284 TORMENTILLA. 



have fallen into disuse, probably owing to its heart- 

 paralyzing effects in large doses. It contains an odorous 

 principle, Coumarin, which is largely used as a flavour- 

 ing and perfume. 



Distinctive character The beans are about 1-2 

 inches long, black, wrinkled, nearly inch in diameter, 

 flattened, with one edge sharp. They vary in size and 

 appearance. The Surinam beans are often greyish, 

 and the largest, Angustura beans are more slender, long 

 and shining; the Para shorter and smaller. Some 

 varieties are covered with a greyish efflorescence of 

 crystals of coumarin. These have been steeped in rum, 

 which removes a good deal of the coumarin. The odour 

 resembles that of new-mown hay. 



TORMENTILLA. Potentate Tormentllla, Neck. 



N.O. Rosacece. 

 Syn. Septfoil. 



Parts used Root, herb. 



Action Tonic, astringent. The root being the 

 stronger is mostly used, and may be given in all cases 

 of relaxed bowels, diarrhoea, and cholera, &c. The 

 infusion of I ounce of herb to a pint of boiling water is 

 taken in wineglassful doses as required. As a lotion it 

 is applied to ulcers and old sores as a wash. The fluid 

 extract acts as a styptic to cuts, wounds, &c. This root 

 may be regarded as one of the safest and most powerful 

 of astringents. 



Preparation Fluid extract, root : Dose, -1 drachm. 



Distinctive character In dull brown, hard, cylin- 

 drical, shortly tapering pieces, rough on the surface, 

 with irregularly rounded elevations, and pits or depressed 

 stem scars, and minute scars of filiform rootlets. 

 Fracture short, light brownish red, showing small, 

 distant wood bundles in one or two distant circles, and 

 a large pith. 



