I. VEGETABLES. -Aristolochije. 37 



powder used to poison hyaenas. — Elastic gum tree^ J. elastica, 

 Siphonia elastica, HcBvea Guianeiisis. Yields, by incision, elastic 

 gum. — Vemicia montana. Kernels yield oil. 



ExcffiCARiA AGALLOCHA. Wood, aloes ivood, eagle wood, bois 

 (Taloes^ lignum aloes, lignum aquilinian, cordial, useful in rheu- 

 matism and gout, odoriferous ; exhalation so acrid as to attack 

 the eyes. 



PooxAG, Rottleria timtoria. The outside of the capsules yields 

 a yellow dye, wassunta gunda. — Sapium auatparium ; — Hippo- 

 mane biglan'dulosa. Yield birdlime. 



Manchineal, Hippomane manciuella. Fruit beautiful, but 

 so caustic as to corrode the mouth and occasion vomiting; juice 

 of the tree used to poison weapons. — Ficarium Cochinchineiise, 

 Fruit edible. 



51. ARISTOLOCHI.E. 



The plants of this order are emmenagogue. 



LoNX-ROOTED BIRTH- WORT, AristolocMa loiiga i^Round Urtli- 

 tcort, A. rotunda. Roots taken to 5jss, hot, odorous, powerfully 

 incisive. 



•Upright birth-wort, Aristolochia clematitis ; — A. pistolochia. 

 Roots emmenagogue. 



Jamaica con'trayerva, Aristolochia odorata. Root, in infu- 

 sion, diuretic, purgative, stomachic, and emmenagogue. 



Virginia snake root, Serpentaria Virginiana, Aristolochia 

 serpentaria. Root, serpentarice radix, antiseptic, heating, alexiterial, 

 diaphoretic; an active medicine, given in doses of gr. x to 3ss of 

 the powder, or an infusion ofSj, every four hours, against the 

 bites of snakes and canine madness. Imported from America, 

 in bales of 200 to 500 lbs. ; frequently mixed with the roots of 

 CoUinsonia praecox. The roots of Cyperus articulatus, used as 

 substitutes. Officinal preparation. — Tinct. in all the colleges. 



Canada snake root, Asarum Canadense, Root, Asarum, 

 P. U. S. ; — Btack snake weed, Serpentaria nigra, Asarum Virginia 

 anum. Roots are mixed with those of Virginia snake root, and 

 liave the same qualities. 



Hypocistus, Asarum hi/pocisfus, Cgtinus hypocistus. Very 

 astringent. 



•Asarabacca, Asarum rulgare, A. Europceum. Root a drastic 

 purge, working, in doses of 3j to 3j, if finely powdered, upwards ; 

 but if coarsely powdered, downwards; it is also used as a sternu- 

 tatory, from gr. j to gr. iij : leaves, asari folia, milder, and were 

 the usual emetic before the introduction of ipecacuanha, no. G to 

 9 in whey ; they are also applied to wounds. 



