168  The  Apocynacece  in  Materia  Medica.    {A  Varc^S.'1"' 
clearly  distinct  from  the  wood.  The  horizontal  portion  is  devoid  of 
pith ;  the  other  portion  possesses  a  pith  more  or  less  developed  and 
rich  in  latex.  If  collected  in  the  spring  the  pith  is  absorbed,  leaving 
a  cavity.  It  is  usually  collected  in  the  fall  and  cut  in  fragments,  and 
in  drying  becomes  hard,  brittle  and  transversely  fissured. 
Schmiedeberg  has  separated  two  bodies  having  a  cardiac  action, 
similar  to  Digitalis  and  to  Strophanthus ;  Apocynine-resin  and 
Apocyneine  a  glucoside.  To  this  drug  are  ascribed  diuretic,  diapho- 
retic, emetic,  cathartic  and  expectorant  properties. 
Apocynum  Andros^mifolium  L. — This  plant  has  also  a  number 
of  common  names,  some  of  which  are  identical  with  those  applied 
to  the  A.  cannabinum  ;  such  as  Indian  hemp,  bitter-root,  dogs-bane, 
milk-weed,  etc.  It  inhabits  generally  the  same  region  as  the  latter 
and  in  commerce  the  rhizomes  of  the  two  are  frequently  mixed 
under  the  name  of  A.  cannabinum.  The  rhizome  is  of  a  reddish 
color,  and  more  contorted  and  generally  longer  and  less  bitter  in 
taste  than  the  latter.  The  anatomical  structure  shows  no  distin- 
guishing characters  between  the  two  species,  and  their  properties 
appear  identical. 
Jalapa. — The  root  of  the  Ecliites  longiflora  Desf.,  inhabiting  por- 
tions of  Brazil,  Uruguay  and  the  Argentine  Republic  is  said  to  be 
purgative,  and  likewise  the  leaves.  Anatomically  the  root  is  remark- 
able for  the  regularity  of  the  arrangement  of  the  elements  of  the 
wood  and  bark  in  radial  rows.  The  names  Jalapa,  Yalapa  and 
Yalapina  are  applied  in  the  Argentine  Republic  to  the  roots  of  a 
number  of  species  of  Echites. 
The  Madagascar  Periwinkle. — The  root  of  the  Vinca  rosea  L. 
is  yellowish,  quite  small  and  thin,  with  a  relatively  thick  bark  and 
yellowish  wood,  and  with  numerous  rootlets.  The  leaves  and  roots 
are  both  credited  with  depurative,  antiherpetic  and  vulnerative 
properties. 
Nerium  Odorum. — The  Nerium  odorum  Solander,  considered  by 
many  authors  as  a  species,  is  probably  only  a  form  of  N.  Oleander. 
It  inhabits  the  western  base  of  the  Himalaya  mountains  extending 
thence  to  the  eastern  part  of  Persia.  The  root  is  considered  the 
most  active  part,  but  the  bark,  stems  and  leaves  are  also  used.  The 
root  is  somewhat  twisted  15  to  20  cm.  in  length,  and  5  to  15  m.m. 
in  diameter.  The  surface  is  reddish-fawn  colored  in  places,  longi- 
tudinally ridged  with  short  nearly  smooth  striations ;  few  rootlets ; 
