NO. 49. HEUCHERA. 245 



alum, but nearly scentless. They contain nearly the 



same elements as Geranium maculaium, but more 



tannin and acid. 



PROPERTIES-^The root of these plants is a pow- 

 erful astringent styptic, antiseptic, vulnerary and de- 

 tero-ent, probably equal to Geranium maculatum 

 and Sp'irea tomeniosa. It was used by the Indians, 

 and is still used in Kentucky and the Alleghany moun- 

 tains, in powder, as an external remedy in sores, 

 wounds, ulcers, and even cancers : it is one of the 

 bases of the cancer powders of Empirics ; united to 

 Orohanche, Hydrastis, &c. It is einployed as a styp- 

 tic in internal and external hemorrhagy, bleeding of 

 the nose, foul or indolent ulcers, wounds and cuts. It 

 is seldom taten internally the taste being so inten- 

 sively astringent ; but it promises to be useful even 

 in very small doses, whenever astringents are indi- 

 cated. Coxe says that the Alumroot has been sold 

 for the Colchicum, to which it bears no resemblance 



in form nor properties. ^ 



Substitutes— G^erfl«mw, Geum, Sj?irea, Sftahce 



^p. and other powerful astringents. 



2 X 







