292 
ON AN ARTICLE PURPORTING TO BE JALAP. 
Jlnalyses from 500 Paris. 
Of Jalap, by Cadet. 
Of Male Jalap, by Ledanois. 
Resin, - 
50 
Resin, 40 
Gummy Extract, 
220 
Gummy Extract, - 128 
Fecula, - 
12 
Fecula, 16 
Lignin, - 
145 
Lignin, - - - 290 
Albumen, - - 
12 
Albumen, 12 
Your Committee offer a brief summary of the operations 
made during this chemical investigation. These consisted in 
selecting a portion of a tuber apparently richest in resin, 
which was carefully powdered and afterwards treated with 
ether by lixiviation ; then by alcohol, as in the process for 
obtaining resin of jalap; then with water, in the same man- 
ner, to obtain the extractive and gum; elul nation, to separate 
the albuminous matter and fecula; and finally, isolation of the 
lignin, by alternate action of diluted acids and alkali. The 
resin has a reddish brown color, and a sweetish, somewhat 
nauseous taste; is partially soluble in ether, soluble in alcohol, 
and insoluble in water, by which it is thrown down from its 
alcoholic solution. The dried extractive is sweetish, and in 
flavor approaches nearest to that of roasted potatoes. The mix- 
ture of starch and inulin is colored blue by iodine, but is not ren- 
dered gelatinous by boiling. The aqueous infusion of this 
root is of a straw-yellow color, turbid, and slightly nauseous. 
Sub. acet. plumbi produces a flocculent permanent white pre- 
cipitate. The soluble parts of the incinerated product gave 
a feeble acid reaction with litmus, and evinced traces of 
lime. 
Having proceeded thus far, it remained for your Committee 
to ascertain its medicinal properties, if, after what is here re- 
lated, it could be supposed to possess any. This they were 
enabled to do through the courteous offer of Prof. Dunglison. 
A trial of its virtues was made at the Blockley Hospital, un- 
der the inspection of some of the resident faculty, upon six 
