(Non-official.)

Origin. - The leaves and tops of Tanacetum vulgare L., a perennial herb indigenous in Europe and Central Asia, and naturalized in many parts of North America.

Definition and Properties. - Leaves about 6 inches (15.24 Cm.) long, bipinnatifid, the segments oblong, obtuse, serrate, or incised, smooth, dark green, and glandular; flower-heads corymbose, with an imbricated involucre, a convex, naked receptacle, and numerous yellow tubular florets; odor strongly aromatic; taste pungent and bitter.

It contains a volatile oil and a bitter principle, tenacetin, besides tannin, resin, etc.

Dose. - 15-60 grains (1.0-4.0 Gm.), in infusion.

Physiological Action and Therapeutics. - In moderate doses tansy acts as an aromatic bitter. Excessive amounts produce all the symptoms of an irritant narcotic - vomiting, purging, severe abdominal pain, loss of consciousness, convulsions, and great cardiac and respiratory weakness, death usually resulting from paralysis of respiration.

The drug is regarded as an efficient remedy in amenorrhea, and is extensively employed in domestic practice in hysteria and colic, and topically for bruises, sprains, muscular pains, etc.

It is used in the rural districts to promote or restore menstruation, and occasionally is employed with criminal intent as an abor-tifacient, but usually with negative results.

The drug may be given in the form of an infusion, 1 ounce to 1 pint (32.0 Gm.-473.17 Cc), of which 1 or 2 fiuidounces (30.0 or 60.0 Cc.) may be taken at a dose.

The oil of tansy is occasionally prescribed in doses of 1-5 minims (0.06-0.3 Cc).