ON  PODOPHYLLIN. 
511 
inert,  and  it  would  facilitate  the  process  for  preparing  its  active 
principle,  to  first  exhaust  the  root  with  cold  water,  to  remove  inert 
extractive  and  coloring  matter,  soluble  in  that  menstruum. 
The  powdered  root,  after  treatment  with  water,  was  dried,  packed 
in  a  displacement  apparatus,  and  treated  with  cold  alcohol  (95°) 
until  exhausted.  This  tincture  was  very  bitter  and  nauseous,  and 
of  a  light  brown  color,  (the  root  was  devoid  of  taste  after  this  treat- 
ment) ;  the  tincture  was  passed  through  animal  charcoal,  and  evapo- 
rated to  dryness  over  a  steam  bath.  An  abundant  deposit  of  yellow- 
ish resin  separated  as  the  alcohol  evaporated,  without  any  appear- 
ance of  crystalline  character.  This  substance  was  re-dissolved  in 
strong  alcohol,  and  allowed  to  evaporate  in  thin  layers  on  slips  of 
glass,  and  when  dry  scraped  off.  This  yielded  the  podophyllin  in 
yellowish  scales.  It  has  an  acrid,  bitter  taste,  is  neutral  to  test  pa- 
pers, soluble  when  heated  in  solutions  of  the  caustic  alkalies,  froth- 
ing like  solution  of  soap  ;  less  soluble  in  solutions  of  the  carbonated 
alkalies  :  strong  nitric  acid  decomposes  it  with  effervescence,  yield- 
ing a  crimson  colored  liquid;  sulphuric  acid  decomposes  it ;  strong 
acetic  acid  does  not  effect  it ;  ether  separates  it  into  two  resins, 
proving  it  to  be  like  others  of  the  resins,  compound,  or  composed  of 
two  proximate  principles,  separable  by  means  of  different  solvents. 
I  think  it  should  be  considered  as  one  body,  as  that  view  would  be 
in  accordance  with  the  usual  practice  of  chemists  with  this  class  of 
bodies.  Although  it  does  not  effect  test  papers,  still  its  property  of 
combining  with  caustic  alkalies  to  form  true  resin  soaps  should  en- 
title it  to  be  classed  with  feeble  acids. 
That  podophyllin  may  be  advantageously  substituted  for  extract 
of  jalap  in  the  compound  cathartic  pill  of  the  Pharmacopoeia,  we  have 
abundant  evidence  to  believe.  The  object  of  that  preparation  was 
to  combine  smallness  of  bulk  with  efficiency  and  comparative  mild- 
ness of  purgative  action,  and  a  peculiar  tendency  to  the  biliary  or- 
gans. Dr.  Eberle,  who  has  frequently  used  the  root,  says  of  it,  "  As 
a  cathartic  I  have  given  the  powdered  root  very  frequently  instead 
of  jalap,  and  have  always  found  it  active  and  safe  in  its  operation- 
It  is,  however,  more  drastic  and  apt  to  gripe  than  jalap  ;  nor  does 
it  appear  to  be  so  prompt  in  its  effects  as  a  cathartic.  Calomel  ren- 
ders its  operation  milder. 
Dr.  Burzon  says,  "  Its  operation  is  slower  than  that  of  jalap,  but 
