ON GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIR.ENS. 
307 
to possess the narcotic properties of conium in perfection ; most 
subjects will be inconveniently effected with half a fluid drachm ; 
some, however, will tolerate one fluid drachm or even more. 
[^Note by the Editor. — The preceding observations by Dr. Smith, consti- 
tute the substance of a letter to Dr. Wood, of the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, which was placed in our hands with permission to make such use of 
it as we thought best. We would remark, in reference to the first substance 
described by Dr. Smith, that the same compound was prepared, analysed, 
and described by Messrs. Lewis and Husband, in the 16th volume, page 21, 
of this Journal, April, 1844. These gentlemen consider it a dihydriodate 
of quinia, and state that the additional equivalent of iodide of potassium is 
necessary to the reaction. They tried to make a monohydriodate with 
neutral sulphate but did not succeed, as they obtained the di-salt with free 
sulphuric acid. 
Liebig (Chimie Organique, tome ii. p. 580,) refers to two salts of hydriodic 
acid and quinia ; a basic salt, and a neutral one, but does not describe the 
mode of preparation. 
In reference to Dr. Smith's nomenclature for the compound he describes, 
he is hardly justified in carrying out the analogy to the vegetable alkaloids. 
Ammonium is but partially conceded, notwithstanding its amalgum with 
mercury. It would have been more satisfactory to have had fair proximate 
analyses of thesj compounds before naming them. The reader is referred 
to Vol. xxiii. page 329 of this journal for some fuller information on the 
preparation of the eclectic remedies alluded to by Dr. Smith.] 
ON GELSEMINUM SEMPERVIRENS OR YELLOW JASSAMIN. 
By William Procter, Jr. 
Considerable attention has recently been turned to the Yellow 
Jassamin of our Southern States, from the accidental discovery 
of certain remarkable effects produced by it when taken in- 
ternally. A planter of Mississippi having suffered much from a 
tedious attack of bilious fever, which resisted the usual medi- 
cines employed in such cases, requested one of his servants to 
obtain from the garden a certain root, from which he intended 
to prepare an infusion for drinking. By mistake, the person 
sent collected a different root, and administered the tea to his 
master, who, soon after taking it, was seized with a complete 
