62 



Wood is the Quassia of commerce in form of chips. It is a pure 

 tonic and stomachic. " It is a valuable remedy in atonic dyspepsia, in 

 debility, and in convalescence after acute diseases. It has also been 

 administered with success as an anti-periodic in fevers; and as an 

 enema to destroy thread-worms in children As it contains no tannic 

 acid it is frequently given in combination with chalybeates." (Bentley 

 & Trimen.) 



" Bitter-cups" are made from the wood. 



An infusion used to preserve animal matters from decay ; and paper 

 dipped in an infusion sweetened with sugar, is used to destroy flies. 



Quassia used by brewers as a substitute for hops. 



PICRAMNIA ANTIDESMA, Sw. 

 Majoe Bitter, Macary Bitter. 

 Native of West Indies, and tropical America. 



A shrub about 8 feet high ; leaves pinnate ; flowers very small, 

 whitish-green ; berries, first scarlet, then black in hanging bunches. 

 {Rutaeece.) 



Bakk a bitter ; " an alterative in constitutional affections, con- 

 nected witk syphilis and yaws, and as a tonic in debility of the diges- 

 tive organs, and in intermittent fever." (Macf'adyen.) 



PIGEON WOOD. See Diospyros tetrasperma. 



PIMENTA ACRIS, Wight. 

 Wild Cinnamon, Wild Clove, Bayberry. 



Native of West Indies and Venezuela. A tree 30 to 40 feet high ; leaves 

 simple, opposite, 2to3J inches long, covered with minute dots beneath ; 

 flowers small, whitish with a tinge of red ; berry blackish. (Myrtacece.) 



Leaves yield " oil of bay," which is one of the ingredients of Bay- 

 rum. This preparation is official in the United States Pharmacopoeia, 

 and is said to be the spirit prepared by distilling rum with the leaves. 

 Three-fourths of the Bay-rum used in the States is not imported, but 

 made up from the oil distilled from the leaves. The tree is cultivated 

 in India for the sake of its aromatic leaves and berries. (Hooker.) 



Bay-rum is a refreshing perfume in nervous affections, and to sprinke 

 in sick rooms. It is also used for perfumery. 



PIMENTA OFFICINALIS, Lindl. 

 Pimento, Allspice. 

 Native of West Indies and tropical America. A tree, 30 feet high, 

 with a very smooth, light grey bark ; leaves simple, opposite, 4-6 inches 

 long, with minute dots beneath; flowers small, white. (Myrtacece ) 

 Stems. Young, are made into walking-sticks and umbrella handles. 

 " A valuable close-grained wood, Male trees chiefly cut down, the 

 others yielding the well-known Jamaica allspice. Diameter of the tree 

 up to one foot." (Hooper.) 



