(Lily of the Valley.)

Origin. - The dried rhizome and roots of Convallaria majalis L., a stemless perennial indigenous in Europe, Northern Asia, and North America.

Description and Properties. - Of horizontal growth and somewhat branched, about 1/8 inch (3 Mm.) thick, cylindrical, wrinkled, whitish, marked with a few circular scars; at the annulate joint with about eight or ten thin roots; fracture somewhat fibrous, white; odor peculiar, pleasant; taste sweetish, bitter, and somewhat acrid.

Convallaria contains two glycosids: convallamarin and convallarin.

Official Preparation

Fluidextractum Convallariae - Fluidextracti Convallariae - Fluidextract of Convallaria. - Dose, 5-30 minims (0.5-2.0 Cc.) [8 minims (0.5 Cc), U. S. P.].

Antagonists and Incompatibles. - The antagonists are the same as for digitalis; tannic acid precipitates the convallamarin.

Synergists. - The cardiac stimulants enhance its cardiac action; emetics and cathartics aid its emeto-cathartic effects.

Physiological Action. - Almost identical with that of digitalis, but less powerful and possessing no cumulative action. Preparations free from convallarin do not disturb the stomach nor affect the cerebrospinal functions. It is asserted that convallaria has stronger diuretic properties than digitalis.

Convallamarin in some cases has produced, among other untoward symptoms, hemoptysis and dyspnea.

Convallarin is a drastic purgative, and in full doses occasions nausea and gastric pain.

Therapeutics. - Convallaria is used for precisely the same purposes as digitalis. The only advantage it possesses over the latter drug is that it has no cumulative action. By some physicians it is considered superior to digitalis as a diuretic and cardiac stimulant after failure of compensation, the diuresis it occasions persisting for some time after the withdrawal of the drug.

Contraindications. - The same as for digitalis.

Administration. - The fluidextract is the best preparation to use, although the infusion is highly recommended by many physicians. Convallamarin replaces digitalin in its action and uses, but does not disturb the stomach like digitalis, and is slightly laxative. It may be used an alterant with digitalin in doses of 1/12 grain (0.005 Gm.).

Adonis Vernalis - Adonidis Vernalis - False Hellebore. (Non-official.)

Origin. - A perennial herb attaining a height of about 10 inches (25 Cm.), indigenous in Europe.

Description and Properties. - It has but little odor and a somewhat acrid and bitter taste. The plant contains a glucosid, adonidin, to which it owes its medicinal properties. This constituent is a light-colored, crystalline powder, of a bitter taste, and soluble in water and alcohol. A Japanese species, Adonis amurensis, yields a related glucoside, Adonin.

Dose of Adonidin. - 1/20-1/4 grain (0.003-0.01 Gm.).

Antagonists, Incompatibles, and Synergists. - The same as for digitalis.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics.- The action of adoni-din is similar to that of digitalis, save that it is less cumulative.

It is used for the same purposes as digitalis, being peculiarity valuable in relieving the pains of heart disease, and is by some physicians preferred to digitalis in the treatment of aortic and 7nitral insufficiency, cardiac asthma, and functional irregularity of the heart.