84 ON EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREUS ET AMERICANUS. 
With iodine the decoction of the bark afforded no evi- 
dence of starch. 
Subacetate of lead caused a copious deposite, thus evi- 
dencing gum. 
The infusion of galls produced an abundant precipitate. 
The infusion behaved in like manner with the several 
reagents, and with nitrate of silver and bichloride of mer- 
cury, the presence of vegetable albnm.en was shown. 
The tincture, prepared with alcohol 35° Baume, was of 
a beautiful yellow colour. The addition of water rendered 
It turbid. No change was produced by it on litmas paper, 
or on the same reddened. Exposed to heat, a reddish 
resin and greenish fixed oil remained. One ounce of the 
bark was exhausted by displacement with eight fluid 
ounces of diluted alcohol. A clear tincture of a reddish 
colour was afforded, which possessed in a great degree the 
bitterness of the bark. Five fluid ounces yielded on evapo- 
ration twelve grains of a brownish-red resinous extract 
apparently rich in the properties of this article. 
The etherial tincture, which was of a greenish-yellow 
colour, on being exposed to heat, afforded the oil and resin 
obtained by the alcoholic treatment. On an adult, two 
grains of the latter produced a cathartic eifect. 
A portion of the bark v/as subjected to distillation, and 
the product found impregnated v/ith its peculiar odour. On 
the surface greasy spots were observed ; the sides of the 
receiver somewhat oily, and moreover the liquid slightly 
milky. 
From these and other indications, there is little doubt 
that a volatile oil exists in small amount. The ashes were 
examined, and potash, lime and iron recognized by their ap- 
propriate tests. 
The important medical properties of a diuretic, tonic, an 
tiperiodic, and hydragogue cathartic, have been ascribed to 
this bark, but its beneficial effects in the different forms of 
dropsy, have given it celebrity and procured its introduc- 
