is gradually added, and when the evolution of carbon dioxide has ceased, the liquid is evaporated. The Glycerin is then added, and the evaporation continued.

Dose, 0.500 gm. (500 milligm.); 71⁄2 gr.

3. Vinum Ergotæ.-Wine of Ergot. Fluidextract of Ergot, 200; Alcohol, 50; White Wine, 750.

Dose, 8 c.c.; 2 fl. dr.

It is said that Ammonia is the best solvent for the active principles of Ergot. It may be extemporaneously prescribed as follows: Ergot, I; Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia, 2. Dose, .60 to 4.00 c.c.; 10 to 60 m.

ACTION.

Astringent; hæmostatic; excito-motor; emmenagogue; oxytocic. It increases intestinal peristalsis and causes a marked rise in blood-pressure, which is dependent on a general contraction of the arteries. One of the most prominent characteristics of ergot is its property of exciting contractions in the pregnant uterus. There are two forms of chronic poisoning, which is known as ergotism: the gangrenous and the convulsive. In the first gangrene in various situations results from the vascular contraction; in the other, from the action on the central nervous system, there occur convulsions, often epileptiform in character, which leave as sequelæ contractures in the limbs and sometimes in the trunk muscles.

USES.

Chiefly for the purpose of insuring tonic retraction of the uterus after parturition. It is employed not only for uterine, but for other hæmorrhages, such as hæmoptysis and intestinal hæmorrhage, and also in the treatment of aneurisms. Other uses: Maniacal disorders associated with cerebral hyperæmia, cerebro-spinal meningitis, acute myelitis, the congestive form of migraine, congestive dysmenorrhoea, incontinence of urine, spermatorrhoea, the night-sweats of phthisis, uterine fibroids and polypi.

Unofficial Preparations.

MUSCARINA.

MUSCARINE.-C,H1NO, = 136.74.

An alkaloid obtained

from Amanita Muscaria (Fam. Hypocreacea), Fly Fungus. Habitat.-Russia and Northern Europe.

CHARACTERS.-A liquid of the consistence of syrup, without odor or taste. Solubility.-Nearly in water and Alcohol; insoluble in Ether and Chloroform.

INCOMPATIBLES.-As of Morphine.

Dose, .008 to .12 c.c.; % to 2 m.

ACTION.

Resembles that of Calabar bean and pilocarpine; it is antagonistic to atropine. It produces free salivation, abundant perspiration, increased abdominal secretions, contraction of the pulmonary capillaries, diminution of the force and frequency of the pulse, dyspnoea, paralysis, and finally death.

USES.

It is indicated in intestinal torpor, pulmonary hæmorrhage, incipient pulmonary congestion, and inflammatory effusions and exudations.

CETRARIA (U. S. P., 1890).

Cetraria. Synonym. Iceland Moss. Cetraria islandica (Linné) (Fam. Parmeliacea). Habitat.-Northern Hemisphere. CHARACTERS. From 5 to 10 cm. long, foliaceous, irregularly branched into fringed and channelled lobes, brownish above, whitish beneath, and marked with small, depressed spots; brittle and inodorous; when softened in water, cartilaginous, and having a slight odor; its taste is mucilaginous and bitter.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constitutents are: (1) Lichenin, C12H20O10, 70 per cent. (2) Cetraric Acid, CisH18Os, a bitter principle, 2 per cent. (3) Lichenstearic Acid, CHOз, I per cent. (4) Fumaric Acid. (5) Oxalic Acid.

IMPURITIES. Pine leaves, mosses and other lichens.

Preparations.

Decoctum Cetrariæ (U. S. P., 1890).—Decoction of Cetraria. Cetraria, 50. By boiling in water and straining to 1000.

Dose, 30 to 120 c.c.; 1 to 4 fl. oz.

Acidum Cetraricum.-Cetraric Acid. Synonym.-Cetraria.
Dose, .03 to .12 gm.; 1⁄2 to 2 gr.

ACTION.

Demulcent; nutritive; tonic; hæmostatic.

USES.

As a stomachic tonic and as an article of diet for the sick. It has been recommended in hæmoptysis and catarrhal affections. Cetraric acid, which is said to be a stimulant to the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane and to peristalsis, as well as to have some effect in increasing the formation of red and white blood corpuscles, has been given in chlorosis or debility, with constipation.

ASPIDUM. Synonym.-Male Fern. The dried rhizome of Dryopteris Filix-mas (Linné) Schott, and of Dryopteris marginalis (Linné) Asa Gray (Fam. Filices). Habitat.-North America, Northern Asia, Europe.

CHARACTERS. Before being peeled, 10 to 15 cm. long by 5 to 7 cm. thick, including the densely imbricated, dark brown, cylindraceous, slightly curved stipe-bases and the dense mass of brownish, glossy, transparent, soft, chaffy scales; when peeled, 1 to 2 or 3 cm. thick, cylindraceous and nearly straight, or curved and tapering towards one end, roughly scarred with remains of the stipe-bases, or bearing several coarse longitudinal ridges and grooves; pale green when first peeled, becoming pale-brown; fracture sharp, pale-green, the texture rather spongy, exhibiting from 6 to 10 steles in a loose and interrupted circle; odor disagreeable; taste bitter-sweet, astringent, acrid, and nauseous.

COMPOSITION.-The chief constituents are: (1) Filicic acid, CH,2013, a white, amorphous or crystalline body, said to be the active principle. (2) A fixed oil, 6 to 7 per cent. (3) Filicin, CH10O12, a crystalline substance, soluble in Chloroform, Benzol and fixed and volatile oils. (4) Filix-red. (5) Resins.

Dose, 2 to 6 gm.; 1⁄2 to 11⁄2 dr.

Preparation.

Oleoresina Aspidii. Oleoresin of Aspidium. By percolation with Acetone, distillation of the Acetone, and evaporation. Dose, 0.030 gm. (30 milligm.); 1⁄2 gr.

ACTION.

Large doses cause nausea, vomiting, purging, intense abdominal pain, muscular weakness, cramps in the extremities, confusion, somnolence, coma and collapse; in some cases, disturbances of vision, or even complete loss of sight, in some, convulsions, and in some jaundice.

USES.

For the treatment of tape-worms, to which it acts as a direct poison. Castor oil should never be administered with it, as this notably increases the absorption of filicic acid.

Toxicology.-Magnesium sulphate by the mouth and ammonia by subcutaneous injection.

LYCOPODIUM. Synonyms.-Vegetable Sulphur. Club Moss. The spores of Lycopodium clavatum Linné, and of other species of Lycopodium (Fam. Lycopodiacea). Habitat.-Europe, Asia and North - America, in dry woods.

CHARACTERS.-A fine powder, pale yellowish, very mobile, inodorous, tasteless, floating upon water and not wetted by it, but sinking on being boiled with it, and burning quickly when thrown into a flame. Spores are tetrahedral, with one convex side, the surface being delicately articulated.

COMPOSITION.-(1) Fixed oil, 47 to 49 per cent. (2) Cane Sugar, 2 per cent. (3) A volatile base, Methylamine, in minute quantities. IMPURITIES.-Pollen, starch and sand.

ACTION.

Has the property of absorbing oils and oleoresins, and is powerfully repellent to water.

USES.

As a basis for pills and for insufflations; as a dusting powder.

TURPENTINE.-A concrete oleoresin obtained from Pinus palustris Miller, and from other species of Pinus (Fam. Pinacea or Conifera). Habitat.-United States; in the Atlantic and Gulf States from Virginia to Texas.

CHARACTERS.-In yellowish, opaque masses, brittle in the cold; lighter internally, sticky and more or less glossy; odor and taste terebinthinate. Turpentine is contained in Ceratum Resina Compositum.