360 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



principally acts on the secreting organs, especially those of respiration, pro- 

 moting expectoration and a restoration of healthy action; when the dose is 

 increased, it displays its powers on the stomach and induces nausea, depres- 

 sion of pulse, or if aided by warmth exerts a diaphoretic influence; when 

 given in full doses, it operates as a certain but mild emetic. By combination 

 with other remedies, these effects are increased ; thus when mixed with 

 squills, it acts still more actively as an expectorant, whilst with opium it 

 exerts a much more decided diaphoretic action. From these various proper- 

 ties, it is extensively employed in the treatment of almost every disease, and 

 to fulfil a great diversity of indications. ' There is one effect of this article 

 that deserves notice, which is its irritant effect on the respiratory passages 

 of many persons, bringing on an attack resembling asthma ; some individuals 

 are so susceptible to its influence that the mere odour of it will cause diffi- 

 culty of breathing. It has been said, that ipecacuanha was first introduced 

 as a remedy in bowel diseases, and that it proved eminently successful in 

 such cases ; but at present, it is seldom resorted to in their treatment, except 

 in conjunction with opium, and its whole benefit is then attributable to its 

 diaphoretic action. Some late writers have, however, used it with advantage 

 in large doses, in conjunction with some of the bitters or with opium, at the 

 commencement of an attack of dysentery, and it is said with advantage. 

 The dose of ipecacuanha as an emetic, is about fifteen to twenty grains, 

 though a much smaller quantity will often suffice ; it has one advantage, 

 that an increase of dose does not act injuriously on the patient, as it is 

 brought away at the first discharge from the stomach. As a nauseant the 

 dose is from two to four grains, and as an expectorant from one to two 

 grains. There are many preparations of this drug, none of which are 

 'much employed, with the exception of the compound or Dover's Powder, 

 which is one of the most valuable medicines in the Materia Medica, where 

 it is wished to produce diaphoresis. 



Psychotria. — Linn. 



Calyx tube ovate ; limb short, 5-lobed, 5-toothed or entire. Corolla infundibuliform, 

 usually short, 5-, rarely 4-cleft, regular ; limb spreading or recurved ; aestivation valvate. 

 Stamens five, rarely four ; anthers exserted or included ; style simple ; stigma 2-clefl. 

 Fruit drupaceous, containing 2 mucules, crowned with the limb of the calyx, and ribbed ; 

 mucules coriaceous, ribbed, angled or even, 1-seeded. Seed erect, with a cartilaginous, 

 solid albumen. 



A tropical genus, composed principally of trees and shrubs, rarely herba- 

 ceous. The leaves are opposite and petiolated. The flowers in panicles or 

 corymbs on terminal peduncles. The number of species is very great, being 

 nearly two hundred, but they require careful revision, as much uncertainty 

 exists with regard to many of them. 



P. emetica, Linn. — Stem herbaceous, procumbent ; leaves lanceolate, smooth ; stipules 

 setaceous ; flowers in axillary capituli, peduncles few-flowered. 



Linn., Supp. 144; Humboldt and Bonpland, PL JEq.> ii. 142; Martius, 

 Spec. Mat. Med. Bras. ; Lindley, Fl. Med. 440. 



Common Names. — Striated Ipecacuanha ; Black Ipecacuanha. 



Description. — Root perennial, almost horizontal, cylindrical, about the size of the little 

 finger, with here and there narrow, deep depressions. Stem somewhat ligneous, simple, 

 about a foot to two feet in height, somewhat pubescent. Leaves opposite, lanceolate, on 

 short petioles, and furnished with narrow acute stipules. Flowers white, small, on axil- 

 lary peduncles. 



