DOG’S BANE. 4514 
thirds the quantity of Ipeeacuanha. In my own 
trials it has appeared to me much less powerful 
than the latter substance, and although it produces 
vomiting, yet this power is diminished by keeping, 
and appears to be eventually destroyed by age. 
When used for the purpose of an emetic, the re- 
cently powdered root should be employed. 
The sensible and chemical qualities of this 
root seem to promise a good effeet when given in 
small doses as a tonic medicine to the stomach. 
My observations on this subject may hereafter be 
more mature. (See Appendix.) We have certain: 
ly very few indigenous yegetables which exceed 
the Apocynum in bitterness. Perhaps its emetic 
property when given in large doses may be owing 
to this quality. Most bitter vegetables produce 
vomiting when administered in large quantities. 
Kalm observes in his travels in North Ameri- 
ca, that in some parts of the country this plant 
was suspected of poisonous properties like those 
of the Rhus vernix. The country people inform- 
ed him that the milky juice rubbed on the hands 
produced. blistering in many persons, and that 
some were affected in the same way even by the 
effluvium of the plant.—I know of no other au- 
thority than that stated above for the existence of 
such a property in the Apocynum, ‘The plant is 
