Am.  Jour.  Pharm.  i 
May,  1877  J 
An  Adulteration  of  Aconite  Root. 
245 
obvious,  therefore,  that  it  has  not  been  purposely  used  as  an  adulteration. 
In  the  sample  examined  the  masterwort  root  amounted  to  about 
5  per  cent. 
The  characters  by  which  it  may  be  distinguished  from  aconite  root 
are  as  follows  : 
The  rootstock,  Fig.  1,  for  it  is.  properly  so  called,  is  less  tapering 
than  aconite  root,  is  slightly  compressed,  and  exhibits  several  warty 
zones,  indicating  periods  of  growth.  In  some  specimens  these  are 
much  less  prominent  than  in  others,  but  can  always  be  traced.  The 
whole  of  the  rootstock  is  finely 
wrinkled  transversely,  so  as  to  give 
it  a  somewhat  annulated  appear- 
ance. The  transverse  section 
presents  very  marked  characters. 
The  central  portion  is  of  a  yellow- 
ish white  color,  and  exhibits  a 
more  or  less  complete  ring  of 
brownish  dots.  The  portion  next 
the  bark  presents  elongated  dots 
of  a  paler  color,  which  give  this 
portion  of  the  section  a  radiate 
appearance.  With  the  aid  of  a  lens 
these  dots  are  seen  to  be  filled 
with  an  oily  or  resinous  substance. 
The  cortical  portion  is  very  thin. 
The  rootstock  has  an  odor  com- 
parable to  bruised  ivy  leaves,  or 
to  the  plant  commonly  known  as 
cow  parsley  (Chceropkyllum  sylvestre,  Lin. 
bitter  taste. 
Aconite  root  is  very  variable  in  appearance  internally  ;  frequently 
the  centre  is  quite  hollow.  Some  pieces  have  a  brownish  color,  others 
are  white  and  starchy,  and  a  few  present  a  resinous  fracture.  In  a 
sound  root,  however,  which  is  usually  starchy  or  slightly  resinous,  a 
faint  line  may  generally  be  traced,  which  marks  out  the  meditullium. 
This  line  has  usually  five  to  nine  prominent  angles,  see  Fig.  2,  the 
*In  the  wood-cuts  the  roots  are  represented  of  the  natural  size  5  the  sections  are 
shown  both  of  the  natural  size  and  magnified. 
Fig.  1.  Imperatoria  Ostruthium,  Lin.1 
and  a  pungent,  slightly 
