214 LABIATiE. 



A perennial herb. Stem erect, mucli branched, nearly smooth, 1 to 2 

 feet high. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, serrate, petiolate. Flow- 

 ers small, blue, in axilbuy and terminal, one-sided racemes, aj^pearing 

 late in summer. 



liabilat. — In wet, shady places ; common. 



Part Used. — The herb — United Slates Fharmacopam. 



Constitnenls. — Skullcap has less volatile oil and more bitterness than 

 most other labiate plants, but possesses no constituents essentially difter- 

 ent from th(;m. 



I'r('pumtioiif<. — Extractum scutollari-e fluidum — fluid extract of Scu- 

 tellaria, — United States Pharmacopada. Conunonly used in infusion. 



3Iedical Properties and Uses. — This and several unofficial species of 

 skullcap have at various times been esteemed of medicinal value, but on 

 what would appear to be doubtful testimony. They are almost or quite 

 destitute of aromatic projierties, so common in labiates, and hence, one 

 would sujipose, less efficient than many other plants of the order whose 

 medicinal virtues reside in their essential oils. Again, the diseases in 

 which Scutellaria has been found most efficient, namely, hysteria and 

 hydrophobia, add not a little to one's scepticism. Hysteria we know is 

 quite as often amena1)le tv) moral treatment as to drugs ; and much of the 

 hydrophobia which has been cured has been undoubtedly of a purely 

 imaginary character. If, then, these plants do really possess any valuable 

 medicinal properties, the fact is yet to be demonstrated. 



MARRUBIUM.— IIoREiiouND. 



Marrubium vulgare Linnc. — Tlorehonnd. 



Description.— CwXy-ii. tubiilar, 5- to 10-nerved, 5- to 10-toothed, the 

 teeth spinj', the alternate ones shorter. Corolla 2-lipped ; upper lip erect, 

 flattish or concave, notched ; the lower spreading, 3-lobed, the middle 

 lobe broadest. Stamens 4, included in the tube of the corolla. 



A perennial herb. Stem ascending, hoary-pubescent, branching at the 

 base, 1 to 2 feet high. Leaves roundish ovate, creuate, petiolate. Flowers 

 white, in capitate whorls, appearing late in summer. 



IIul)ilat. — In Avaste places ; naturalized from Euroi)e. 



Parts Used. — The leaves and tops — United States Pharmacopam. 



Constituents. — Volatile oil, a peculiar bitter principle, marrubiin, and 

 connnon vegetable principles. 



Preparations. — Commonly administered in infusion, or syrup. 



MeiUiral Properties and C'sf.s. — Horehound is stimulant, tonic, and 

 slightly laxative. In warm infusion it produces diaphoresis, and is often 

 used in this manner in the early stages of colds ; while its tonic influence, 

 when taken cold, has beeji found serviceable in cln'onic pulmonai'y dis- 

 eases. 



