274 MATER i A MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



black shining points. Breaks with a resinous fracture, and 

 presents internally a radiated structure. When chewed, it 

 excites a prickling sensation in the lips and tongue, and a 

 glowing heat. 



Substance resembling Pellitory : Taraxacum, which is darker 

 and of different taste. 



Composition. Pyrethrum contains one or more (ethereal oils 

 and resins, inulin, and possibly a substance allied to piperin. 

 See Piper Nigrum, page 329. 



Preparation. 



Tinctura PyrethrL 1 in 5. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Pellitory causes a sharp burning sensation in the mouth, 

 followed by persistent tingling and numbness, and a profuse 

 flow of saliva, stimulating as it does the local nerves and 

 vessels and afterwards depressing the former. It has been 

 used only for these local effects, to relieve pain and paralysis 

 in connection with the mouth, and as a sialagogue to promote 

 a gentle flow of saliva in dryness of the throat. It gives a 

 " clean " taste to flat dentifrices, such as chalk. 



Pyrettirum Roseum (Not Officinal}. The 

 powder of the flower-Leads used as insect powder. 



Santonica SANTONICA. The unexpanded 

 flower-heads of an undetermined species of Artemisia. 

 Imported from Russia. 



Characters. Flower-heads rather more than a line in 

 length and nearly half a line in breadth, fusiform, blunt at 

 each end, pale greenish-brown, smooth ; resembling seeds in 

 appearance, but consisting of imbricated involucral scales with 

 a green midrib, enclosing four or five tubular flowers ; odour, 

 strong ; taste, bitter, camphoraceous. Flower-heads not round 

 or hairy. 



Composition. Santonica contains santonin, and a compound 

 volatile oil, allied to camphor in its action. 



Dose. 10 to 60 gr. 



From Santonica is made : 



Santoninum. Santonin. CigH^CV A neutral principle ob- 

 tainea from Santonica. 



Source. Made by (1) boiling Santonica with Lime, and 

 straining ; (2) acidulating the hot concentrated fluid portion with 



