Am.  Jour.  Pharm. ) 
August,  1897.  J 
American  Medicinal  Flora. 
(7)  Is  the  drug  subjected  to  substitution  or  adulteration,  and  if  so, 
give  information  as  to  the  plants  used  for  this  purpose  ? 
While  it  is  not  expected  that  many  persons  will  be  able  to  con- 
tribute information  on  all  these  points  concerning  any  plant,  it  is 
hoped  that  a  large  number  of  persons  will  be  willing  to  communicate 
such  partial  knowledge  as  they  possess. 
It  is  not  the  important  or  standard  drugs  alone  concerning  which 
information  is  sought.  The  Sub-Commission  desires  to  compile  a 
complete  list  of  the  plants  which  have  been  used  medicinally,  how- 
ever trivial  such  use  may  be.  It  also  desires  to  collect  all  obtain- 
able information,  historical,  scientific  and  economic,  concerning  our 
native  and  naturalized  plants  of  this  class,  and,  to  that  end,  invites 
the  co-operation  of  all  persons  interested.  Poisonous  plants  of  all 
kinds  come  within  the  scope  of  our  inquiry,  whether  producing  dan- 
gerous symptoms  in  man,  or  simply  skin  inflammation,  or,  as  "loco- 
weeds,"  deleterious  to  horses,  cattle  and  sheep.  In  this  respect  the 
general  reputation  of  a  plant  is  not  so  much  desired  as  the  particu- 
lars of  cases  of  poisoning  actually  seen,  or  heard  from  reliable 
observers.  It  is  believed  that  much  interesting  knowledge  can  be 
obtained  from  Indians,  Mexicans  and  half-breeds,  and  that,  conse- 
quently, Indian  agencies  and  reservations  are  particularly  favorable 
fields  for  our  investigation.  Such  knowledge  will  be  most  acceptable 
when  based  upon  known  facts  or  experiments. 
In  order  to  assist  in  the  study  of  the  habits,  properties  and  uses 
of  medicinal  plants,  the  Sub-Commission  undertakes  to  furnish  the 
name  of  any  plant  specimen  received,  together  with  any  desired 
information  available. 
Owing  to  the  diversity  in  the  common  names  of  many  plants,  it 
will  be  necessary  for  reports,  when  not  furnished  by  botanists  or 
others  qualified  to  state  the  botanical  names  with  certainty,  to 
accompany  the  same  with  some  specimen  of  the  plant  sufficient  for 
its  identification.  While  the  Sub-Commission  will  endeavor  to  deter- 
mine the  plant  from  any  portion  of  it  which  may  be  sent,  it  should 
be  appreciated  that  the  labor  of  identification  is  very  greatly 
decreased,  and  its  usefulness  increased,  by  the  possession  of  com- 
plete material,  that  is,  leaf,  flower  and  fruit,  and  in  the  case  of  small 
plants,  the  underground  portion  also.  It  is  best  to  dry  such  speci- 
mens thoroughly,  in  a  flat  condition  under  pressure,  before  mailing. 
While  any  convenient  means  for  accomplishing  this  result  may  be 
