-casBAO* HO TITUS JAMAI'CENSIS, t31 



INF.RMIS. UNARMED. 



J^i'l/'is ohlongis, ohovdtis 72itidis vinnatis, cortice glahro cinereo. 

 Browiif, p. 367. 

 Without thorns ; k';itlcts lanceolate. 



Tliis tree (which, is cu Hed sometimes the bt7^t'-Ti\ifer tree, from its disagrcoiible smell), 

 ">ises to a considerable height, and towards the toj) sends off several hniiiclies; tlie ex- 

 ternal bark is smooth and grey, uiternally it is black and furrowed ; the leaves are pin- 

 Tiate ; leaflets opposite, oblong-ovate, or lanceolate, acuminate, smooth above, nerve- 

 less beneath, oa short petioles ; flowei-s in clesters upon large branched spikes ; calyx 

 Tery slightly five- parted^ with short ovate divisions ; corolla ]mle rose-colonr ; keel of 

 the coroUa ovate, S-preading, very slightly divided into two parts ; t!ie friiit -a large 

 siib-ovate drupe, inclosing a woody nut. Tiie wood of this tree is hard and durable, 

 and takes a good polisii ; but it is chietly retctirkable on account of the quality of its 

 tark, which has been f )un 1 to be an excellent vermifuge. It was first noticed to have 

 this qualit}- by Mr. Peter Duguid ; but the tree and its virtues have been best descnber! 

 1>V Dr. '\Vrin-ht. This l)ark was a sweetish mucila<iinous taste, and a disagreeable stncll. 

 It is given in cases ot worm^ iu form of powder, decoction, svrnp> and extract. The 

 decoction is prepared l)y boiling one an.l a half ounces of tiie bark in a rpiart of water 

 till it acquires the colour of Madeira wine ; and the dose from two tabie-spoonfuls to 

 four, for three nioniiiigs, then a dose of oil. 'Jnpowler fil'tcen grains, uhh as much 

 jalap, is a good purge. It commonly produces some sickness ami violent effects, as 

 vomiting, delirium, and fever. These are said to be owing to over-doses, or to drjnk- 

 -ing cold water ; it should therefore alwa s be begun in small doses. When vomiting 

 tnd a burning neat ot tiie stomach take place tlie cure is elfected by chamomile tea, or 

 bv bait ol tirtar or of wormwood take;i in lime juice, and swallowed while in elferve- 

 ecence. If th<,'se do not stop tlie vomiting speedily, clysters in a Ulition seldom tail to 

 have the desired effect. The manner of preparing and exhibiting this meuicmc aro 

 stated as follows by Dr. Wright :^- 



" The decoction. Take fresh^dried or well-preserved cabbage bark, one ounce. 

 Boil it in a qjiart nf water, Over a slow fire, till tiie water is of an amber colour, or rather 

 of dee]) coloured Madeira wine ; strain it off, sweeten it with sugar, and let it be used 

 immediately, as it does not keep maiiv days. 



" Syrup of cabbage-bark. To any (luantitv of the above decoction add a double 

 portion of sugar, and irtake a syrup. Tms will retain its virtues for years. 



" The extract of cabbage-bark is made fey evaporating tlie strong decoction in balnea 

 Traritv to the proper consistence ; it must be continually stirred, as otherwise the resin- 

 ous part rises to the top, and on this probably iis eflficacy depends 



" The powder of wd'-dtied bark is easily made, and looks like jalap, though not of 

 equal specific gnivity. 



" This bark, like most other powerful anthelmintics, has a narcotic effect ; and on 

 this account it is always proper to begin with small doses, which may he gradually in- 

 "creased till a nausea is excited, when the dose for that patient is ascertained. Rut by 

 frequent use we can in common determine the dose, though' we chuse to err rather on 

 the safe side. 



" A strong healthy grown person may, at first, takefour table spoonfuls of the de- 

 tctction or syrup, three grains of the extract, or thirty grains of the powder for a dose. 



" A youth, three table spoonfuls of the decoction or syrup, two grains of extract, 

 Of twenty grains of powder. 



S3, A 



