RANUNCULACE.E. 91 



plant. It is used in some parts of Europe to destroy wolves, whence one of 

 its common names. 



Medical Uses. — Although, as before mentioned, this plant was known to 

 the ancients, it was introduced into regular medical practice by Storck, as a 

 remedy in chronic rheumatism and various other disorders. He found it to 

 act as a diuretic, diaphoretic, and narcotic. His observations led to its em- 

 ployment in other diseases ; and it is now universally ranked among the 

 most potent of therapeutic agents. In consequence, however, of its uncer- 

 tain action, and its occasional production of alarming symptoms, it is not in 

 general use. Its powers depend on an alkaloid principle, first noticed by 

 Pallas, and subsequently by Brandes, who named it aconita. This principle 

 is soluble in cold water, scarcely so in cold alcohol, but freely if heat be ap- 

 plied. The usual preparations in which Aconite is given are, the "powder, 

 extract, and tincture ; the dose of the first is from one to three grains, two 

 or three times a day, gradually increasing it if required. The extract varies 

 much in strength, but its use should always be commenced in doses not ex- 

 ceeding half a grain. The tincture may be administered in doses of ten or 

 fifteen drops. (See Fleming on Aconitum.) 



The other species of Aconite are possessed of the same properties, some 

 of them even in a greater degree, especially the A.ferox, a native of Nepaul, 

 and described by Dr. Wallich as highly deleterious. Under the name of 

 Bish or Vish it has long been known to the inhabitants of that country, and 

 is used by them in time of war to poison their weapons, and even the water 

 springs, when invaded by an enemy. The A. neomontanum and A. camma- 

 rum, as well as the A. anthora, appear to be equivalent to the A. napellus, 

 and to be used for it. At one time it was supposed that the A. anthora was 

 an antidote to the thora or common Aconite, as its name signifies ; but the 

 experiments Of Hoffmann and others prove that it is full as dangerous a 

 poison as the one it was thought to control. The A. lycoctonum, a native 

 of the north of Europe, is much used for the purpose of poisoning wolves. 

 It has also attained some celebrity, according to Martius, as a remedy in hy- 

 drophobia ; the powdered root being applied to the wound until cicatrization 

 has taken place. Like other vaunted specifics in this terrible malady, it is to 

 be feared that its powers have been over-estimated, though, from the powerful 

 influence of Aconite on the nervous system, far more reliance may be placed 

 on it than in the powers of such worthless articles as Skull-cap, Pimpernel, 

 and Water-plantain. 



P^onia. — Linn. 



Sepals 5, unequal, leafy. Petals 5-10, roundish. Stamens many. Disk surrounding 

 the ovaries, fleshy. Carpels 2-5, follicular, with double, persistent, sessile stigmas ; many- 

 seeded. Seeds dry, round. 



These are herbaceous, sometimes shrubby, plants, with thick, fasciculate 

 roots, and biternately-divided leaves. The flowers are terminal, solitary, and 

 large. One species, the P. officinalis, a native of various parts of Europe, 

 was at one time in high repute as a remedial agent ; the seeds were con- 

 sidered to be eminently cathartic and emetic, and the root a powerful anti- 

 spasmodic. The ancient writers, as Dioscorides (lib. iii. c. 127) and Pliny 

 (1. xxv. c. 15), give particular directions in what maimer the root was to be 

 collected, considering it as an emanation from the gods, and capable of ap- 

 peasing tempests, protecting from evil spirits, curing the most severe wounds, 



