^'"■£^18^5''™"}     Materia  Medica  of  the  Mexican  Pharmacopma.  233 
Abrojo  cle  tierra  caliente,  Tribuliis  terrestris,  Lin.,  nat.  ord.  Zygo- 
phyllacese;  indigenous  to  Yucatan.  The  root  and  seeds  are  commonly 
used  for  their  tonic,  stimulant  and  aperient  properties,  and  a  decoction 
of  the  leaves  and  stem,  in  the  form  of  baths,  against  articular  rheum- 
atism. Taken  internally  the  decoction  of  the  leaves  and  root  has  a 
diuretic  action. 
Acedera,  Rumex  Acetosa,  Lin.,  nat.  ord.  Polygonaceee,  is  somewhat 
employed  as  a  diuretic. 
Aceite  de  Abeto  is  the  turpentine  obtained  from  Pinus  religiosa, 
Humb.  et  BonpL,  nat.  oi'd.  Coniferae.  The  tree  grows  in  the  moun- 
tains surrounding  the  valley  of  Mexico  and  in  other  parts  of  the 
republic.  The  turpentine  is  viscous,  nearly  colorless,  ultimately  green- 
ish yellow,  has  a  lemon-like  odor  and  a  bitter,  acrid  and  aromatic  taste, 
dissolves  incompletely  in  alcohol  and  mixed  with  one-tenth  of  calcined 
magnesia,  acquires  in  about  two  days  a  pi  hilar  consistence.  It  contains 
volatile  oil,  extractive  and  resiuoid  matter,  and  abietic  and  succinic 
acids.  It  is  procured  by  puncturing  by  means  of  a  little  tube  the 
vesicles  in  which  it  is  secreted  in  the  bark.  Ocote  turpentine  from 
Pinus  Teocote,  Schlechtendal,  is  frequently  substituted  for  it,  but  differs 
materially  in  its  physical  properties. 
Acibar,  aloes.  Socotrine,  hepatic  (also  called  opaque  socotrine),  Cape 
and  Barbadoes  or  Jamaica  aloes  are  recognized.  Socotrine  aloes  is 
stated  to  be  superior  to  the  other  varieties,  but  Cape  aloes  is  mostly 
employed  in  Mexico.  Several  species  of  aloe  growing  in  Mexico  might 
probably  be  used  for  obtaining  this  drug. 
Aconito,  Aconitum  Napellus,  Lvn.,  nat.  ord.  Ranunculacese.  Accord- 
ing to  Oliva  this  plant  grows  in  the  sierra  between  Mazatlan  and 
Durango;  the  variety  delphinoides  has  been  described  by  De  Candolle 
as  being  peculiar  to  Central  America.  The  leaves  are  the  only  part 
employed  in  Mexico. 
Acxoyatic,  Ipomoea  muricata,  Kmith,  nat.  ord.  Convolvulacese, 
grows  on  the  hills  of  Tacubaya  and  other  places  of  the  valley  of 
Mexico.    The  root  is  rich  in  resin  and  is  employed  as  a  purgative. 
Achicoria  dulce,  Sonchus  oleraceus  and  S.  ciliatus,  Lin.,  nat.  ord. 
Compositse ;  abundant  near  the  City  of  Mexico.  The  root  is  commonly 
used  as  a  tonic,  and  the  leaves  for  their  emollient  and  galactagogue 
properties. 
Achiotillo,  Bixa  Orellana,  Lin.,  nat,  ord.  Bixacea?,  grows  in  hot 
localities.    The  leaves  are  popularly  used  as  a  purgative,  and  the  seeds 
