226 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



of the stem, below which is the tapering, corrugated root, of a yellowish-brown 

 or brownish-gray colour. This part of the root is marked with a ridge or 

 carina throughout its length, and with more or less numerous rings or pro- 

 jections. The cortical portion is thick, resinous, and of a grayish-yellow 

 colour ; the central woody part is white. The active qualities of the root 

 reside wholly in the bark, the woody fibre being wholly inert. 



Seneka root has a peculiar, but nauseous smell; the taste is at first mucila- 

 ginous and somewhat sweetish, but afterwards becomes acrid and irritating, 

 acting powerfully on the mouth and fauces. It imparts its properties to water 

 and alcohol, but most fully to the latter. 



Medical Properties, tyc. — The remedial qualities of Seneka are very vari- 

 ous ; it has been successfully employed as an emetic, a stimulant, an expec- 

 torant, a sudorific, a diuretic, and in fact to fulfil almost every indication. 

 Dr. Chapman speaks of it as an emmenagogue, expectorant, and diuretic ; 

 and Dr. Cullen classes it among the purgatives. It was in use among the 

 Indians as an antidote against the bites of venomous snakes, and was consi- 

 dered by them as most decided in its effects. It was first introduced to the 

 notice of the profession by Dr. Tennant, about a hundred years since, in the 

 treatment of diseases of the respiratory organs, and has since maintained a 

 high rank as an expectorant, especially in croup, in which its curative 

 powers were thought by some practitioners as almost certain ; but it is 

 seldom used in this complaint at present, except in the form of hive syrup, 

 which excellent combination is one of the best adjuvants in the treatment of 

 that fatal disease. Dr. Archer gave it in a strong decoction, in teaspoonful 

 doses, until an impression was made on the disease. The emmenagogue 

 powers of the Seneka were first pointed out by Dr. Hartshorne ; and it has 

 been found highly useful in recent cases of amenorrhoea, but is seldom bene- 

 ficial in those of long standing. Dr. W. P. C. Barton recommends a trial of 

 it in hydrophobia, under an impression that from its powerful action on the 

 larynx and trachea, it might prove beneficial ; no fair trial has been made of 

 it in this terrible disease, but it is worthy of attention, for if it did not cure, it 

 might at least alleviate the sufferings of the patient. 



Several analyses have been made of the Seneka, the most recent of which 

 is that of Quevenne (Journ. de Pharm. xxii.) This chemist states that it 

 contains two peculiar acids, the Polygalic and the Virgineic, on which its 

 properties depend. The first of these acids was discovered by Peschier of 

 Geneva, who also noticed another principle in it, which he termed isolysine ; 

 this latter was not detected by later experimenters, but is probably an impure 

 form of the Virgineic acid of Quevenne. 



Seneka is given in powder, in doses of 10 to 20 grains ; in decoction, from 

 an ounce to two ounces. An extract has also been prepared from it, which 

 is much used in France, but is scarcely if ever employed in this country 

 [Am. Journ. Pharm. xiv. 287), which appears to possess all the properties 

 of the root in a concentrated form. 



Several other species of Polygala have been recommended as remedial 

 agents, both as substitutes for the Seneka, and as simple tonics. Thus the 

 P. sanguinea is said by Dr. B. S. Barton to possess the same properties as 

 the P. senegd ; and Peschier states that the P. cliamasbiixus is identical in 

 composition with it, and may be used in all cases as a substitute. On the 

 other hand, the P. amara, the P. rubella, and the P. vulgaris, are powerful 

 bitters when given in small doses, but cathartic and diaphoretic when freely 

 administered. 



