262 
ON VARIOLARIA AMARA. 
ganic bodies employed in this reaction are likewise subject 
to decompositions, a more accurate investigation of these 
relations will probably lead to the knowledge of many new 
compounds. 
Chem. Gaz.from Journ.fur Prakt. 
ART. LVI.~ ON THE FEBRIFUGE PROPERTIES OF VARIO- 
LARIA AMARA. 
By Dr. Dassier. 
This lichen grows in the form of large grayish crusts 
upon the bark of beech-trees in mountainous regions. 
When reduced to powder, it excites its influence upon the 
pituitary membrane, and applied to the tongue, very 
speedily gives rise to a distinct bitter taste, which increases 
by degrees, and is retained for a considerable length of time. 
It was examined in 1S31 by M. Alms, who extracted from 
it a bitter principle, to which he gave the name of picro- 
lichenine. If taken into the stomach, the powder of Vario- 
laria creates an appetite, and acts like all bitter tonics by 
rousing the digestive powers and imparting a new vigor to 
the constitution. It does not appear to exercise any influ- 
ence upon the nervous system, like the sulphate of quinine. 
By reason of its excessive acerbity, the Variolaria cannot 
be prescribed in the form of a moistened powder in a ve- 
hicle such as quina. M. Dassier has administered it in the 
shape of pills incorporated with conserve of roses, or in that 
of lozenges mixed with chocolate. It is best to prescribe it 
in doses of 7 to 15 grs. for adults, to be taken in the course 
of 24 hours, and of 3 to 6 grs. for children under 10 years 
of age. In quotidian and tertian fevers, those in which the 
