SAVIN TOPS 



213 



Constituents. The principal constituent of savin is the volatile 

 oil, of which it yields from 2 to 4 per cent. Tannin and resin are 

 constituents of secondary importance. 



The volatile oil (sp. gr. 0-910 to 0-930 ; O.K. + 40 to + 60) consists chiefly 

 of the alcohol sabinol and its acetic ester ; it also contains cadinene, pinene, 

 and probably other terpenes. 



Uses. Oil of savin is a powerful irritant, and is used externally to 

 promote discharge from blisters ; internally 

 it acts as an emmenagogue, and is often 

 used to procure abortion, frequently with 

 fatal effect. 



Substitutes. The tops of J. phcenicea, 

 Linne, have frequently been substituted 

 in France for those of J. Sabina. They 

 may be distinguished by the spiral arrange- 

 ment of the leaves which also contain large 

 sclerenchymatous cells not found in J. 

 Sdbina. The volatile oil which has a 

 lower optical rotation (+ 4), and contains 

 less sabinol has been found in English 

 commerce. 



CARRAGEEN 

 (Chondrus ; Irish Moss) 



Source, &c. Irish moss, Chondrus 

 crispus, Stackhouse (Class, Algce ; Subclass, 

 Bhodophycece ; Order, Gigartinacece) , is not 

 a moss, but a seaweed widely distributed 

 on the northern shores of the Atlantic 

 Ocean. It is collected for medicinal use 

 on the north-western coast of Ireland, 



the coast of Brittany, and of Massachusetts in the United 

 States. The plant, which is exceedingly variable in colour, in the 

 amount of furcation, and in the width of the segments, grows just 

 below low- water mark and is collected by raking. When fresh it 

 varies in colour from green to dark purplish brown, but is bleached 

 by exposing it to the sun and watering *it, the colouring matter, which 

 is soluble in water, being partly washed out and partly destroyed by 

 the treatment. The bleaching is said to be completed by chemical 

 means. 



Description. The drug, which consists of the entire plant, is usually 

 yellowish white in colour, translucent, and cartilaginous or horny. 

 The thallus is rounded near its attachment to the stones upon which 



FIG. 111. Savin. A, natural 

 size ; B, magnified. 

 (Moeller.) 



