n8 GOAT'S RUE GOLD THREAD. 



medical men use it because of its chrysophanic acid, in 

 skin diseases, such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, &c. The 

 powder is mixed with vinegar, lemon juice, or glycerine 

 to form a paste and applied to the skin. It is also used 

 in form of a paint or ointment. 



Preparation Ointment B.P. 



Distinctive character Goa powder, when recently 

 imported, has a greenish yellow tint, and is mixed with 

 ochreous yellow lumps, and pieces of the wood of the 

 tree from which it is obtained, but when ground it has 

 a brownish yellow tint which gradually darkens if ex- 

 posed to damp, ultimately to a deep purplish brown 

 tint. It is not soluble in water, but is in benzol or 

 petroleum spirit, and in ammonia ; it should yield 60-80 

 per cent, soluble in those solvents. In ammonia it 

 gives a brownish red solution. Taste, very bitter. The 

 powder is very irritating to the nose and eyes and 

 mucus membranes generally. 



GOAT'S RUE. Qalega offlclnalls, Linn. 



N '' 



Part used-Herb. 



Action Stimulant, diuretic, vermifuge. 



Distinctive character Stem branched. Leaves pin- 

 nate, f-2 inches long, with six to eight pairs of lanceolate 

 leaves and a terminal one, each furnished with a ter- 

 minal point (mucro). Stipules half -arrow -shaped. 

 Flowers pale purplish or white, in axillary racemes. 

 Legumes almost cylindrical. Taste, bitter and astrin- 

 gent. Odour, none. 



GOLD THREAD. Coptis trifolia, Salisb. 



N.O. Ranunculacea. 

 Syn. Mouth Root, Vegetable Gold. 



Part used Root. 



Action Bitter tonic. Would be more used than it 

 is, if its good qualities were better known. It may be 



