66  Analyses  of  Some  Indigenous  Drugs.  {Am'Feb.Tt\m&rin' 
the  ethereal  and  alcoholic  extracts.  The  peculiar  disagreeable  odor 
evolved  by  the  decomposition  of  this  glucoside  was  noticed  through- 
out the  analysis. 
There  were  also  obtained  the  following  percentages  of  the  usual 
plant  constituents : 
Per  Cent. 
Moisture   8*43 
Ash   7'55 
Wax  melting  at  45 0   1.57 
Resin  soluble  in  ether   1  -50 
Mucilage   2  72 
Dextrin   -96 
Saccharose   8-oo 
Glucose   •  •   4-50 
Albuminoids   -96 
Calcium  oxalate  .   276 
Crystals  giving  the  reactions  of  gallic  acid  were  obtained  from 
the  ethereal  extract,  and  the  aqueous  solution  of  the  alcoholic 
extract  gave  a  dark  color  with  ferric  chloride,  but  the  presence  of 
tannin  could  not  be  satisfactorily  demonstrated  by  gelatin. 
Charles  A.  Ridgway  investigated  Glechoma  hederacea,  which  he 
collected  himself.  It  is  more  widely-known  by  the  names  of  Gill-go- 
over  the  ground,  or  cat-foot. 
A  native  of  Europe,  it  has  become  naturalized  in  the  United 
States,  where  it  grows  around  old  buildings,  fence  corners  and  other 
neglected  places.  The  plant  remains  green  the  year  around,  but 
the  stalks  are  more  erect  and  the  leaves  larger  during  the  warm 
weather,  especially  during  the  flowering  period  from  May  to  Sept- 
ember. 
The  use  of  the  plant  is  confined  to  domestic  practice,  where  it  is 
used  in  the  form  of  a  cold  infusion  made  by  beating  some  of  it  with 
sufficient  cold  water  to  cover,  and  straining  by  expression.  This  is 
given  in  tablespoonful  doses,  and  is  considered  to  be  of  service  in 
allaying  fever  and  nausea.  Pectoral,  anthelmintic,  tonic  and  diuretic 
properties  are  also  ascribed  to  the  drug.  No  unusual  plant  con- 
stituents were  found  in  the  course  of  a  proximate  analysis.  The  fol- 
lowing percentages  were  obtained : 
Per  Cent. 
Volatile  oil   *o6 
Acrid  fat  melting  at  530   -96 
Caoutchouc   '38 
Wax   -66 
