216 PROFESSOR RUTHERFORD ON THE 
Considering the small dose that was given, the high coefficient of secretion 
in Experiment 59 is probably to be regarded as a nearer indication than that 
in Experiment 58 of the power of phytolaccin as a hepatic stimulant, This 
substance appears to be eminently worthy of the attention of the physician. 
ACTION OF RESINA HYDRASTIS oR ‘“‘ HYDRASTIN,” 
The root of the Hydrastis canadensis has had various medicinal properties 
claimed for it. It is admitted by all to be tonic, and by some it is said to be 
aperient, cholagogue, diuretic, antiseptic, &c. “It has been employed in 
dyspepsia, and other affections requiring tonic treatment, in jaundice and other 
functional disorders of the liver, as a laxative in constipation and hemorrhoids, 
and as an alterative in various diseases of the mucous membranes, such as 
catarrh, chronic enteritis, &c. By some it is used as one of the best substitutes 
for quinia in intermittents.” These and other statements regarding it are made 
by Woop and Bacue (Op. x. p. 458), who further aver that a “ more precise 
investigation of its physiological and therapeutic properties is necessary before 
we can venture to decide its place among medicines.” It contains an alkaloid, 
hydrastia or hydrastin, which has been found to be identical with berberina 
(Op. x. p. 457), found in the Berberis vulgaris and in calumba. The 
“hydrastin” employed in the following experiments was not the alkaloid, but 
a resinous substance prepared from the root of the plant, in the same manner 
as menispermin (p. 210) by Kritru & Co. of New York. The dose for a man of 
this preparation is from one to two grains. 
Experiment 60. Dog that had fasted seventeen hours. Weight 25:9 kilo- 
grammes (fig. 60).—Two grains of hydrastin triturated with 2 cc. of rectified 
spirit, 1 cc. of bile, and 2 cc. of water were injected into the duodenum at h, — 
and the same dose was repeated at h’.. A wave, as it were, of increased bile- 
secretion followed both doses, the second being higher than the first. It is 
notable that the periods of excitement after both doses were of the same 
length—an hour and a half. Twenty grains of sodium salicylate in 10 ce. of 
water were then injected into a lower part of the small intestine (s), and it pro- 
duced a higher bile-secretion than had resulted from the hydrastin. 
Necropsy.—Decided redness of mucous membrane in the upper 12 inches 
of the small intestine ; but there was only scanty evidence of purgation where 
the hydrastin had been injected. 
Experiment 61. Dog that had fasted seventeen hours. Weight 13°6 kilo- 
grammes (fig. 61).—Two grains of hydrastin, triturated with 2 cc. of bile, 1 ce. 
of rectified spirit, and 6 cc. of water were injected into the duodenum at h, and 
the same dose was again given at h’. Before the experiment was begun, it 
was observed that the animal was somewhat unhealthy, which accounts for the 
result being less definite in this than in the previous case: yet, ere the second 
¥ 
