LADIES SLIPPER LARCH. 159 



LADIES' SLIPPER. 



Cypripedlum pubescens, Willd. 



N.O. Orchidacea. 



Syn. Cypripedium hirsittum, Mill., American Valerian, 

 Nerveroot, Noah's ark, Yellow Ladies' Slipper. 



Part used Root. 



Action Antispasmodic, nervine, tonic. It allays 

 pain, gives sleep, and is useful in headache, neuralgia, 

 and female weaknesses. For this reason it is given in 

 hysteria and most nervous disorders. Prescribed with 

 tonic medicines its power is increased. The powder 

 may be taken in sweetened water. 



Preparations Powdered root : Dose, i drachm. 

 Fluid extract : Dose, ^-i drachm. Cypripedin : Dose, 

 1-3 grains. Solid extract, ale. : Dose: 5-10 grains. 



Distinctive character Rhizome 2-4 inches long, 

 and -J-J inch thick, with numerous cup-shaped scars on 

 the upper surface, and many unbranched, wavy, densely- 

 matted roots below. Fracture short, white. Odour, 

 slightly valerianic. Taste, sweetish, acrid, bitter, and 

 aromatic. The drug of commerce is derived from both 

 Cypripedium pubescens, Willd., and C. parviflorum, Salisb. 



LARCH. Larlx Europeea, D.C. 



N.O. Conifer (B. 



Syn. Pinus Larix, Linn., European Larch. 

 Part used Bark. 



Action Astringent, balsamic, diuretic. A strong 

 tincture has been used in chronic urinary inflamma- 

 tions, also in bronchitis to check secretions. 



Preparation Venice turpentine. 



Distinctive character The inner bark of the tree, 

 deprived of its grey, inert, outer portion, is preferred for 



