Wordie: Jalap: Comments

Comment by chained_bear, about 1 month ago

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 13:51:55 +0000

"Most jockeys ingested every manner of laxative to purge their systems of food and water.... Such results could be had from a variety of products, including a stomach-turning mix of Epsom salts and water—chased by two fingers of rye to stop the gagging reflex—a plant-derived purgative called jalap, or bottles of a wretched-tasting formula known as Pluto Water."
—Laura Hillenbrand, Seabiscuit: An American Legend (New York: Ballantine Books, 2001), 82

Comment by chained_bear, 8 months ago

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:52:05 +0000

"A mild cathartic." Usage note on antimonial.

Comment by Treeseed, 10 months ago

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:58:47 +0000

Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
noun
Etymology: French & Spanish; French jalap, from Spanish jalapa, from Jalapa, Mexico
Date: 1644
1 a: the dried tuberous root of a Mexican plant (Ipomoea purga syn. Exogonium purga) of the morning-glory family; also : a powdered purgative drug prepared from it that contains resinous glycosides b: the root or derived drug of plants related to the one supplying jalap
2: a plant yielding jalap