstruation. It seems specially useful in 

 sexual lassitude. An infusion of 2 ounces to a pint of 

 boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses. 



The seeds produce by pressure an oil, Ol. Gossypii, 

 official in U.S.P. as Cotton Seed Oil. 



Preparations Fluid extract: Dose, 1-2 drachms. 

 Gossypiin: Dose, 1-5 grains. Solid Extract: Dose, 

 15-20 grains. 



Distinctive character In flexible or quilled strips, 

 brownish yellow externally with faint longitudinal ridges 

 or meshes, circular black dots or short transverse lines 

 and brownish orange spots where the epidermal surface 

 is abraded. Inner surface whitish, with a silky lustre. 

 Inner bark of long tough fibres, separable in papery 

 layers. Taste, faintly acrid and astringent. 



COUCHQRASS. Agropyrum repens, Beauv. 



N.O. Graminacea. 



Syn. Twitchgrass, Quickgrass, Doggrass, Triticum 

 repens , Linn. 



Part used Rhizome (root). 



Action Diuretic, demulcent, aperient. Used in 

 urinary and bladder complaints, cystitis, nephritis, &c. 



