148 
CEPltAELlS IPECACUANNA. 
We are told by Dr. CuUen, that many dropsical disorders have beert 
cured by taking a decoction of this plant ; one ounce of the fresh 
plant may be boiled in a pound of water till half is consumed, and 
of this two or three spoonsful may be taken every hour, till it 
operates upon the bowels ; this quantity may be repeated every day, 
or every second day, until some decided effect is produced. Syden- 
ham prescribed the ashes of broom tops,* and on his authority they 
were formerly much used, and, as it appears, with much success. Dr. 
Monro also confirmed their efficacy, and prescribed them in doses of 
from twenty to thirty grains, three times a day. But as the efficacy of 
these ashes must, doubtless, depend entirely upon the alkaline salt 
they contain, and not in the least upon the vegetable from which they 
are obtained, they are now out of repute, small doses of the carbonate 
of potass being found equally efficacious. The seeds and flowers 
are said to be emetic and cathartic, we are told however, by Dr. 
Woodville, that " the evidence upon which this rests, is not wholly 
to be relied upon, as the former, when roasted, have been used as a 
substitute for coffee, and the latter employed as a pickle." 
Off. The Tops and Seeds. 
Off. Pp. Extractum Genistas, D. 
♦ 
CEPHAELIS IPECACUANNA. 
Ipecacuan.-f 
Class Pentan DRI A.— Orc?er MONOGYNIA. 
J\at. Ord. AGGjREGAT^, Linn. Rubiaceje, Juss, 
Gen. Char. Flowers in an involuered head. Corolla tu- 
bular. Stigma 2-parted. Berry 2-seeded. B^cepiacU 
chaffy. 
Spec. Char. Stem ascending, somewhat shrubby, sarmentous. 
Leaves ovate, lanceolate, somewhat pubescent Leaflets a 
little heart-shaped. Corolla 5-cleft, chaffy. Bracteas larg;e. 
* Opera, p. 497. 
t Fig. a. The germeu. b, A flower magnified, c. An imbifloral bractea. d,. A 
berry of the natural size. 
