332 Botanic Drugs 



copeia or other standard. Wood's Botany lists 

 Acer spicatum, MOUNTAIN MAPLE-BUSH, and states 

 that it bears a greenish flower. So, then, if we have 

 been actually using a species of maple and not a 

 species of cranberry as "cramp bark," as appears 

 to be the case, it is impossible to give a description 

 here as to the medicinal properties of this plant. 



However, the National Formulary IV gives a 

 description of Viburnum opulus, or High Bush Cran- 

 berry Bark, and establishes legal standards for it, 

 not, however, using the name "Cramp Bark." 



Pilcher reports negative results from viburnum 

 opulus and from valerianic acid on strips of uterine 

 tissue, although valerian had a mild sedative action. 

 The following is taken from his paper in the Jour. 

 Amer. Med. Ass'n., Aug. 12, 1916: 



"The active drugs. The following drugs lessened 

 the amplitude of the excursions or, in the stronger 

 solutions, caused their complete cessation: Unicorn 

 root (Aletris farinosa), pulsatilla (Pulsatilla pra- 

 tensis), Jamaica dogwood (Ichthyomethia piscipula), 

 and figwort (Scrophularia nodosa)\ somewhat less 

 active were valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and lady's- 

 slipper (Cypripedium pubescens); the drugs possess- 

 ing very weak actions were wild yam (Dioscorea 

 villosa), life root (Senecio aureus), and skullcap 

 (Scutellaria lateriflora). The infusions of figwort, 

 Jamaica dogwood and lady's-slipper were active 

 after the manner of the alcoholic preparations, but 

 to a much lesser degree. The infusion of mother- 

 wort possessed very insignificant depressant prop- 

 erties, although the fluidextract was inactive. Blue 

 cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) , even in the 

 1:2,000 solution, very promptly put the strips of 



