This is a perennial flower which blossoms in May, and the second time in August and September. It has a short and thick root; the flower stalk is smooth, beset with soft hairs, from six to eight inches high, and terminating at the top in a lancinated involucrum. Leaves radical, bipinnate ; no calyx ; six petals, oblong, hairy, of a blackisli- purple color ; with their apices turned backward ; numerous fila- ments. The flower is called nigricans on account of the dark color of its petals. We make a tincture from the whole plant without the root, of a greenish-brown color and having an acrid taste. The plant, even when dry, has an extremely smarting action upon the tongue and fauces. The name "wind-flower," is given to it because it is generally found in exposed situations. This plant was known to Dioscorides who describes three species of it. Pliny recommends it for headaches and inflammation of the eyes. It was upon the authority of Baron Stoerck that this plant was received into medical use. He recommends it as an effectual rem- edy for most of the chronic diseases affecting the eyes, particularly for blindness, cataract, and opacity of the cornea from various causes. The baron himself, who had for two years suffered much from a violent contusion of one eye, took this remedy, which he soon found occasioned a severe lancinating pain in the part affected ; this he considered as a favorable omen in the specific action of the plant, an opinion which was afterward confirmed in a great number of patients. Two cases of amaurosis, three of cataract, and seven cases of affection of the cornea were either entirely cured or gener- 0*66 PULSATILLA. ally benefited by the exhibition of this remedy. Other physicians have nsed it with success in the same affections ; others again have not been successful, doubtless for no other reason than because the drug was used in affections to which it is not homoeopathic. The active principle of anemone is an alkaloid, " anemonine," somewhat analogous to camphor ; it crystallizes in white flakes, is easily pulverizable, inodorous except when evaporated ; it then emits a pungent and penetrating odor which excites tears ; when dry, the alkaloid is tasteless ; when in a state of fusion, it is biting and cor- rosive, causes insensibility of the tongue and white blisters : in a common temperature it is not volatile ; when exposed to heat it melts, and burns with a bright flame. It is very little soluble in water, but dissolves readily in boiling alcohol or in ethereal oils. The boring and cutting pain which pulsatilla causes in the nervous tissue of the eye, proceeds from the action of this alkaloid. Pulsatilla seems to act principally upon the skin, the mucous membrane, more particularly upon the mucous lining of the eyes,, stomach and small intestines, urinary and sexual organs, and upon the synovial membrane. It seems to be principally adapted to subacute irritation of a catarrhal, rheumatic and gastric character and having a remittent type. It is particularly suitable to persons of a quiet, gentle, and somewhat emotional disposition. Women seem to be more favor- ably acted upon by pulsatilla than men. Small doses of this drug are antidoted by arsenic and china; large doses by vinegar. CEPHALIC GKOUP. Pulsatilla causes vertigo as if intoxicated, with heat in the head and pale face, especially in the evening ; vertigo when looking up ; heaviness and a gloomy feeling in the head, with a painful feeling in the eyes ; especially in the evening. Throbbing, pressive head- ache, relieved by external pressure. Pulsating pain in the head. Heavy, throbbing headache, with a bursting sensation in the temples. Headache in the forehead, above the eyes and in the temples. Stitching pains in different parts of the head. The pains are worse in the evening, after eating, during repose, and when rolling the eyes upward ; better from motion and from being in the open air ; they are often one-sided ; usually, the face is pale.