400 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



may be employed in place of gentian or calumba. It has been generally 

 taught that taraxacum is an hepatic stimulant and increases the secretion 

 of bile. This has been proved fallacious. The extract is often used as 

 an excipient in preparing masses. 



Hydrastis. Hydrastis. (U. S. P.) 



Synonym. — Hydrastis rhizoma, B. P.; golden seal, yellow root, yellow puc- 

 coon, orange root, Indian dye, Indian tumeric, E.; racine orange, Fr.; Canadische 

 gelbwurzel, G. 



The dried rhizome and roots of Hydrastis canadensis Linng (Fam. Ranun- 

 culaceae), yielding not less than 2.5 per cent, of the ether-soluble alkaloids of 

 hydras tis. 



Habitat. — North America in woods, west to Missouri and Arkansas. 



Description. — Rhizome horizontal or oblique, subcylindrical and usually more 

 or less flexuous, from 1 to 5 cm. in length and from 2 to 7 mm. in diameter; 

 occasionally with stem bases ; externally yellowish or grayish-brown. The powder 

 is yellowish brown; odor distinct; taste bitter. 



Constituents. — 1, berberine (C2oHi,NO<,) 3 to 4 per cent., an alkaloid occur- 

 ring in yellow crystals and found in many plants of the families Berberaceae, 

 Ranunculacese, and Menispermaceae ; 2, hydrastine (CziH^iNOo), a colorless, crys- 

 talline alkaloid, soluble in alcohol and ether; 3, canadine (CjiHjiNOi), occurring 

 in white, acicular crystals. 



Dose.—n. & C, 3ii-§i, (8-80); Sh. & Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8); D., gr.v-3i, (.3-4). 



PREPAKATIONS. 



Fluidextractum Hydrastis. Fluidextract of Hydrastis. (U. S. P.) 



Made by maceration and percolation with alcohol, glycerin and water, and 

 evaporation. Assayed and enough menstruum added so that it will contain 2 per 

 cent, of the ether-soluble alkaloids of hydrastis. 



Dose.— H. & C, 3ii-5i, (8-30) ; Sh. & Sw., 3i-ii, (4-8) ; D., ni.v-3i, (.3-4). 

 Extractum Hydrastis Liquidum. (B. P.) 



Dose.—H. & C, 3i-iii, (4-12) ; D., TTLv-xv, (.3-1). 



Tinctura Hydrastis. Tincture of Hydrastis. (U. S. & B. P.) 



Made by maceration and percolation of hydrastis, 200; with diluted alcohol, 

 to 1000. 



Dose.—U., Si-ii, (30-60) ; D., 3ss-ii, (2-8). 



Olyceritum Hydrastis. Glycerite of Hydrastis. (U. S. P.) 



Made by maceration, and percolation, of hydrastis, 1000, with alcohol, and 

 evaporate. Add water to the residue, set aside 24 hours and filter; add enough 

 water to the filtrate to make 100 mils contain 2.5 Gms. of ether-soluble alka- 

 loids, then add glycerin, 500. 



Dose. — Same as fluid extract. 



Hydrastina. Hydrastine. C^iHjiOo. 



Occurs in white, glistening prisms of bitter taste and permanent in the air. 

 Almost insoluble in water; sparingly soluble in alcohol and ether; soluble in 

 chloroform. 



Dose.—H., gr.iii, (0.18); D., gr.%, (0.015). 

 Hydrastininte Hydrochloridum. Hydrastinine Hydrochloride. CnHii02NHCl. 



(U: S. P.) 



The hydrochloride of hydrastinine, an alkaloid obtained from the oxidation 

 of hydrastine. 



Properties. — Light, yellowish needles, or a yellowish-white crystalline powder; 

 odorless, and having a bitter, saline taste; deliquescent on exposure to damp air. 

 Very soluble in water and alcohol. 



Dose.—n., gr.v, (0.3) ; D., gr.^, (0.03). 



Hydrastin. (Non-oflRcial.) 



The commercial name for a mixture of variable composition, consisting 

 chiefly of berberine, together with hydrastine, and a resin. A greenish-yellow 

 powder, having a bitter taste. Wrongly termed hydrastine. 



Dose.—K., gr.xv-xxx, (1-2); D., gr.iii-v, (.18-.8). 



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