Ge, 
Dr. Cullen obferves, that the fedative power of the Laurocerafus 
acts upon the nervous fyftem in a different manner from opium and 
other narcotic fubftances, whofe primary ation is upon the animal 
functions: for the Laurocerafus does not occafion fleep, nor does it 
produce local inflammation, but feems to aét dire@ly upon the vital 
powers. Abbé Fontana fuppofes that this poifon deftroys animal life, 
by exerting its effets upon the blood; but the experiments and 
obfervations from which he draws this opinion are evidently incon- 
clufive. It may alfo be remarked, that many of the Abbé’s experi- 
' ments contradic each other. 
Thus it appears, from the citation given above, that the poifon of 
this vegetable, when applied to wounds, does not produce a fatal 
_ effedt s but future experiments led the Abbé to affert, that the oil of the 
Laurocerafus, “ whether given internally, or applied to the wounds 
of animals, is one of the moft terrible and deadly poifons known.” 
Though this vegetable feems to have efcaped the notice of Stoerck, 
yet it is not without advocates for its medicinal ufe. Linnzus informs 
us, that in Switzerland it is commonly and fuccefsfully ufed in pul- 
monary complaints. Langrifh mentions its efficacy in agues; and 
as Bergius found bitter almonds to have ‘this effet, we may from 
analogy conclude, that this power of the Laurocerafus is well eftablifh- 
ed. Baylies found that it poffeffed a remarkable power of diluting 
the blood, and from experience recommended it in all cafes of difeafe 
fuppofed to proceed from too denfe a ftate of that fluid; adducing 
particular inftances of its efficacy in rheumatifm, afthma, and in 
_ fchirrous affections. Nor does this author feem to have beén much 
afraid of the deleterious quality of the Laurocerafus, as he directs a 
pound of its leaves to be macerated in a pint of water, of which he 
gives from thirty to fixty drops three or four times a day. 
Of the other fpecies of Prunus, or Cherry, we find nothing de- 
ferving of particular attention. : * 
The Sorbus aucuparia, or Mountain Afh, belongs to this order. 
Its berries, which appear in large beautiful clufters, are by fome 
writers efteemed for their cathartic and antifcorbutic qualities. 
‘No. 7—ePart I. U VERTICILLATE. 
