658 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



It is difficult to lay down any rules for judging of Sarsaparilla. Dr. Han- 

 cock is of opinion that the only criterion is the taste, and that the more 

 acrid and nauseous this is, the better is the quality of the root. Others have 

 judged by the quantity of extract that is yielded, and some again rely on the 

 proportional quantity of beard or root fibres present, deeming that with the 

 most to be the best. Sarsaparilla contains a bitter principle called Smibacine, 

 Volatile oil, Resin, Starch, &c. Smilacine is very analogous if not identical 

 with Saponin, and is probably the active principle, though this is by no 

 means certain. 



Sarsaparilla was made known to the Spaniards by the Indians, and was 

 first introduced into Europe as an anti-venereal remedy about the middle of 

 the 16th century, and became very popular, but soon fell into disrepute, and 

 was almost forgotten, until again brought forward by Dr. William Hunter, 

 Sir William Fordyce, and others, about a century since, as an adjuvant to 

 mercury in the cure of syphilis. It is now in very general use, not only in 

 this disease, but in most obstinate cutaneous affections, depraved conditions 

 of the system, &c. But the opinion of the profession is by no means in 

 unison as to its real powers ; for whilst some hold that it exercises a real in- 

 fluence over a variety of disordered states of the constitution, others main- 

 tain that it is no more active than any other solution of gum and starch. 

 There can be no doubt that under its use, the constitution has been improved 

 and invigorated, and many obstinate affections have disappeared, though in 

 every case its ultimate effects are far more evident than its mode of action. 

 It is usually given in infusion, decoction, syrup, or extract. (See Pereira, 

 ii. 131, et. seq.) 



Numerous other species have been employed, among which may be men- 

 tioned S. glauca, the root of which is spoken of by Martius [Travels, ii. 96), 

 as highly prized in Brazil, under the name of China branca, as a specific in 

 syphilis, and also as very beneficial in gout and chronic cutaneous eruptions ; 

 but, to be effectual, the patient must take as much of the infusion as he can 

 bear. The root of S. china, is one of the China roots of the older pharma- 

 ceutists, and still employed in some parts of Europe. This was recommended 

 as a substitute for Sarsaparilla, and has the same properties. According to 

 Dujardin, the roots form an article of food in China. S. pseudo-China, a 

 native of the southern parts of the United States, and in Jamaica : this is 

 said to be an excellent alterative ; and, according to Elliott, (Sketches, ii. 700,) 

 is used by the negroes in South Carolina, with molasses, sassafras, and In- 

 dian corn, in the manufacture of a very pleasant beer. S. glabra, of India, 

 is said, by Roxburgh, (Fl. Incl. iii. 792,) to have a root closely resembling 

 the China root. It is used in Sylhet as a depurative and alterative, as are 

 also those of S. hicumcefolia ; and the juice is likewise esteemed beneficial in 

 rheumatic pains. The root of S. glycyphylla, or the Sweet Tea of Australia, 

 is said to be fully equal to the best Sarsaparilla, and the leaves afford a 

 sweet and bitter decoction, which is said to be eminently tonic and astringent. 



Various Asiatic species, as the S. zeylanica, S. perfoliate, and S. leuco- 

 phylla, are reported to be fully equal to the American kinds. S. aspera and 

 S. excelsa, common in Turkey, are often substituted for the officinal article, 

 and are stated to be sometimes found in the European drug market, under the 

 name of Italian Sarsaparilla. Among our native kinds, S. caduca, S. lauri- 

 folia, and S. tamnoides, afford a kind of fecula, which was used by the In- 

 dians, but they principally employed the roots of S. pseudo-China, already 

 spoken of. It should be noticed that the East Indian Sarsaparilla, which has 

 been attributed to S. aspera, is derived from a wholly different plant, the 

 Hemidesmus indicus (q. v.) 



