324 MATERIA MEDIC A AND THERAPEUTICS. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Bebeeru bark is an aromatic bitter, stomachic and tonic 



in its effects, like orange and cascarilla ; the alkaloid possesses 

 the properties of a pure bitter. 



Like all other substances of this class, beberia is antiseptic, 

 and to a small extent antipyretic and antiperiodic ; but these 

 effects being comparatively insignificant, its use in fever and 

 ague has now been abandoned. 



AEISTOLOCHLE. 



Serpentariae Radix SERPENTARY ROOT. The 

 dried rhizome of Aristolochia Serpentaria. From the 

 southern parts of North America. 



Characters. A small roundish rhizome, with a tuft of 

 numerous slender rootlets, about three inches long, yellowish; 

 of an agreeable camphoraceous odour, and a warm bitter 

 camphoraceous taste. 



Composition. Serpentary contains chiefly a volatile oil and 

 resin, with some bitter principle. 



Preparations. 



1. Infusum SerpentarisB. 1 in 40. Dose, 1 to 2 fl.oz. 



2. Tinctura Serpentaria. 1 in 8. Dose, % to 2 fl.dr. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Serpentary possesses local and general stimulant and tonic 



nerties, closely resembling those of valerian and cascarilla. 

 i occasionally used in low, nervous, despondent, and exci- 

 table conditions, as well as in low fevers and febrile states. 



THYMELACEJE. 



Mezerei Cortex MEZEREON BARK. The dried 

 bark of Daphne Mezereum, Mezereon ; or of Daphne 

 Laureola, Spurge Laurel. British : the latter cul- 

 tivated. 



Characters. In strips or quilled pieces of various lengths, 

 tough and pliable, olive-brown on the surface, white within, 

 fibrous, odour faintly nauseous, taste hot and acrid. 



Composition. Mezereon contains an acrid resin, which is 

 the anhydrid of a resinous acid mezereinic acid ; an inert fixed 

 oil ; and a glucoside daphnin, also probably inactive. 



