SALICIS CORTEX. 331 



the skin, and the respiratory organs. In this respect it closely 

 resembles copaiba, and is used in the same cla*s of cases with it. 

 Thus, it is a diuretic, acting directly on the renal cells. The 

 cubebic acid is excreted in the urine as a salt, from which it may 

 be precipitated by nitric acid ; and stimulates and disinfects 

 the genito-urinary passages with which it comes in contact. 

 The sweat and the bronchial mucus are both increased, and 

 sometimes an eruption appears on the skin. 



Cubebs is rarely used except in gonorrhoea and vesical 

 affections. It is decidedly less unpleasant than copaiba, and 

 much less liable to disturb digestion. It is sometimes pre- 

 scribed for chronic bronchitis. 



Folia MATICO LEAVES. The dried 

 leaves of Artanthe elongata. Imported from Peru. 



Characters. From two to eight inches long, veined and 

 tesselated on the upper surface, downy beneath ; with an 

 aromatic, slightly astringent, warm taste, and an agreeable 

 aromatic odour. 



Substance resembling Matico : Digitalis. (See page 309.) 

 Composition. Matico contains a quantity of volatile oil, 

 artanthic acid (crystalline), resin, and tannic acid. 



Preparation. 

 Infusum Maticse. 1 in 20. Dose, 1 to 4 fl.oz. 



ACTION AND USES. 



Matico is said to resemble pepper and cubebs very closely 

 in its action, and has been given in the same class of cases, but 

 is not in general use. The physical character of the under 

 surface of the leaf renders it a local haemostatic when applied 

 to incised wounds, as it facilitates coagulation. 



SALICACE^S. 



Salicis Cortex WILLOW BARK. (Not Officinal.) 

 The bark of Salix caprea. and other species. 



Characters. Quilled pieces, the epidermis dark, the struc- 

 ture fibrous and tough ; odour slightly aromatic ; taste bitter 

 and astringent. 



Composition. Willow bark contains salicin, tannic acid, 

 and the ordinary constituents of barks. 



