190 
NOTE ON VANILLA. 
with water until exhausted, or until seven pints of infusion is 
obtained. Dissolve the gum in half a pint of water, and add it 
to the infusion of galls. Lastly, add the sulphate of iron to 
the aqua fortis gradually, and afterwards two ounces of water; 
heat the mixture till red fumes cease to be evolved, then 
mix the solution with the infusion of galls, agitate the mix- 
ture, and the ink is made. 
ART. XXXVII. — NOTE ON VANILLA. 
Vanilla is an article of commerce, more sought for by the 
confectioner than the apothecary, as it is employed to com- 
municate flavor to sugary preparations, and such as pertain to 
diet, rather than as an ingredient of medicinal compounds. 
By the latter, however, it is usually dealt in, and from 
him the confectioner obtains it. Although not possessed of 
such decided medicinal properties, as to give to it a prominent 
place in the list of Materia Medica, where it has of late been 
located, still it is of sufficient importance to attract attention. 
The interest attached to it is also greatly enhanced by the fa- 
vorable estimation in which it is held by the public, a circum- 
stance, which at times has created a demand for a greater sup- 
ply.* In the following communication we propose to detail 
the facts connected with its history, as well as notice the ap- 
plication to which it has been put in a medicinal point of 
view. 
Originally by Linnaeus, the fruit of the plant which is the 
product used, was attributed to the Genus Epidendrum ; by 
Swartz it was separated and called Vanilla aromatica. It 
belongs to the natural family of Orchide^, and to the Lin- 
nasen clasification, Gynandria. Diandria. 
It is a woody, sarmentose plant, elevating itself to some 
* We have been informed by Mr. Ritter, our collaborator, that the drug 
has recently commanded three times the usual price of the market. 
