Botanic Remedies 265 



sion) interacts by hydrolization to form benzolde- 

 hyde and hydrocyanic acid, upon which the activity 

 depends. See " Laurocerasus" for the therapy of 

 the hydrocyanic acid-bearing plants. Wild cherry 

 also contains a bitter and some tannin, as well as 

 phloridzin. 



Wild cherry is an aromatic bitter tonic, apt to 

 produce glycosuria. See "Phloridzin." Long ad- 

 ministration irritates the kidneys; but if the bark 

 is taken from the twigs and not low down on the 

 tree, the difficulty is largely negatived. Wild cherry 

 relieves irritable cough but is not expectorant. It's 

 a good palliative, vehicle, and bitter tonic. Doses: 

 Fl., 30 minims; syrup, 1 fluidrachm. 



PULSATILLA 



Anemone Pulsatilla; official in France and Mexico, 

 and formerly official in the U. S. Listed in the 

 National Formulary. 



An acrid plant that produces vesication. The 

 activity depends, it is said, upon the presence of 

 anemonin, which is lost by heat and by drying. 

 None but fresh-plant preparations (the Homeo- 

 pathic and Eclectic tinctures) are of any definite 

 activity. Large doses paralyze the heart and re- 

 spiratory center. 



The physiological action of anemonin is involved. 

 Schroif records the taking of two grains without 

 definite symptoms; others report it as making the 

 pulse slow and feeble, depressing respiration, causing 

 stupor, and death without convulsions. Poisoning 

 by the whole drug does produce convulsions. Potter 

 reports that autopsies showed congestion and edema 

 of the lungs, hyperemia of the cerebral and spinal 



