Ko. 34. 



165 



Qualities — These plants have a peculiar smell 

 TOost unfolded by rubbing them, which is not dis- 

 agreeable. Their taste is astringent, acrimonious and 

 bitter: the smell and taste are most unfolded in 

 M. canadense and E. philadelphicum. They contain 

 Tannin, Amarine, Extractive, Gallic Acid and an 

 essential Oil. This Oil is very peculiar, as fluid as 

 Water, of a pale yellow color, a peculiar smell 

 somewhat like Lemon, but stronger and a very acrid 

 taste. It holds probably in solution Acrine or a pe- 

 culiar substance Erigerine, 



PROPERTIES — These Weeds are valuable medi- 

 caments, possessing very active powers; they are 

 Diuretic, Sudorific, Astringent, Styptic, Menagogue, 

 Pectoral and Tonic in a high degree, and act in a 

 mode peculiar to themselves, by means of their acrid 

 quality. Their Oil is so powerful that two or three 

 drops dissolved in Alcohol, have arrested suddenly 

 uterine hemorrhagy, in the hands of Dr. Hales of 

 Troy, who employs the Oil of E, canadense. This 

 kind is most used in New England and New York, 



New Jersey, The 



whole plants are available. 



these 



plants are Chronic Diarrhoea, Ascites, Disury, Nephri- 



Menstrua 



Hj 



Eruptions, Hemorrhagies, Dimness, Rash, Cold hands 



and feet, &c. The whole plants are used fresh or 



' dried, in infusion, decoction or tincture. Their ex- 



X i :- «„+!,«». fai'iA mnr*» nctrinp-pjit than thc infusiou 



