172 LOGWOOD LOOSESTRIFE. 



lanceolate, obscurely toothed, with small whitish glands 

 on the edge. The fruit consists of a flat oval capsule 

 containing a number of minute ovate-oblong, brown 

 seeds, about inch long with a reticulated, pitted sur- 

 face. Taste, burning, acrid, like that of tobacco. 

 Odour, slight. 



LOGWOOD. Haematoxylon Campechianum, Linn. 



N.O. Legwninosce. 

 Syn. Haematoxylon. 



Part used Wood. 



Action Astringent. Being less constipating than 

 other astringents, this drug may be used in old 

 diarrhoeas, dysentery, haemorrhages from lungs, uterus, 

 and bowels, infantile diarrhoea, &c. The decoction 

 may be freely given in doses of a wineglassful when 

 required, or the solid extract in the form of pills. 



Preparations Decoction B.P., 1895: Dose, ^-2 

 ounces. Extract solid B.P., 1885 : Dose, 10-30 grains. 

 Solid extract U.S. P. : Dose, 2-5 grains. 



Distinctive character Logwood is usually sold in 

 the form of chips for dyeing purposes, and has a dark, 

 purplish-brown colour and a greenish iridescence, which 

 indicates that it has been submitted to fermentation. 

 For medicinal purposes the unfermented chips, which 

 have a bright, reddish-brown tint, are preferable. It 

 can also be obtained in the form of extract. 



LOOSESTRIFE. Lysimachla vulgaris, Linn. 



N.O. Primulacea. 

 Syn. Yellow Loosestrife. 



Part used Herb. 



Action Astringent, expectorant. Useful in bleeding 

 of mouth, nose, and wounds. It restrains profuse 



