148 JALAP JAMAICA DOGWOOD. 



about i inch long and inch broad, which are alternate 

 except towards the apex of the leaf, and entire at the 

 margins ; the rachis is channelled above. Flowers 

 rotate, blue, and five-parted. Taste, slightly bitter. 

 Odour, none. 



JALAP. Ipomaea Purga, Hayne. 



N.O. Convolvulacta. 



Syn. Ipomea Jalapa, Schiede and Deppe, Convolvulus 

 Jalapa, Linn., Exogonium Purga, Benth., Convolvulus Purga, 

 Wender. 



Parts used Root, resin. 



Action Cathartic, purgative. Used in constipation, 

 pain and colic in bowels, and general intestinal torpor. 

 Is combined with other laxatives and with carminatives 

 such as ginger, cloves, &c. 



Preparations Powdered root : Dose, 5-20 grains. 

 Tincture B.P. : Dose, -1 drachm. Powdered resin : 

 Dose, 2-5 grains. Compound Powder B.P. : Dose, 1-2 

 drachms. Tincture B.P. : Dose, -1 drachm. Solid 

 extract B.P. : Dose, 2-8 grains. Jalapin : Dose, 1-3 

 grains. 



Distinctive character Root usually ovoid, varying 

 greatly in size, but on the average 2^ inches long by 

 i inch in diameter, dark brown, wrinkled, with paler, 

 small transverse marks, often more numerous at one 

 end. The interior is dirty white, tough, hard, and 

 sometimes horny, with a resinous non-fibrous fracture. 

 Taste, unpleasant, followed by acridity. Odour, smoky. 



JAMAICA DOGWOOD. Plscidla Erythrina, Jacq. 



N.O. Leguminosff. 

 Part used Bark. 



Action Anodyne, sedative. Relieves toothache, 

 eases bronchial and consumptive cough. Produces 



