208 Prinos -verticillatus, | 
ral dropsy ; and as an antiseptic and tonic in cases of incipient gan- 
grene.* In these cases it is given internally, and employed at the 
same time, externally, as awash. The berries participate in all the 
virtues already enumerated, as appertaining to the bark ; and brandy 
infusions or tinctures made of them, are in general use in the coun- 
try, in all cases where bitter tinctures are indicated. Country prac- 
titioners combine the bark, with the root of sassafras (Laurus sassa- 
fras) with white-oak bark, and other things, and make a decoction of 
the mixture, which is much commended by them as a wash in foul 
ulcers, and gangrene. 
Upon the whole, the Prinos verticillatus may be confidently 
recommended to the notice of physicians, as.a plant possessing in 
an eminent degree, the properties of vegetable, astringent, and 
tonic medicines. And if, added to these, we take into view the 
antiseptic powers it is reputed to possess, it will be found deserving 
of no ordinary commendation. Of the last mentioned property, in- 
deed, from experience, I know nothing ; but having used beth bark 
and berries on several occasions, it is with no little satisfaction that 
I bear testimony to its deserved claim to those commendations 
_ which have been bestowed on it for the other virtues. 
The bark may be used either in substance or in decoction. To 
‘the latter it readily yields its virtues; as it also does to vinous or 
* Barton’s Collections. 
