IIYDKASTIS. G5 



vory mnnorous, liypn<»ynoua, linciir-Hpatulato ; authors (wal, iniiatp. Ova- 

 ries 12 or mure, 'J-ovulod ; styles sliort, Hti^nuus diluted, 'J-lippud, iudupli- 

 ciito. Fruit ;i crimson head of l)ivcciito 1- or 2-seodod carpels, siicculout, 

 unci resembliny; a largo raspberry. Seeils obovato ; testa crustaceoiis, 

 nearly blaek, shining, lined with a thin membranaceous togmen. 



An herb.iccoiis perennial, with a hori/oiital rhizome, from whieh is sent 

 up in (tarly sprin;^ a simphi hairy stem (5 to 12 inches high, bearing two 

 leaves, and, at its summit, a singh) llower. There is gcsnerally also a single 

 radical leaf on a long petiole. The leaves are palmately JU to .T-lobed, the 

 lobes acute, unequally serrate ; the lower caulino leaf petiolate, the upper 

 sessile. The leaves, at the time of Howering, are small and not fully ex- 

 panded, but subsocpiently they increase much in size, ultimately attaining 

 a width of 5 to (5 inclu^s. 



The rhizome is one-half inch to 2 inches in length, from one-eighth to one- 

 half inch in diameter, simple, or with a few short brancihes, terminated by 

 a broad scar, longitudinally wrinkknl, annulate from leaf scars, and bearing, 

 especially below, mimerous small iibrous roots. Both rhizome and roots 

 are of a yellow color, and have an intensely bitter taste, without astvingcuicy. 



Ilabitct. — Canada to Carolina and westward. Hare east of the AUe- 

 ghanies, more commou along these mountains and west of them. Grows 

 in rich moist woods. 



Partii Used. — The rhizome and rootlets — UnUed Sfatoi Pharinacopma. 



CoHslitiicnts. — The most important constituents of hydrastis are two 

 alkaloids, viz. : (1) iLijdrai'lia, a white crystalline body, tasteless at tirst, 

 but eventually imparting an acriil sensation to the tongue and fauces — 

 not bitter, as sometimes erroneously stated ; (2) bcrberina, which is in yel- 

 low needle-shajiod crystals and has an intensely bitter taste. The latter 

 alkidoid is found in numerous plants of the orders Jicrhcridacen', llanan- 

 cidaccic, Jrimix2)('>'inartw, etc. B3Hides these alkaloids, hydrastis contains 

 starch, sugar, etc., and traces of a third alkaloiil, which, however, exists in 

 such small proportion as to be of no practical importance. The article long 

 known as hi/drastm, and extensively used, chielly by eclectic practitioners, 

 is an impui'e hydrochlorato (muriate) of berbei'ina. Both hydrastia and 

 berberina unite with acids to form salts, and it is in the form of salts that, 

 they are usually employed. 



Prejxiralioiis. — Extractum hydrastis fluidum — fluid extract of hydras-- 

 tis ; tinctura hydrastis — tincture of hydrastis. — L'aited Stales Pliannaco'- 

 piela. In certain cases where it is desirable to employ large doses, the 

 alkaloids or their salts are more eligible. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — Numerous and diverse properties have 

 been attributed to hydrastis, so much so, indeed, that there is little agree- 

 ment among different authors upon the subject. That it is a i^owerful 

 tonic all admit, and it is probable that to its tonic action alone are due the 

 many widely diliereut eiTects observed by those who have written upon. 



