14
MATE RIA MEDICA
speak of its therapeutic uses more fully here than under the heading
" Therapeutic Uses." —As an antiperiodic and antipyretic it is at least
quite equal to quinine and Warburg's tincture respectively ; and as a
diaphoretic, decidedly superior to Pulv. Jacobi vera or James' powder.
It is of the greatest service in relieving pyrexia and in converting the
continued and remittent fevers into the intermittent ; and also in pre-
venting the return of the paroxysms of the latter. In addition to the
cheapness, its advantages over Warburg's tincture and quinine are
that, however repeatedly it may be used, it neither produces a great
depression of the system like the former, nor any bad effect on the
stomach, bowels, brain or the organs of hearing, like the latter. Unlike
the alkaloids of cinchona, it can be employed beneficially in the presence
of fever. One of the best preparations of the root is the decoction,
twelve ounces of which is equal to one bottle of Warburg's tincture,
and if administered during a paroxysm in two doses 3 vi each) at the
interval of two or three hours, it relieves the fever by producing as
copious a perspiration as the above tincture. Six drachms of the tinc--
ture of the root is also equal to one bottle of Warburg's tincture, and,
if used in two doses with water during a paroxysm, it produces pre--
cisely the same effect as the decoction. There is no difference between
the actions of the tincture and decoction of the root, but the former is
preferable to the latter for two reasons, one of which is the smallness of
its dose, and the other, it can be prepared in a large quantity and kept
always ready for use. To ensure the full antiperiodic effect, the tincture
or decoction should not only be employed in the paroxysm, as described.
above, but also in the same dose every fourth or fifth hour during the
intermission ; and then, it compltes the cure if it be continued in
smaller doses for four or five days more after the fever ceases to return.
Used in the manner explained. above, the tincture and decoction have
proved themselves successful in many cases of malarious and jungle
fevers, in a few of which, quinine with arsenic had failed previously.
The watery extract and the simple powder of the root under con--
sideration are very inferior preparations, and generally very indifferent
in their actions. The great and continuous heat, which is required to
prepare the extract, seems to destroy its efficacy to a great extent.
The wood of B. aristata, particularly that of the stem, is also possessed
with the same medicinal properties as those of the root, but much inferior
to the latter. The root and other parts of this plant, like those of some
other species of Berberis, which will be noticed presently, owe their
action to an active principle called Berberine.
*Berberis asiatica, DC. 24.
*Berberis Lycium, Royle. 25.
‡Berberis vulgaris, Linn. 26.
Habitat.—Hi malayas
Parts Used.—The wood, root, watery extract and berries.
Synonyms.—Of the wood and root (No. 24)—Indian Barberry,
Eng. Epine vinette, Fr. Berberitze, Ger. Dár-hald, Arab., Pers.
and. Hind. Of the watery extract (No. 25)—Rasvat, Rusot, Hind.
Huzuzehindí Fíl-zahraj, Arab. Fíl-zahrah, Pers. Of the berries
(No. 26)—Anbar-bárís, Ambar-bárís, Arab. Zarishk, Pers. and Hind.