receptacle; in each angle a black anther. Two large follicles narrowed
at the ends, woolly, the apex somewhat curved to one side, containing
many imbricated seeds, each with a tuft of long hairs.
Habitat.--Bauang, Taal and the volcanic island of Taal. Blossoms
in April.
_Tylophora asthmatica_, Wight. (_Asclepias asthmatica_, Roxb.)
Nom. Vulg.--(?)
Uses.--We are ignorant of the uses the Filipinos make of this plant. It
is official in the Pharmacopoeia of India, the dry powdered leaf
being the part employed, and its emetic, diaphoretic and expectorant
properties are well known in that country. Roxburgh has used the
root as an emetic and Anderson has employed it in the same manner as
ipecac in dysentery. Later the experience of Anderson was confirmed
by O'Shaughnessy; though in place of the root he used the leaf,
the properties of which he regards as more certain and uniform.
Dr. J. Kirkpatrick has noted that the juice of the root and its
powder are used by the natives of Mysore as an emetic, and adds that
he himself has used it for that purpose in a thousand cases with good
results. In its effect on dysentery as well as in its emetic effect it
resembles ipecacuanha. He used the powder in doses of 1.20-1.80 gr.,
to which he added 3-6 centigrams of tartar emetic when he desired
to obtain an energetic emetic action. Like O'Shaughnessy he prefers
the powdered leaves. He considers it a good substitute for ipecac,
not only as an emetic, but as a remedy in asthma, dysentery and
catarrhal affections; Drs. Oswald and Mooden Sheriff have made the
same observations. The latter advises the administration of the juice
of the plant for snake bites till vomiting is produced; then follow
with diffusible stimulants.
The emetic dose of the powdered leaves is 1.20-1.80 grams, the
expectorant and diaphoretic dose 10-30 centigrams. The concentrated
infusion of the leaves has an acrid taste. Tannic acid, the neutral
acetate of lead and caustic potash produce with it an abundant
precipitate; the perchloride of iron colors it a dark green. Broughton,
of Ootaemund (India), informed Hanbury and Flückiger, from whom we
quote, that in 1872 he obtained a very small quantity of crystals from
a large quantity of leaves. He had not enough to make an analysis,
but injected a solution of the crystals into a dog with resulting
vomiting and diarrhoea.
Botanical Description.--A vigorous plant with scandent stem 2-4 meters
long, the more recent growth woolly. Leaves opposite, entire, 5-12
centimeters long and 2-6 broad, oval or rounded. Petiole striated and
short. Flowers in umbelliferous cymes, compound, axillary, solitary and
alternate, with woolly peduncles; hermaphrodite, regular, small, of a
pale green color inside and a light purple outside. Calyx gamosepalous,
with 5 lobules. Corolla gamopetalous, 5 oval, twisted lobules. Staminal
crown composed of 5 fleshy scales, joined to the staminal tube. Stamens
5, inserted on the throat of the corolla, filaments joined to form
a very short tube with anthers straight, short and crowned by a
membranous bilocular appendix. The gynoecium consists of 2 unilocular
ovaries each containing an indefinite number of ovules. Style with a
pentagonal stigma which bears in each angle a glandular body. Fruits
compound with two separate follicles, large, lanceolate, smooth,
8-10 centimeters long and 5 in circumference. Each encloses a seed,
hairy, albuminous with straight embryo and flattened cotyledons.
Habitat.--Mountains of San Mateo.
LOGANIACEÆ.
Logania Family.
_Strychnos Ignatii_, Berg. (_S. Philippensis_, Blanco; _Ignatia amara_,
L.; _Ignatia Philippinea_, Lour.)
Nom. Vulg.--_Pepita Fruta_, Sp.-Fil.; _Pepita sa katbalongan_,
_Kabalongan_, Tag., Pam.; _Pangaguason_, _Aguason_, _Kanlara_,
_Mananaog_, _Dankagi_, _Katalonga_, _Igasud_, Vis.; _St. Ignatius
Bean_, Eng.
Uses.--The part of the plant employed is the seed, known in addition
to the above common names as Pepita de San Ignacio and Pepita de
Cabalonga (for _katbolongan_). The natives handle it with the greatest
imprudence, selling everywhere in the markets and in the Chinese
shops, called _tindang-bayang_. It is not only a remedy among them,
but a sort of panacea, to which they attribute, among other virtues,
that of expelling evil spirits, simply worn about the neck. They grate
it with a piece of earthen pot, mix with a little "tuba" vinegar and
apply it to the temples for headache. In bites of poisonous animals
they advise the application of the powdered seed over the wound, a
treatment which instead of being beneficent might easily be harmful
to the patient. Before proceeding further, let us give the chemical
composition of the seeds in order that their uses may be the better
understood.
_Strychnine_ is found in them in the proportion of 1/2-1 1/2 and
_brucine_ 1/2%-1.4%. Flückiger and Hanbury by drying it over sulphuric
acid and burning it with "cal sòdica" obtained 1.78% of nitrogen which
represents 10% of albuminoid material. Strychnine and brucine exist
in combination with igasuric acid discovered by Ludwig in 1873. The
proportion of both the alkaloids is greater than in the seeds of nux
vomica which contain only .25-.50% strychnine and .12-.05% brucin,
although some authors give it as high as 1.01%. Strychnine can be
obtained more readily and in larger proportions from St. Ignatius bean,
but it is generally obtained from nux vomica seeds on account of the
cheapness of the latter.
It is more energetic than nux vomica and its use in medicine should
be condemned, preference, however, being given to the official
preparations among which the best known is that commonly called
"Bitter Drops of Beaumé," of which the following is the composition:
Grated St. Ignatius' beans 500 grams.
Potassium carbonate 5 grams.
Soot (?) 1 gram.
60% alcohol 1,000 grams.
Macerate for 10 days, strain, express and filter. Dose, 1-16 drops
in a little water or wine before each meal, for dyspepsia, anæmia,
convalescence from fevers, and other conditions in which a tonic is
indicated. The indications for the use of this drug are the same as
those for nux vomica, keeping in mind the difference in dose.
Botanical Description.--This plant grows in the deep forests of Samar
and Masbate. That industrious and distinguished botanist, D. Regino
García, found it growing abundantly in Paranas, Island of Samar. It is
a robust vine, the trunk sometimes as thick as a man's thigh, climbing
to the tops of the highest trees, apparently without preference as
to its host, inasmuch as he saw it growing indifferently on _Ficus_,
_Dipterocarpus_, _Litsaca_, etc. The seed which most interests us and
is very common, is about the size of an olive, round and convex on one
side, angulose and flattened on the other by being compressed with
many others within the fruit which contains 50 of them. Its surface
is blackish with a gray-blue tinge. It is hard and corneous. Its
taste is extremely bitter.
Branches opposite, smooth, the ends square. Leaves opposite,
oval, much pointed at the apex, entire, glabrous, with 3
prominent nerves. Petioles very short. Flowers in panicles of many
flowerets. Calyx inferior, 5-cleft, very short. Corolla 6-7 times
longer than the calyx, funnel-form, 5-lobed. Anthers 5, sessile, fixed
in the throat of the corolla. Ovary very small. Style filiform, same
length as the stamens. Stigma truncate and thick. Drupe globose, often
oval, large, smooth, with thick, woody shell of a single compartment
containing seeds as described above.
BORAGINACEÆ.
Borage Family.
_Ehretia buxifolia_, Roxb. (_Carmonea heterophylla_, Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.--_Mangit_, _Alangitngit_, Tag., Vis.
Uses.--The leaves dried in the shade are used in some Visayan
towns, in infusion to take the place of tea. The root is used by
the Hindoo physicians as an alterative. Dr. R. Ross has employed
it for that purpose in a decoction of 60 grams to 500 cc. of water;
60 cc. a day of this preparation gave him good results in secondary
and constitutional syphilis. The Mohammedans of India consider the
root an antidote for vegetable poisons.
Botanical Description.--Small tree, 5-6° high, trunk straight. Leaves
alternate or bunched in 3's or 4's at the nodes, lanceolate or
spatulate, 3-toothed at apex, sometimes serrate toward the apex,
set with short, stiff hairs. Petioles very short. Flowers axillary,
in racemose panicles of a few flowers each. Common peduncle long,
pedicel short. Calyx free, bell-shaped, persistent, divided almost
to base into 5 narrow, downy parts. Corolla bell-shaped, 5 oval
lobules. Stamens 5. Ovary oval, within the flower. Style bifid. Stigmas
simple, truncate. Drupe globose, with hard, slightly furrowed putamen
of 6 locules and solitary seeds.
Habitat.--Malinta and many other parts of the Visayas. Blooms in
January.
CONVOLVULACEÆ.
Convolvulus Family.
_Ipomoea hederacea_, Jacq. (_I. nil_, Roth.; _Convolvulus nil_,
L. and Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.--_Bulakan_, Tag.; _Kala-Danah_, Indo-Eng.
Uses.--This plant is not used as a medicine by the Filipinos, but
is official in the Pharmacopoeia of India from which we copy its
indications and official preparations.
The seed is the part employed, its cathartic properties being much
like those of jalap, though less energetic. An excellent substitute
for the latter is 2 or 3 grams of _kala-danah_ seeds in powder form,
and no unpleasant effects attend its operation.
The official preparations are:
Extract of Kaladana.--Dose, 30-60 centigrams in pill.
Powdered seeds 500 grams.
Alcohol 2 liters.
Water 4 1/2 liters.
Tincture of Kaladana.--Dose, 8-12 grams.
Seeds 75 grams.
Alcohol 500 grams.
Compound Powder of Kaladana.--Dose, 3-3 1/2 grams.
Powdered seeds 150 grams.
Acid tartrate of potassium 270 grams.
Powdered ginger 30 grams.
The last is an excellent substitute for the corresponding preparation
of jalap.
Resin of Kaladana.--Dose, 30-50 centigrams. It is prepared like resin
of jalap and is a safe and sure purgative. In mass it has a dark color,
but is gray when powdered. The odor is rather unpleasant, the taste
sweetish and then acrid, nauseous, persistent, exciting the saliva and
irritating the fauces. It was introduced into practice by Dr. G. Vidie.
Botanical Description.--A twiner with round, downy stem. Leaves
heart-shaped, 3-lobed, the middle one broad-lanceolate, the lateral
ones rather rectangular with petioles of equal length with the
leaves. Flowers large, rose color or pale blue, in axillary cymes of
2 or 3 flowers each. Calyx, 5 long, downy parts. Corolla bell-shaped,
5 faint lobes. Stamens 5, free, inserted in the corolla. Ovary free,
3 biovulate locules. Style simple. Stigma trilobed. Seed vessels
globose with 3 locules each containing 2 seeds. Seeds convex on dorsum,
1/2 cm. broad by 1 cm. long, testa black.
Habitat.--Manila. Blooms in August.
_Ipomoea pes-capræ_, Roth. (_Convolvulus pes-capræ_ L. and Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.--_Katagkatag_, _Lagayray_, _Lampayog_, _Bagasoa_, _Kamigag_,
_Daripay_, _Tagaray_, _Arodayday_, _Lambayog_, Tag., Vis.; _Lambayog_,
Iloc.
Uses.--The dry, powdered leaves are dusted over bruises and ulcers. The
entire plant is very mucilaginous and the bruised fresh leaves are
applied like poultices to cancers and ulcerating tumors. In India
the boiled leaves are applied locally in colic and in rheumatism;
the juice is given internally in dropsy as a diuretic, the pounded
leaves at the same time serving as a poultice to the oedematous parts.
Botanical Description.--A plant that creeps extensively, the stem
taking root. Leaves with 2 well-marked lobules. Flowers rose-lilac
color, in axillary panicles with long pedicels. Corolla very large,
bell-shaped, the limb 5-angled and 5-nerved. Stamens 5, unequal in
height. Stigma globose, marked by a line; later it divides in two. Seed
vessel ovate, 2-celled, in each cell 2 downy seeds convex on one side,
angular on the other.
Habitat.--Very common on the seashore. Blooms in January.
_Ipomoea Turpethum_, R. Br. (_Convolvulus Turpethum_, L.;
_C. maximus_, Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.--_Albohol_, Sp.; _Turpeth Root_, _Indian Jalap_, Eng.
Uses.--The root, known in the Philippines as "turbita," is a purgative
and is a component part of the tincture of jalap, one of the most
positive and active of known cathartics. But turpeth root is seldom
used alone, for its action is so uncertain that Sir W. O'Shaughnessy
pronounced the plant unworthy of a place in the Pharmacopoeia of
India. The dose of the powder is 1-4 grams, the resin 40-50 cgms.,
the decoction of the root 4-12 grams. The active principle is a resin
soluble in ether and a glucoside, _turpethin_, C_34_H_56_O_16_.
In the east of India they make offerings of the flowers to the god
Shiva, and also put them to more practical use by applying them to
the head for neuralgic headache.
Botanical Description.--A vine with quadrangular stem. Leaves
heart-shaped. Flowers axillary, numerous, in umbels. Calyx deeply
cleft in 5 imbricated, ovate, fleshy parts. Corolla bell-shaped,
folded. Stamens 5, unequal in height. Ovary inserted on an
hypogynous disk, with 2 biovulate compartments. Style same length as
stamens. Stigma bilobulate, globose. Seed vessel square, encircled
by calyx, 2 locules each with 2 seeds.
Habitat.--Common in Bauang and Pasig. Blooms in November.
SOLANACEÆ.
Nightshade Family.
_Solanum nigrum_, L.
Nom. Vulg.--_Hierba mora_, Sp.; _Konty_, _Onty_, _Gamagamatisan_,
Tag.; _Lagpakon_, _Bolagtob_, _Lubilubi_, Vis.; _Kuty_, _Lubilubi_,
Bic.; _Black_ or _Common Nightshade_, Eng.
Uses.--In the Philippines the entire plant is boiled and used for
food, with the precaution of pouring off the first 2 or 3 waters
in which it is cooked, which contain an active principle capable of
causing such disagreeable symptoms as vertigo and nausea. A decoction
of the leaves serves to cleanse chronic sores and in fact improves
their condition; it is also used as a lotion for various forms of
dermatitis, for erysipelas and old burns.
The plant is narcotic, antispasmodic and like belladonna it dilates
the pupil.
In India the decoction is given internally, 200-250 grams, for
hypertrophy of the liver, and it is considered a good diuretic and
alterative. For such uses they heat the above dose in a clay vessel
till the color changes from green to brown, when it is cooled and given
next day. Its action is diuretic and hydragogue-cathartic. Mooden
Sheriff recommends this treatment highly, and for dropsy further
advises the aqueous extract, 12 grams during the day divided into 3 or
4 doses. Small doses of 30-60 grams of the decoction prepared as above
described, are of use in some chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis.
In 1821 Defosses, of Besançon, obtained _solanine_ from the fruit,
previously isolated from the _S. Dulcamara_.
Botanical Description.--A plant about 2° high, stem straight,
3-4-angled, with white dots. Leaves lanceolate. Flowers white,
in 2-ranked racemes. Calyx inferior, 5 persistent teeth. Corolla,
5 petals somewhat down-curved. Berry small, black when ripe.
Habitat.--Universally common. Blooms in January.
_Capsicum fastigiatum_, Bl. (_C. minimum_, Roxb.)
Nom. Vulg.--_Chili picante_, Sp.-Fil.; _Sili_, Tag.; _Capsicum_,
_Red Pepper_, etc., Eng.
Uses.--The fruit of this species of pepper plant is called _agí_
in Cuba and Porto Rico; it is in common use as a condiment in the
Philippines. As a tonic and stimulant it is a useful article of food
in hot countries where the digestive functions become sluggish. Used
in moderation it prevents dyspepsia and consequent diarrhoea. It is
used as a gargle for hoarseness, decreasing the congestion of the
larynx and vocal cords.
Gargle.--
Tincture of capsicum 8 grams.
Water 160 grams.
Mix.
Recently capsicum in powder, extract, or tincture, has been recommended
internally in the treatment of incipient hemorrhoids. The dose is
.50 to 3 grams of the powder in pills or capsules; watery extract,
0.30-0.60; tincture, 10-30 drops.
The _C. annuum_, L., and other varieties of red pepper serve the same
uses as the above.
Botanical Description.--Stem 4-angled. Leaves opposite,
ovate-lanceolate, entire. Petioles short. Flowers greenish-white
in little clusters, drooping. Corolla wheel-shaped. Fruit straight,
conical, slender, scarcely 1' long.
Habitat.--Universally common in the islands. Blooms at all times.
_Datura alba_, Nees. (_D. Metel_, Roxb. and Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.--_Talamponay_, Tag., Pam.; _Takbibung_, Vis.; _Dhatura_,
Indo-Eng.
Uses.--The applications of this species are identical with those of
_D. Stramonium_ and it is official in the Pharmacopoeia of India. It
is antispasmodic, narcotic and toxic, and is used quite commonly with
criminal intent in India and Indo-China. The cooked and bruised leaves
make an efficient poultice in articular rheumatism.
The symptoms of poisoning by "dhatura" are: dilatation of the pupil,
general malaise, dryness of the fauces and skin, hallucinations,
rapid pulse, coma and death or permanent mania.
The dry leaf is smoked to abort asthma, and though its action is
uncertain, it is one of the many remedies that should be tried,
which though ineffective in one case may in another afford positive
relief in this distressing disease. Not more than 1.50 grams should
be smoked in one day and their use should be discontinued if any
symptom of intoxication supervenes. The Pharmacopoeia of India
contains a tincture made from 75 grams of the ground seeds and 500
grams of alcohol. Dr. Waring states that 20 drops of this tincture
are equivalent to 6 centigrams of opium and that in some cases it has
given him better narcotic results than the opium. The extract is made
from 500 grams of the powdered seeds, 500 cc. ether, 500 cc. alcohol
and 500 cc. water. Dose, 5-20 centigrams a day in 4 doses.
The _D. fastuosa_, L., known in Manila by the common name of
_Talamponay na itim_, Tag., possesses the same properties as the
above. The Filipino physician, Sr. Zamora, successfully employed
a poultice of bruised leaves cooked in vinegar and applied to the
forehead and backs of the hands to reduce the fever of tuberculous
patients.
Neither the leaves nor seeds of these two varieties of _Datura_ have
been studied from a chemical standpoint, but there is little doubt
that the active principle is the _daturine_ (atropine and hyoscyamine)
that exists so abundantly in _D. Stramonium_.
Botanical Description.--Plant 5-6° high, with nodose branches,
forked. Leaves ovate, angled, somewhat downy. Flowers large,
white, axillary, solitary. Calyx tubular, 5-toothed. Corolla
funnel-shaped, the limb 5-angled and 5-folded. Stamens 5, same length
as calyx. Anthers long, flattened. Stigma thick, oblong, divisible in
2 leaves. Seed vessel globose, thorny, 4-valved over the base of the
calyx. Seeds numerous, flattened, kidney-shaped. (Resembles closely
the common Jamestown Weed of America, though much taller with much
larger flowers.)
Habitat.--Common on the shores of the sea. The _D. fastuosa_ is
differentiated by its violet flowers and double corolla.
_Nicotiana Tabacum, L._
Nom. Vulg.--_Tabaco_, Sp.; _Tobacco_, Eng.
Uses.--Tobacco is a powerful sedative and antispasmodic, but owing
to the accidents it may give rise to, its use in therapeutics
is very limited. Like all the active Solanaceæ it is effective
against neuralgia and spasm of the muscular tissues and is therefore
indicated in strangulated hernia and in intestinal obstruction. In
these conditions the infusion of 1-5 grams of the dried leaf to
250 grams of water is given by enema. Trousseau advises non-smokers
who suffer from chronic constipation to smoke a cigarette fasting,
a practice which, according to him, stimulates defecation. For the
same condition the people of southern India are accustomed to apply
a poultice of the bruised leaves to the anal region.
Tobacco has been used by enema to combat tetanus; Dr. Lesth, of
the General Hospital for Europeans, Bombay, claims to have obtained
excellent results by applying a poultice over the entire length of
the spinal column. Dr. Dymock has confirmed this practice.
A decoction of the leaves is used as a lotion to destroy "pediculi
capitis and pubis," and to wash gangrenous ulcers.
The daily increasing practice of smoking, like all other subjects,
divides mankind into two camps, one for and one against the habit. Both
parties exaggerate their arguments. The abuse of the plant without
doubt sets up disturbances of the digestion, the heart and the
nervous system. It is furthermore positive that persons of a certain
disposition and with certain ailments are injured by even a moderate
use of tobacco. The above facts serve as arms for the opponents of
the habit; the robust who smoke and drink to excess and meet with
an accidental death on a railroad or from an acute disease that
overtakes them in the midst of perfect health, serve as arguments for
the defenders, to prove the innocence of the custom. The antiseptic
qualities of the smoke and of the entire plant also lend the smoker
a defensive argument, as he may uphold the habit as hygienic and
highly useful in preventing microbic infection. The antiseptic power
of tobacco smoke is undoubted, but it is intolerable that a physician
under the pretext of avoiding self infection should enter the house
of his patient and continue smoking at the bedside.
Chronic nicotine poisoning is the result of a gradual intoxication
by the absorption of the active principle of tobacco, the alkaloid
nicotine. Excessive smoking conduces to nicotism, more common in
Europe than in the tropics, because the natives of Europe smoke the
pipe and being confined in closed dwellings, breathe continuously an
atmosphere of smoke; in the Philippines, on the contrary, the pipe is
almost unknown and owing to the nature of the dwellings the smoking
is carried on practically in the open air. An injurious practice of
the Filipino smokers is that of "swallowing the smoke," and this is a
fitting point to call attention to an error of Dujardin-Beaumetz, who
states that "in those who habitually swallow the smoke the nicotine
acts directly upon the stomach." The expression "swallow smoke"
(tragar el humo) does not mean to force it into the stomach by an
act of deglutition, and I am sure no one attempts to dispose of it
in that way; but to inspire or breath it into the air passages. It
is evident that this latter habit does not involve the stomach, but
those who practice it expose themselves more to nicotism than those
who keep the smoke in the mouth or expel it through the nose.
The first cigar causes symptoms familiar to nearly everybody;
dizziness, malaise, cold sweat, vomiting, diarrhoea, dilatation of
the pupils and rapid heart action--an acute intoxication. Chronic
intoxication or nicotism manifests itself by disturbances of digestion,
vision and especially circulation. It has been assigned as one of the
causes of early atheroma and of angina pectoris. It should therefore
be proscribed in persons who present symptoms of gastro-intestinal
or of heart disease, and in every patient who complains of slight
precordial pains, commonly attributed to flatus, but in reality
cardiac neuralgia, a fugitive symptom announcing the possibility of
that grave accident, angina pectoris, capable of ending the life of
the patient with one stroke.
Nicotine (C_10_H_14_N_2_) is an oleaginous liquid heavier than
water, colorless, changing to dark yellow on contact with the
air. _Nicotianin_ or "camphor of tobacco" is another substance
found in the leaves, crystalline, tasteless, with an odor resembling
tobacco. Nicotinic acid is a product of the combustion of nicotine.
Botanical Description.--The tobacco plant is so familiar to all
Americans that its description here would be superfluous. It grows
in all parts of the islands, the best qualities being cultivated in
the northern provinces of Luzon, especially Cagayan and La Isabela.