676

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

stance ( polycliroiteproperly so called). Pure polycliroite is pulverulent, bitter, scar J e ,.,red, odourless, slightly soluble in cold water, much more so in hot water, re ® ••soluble in alcohol and oils (both fixed and volatile), slightly soluble in ether Sulphnriacid turns it blue, then lilac. Nitric acid makes it green, but the colour is very > a §tive. The hypochlorites destroy the yellow colour of a solution of polychroite.

Chemical Characteristics. —An aqueous infusion of saffron gb'® sno indication of starch on the addition of a solution of iodine. T" ehypochlorites hleach it. Sulphuric and nitric acids act on it as on p°vchroite above mentioned. Acetate of lead causes no precipitate, b)evaporation, the infusion yields an extract from which alcohol removethe colouring matter and leaves a gummy substance.

Physiological Effects. —Formerly saffron was considered tocordial, aromatic, narcotic and emmenagogue. Some (Boerhaave, H lS \Plant, pars ii. p. 590) have accused it of causing laughing deliriuu^’others (Bergius, Mat. Med. t. i. p. 38) have ascribed to its usemental dejection; and several (Boerhaave, op. cit.; Riverius, Op. M e 4have declared that they have seen immoderate uterine hemorrhage P r ° educed by it, which, in the case referred to by Riverius, is said to ha'terminated fatally. But modem experience has proved that mostthese statements are erroneous. Alexander ( Experim. Essays, p- ’1768) swallowed four scmples of saffron without perceiving any obvmeffects therefrom ; and Wihmer ( Wirk. d. Arzneim. Band 2, S. 204) t0 °a drachm without observing the slightest effect. e

By the long-continued use of saffron, the colouring particles beco ^absorbed, and tinge the secretions, especially the urine and perspirahIn some instances the foetus in utero has been stained by it (Wdn 11 ^op. cit.) The failure of Alexander to detect the yellow tinge m ^secretions arose probably from the short time he had beeu using 1medicine. Mr. Gibson {Mem. of the Lit. and Phil. Soc. of Manch eS ^2 n(1 Ser. vol. i. p. 148) gave a considerable quantity of saffron to apio e ^which thereby had its fames tinged, yet no perceptible alteration 'produced in its bones. v , e

Headache, prostration of strength, apoplexy, and even death, j 1been ascribed to the inhalation of the vapour arising fromquantities of saffron (see the reports of Borellus, Tralles, Forster, ^,others, quoted by Wibmer and Murray, op. cit.) ; and perhaps c ° rre( jj lt .so, for it is well known that the odours of other plants (as the r° se ’ /.pink, &c.) act on some individuals as narcotic poisons (Orfila, ToX 1Gen.)

Uses. —Saffron is employed, especially on the continent, as a fU' g (ing and colouring ingredient in various culinary preparations, artm1®, 6

confectionary, liqueurs, &c. It was used by the ancients as a pcfas well as a seasoning agent (Beckmann, Hist, of Invent, and Pvol. i. p. 278). _ . jjiig

In the modem practice of medicine it is used chiefly as a com ,ingredient. It is a popular remedy for assisting the eruption of e '^ e x>tliematous diseases; on the same principle, I suppose, that bird-fa t pgive it to birds when moulting. It was at one time esteemed as an ^spasmodic in asthma, hysteria, and cramp of the stomach; ant ct joi' sformerly used as an emmenagogue, and to promote uterine contra tand the lochial discharge. Lastly, it has been employed as a stunto the nervous system in hypochondriasis.