ECLECTIC PHARMACY. 
333 
cent more than the previous extract made with strong alcohol, and 
which, on being treated with water, yielded a comparatively small 
proportion of the precipitated resin. 
As obtained by the process first detailed, the precipitated resin 
of Podophyllum is of sufficient purity for convenient medical use, 
being nearly four times the strength of the extract prepared with 
strong alcohol, and much stronger as compared with the hydro 
alcoholic extract officinal in the Pharmacopoeia. 
The "Eclectics" recommend it as " a powerful cholagogue ca- 
thartic, substituting, and for all useful purposes more than substi- 
tuting, the long celebrated ' Sub Murias Hydrargyri' of the old 
school," — a recommendation which most regular physicians will 
accept with several grains of allowance. It is given in doses of 
from half to two or three grains, triturated with sugar or with 
some mild cathartic. It has a more or less light brown color, 
with a very strong characteristic odor and taste, is freely soluble 
in alcohol, is separated by ether into two resins, one soluble 
(largest in quantity,) and the other insoluble in that liquid. It is 
nearly insoluble in oil of turpentine. With carbonate of potassa it 
furnishes a solution, which on the addition of an acid throws down 
the resin. The alcoholic and ethereal solutions treated with 
animal charcoal and evaporated^ furnished the resin of a lighter 
cofer, though not pure. 
One advantage offered by this preparation which may not at first 
occur to the reader, is the absence of that tenacious character 
which belongs to the Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Podophyllum, 
and renders, it like the similar extract of Jalap, exceedingly 
troublesome to make into pills, or to combine in any other form 
for use ; it is, moreover, when properly prepared, of uniform 
strength, neither absorbing nor parting with moisture on exposure. 
On reference to the thesis of the late John R. Lewis, publish- 
ed in this Journal, (vol. xiii, new series, page 165,) I find that the 
chemical characters of May-apple root were thoroughly investi- 
gated by him, and the active principle poclophyllin was isolated 
in the different forms of opaque feathery scales, a light colorless 
powder, a translucent gelatinized mass (believed to be a hydrate), 
and in globules like dried gelatin. He also bears testimony to 
its activity as a drastic cathartic, in what would appear to be 
the very excessive dose of six grains. 
