PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY, EDINBURGH. 
549 
a plant belonging to the Natural Order Phytolaccacece , which, as a rule, is not remark¬ 
able for any active properties. This, however, has a strong and somewhat alliaceous 
odour ; it is a hard woody root, very fibrous, the main part not being much thicker than 
the little finger. It is said to be both diuretic and diaphoretic, and to be useful in febrile 
cases. It is also pungent enough to be recommended for the toothache. 
A very similar root in appearance is that called native Ipecacuanha, produced by 
Asclepias curassavica, L., (Nat. Ord. Asclepiadacecej. It is a most abundant and dis¬ 
agreeable weed in the island, where it is known by the French colonists as Petit Brenda 
Ipeca, or Brenda Savane; and by the Spaniards as Borachera, or Platanillo. It is a 
very powerful emetic, requiring much care in its administration, and is rarely used 
when the true Ipecacuanha can be obtained. It would be interesting to ascertain the 
nature of the active principle in this root, and whether, if isolated, it would be a more 
manageable remedy. 
Lignum-Vitae bark ( Guaiacum officinale , L., Nat. Ord. Zygophyllacece) forms an im¬ 
portant feature in Trinidad pharmacy. We are in the habit of employing the wood 
and the gum-resin ; but such is not the case in Trinidad, where the bark, as is most pro¬ 
bable, is held to be the most active. It is an agreeable bitter, and is used as a tonic 
medicine, and forms one of the ingredients in a diet drink called Mabie, which is a 
common beverage. 
An excellent specimen of the root of Dorstenia brasiliensis (Nat. Ord. Moracece ) is 
also in the collection ; it has no great value, but is regarded by the Spaniards as an admi¬ 
rable antidote to the bites of snakes. 
Cainca root, Chiococca racemosct , Jacquin (Nat. Ord. Rubiacece ), the Grand Brenda of 
the French settlers, formerly had a great reputation in Europe as a mild diuretic, but its 
tendency to spoil by keeping has caused it to be disregarded. It is, however, much 
valued by the Trinidad practitioners in cases of dropsy, where more drastic remedies 
would be injurious. When in good condition it has a strong smell of Castoreum, which 
probably led to its use in Europe, where at one time it sold as high as four shillings an 
ounce. 
A much more powerful diuretic is the bark of Schnella excisa, Grisebach ( Leguminosce ), 
the Liane Tasso of the French and the Bejuco de Cadena 'of the Spanish settlers. 
Besides its properties as a diuretic, it is also astringent. 
A very remarkable aromatic and stimulant bitter is prepared from the seeds of Xylopia 
granclijlora, Kunth (Nat. Ord. Anonacece ), which is not only esteemed in Trinidad, but 
is also in great favour amongst the Indians of the mainland, in the districts of Atures 
and Maypura, on the Orinoco, where, as in Trinidad, it is known as Frutta de Burro. 
It has the remarkable property of having its bitter quality improved by keeping; the 
aroma however decreases. 
The leaves of Artanthe cidanca , Miquel (Nat. Ord. Pipercicece'), are very peculiar; they 
have the smell of dried Spearmint, and an agreeable aromatic taste. A tisane made of 
these leaves is in much favour with the I'rench colonists, who call the drug Feuille Mai 
d’Estomac and employ it in cases of stomach diseases and in chlorosis. 
The pods called Guatamare are the fruit of Myrospermum frutescens ( [Leguminosce ) ; 
they very much resemble those of M. peruiferum and M. Pereirce , and, like them, contain 
aromatic balsamic qualities. The tree, too, yields a balsam scarcely distinguishable from 
Balsam of Peru. A tincture prepared from these pods is much in favour as a stomachic 
and carminative, and as an external application for rheumatic pains. 
The roots of a species of Scleria (Nat. Ord. Cyperacece ) are used as a stomachic and 
carminative; the flavour is warm, and most agreeably aromatic. There can be no doubt, 
if imported to this country, it would soon be liked as much as it is in Trinidad. 
The dried flowers of Brownea latifolia , Jacquin (Nat. Ord. Leguminosce ), are much 
used by the Trinidad women as a styptic ; they have a most agreeable smell, and well 
deserve attention in this country. 
Another leguminous product will complete my list; it is the seed of Cassia occidentals, 
the Stinkweed of the English, and Herbes-puantes of the French colonists; this seed and 
also the young tops of the plant are used as diuretics in dropsy ; notwithstanding this 
medicinal quality, the seed is collected in the Argentine Republic and used as a substi¬ 
tute for coffee: perhaps the roasting destroys its diuretic character. 
Besides those above described, there are several other medicinal products of Trinidad 
which I may perhaps bring under the notice of this Society on some future occasion. 
