jSne  1885™  }     Mcderki  lledica  of  the  3Iexican  Pharmacopoeia.  809 
MATERIA  MEDICA  OF  THE  NEW  MEXICAN  PIIARMA- 
COPCEIA. 
•  By  thp:  Editor. 
(Continued  from  p.  2.'>5.) 
Ahuehiiete,  Taxodium  mucronatam,  Tenore,  nat.  orcL,  Conifene. 
From  the  cones  of  this  Mexican  tree,  Dr.  T.  Noriega  obtained  a  green- 
ish yellow  volatile  oil  of  the  density  0*8259,  boiling  at  130°  C,  and 
having  an  agreeable  odor;  with  iodine  it  gives  a  slight  explosion  and 
evolves  violet  vapors.  The  fruit  contains  also  a  red-brown  soft  resin 
of  a  neutral  reaction,  but  partly  -soluble  in  hot  potassa  solution.  The 
bark  is  used  as  an  emmenagogue  and  diuretic,  and  the  leaves,  topic- 
ally, against  itch  and  as  a  discutient ;  the  wood  yields  a  tar  which  is 
useful  in  skin  diseases,  and  by  dry  distillation  an  empyreumatic  oil  is 
obtained  similar  to  oil  of  cade. 
Ahuichichi,  Bryonia  variegata.  Miller,  nat.  ord.  Cucurbitacea?,  grows 
in  temperate  regions  and  possesses  dangerous  drastic  properties. 
Aile  de  Mexico,  a  species  of  alnus,  growing  in  mountainous  regions, 
yields  a  bark  having  tonic  aud  astringent  properties. 
Aje,  or  Axin,  is  a  fatty  substance  produced  by  Coccus  Axin,  La 
Llave,  a  hemipterous  insect  living  upon  different  species  of  Spondias 
and  Xanthoxylum.  In  the  fresh  state  the  drug  has  a  yellow  color 
and  a  peculiar  rancid  odor,  fuses  at  -35 °C.,  is  soluble  in  hot  concen- 
trated alcohol  and  in  ether,  is  readily  saponified,  and  on  exposure  is 
converted  into  a  hard  brown  substance,  insoluble  in  water,  alcohol  and 
ether.  The  natives  of  Uruapam  form  aje  into  masses  weighing  350  gm. 
and  enveloped  in  leaves  of  Indian  corn.  It  is  popularly  used  in  ery- 
sipelas, as  a  discutient  and  vulnerary,  mixed  with  various  substances 
in  hernia,  and  as  a  poultice  in  uterine  complaints ;  in  the  arts  it  is 
used  ;is  an  excellent  varnish  for  wood  and  metals. 
Ajo,  Allium  sativum,  Lin. 
Ajolote,  Siredon  Humboldtii,  Dameril,  and  other  species,  nat.  ord. 
Batrachia.  The  flesh  has  analeptic  properties,  and  the  syrup  prepared 
from  a  decoction  of  the  slvin  is  used  by  common  people  as  a  cure  for 
pulmonary  affections. 
Ajonjoli,  Sesamum  orientale,  Lin.  The  oil  is  used  in  place  of  olive 
oil,  the  seeds  as  a  condiment,  and  the  press  cake  as  food  for  cattle. 
.(lamo,  Populus  alba  and  P.  nigra,  Lin.  The  bark  is  astringent ; 
rarely  employed. 
