Am*Fe°b.y'i8P9?arm*}      Vegetable  Drugs  Used  in  Mexico.  69 
and  is  called  yerba  loca.  E.  Ordaz  found  in  the  plant  a  crystalline 
acid,  fat,  sugar,  gum,  etc.  The  plant  is  used  for  toothache,  it  being 
formed  into  pulp  and  this  placed  into  the  carious  tooth.  In  rural 
districts  it  is  asserted  that  domestic  animals  feeding  on  this  plant 
are  rendered  unfit  for  work,  which  has  been  proven  incorrect  by  the 
experiments  of  Professor  Gomez. 
Calliandra  grandiflora,  Bentham,  is  found  in  many  parts  of  Mexico. 
The  part  used  consists  of  the  contorted  rhizome,  which  is  2  to  6  cm. 
thick,  and  has  fasciculate  fibrous  roots;  is  of  a  reddish-brown  color 
externally,  white  internally,  inodorous,  and  of  an  astringent  and 
persistently  acrid  taste.  Dr.  Villepasi  determined  the  presence  of 
fat,  wax,  volatile  oil,  resin  and  tannin ;  no  alkaloidal  compound  is 
present.  It  is  employed  as  an  astringent  and  antiperiodic,  and  is 
regarded  as  possessing  antiseptic  properties.  The  dose  is  5  or  6 
gm.  in  decoction  with  120  gm.  of  water;  a  tincture  is  likewise  used. 
The  roots  are  also  employed  for  promoting  alcoholic  fermenta- 
tion, and  for  preventing  acetic  and  putrid  fermentation.  The 
plant  is  popularly  known  as  pambotano,  lele,  cabellos  de  angel 
(angel's  hair),  etc.,  which  names  are  also  used  for  Pachira  insignis. 
(See  Malvaceae.) 
Melilotus  parviflora,  Desronsseaux,  has  been  naturalized  in  fields 
in  some  parts  of  Mexico,  and  is  to  a  limited  extent  used  as  a  stimu- 
lant. Medicago  polycarpa,  which  has  been  mistaken  for  it,  is  readily 
distinguished  by  its  spiral  legumes,  which  are  provided  with  hooked 
prickles. 
Erythrina  coralloides,  Flor.  Mex.  ined.  (see  Amer.  Jour.  Phar  , 
1885,  p.  432),  has  been  recently  subjected  to  analysis.  Among  the 
important  principles  isolated  by  Dr.  F.  Altamirano  from  the  seeds 
(Gaceta  Medica  de  Mexico,  1888,  p.  369)  is  a  peculiar  acid  called 
erythrinic  acid,  and  two  alkaloids,  coralloidine  and  erythroidine,  the 
latter  of  which  has  a  paralyzing  effect  upon  the  extremities  of  the 
motor  nerves.  A  crystalline  alkaloid  has  also  been  isolated  from 
the  stem  bark  by  Professor  J.  M.  Prieto  (Thesis,  Mexico,  1890). 
Liliacecs. — Convallaria  majalis,  Linn'e,lirio  de  los  valles,  is  not  met 
with  in  Mexico,  but  the  rhizome  is  used  as  a  heart  tonic,  the  daily 
dose  being  0  20  gm.  given  in  ten  portions. 
Linaccce. — Erythroxylon  macrophyllum,  Cavanillcs,  and  E.  mexi- 
canum,  Knnth,  may  perhaps  be  used  as  substitutes  for  coca  ;  the 
former  grows  in  Cordoba  and  the  latter  in  Chilpancingo. 
