532 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



roots of Panax quinquefolium, Collinsonia prczcoz, and Asarum virgini- 

 cum; but these admixtures are not found in the article sold here. 



Several analyses have been made of this root; by Bucholz in 1807, 

 Chevallier in 1820, and Peschier in 1823. These show that the activity of 

 it depends on a volatile oil, which Grassman compares in odour and taste to 

 that of Valerian and Camphor combined ; it exists in small quantity, as the 

 same writer states that he obtained but half an ounce from 100 lbs. of the 

 root ; a bitter principle also exists, to which the tonic properties are probably 

 owing. According to Mr. Wiegand [Am. Jour. Pharm. xvi. 16), the A. re- 

 ticulata contains a larger proportion of the volatile oil, and hence is more 

 powerful and active. 



Medical Uses, SfC. — It was in common use among the Indians at the time 

 of the arrival of the first settlers, and was much esteemed by them as a 

 remedy in snake-bites, and was soon adopted by the early colonists as an ex- 

 cellent tonic and stimulant. The first writer that notices it is Johnson, in an 

 edition of Gerarde's Herbal, in 1633, since which time it has been in general 

 use. In small doses, it acts as a stimulant to the digestive organs, and, ac- 

 cording to Jorg, when given in large quantities, causes nausea, flatulence, an 

 uneasy sensation in the stomach, and an increased peristaltic action of the 

 bowels, succeeded by an increase of the fulness and frequency of the pulse, 

 and of the heat of the skin, as well as augmentation of secretion and exhala- 

 tion ; in some cases, there is also some disturbance of the cerebral functions. 



It is employed as a stimulant and tonic, and also acts as a diuretic or dia- 

 phoretic, according to the mode of its administration. No remedy is more 

 popular as a tonic in febrile affections, and as a diaphoretic in a variety of 

 complaints. In regular practice, although not as much employed as formerly, 

 as the main agent in the treatment of intermittents, it is still much resorted to 

 as a valuable adjunct. It is also frequently prescribed in those conditions of 

 the system attendant on, or following febrile diseases, where a tendency to 

 sink manifests itself, and the system requires support ; yet will not support 

 active stimulation. It has also been found useful in exanthematous affections, 

 where the eruption is tardy in its appearance, or has been repelled, in re- 

 storing a due action to the functions and organs. Dr. Chapman, (Elem. 

 Therap. ii. 421) speaks highly of its powers in the secondary stages of pleu- 

 risy and other thoracic complaints. He also states that in infusion it is well 

 calculated to check vomiting, and to tranquillize the stomach. It has also ac- 

 quired some reputation in certain forms of dyspepsia, given in the form of 

 cold infusion or tincture, but does not appear to be at all superior to the other 

 stimulating tonics, for this purpose. The dose of the powder is from ten to 

 thirty grains ; of the infusion (3j. to the pint of water), which is the best and 

 most general method of giving it, one to two fluid ounces may be given as 

 often as occasion may require. The tincture, which possesses all the proper- 

 ties of the root, may be given in doses of one to two fluid drachms. 



As before stated, numerous other species of Aristolochia have been and are 

 still used in different parts of the world as tonics, alexipharmics, &c. It 

 would be impossible to notice these, except in a cursory manner, without ex- 

 tending this article beyond all due limits. 



A. sipho, a native and tall vine, closely allied in its characters to A.tomen- 

 tosa, and well known under the name of" Dutchman's pipe," from the pecu- 

 liar shape of its flowers, has an aromatic and stimulant root, which may be 

 used as a substitute for Serpentaria, but is not equal to it in power. 



