Materia Medica of the New Mexican Pharmacopoeia. Part 2.

Related entries: M. Ph. Materia Medica: part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - part 5 - part 6 - part 7 - part 8 -
Related entries: M. Ph. Pharmaceutical preparations part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4.
Other tomes: King's (mat.med.) - King's (preparations)

BY THE EDITOR.

Ahuehuete, Taxodium mucronatum, Tenore, nat. ord., Taxodiaceae. From the cones of this Mexican tree, Dr. T. Noriega obtained a greenish yellow volatile oil of the density 0.8259, boiling at 130° C., and having an agreeable odor; with iodine it gives a slight explosion and evolves violet vapors. The fruit contains also a red-brown soft resin of a neutral reaction, but partly soluble in hot potassa solution. The bark is used as an emmenagogue and diuretic, and the leaves, topically, against itch and as a discutient; the wood yields a tar which is useful in skin diseases, and by dry distillation an empyreumatic oil is obtained similar to oil of cade.

Ahuichichi, Bryonia variegata, Miller nat. ord. Cucurbitaceae, grows in temperate regions and possesses dangerous drastic properties.

Aile de Mexico, a species of Alnus, growing in mountainous regions, yields a bark having tonic and astringent properties.

Aje, or Axin, is a fatty substance produced by Coccus Axin, La Llave, a hemipterous insect living upon different species of Spondias and Xanthoxylum. In the fresh state the drug has a yellow color and a peculiar rancid odor, fuses at 35°C., is soluble in hot concentrated alcohol and in ether, is readily saponified, and on exposure is converted into a hard brown substance, insoluble in water, alcohol and ether. The natives of Uruapam form aje into masses weighing 350 gm. and enveloped in leaves of Indian corn. It is popularly used in erysipelas, as a discutient and vulnerary, mixed with various substances in hernia, and as a poultice in uterine complaints; in the arts it is used as an excellent varnish for wood and metals.

Ajo, Allium sativum, Lin.

Ajolote, Siredon Humboldtii, Dumeril, (the Axolotl) and other species, nat. ord. Batrachia. The flesh has analeptic properties, and the syrup prepared from a decoction of the skin is used by common people as a cure for pulmonary affections.

Ajonjoli, Sesamum orientale, Lin. The oil is used in place of olive oil, the seeds as a condiment, and the press cake as food for cattle.

Álamo, Populus alba and P. nigra, Lin. The bark is astringent; rarely employed.

Albahaca, Ocimum Basilicum, Lin., nat. ord. Labiatae. Cultivated in Mexico. It is a diffusible stimulant and stomachic.

Alcabucil, Cynara Cardunculus, Lin., nat. ord. Compositae. The unexpanded flower beads are used for food, and the florets for coagulating milk.

Alcachofa, Cynara Scolymus, Lin. The unexpanded flower heads are used for food. (These are the artichokes of Southern Europe, the preceding species being known as cardoon, the blanched tender stalks, and ribs of leaves being eaten.)

Alcanfor del Japon, Camphor. Dose, 0.05 to 1.0 gm.

Alcaravea, Caraway. An infusion is made of from 5 to 10 gm. for one liter of water.

Alfalfa, Medicago sativa, Lin., nat. ord. Leguminosae. Emollient. Used for fodder.

Alfilerillo, Erodium cicutarium. The herbaceous portion is used in decoction as an emollient.

Algodon, Cotton from Gossypium herbaceum and G. arboreum, Lin., growing in Mexico etc.

Alholva, Fenugreek. Cultivated in Mexico. The seeds are emollient.

Alhucema, Lavandula vera, Lin. The flowers are used as a perfume, and the powder as a sternutatory; internally as a stimulant.

Almáciga, Mastich. Balsamic stimulant and recommended in incontinence of urine. Dose, 0.60 to 2.0 gm. Used for varnishes, and dissolved in ether or collodion for filling carious teeth.

Almendra amarga and Almendra dulce, Bitter and sweet almonds.

Almidon, Starch, especially wheat starch.

Almizele, Musk from Moschus moschiferus, Lin.

Alpiste, the fruit of Phalaris canariensis, Lin., nat. ord. Graminaceae. The plant grows in Mexico; the fruit is principally used for birds' food and the meal is employed as an emollient.

Alquimila del país, Geranium Hernandezii and G. mexicana, Humb. et Bonpl., nat. ord. Geraniaceae. It is incorrectly used as a substitute of the mildly astringent Alchemilla vulgaris, Lin. The plant is emollient and the juice is used as a laxative for children.

Altea, Marshmallow root. In Mexico, the root of Malva angustifolia, Cavanilles, is usually used in place of the former; it has identical properties, the mucilaginous principle being contained chiefly in the bark.

Alverjon, Pea, Pisum sativum, Lin. Used for food.

Amapola, the petals of Papaver Rhoeas, Lin., which grows in Mexico. From 2 to 5 gm. are used for 1 liter of infusion.

Ámbar amarillo, Amber; antispasmodic; rarely employed.

Ámbar gris, Ambergris. rarely used as an antispasmodic. Dose, in powder, 0.25 to 1.0 gm., of the tincture, 20 to 60 drops.

Ámbar del país, the exudation of Hymenaea Courbaril, Lin., nat. ord. Leguminosae, growing in the State of Oaxaca, and known there as cuapinole. The resin is bright yellow, internally transparent, superficially of an efflorescent appearance, brittle, with a glossy fracture, of a delicate aromatic odor and resinous somewhat astringent taste, soluble in alcohol, ether, fats, and volatile oils, burning with flame and then forming drops of a balsamic odor. It is distinguished from true amber by becoming sticky with a little alcohol or ether. It is used in the manufacture of varnishes, and as fumigation for the relief of asthma. The bark is said to be purgative, and a decoction to be useful as a vermifuge. The tincture is employed like that of guaiacum.

Ambarina, Scabiosa atropurpurea, Lin., nat. ord. Dipsacaceae. The plant is cultivated and is commonly used in itch and other skin diseases; it has tonic and sudorific properties, but is not used medicinally.

Amianto, Asbestos; used for filtering acids and alkalies.

Amole de bolita, Sapindus amolle (?). The flowering tops and fruit may be used like saponaria, according to Oliva; they contain considerable saponin.

Amole de raíz, Agave mexicana, Lamarck, nat. ord. Amaryllidaceae. The juice has emmenagogue, diuretic and laxative properties, and is externally used against itch. The root is useful for washing clothes.

Amor seca, Gomphrena procumbens, Lin., nat. ord. Amarantaceae, One of the so-called "everlastings," is indigenous to the central table land of Mexico and has a tonic, astringent and diaphoretic root.

Anacahuite, Cordia Boissieri, De Cand., nat. ord. Boraginaceae, is found in the mountains of Tampico; the wood is commonly regarded as being pectoral, and medicinally used as an emollient.

The American Journal of Pharmacy, Vol. 57, 1885, was edited by John M. Maisch.