NECTANDRA. 323 



Characters. In branched pieces, sometimes eight inches in 

 diameter at the crown ; bark externally greyish-brown, inter- 

 nally rusty-brown ; of an agreeable odour, and a peculiar 

 aromatic warm taste ; wood light, porous, greyish-yellow, more 

 feeble in odour and taste than the bark. Also in chips. 



Composition. Sassafras contains a volatile oil, consisting of 

 a turpentine and a camphor ; a resin ; and a neutral crystalline 

 body, sassafrin. 



Sassafras is contained in Decoctum Sarsae Composition. 



ACTION AND USES. 



The physiological action of sassafras is unknown. The 

 drug is rarely used alone, but in the Compound Decoction of 

 Sarsaparilla. It is supposed to increase the action of the 

 skin and kidneys in syphilis, rheumatism, etc., and thus to be 

 an alterative. See Sarsce Radix, page 354. 



Nectandrae Cortex BEBEERTTBARK. The bark 

 of Nectandra Rodisei. the Greenheart Tree. Imported 

 from British Guiana, 



Characters. In large flat heavy pieces, from one to two 

 feet long, from two to six inches broad, and about a quarter of 

 an inch thick. External colour greyish - brown ; internal 

 colour dark cinnamon-brown. Taste strongly and persistently 

 bitter, with considerable astringency. 



Composition. The active principle of bebeeru bark is 

 beberia or biberin, C^H^NaOg, a bitter alkaloid, the sulphate of 

 which is officinal. It also contains tannin. 



From Nectandrce Cortex is made : 



Beberise Sulphas (C^H^NaC-HaSC^). The sulphate of an 

 alkaloid prepared from Bebeeru Bark. 



Source. Made by (1) exhausting the powdered Bark with 

 Water and Sulphuric Acid ; (2) precipitating the colouring 

 matter with Lime ; (3) filtering and precipitating impure Beberia 

 by Ammonia ; (4) making a tincture, and therefrom a solution 

 in Diluted Sulphuric Acid ; (5) purifying and evaporating to 

 dryness. 



Characters. Dark -brown thin translucent scales ; yellow 

 when in powder ; with a strong bitter taste. Solubility, 1 in 

 80 of water ; sparingly in spirit. 



Incompatibles. Alkalies and their carbonates, bromide and 

 iodide of potassium, lime-water, tartaric acid and tartrates 

 astringent infusions and tinctures. 



Lose. I to 10 gr. 



