JAMAICA, 



BULLETIN 



OF THB 



BOTANICAL DEPARTMENT. 



Vol, VI 



Hew Series,] MAT, 1899. Part VI 



JAMAICA DOGWOOD. 

 Proximate Analysis of the Bark of Piscidia Erythrina, Linn 



By Herman Berberich, P.D. 



Piscidia Erythrina, or Jamaica Dogwood, belongs to the natural 

 order Leguininosae, and is a native of the West India Islands. 



A fluid extract of the bark was several years ago introduced to the 

 notice of the medical profession, and it is stated by physicians to be a 

 direct sedative, producing narcotic effects, which are refreshing, and 

 not followed, as in the case of opium, by hyperaemia of the brain, 

 nausea and general nervous disturbance. It is said to be also of value 

 in bronchitis, asthma, spasms of the muscles, due to flunctional 

 causes, chorea, tetanus, and especially in toothache, to relieve pain. 



By treating the fluid extract of the bark with slaked lime, Edward 

 Hart* obtained a crystalline sub-tance which he considered to be the 

 active principle of the bark. The crystals separated on the sides and 

 bottom of the flask after the mixture had stood for two or three days. 

 They were accompanied by a resinous subtance. The crystals were 

 purified by recrystallization from alcohol, and were finally obtained in 

 a nearly colourless condition. After repeated recrystallization from 

 alcohol, the substance was obtained in the form of small, yellowish 

 crystals, which under the microscope, appeared to consist of 

 four-or six-sided prisms. The same investigator further de- 

 scribed the crystals as " insoluble in water; slightly soluble in cold, 

 much more in boiling alcohol; only slightly soluble in ether; 

 easily soluble in benzene and chloroform. It is dissolved by strong 

 hydrochloric acid, and sulphuric acid, but reprecipitated apparently 

 unchanged by dilution with water. Fehling's solution failed to detect 



* American Chem. Journal, 18fc3, p. 39 ; Therapeutic Gazette, 1883, pp. 



