MASTERWORT MASTIC. 183 



hairs, cordate-ovate, pointed, irregularly serrate at the 

 margins, about 2^ inches long and i inch broad, brittle 

 when dry. Flowers pink, with the stamens united into 

 a tube, and the anthers kidney-shaped and one-celled. 

 The calyx has eight linear bracts attached to its outer 

 surface. 



MASTERWORT. Imperatoria Ostruthlum, Linn. 



N.O. Umbellifera. 

 Part used Root. 



Action Stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative. 

 Recommended in asthma, apoplexy, and menstrual 

 complaints. Has also been of use in flatulence and 

 dyspepsia. A decoction of i ounce to a pint of water 

 is taken in wineglassful doses. 



Preparation Fluid extract : Dose, 1-2 drachms. 



Distinctive character Rhizome cylindrical, com- 

 pressed, knotty at intervals of about $ inch, 2-4 inches 

 long and -f inch in thickness, with few scattered roots 

 and scattered, rounded warts, sometimes in shorter, 

 conical, compressed pieces, some pieces terminating in 

 nearly smooth underground suckers about ^ inch in 

 diameter. Fracture short, hard and tough, showing a 

 central pith surrounded by a circle of oil cells, another 

 circle of similar cells occurring in the bark. Taste and 

 odour, ivy-like but pungent. 



MASTIC. Pistacia Lentiscus, Linn. 



N.O. Anacardiocea. 

 Syn. Mastich, Lentisk. 



Part used Resin. 



Use The resin by itself or in a spirituous solution 

 is used in dentistry as a filling for carious teeth. In 



