32 



46. Lobelia. Leaves and flowering tops of Lobelia inflata L. 



(Indian Tobacco). Prepared as a fluidextract or tincture, 

 used in the treatment of asthma. 



47. Balsam of Peru. Obtained from Toluifera Pereirae (Royle) 



Baill. It is applied locally in treatment of indolent ulcers. 



48. Ephedrine. The alkaloid of Ephedra sinica Stapf. Its prop- 



erties are similar to those of adrenalin but are more last- 

 ing in effect. 



49. Staphisagria. Seeds of Delphinium Staphisagria L. Prepared 



as a fluidextract which is employed externally to combat 

 lice and mites. 



50. Chaulmoogra oil. From the seeds of Taraktogenos Kurzii 



King. It is used as a specific in the treatment of leprosy. 



The above list, though incomplete, contains most of the 

 drugs of vegetable origin used in the practice of pharmacy to- 

 day. The accompanying map shows the commercial source of 

 most of them. 



It will be noted that many of them are native or cultivated 

 in our own country. We need not go far afield to discover useful 

 medicinal plants. Our local flora is rich in species, many of 

 which, however, have fallen into disuse with the decline in the 

 preparation of home remedies, the substitution of cheaper or 

 more efficacious foreign products, and with the innovation of 

 synthetic substitutes. 



Columbia University 

 New York City 



