ON FLUID EXTRACT OF VALERIAN. 
83 
ART. XXVI.— ON FLUID EXTRACT OF VALERIAN. 
By Evan T. Ellis. 
(An Inaugural Essay.) 
There is sufficient reason to believe, that valerian as a 
remedial agent has been much 'undervalued, at least in this 
country, and that it has consequently fallen into unmerited 
neglect. The causes which have contributed to produce 
this, may be traced in part to that ever fluctuating popular- 
ity from which some of our best remedies are not exempt; 
to the peculiar influence which soil and climate have upon 
this plant ; and especially to the want of a preparation of 
it of uniform strength, possessing in a concentrated form 
the entire virtues of the root, and not liable to undergo any 
change. Little doubt exists that it possesses inherent pro- 
perties, which might prove of decided advantage in neural- 
gic affections, when other remedies are either inadmissible 
or have failed to give relief. 
The discovery of an organic acid in this root, has, like 
the alkaloids of Cinchona, directed attention to the subject, 
and opened a new field of research, as shown by several valu- 
able communications already before us. 
Valerianic acid presents to us an interesting aspect, ex- 
isting as it does in combination with an essential oil, and 
separated by the oxidation of the latter. Recent experiments 
have shown us, that this oxidation can be accelerated by 
means of other substances, and results in the formation of a 
much larger proportion of acid, than if simply produced by 
the action of air alone ; hence it is more readily and econo- 
mically obtained, and thereby its use will be greatly ex- 
tended. We have seen this acid advantageously combined 
with oxide of zinc, of iron, and with quinia, exhibiting in 
the class of salts called valerianates, the excellent properties 
of two valuable therapeutical agents — the one an acid, the 
