Triosteum perfoliatum.. 63 * 
“is ™ 4 
mee “4 * 
‘MEDICAL PROPERTIES. 
Triosteum perfoliatum is a mild cathartic, and it is for this vir- 
tue that the plant is here noticed, I am aware that Shepf speaks 
of it as an emetic only, and alludes to. its use in intermittent fevers 
and pleurisy. One of the common vulgar names also, Bastard Ipe- 
cacuanha, indicates the well-known emetic power which in unques- 
tionably possesses. But it is only in large doses that vomiting is 
produced. In the quantity of twenty or thirty grains it is a good 
cathartic. It has been said on some occasions to operate as a diu- 
retic ;* but Professor Barton who observed this effect, justly re- 
marks that this may have been only an accidental circumstance, 
rhubarb having been known by C. Piso, to produce the same effect.t 
The part of the plant used for medical purposes, is the cortex, or 
bark of the root. When the root is dry, it is brittle, and is pulverised 
easily. Perhaps it is not necessary to separate the bark from the 
ligneous part; for in all likelihood the whole root is endued with | 
the same medicinal property. The Autumn is the proper time to 
collect the plant for use. 
@CONOMICAL —_ 
ca 
- | learned from: the late Rey. Dr. “Mcp, that the dried aiid 
toasted berries of this —_— “were. “considered by some of the Ger- 7 
s sata’ s * Collections.” t Ibid. 
