CHEMICAL HISTORY OF GENTIAN ROOT. 
343 
tating the excess of lead by sulphuretted hydrogen, and con- 
centrating the liquid by means of a salt water bath, an extract, 
both bitter and sweetish, is obtained; it is very soluble in 
water, and allows but few flocculi to deposit. Ether separates 
a colourless fatty matter, possessing a strong aromatic odour, 
and formed of oil of a very bitter odorous substance, and of 
wax. I have not pushed my researches further. 
The presence of the acid in the plumbic precipitate, and that 
of the bitter substance in the liquid already deprived of a great 
number of the principles of gentian, form a landmark, which 
hereafter will serve as the point of departure for the experi- 
ments which I propose to make, in order to isolate the bitter 
principle; so far, it has been determined that this principle is 
very different from the crystalline substance, which has been 
conjectured long since. 
Considerations upon the Pharmaceutic Preparations of 
Gentian, 
The preparations of gentian are few in number, if we refer 
solely to those in which gentian is the principal base of the 
medicine. At once, it is evident, that it is proper to erase 
completely from our formularies the preparations of gentianin 
proposed by M. Magendie, which were originated at the pe- 
riod when gentianin was considered to be the bitter principle 
of gentian, but which lose all their interest and value, as soon 
as it is proved, that this pretended principle can contain but a 
minute and variable quantity of the true bitter principle of the 
root. Besides, the little efficacy of gentianin is proved by 
the experience of M. Magendie himself, who has taken, he 
says, two grains of gentianin dissolved in alcohol, without 
experiencing any sensation, except that of a little heat in the 
stomach. 
Distilled water of Gentian. This is little employed, and 
perhaps merits being consigned to oblivion, since, from the 
observations of M. Planche, it has a vinous and nauseous 
smell, and can, when cohobated several times, produce sick- 
ness, and even a certain degree of intoxication. I have pre- 
