Heracleum

(her-ak-le'-um). A genus of umbelliferous plants, the cow-parsnips. Several species, especially H. lanatum, in North America, and H. tauricum. in Europe, are diuretic and expectorant, and the roots and seeds are recommended for use in epilepsy. Unof. Her a path's Method. A method for determining the presence of minute quantities of quinin. For a test-fluid Metric. Apoth. acetic acid 12 c.c.. use Glacial Ninety-five percent. alcohol,... 4 c.c.. Dilute sulphuric acid, drops. A drop of this is put on the slide, and a very minute amount of the quinin-containing substance added. When di olved, add an extremely minute drop of an alcoholic solution of iodin. The first effect is the production of the yellow, cinnamon-colored compound of iodin and quinin, which forms as a small circular spot; the alcohol separates in little drops, which, by a sort of repulsive movement, drive the fluid away; after a time the acid liquid again flows over the spot, and the polarizing crystals of sulphate of iodoquinin are slowly produced in beautiful rosets. This test succeeds best without the application of heat.