ON PHYTOLACCA DEC ANDR A. 
169 
Woody fibre, or lignin, 
Starch, 
Tannin, gum, and saccharine matter, 
Gum-resin, 
Potassa, 
Iron, 
Fixed oil, 
Silica and carbonaceous matter, 
Loss, 
66.5 
20. 
5.375 
2.625 
2. 
.875 
.5 
1. 
1.125 
100. 
Medical Properties. 
The medical properties of this plant reside in the leaves, 
berries and root ; the two latter are officinal. As the ac- 
tive principle abounds most in the root, it is on that account 
more generally used, and is the only part of the plant kept 
in the shops. A tincture made of the berries is a favorite 
remedy of the country people, in some sections, for the 
cure of rheumatism. Thompson in his Organic Chemistry, 
says, " The berries of this plant give a beautiful purple co- 
lor to water of a very positive nature. A few drops of lime 
water changes it to a yellow, and this yellow liquid is the 
most delicate test of acids hitherto observed. The smallest 
quantity of acid restores its purple color. Bracconot, to 
whom we are indebted for these observations, has shown 
that it is at least four times as delicate as the infusion of lit- 
mus. Unfortunately it alters its nature in a few hours, and 
then loses its delicacy as a reagent. It can only be used 
when recently prepared." A tincture of the berries is offi- 
cinal. Poke root, though seldom prescribed by physicians, 
is an exceedingly active remedy, operating at once as an 
emetic, purgative, and narcotic. In very large doses it is 
said to produce excessive and long continued vomiting, ac- 
companied with purging and symptoms of acro-narcosis. I 
have known it to produce all the effects of a heavy cold on 
a person powdering it, accompanied with headache, purging 
