Prinos verticillatus. 207 
chosen for medical use. This plant was introduced into England 
in 4736, by Peter Collinson. 
MEDICAL PROPERTIES. 
Prinos verticillatus, is, perhaps, as well known among country 
physicians (who call it Black-Alder) as any indigenous medicinal plant 
of the United States. It is universally and justly celebrated as a medi- 
cine. Shoepf first publicly noticed its virtues. ‘He. says it is an “an- 
tiseptic, and is used in gangrene and jaundice.” This is all he has 
on the subject; and the verity of his observation is proved by the fact, 
that at this time it is successfully employed by country practitioners 
and others, as an antiseptic, in cases of foul ulcers and mortifica- 
tion. The bark is astringent, bitter, pungent, and not very disagree- 
able. The first of these virtues has probably led to its use in diar- 
rheea, which disease Mr. Abbot says it is useful in curing. “It has 
been, and continties to be, much used, and efficatiously, instead of 
Peruvian bark, in intermittent fevers and other complaints. In cases 
of great debility, unattended by fever, it has been highly extolled ; 
and both its sensible properties, and well-known effects, render 
it probable that its reputation in such cases Feith It has also 
been, used and praised, as a corroborant in anasarca and gene- 
sagt fee 
. 
