VALERIANA. 273 



cooling. (1) 3C 5 H 12 + 8HoS0 4 + 2K 2 O 2 7 = 3C 5 H 10 (X -f 

 2(K 2 S0 4 .Cr 2 3S0 4 ) + 1 1H 2 0. (2) C 5 H 10 2 +NaHO = NaC 5 H 9 2 

 +H 2 0. 



Characters. Dry white masses, not alkaline ; soluble in 

 spirit. 



Impurities. Sulphuric acid, and free soda, detected by 

 litmus. 



Dose. 1 to 5 gr. 



From Sodce Valerianas is made : 

 Zinci Valerianas. Valerianate of Zinc. Zn(C 5 H 9 2 ) 2 . 



Source. Made by mixing solutions of Sulphate of Zinc and 

 Valerianate of Soda, evaporating, and crystallising. ZnS0 4 + 

 2(NaC 5 H 9 2 ) - Zn2(C 5 H 9 2 ) + Na 2 S0 4 . 



Characters. Pearly crystalline scales, with a feeble odour 

 of valerianic acid, and a metallic taste. Scarcely soluble in 

 water, soluble in spirit. 



Impurities. Sulphate and butyrate of zinc. 



Dote, i to 3 gr. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Valerian acts essentially like other substances containing 

 volatile oils, but its pungent taste and peculiarly disagreeable 

 odour add to the effect of the drug upon the central nervous 

 system. The stomach and intestines, heart, circulation, and 

 brain are influenced as they are by cloves (see Gary ophy Hum}, 

 and the oil is excreted, like its allies, in the urine, breath, and 

 sweat, as is also the valerianic acid. 



Valerian is used as a powerful carminative, circulatory 

 stimulant, and antispasmodic, in hysterical flatulence, fainting, 

 palpitation, convulsions, and contractures. It is now but rarely 

 given in other spasmodic affections, such as epilepsy, pertussis, 

 and asthma. Valerianate of zinc was introduced to combine 

 the alterative action of the metal on the nervous system with 

 the antispasmodic influence of valerian root, and has been 

 given in hysteria and epilepsy. Valerianic acid, however, does 

 not appear to possess any of the action of the volatile oil just 

 described. 



COMPOSITE. 



Pyrethri Radix PELLITORY ROOT. The root 

 of Anacyclus Pyrethruin. imported from the Levant. 



Characters. In pieces about the length and thickness of 

 the little finger, covered with a thick brown bark, studded with 

 S 8 



