Part 27

(1877).

[66] _Bengal Dispensatory_, 1842. 167.

=Microscopic Structure=—The tissue is formed of large angular thin-walled cells loaded with starch which is either in the form of isolated or compound granules. The vascular bundles contain numerous spiroid vessels which seen in transverse section appear arranged so as to form about four rays. The outer coat of the root is made up of about six rows of compressed, tabular cells with faintly brownish walls.

=Chemical Composition=—The root contains _Atisine_, an amorphous alkaloid of intensely bitter taste discovered by Broughton,[67] who assigns to it the formula C₄₆H₇₄N₂O₅, obtained from concurrent analysis of a platinum salt. The alkaloid is readily soluble in bisulphide of carbon or in benzol, also to some extent in water. It is of decidedly alkaline reaction, devoid of any acridity. Atisine has also been prepared (1877) by Dunin[68] from the root in the laboratory of one of us. We have before us its hydroiodate, forming colourless crystallized scales, which we find to be very sparingly soluble in cold alcohol or water. At boiling temperature the hydroiodate of atisine is readily dissolved; the aqueous solution on cooling yields beautiful crystals. They agree, according to Dunin, with the formula C₄₆H₇₄N₂O₄. HI + OH₂; this chemist has also shown atisine not to be poisonous. The absence in the drug of aconitine is proved by medical experience,[69] and fully confirmed by the absence of any acridity in the root.

=Uses=—The drug is stated to have proved a valuable remedy in intermittent and other paroxysmal fevers. In ordinary intermittents it may be given in powder in 20-grain doses. As a simple tonic the dose is 5 to 10 grains thrice a day.

=Substitutes=—The native name _Atís_ applied in India to several other drugs, one of which is an inert tasteless root commonly referred to _Asparagus sarmentosus_ L. In Kunawar the tubers of _Aconitum Napellus_ L. are dug up and eaten as a tonic, the name _atís_ being applied to them as well as to those of _A. heterophyllum_.[70]

[67] _Pharm. Journ._ vi (1875) 189; also Blue Book, East India Chinchona Cultivation, 1877. 133.

[68] Dr. M. Dunin von Wasowicz has devoted to the drug under notice an elaborate paper in the _Archiv der Pharmacie_, 214 (1879) 193-216, including its structure, which he illustrates by engravings.

[69] _Pharm. of India_, 1868. 4. 434.

[70] Hooker and Thomson (on the authority of Munro) _Flor. Ind._ 1855. 58.

RADIX CIMICIFUGÆ.

_Radix Actæa racemosæ_; _Black Snake-root_, _Black Cohosh_, _Bugbane_.

=Botanical Origin=—_Cimicifuga racemosa_ Elliott (_Actæa racemosa_ L.), a perennial herb 3 to 8 feet high, abundant in rich woods in Canada and the United States, extending southward to Florida.[71] It much resembles _Actæa spicata_ L., a plant widely spread over the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America, occurring also in Britain; but it differs in having an elongated raceme of 3 to 8 inches in length and dry dehiscent capsules. _A. spicata_ has a short raceme and juicy berries, usually red.

[71] For figure, see Bentley and Trimen, _Med. Plants_,