116 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



doses, it will not affect the stomach more than any other active purgative. 



The concurrent testi- 

 Fig 66 mony of all practition- 



ers who have given a 

 fair trial to the Podo- 

 phyllum, is in its favour, 

 as a certain and active 

 purgative, closely re- 

 sembling jalap in its 

 action upon the bowels, 

 but rather more drastic. 

 It induces watery stools, 

 more especially when 

 given in conjunction 

 with cremor tartar. It 

 is also said to be an 

 anthelmintic, and to be 

 used for that purpose 

 among the southern In- 

 dians, but this power is 

 probably owing merely 

 to its purgative quali- 

 ties, and not to any 

 peculiar action on the 

 worms. The dose of 

 the powdered root is 

 from ten grains to a 

 scruple. An extract 

 which is officinal in 

 the U.S. Pharmacopoeia 

 may be prepared from 

 it, the dose of which is 

 Ppeltatum - from five to fifteen 



grains. 

 As found in the shops, the root is in pieces of various lengths, about the 

 thickness of quills, of a blackish-brown colour externally, and somewhat cor- 

 rugated, with occasional knots ; internally it is of a dirty white. It has a 

 faint, unpleasant odour, somewhat resembling that of ipecacuanha, and a bit- 

 terish, and at the same time sweetish taste. 



This root has been examined by Dr. Staples, and also by Mr. Hodgson ; 

 the first detected in it, besides the usual constituents, a peculiar substance 

 which crystallized in white silky tufts; this was not found by Mr. Hodgson, 

 and was probably a salt of lime. The latter pharmaceutist obtained a pecu- 

 liar principle which he terms Podophyttine, which evidently belongs to the 

 same group as Salicine and Populine. When dry, it is in pale brown scales 

 of considerable lustre, is unalterable in the air, and has a permanent, bitter 

 taste. The peculiar properties of the root are probably due both to this prin- 

 ciple and to the resin. 



The P. montanum described and figured by Rafinesque (Med. Flor. 

 ii. 59, f. 73), seems to differ from the above in having a slender, furrowed 

 stem, the leaves with sharp, bifid segments, and not peltate. Torrey and 

 Gray do not notice this species in their " Flora of North America," in any 

 way. As Rafinesque states that it is equally possessed of medical qualities 

 with the P. peltatum, I have added a copy of his description and figure. 



