GENTIAN 347 



it is free from starch, or contains at most but minute traces of the 

 latter. It yields from 3 to 4 per cent, of ash. 



Gentianose is a hexatriose yielding by partial hydrolysis gentiobiose and 

 levulose ; further hydrolysis converts the gentiobiose into two molecules of 

 dextrose. During the drying of the root the sucrose completely disappears 

 and the gentianose is converted into dextrose, levulose, and gentiobiose. If the 

 root is unduly exposed to fermentation these sugars are further converted into 

 carbon dioxide and alcohol, so that highly fermented root may yield as little 

 as 13 per cent, of extract to cold water, whereas good gentian root should yield 

 40 per cent, or even more. The British Pharmacopoeia requires not less than 

 33 per cent. The darkening that takes place on the addition of ferric chloride 

 to an infusion of gentian root is probably due to gentin. 



Fresh gentian root is largely used in Germany and Switzerland for 

 the production of an alcoholic beverage. The roots are cut, macerated 

 with water, fermented and distilled ; the distillate contains alcohol 

 and a trace of volatile oil which imparts to it a characteristic odour 

 and taste. 



Uses. Gentian is a favourite bitter tonic. 



Varieties, Substitutes, &c. The roots of other species of gentian 

 are often collected and dried ; Gentiana purpurea, Linne (Switzerland 

 &c.), O. pannonica, Scopoli (Austria), G. punctata, Linne (Austria), 

 all yield gentian roots. They are, however, all smaller than those of 

 G. lutea. The roots of G. purpurea, which approach nearest to the 

 official gentian, attain about half the size and are crowned with several 

 (eight to ten) aerial stems clothed below with many scaly remains of 

 leaves. The top of the root has thus a peculiar branched appearance 

 never found in the root of G. lutea (Pharmacographia). All these 

 species appear to possess similar properties. 



The rhizomes of Rumex alpinus, Linne, have also been found ; they 

 are reddish brown, astringent and bitter, and give a deep red colour 

 with caustic alkalies. Laserpitium lati folium, Linne, yields the 

 white gentian of Continental commerce. White gentian of English 

 commerce is said to be derived from G. Burseri, Lapeyr. 



ALKANET ROOT 



(Alkanna Root, Radix Anchusae) 



Source, &C. Alkanet root is obtained from Alkanna tinctoria, 

 Tauscher (N.O. Boraginece), a small herbaceous plant with perennial 

 root growing in sandy soil in southern Europe, Hungary, and Asiatic 

 Turkey, our supplies being derived chiefly from Hungary. 



Description. The drug consists of deep reddish purple, simple, 

 tapering roots averaging about 15 cm. in length, and 12 mm. in thick- 



