Osgood's Observations on the Veratrum Viride. 205 
boiled for about five minutes in alcohol, with a small quantity 
of animal charcoal, and filtered while hot. On cooling, a 
small portion was again thrown down, the alcohol still hold- 
ing the greater part in solution, which was afterwards ob- 
tained by evaporation. This substance, after being thus sub- 
jected to the action of alcohol and animal charcoal, was of a 
clear white colour, pulverulent, inodorous, and very acrid, 
producing a peculiar stinging sensation when taken upon the 
tongue. Whether this was the principle in which the medi- 
cinal properties of the plant reside, is a point I am unable to 
determine, being deprived of an opportunity for extending my 
investigations, by inadvertently losing the greater part of the 
specimen obtained. Not being aware of its extreme volatil- 
ity, the filter containing it was placed for the purpose of dry- 
ing in a temperature which appeared to be but little higher 
than that of the body, at the extent I should think it could not 
have exceeded 120° Fahr. At this temperature most of it 
volatilized, and was lost. 
Since the above experiments, I have had no opportunity for 
repeating the process.* The medicinal operations of this plant 
have been variously estimated. In the United States Dispen- 
satory by Drs. Wood and Bache, it is represented as agreeing 
in its effects with Veratrum album, which seems to be the 
most common opinion. From the very limited extent to which 
it has been used as a medicine, but few facts relative to its 
medicinal properties have come before the profession. Among 
the causes of this limited use, the common prejudice against 
the medicinal products of our own country has doubtless had 
an influence — a prejudice which, in this instance, has the cha- 
racter of inconsistency, so far as prevails the impression of 
its identity with the Europran species. Our own medicinal 
articles can never receive a due share of attention, so long 
as they have to encounter our own prepossessions against 
them, and in favor of those of a transatlantic origin. Pro- 
*It is my intention to do this at some future time, and if successful, will for- 
ward the result. 
