SUMBUL 323 



petroleum benzin 17-25 per cent, of a yellow viscid oil, from which 

 crystals of a substance not further investigated were obtained. The 

 drug yielded 8 per cent, of ash. 



Utech (1893) obtained 6-1 per cent, of an aromatic amber-coloured 

 resin having a bitter taste and possessing the aromatic odour of the root. 



Heyl and Hart (1916) found neutral and glucosidal resins yielding 

 umbelliferone by hydrolysis, sucrose, levulose, betaine, &c. 



The drug also contains free umbelliferone and traces of volatile oil. 



Uses. Sumbul is considered to possess stimulant and antispasmodic 

 properties resembling those of valerian. It has been given in hysteria 

 and certain nervous disorders, but is now not much prescribed. 



IPECACUANHA ROOT 



(Radix Ipecacuanhas) 



Source, &C. Ipecacuanha root is obtained from Psychotria 

 (Cephaleis) Ipecacuanha, Stokes (N.O. Rubiacece), a small plant about 

 30 cm. in height with a stem that is at first prostrate or ascending 

 and afterwards becomes erect. It is found in most parts of Brazil, 

 but especially in the province of Matto Grosso, in the interior, whence 

 much of the drug is obtained ; it is also cultivated in the province of 

 Minas Geraes. It is conveyed down the Paraguay and Parana rivers 

 to Montevideo whence it is exported. 



Endeavours have not been wanting to cultivate the ipecacuanha 

 plant in other countries, and they have met with some success. From 

 the state of Selangor (near Singapore) ipecacuanha root of unusually 

 fine appearance and rich in alkaloid is exported in considerable 

 quantity. In Java, Ceylon, and China the cultivation has not been 

 successful. 



From the slender, prostrate stem fibrous roots are given off at 

 intervals ; some of these in the course of their growth develop an 

 abnormally thick bark in which abundance of starch is deposited, 

 whilst the wood remains comparatively small. These thickened roots 

 should constitute the commercial drug ; they are collected by raising 

 the plants, which usually form clumps, from the earth, removing the 

 roots, drying them, and sifting them from adherent sand and earth. 

 The drug is exported in compact canvas bales. Very frequently 

 much of the prostrate or ascending stem finds its way into the drug. 



Ipecacuanha appears to have long been used in Brazil for dysentery ; 

 it was introduced into Europe about 1672. 



Description. The official ipecacuanha root, which is distinguished 

 as Brazilian or Rio ipecacuanha, is slender and rather tortuous, 

 seldom exceeding, in the commercial drug, 15 cm. in length or 5 mm. 

 in thickness. The colour varies from dark brick-red to dark brown, 



