42-2 
The only other proven drug of this order is the Asiatic Star-anise (///ictum 
anisatum, Linn.), an aromatic and carminative, often substituted in general practice 
for the true Aniseed, the fruit of an umbelliferous plant. The South American 
Winter’s Bark, from Wintera aromatica, Murr., is used in Brazil as an aromatic 
tonic, especially though in colic. The North American Tilicium floridanum, Ellis, 
is reputed to have an action similar to that of aromatic tonics in general; and the 
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera, Linn.) yields a bark that is at once bitter and 
aromatic, much valued as a stimulating tonic and diaphoretic in intermittents and 
chronic rheumatism; it should be proven. The Javanese Aromadendron elegans 
has a native reputation as a carminative, stomachic, and antihysteric; and the 
wood of Manglietia glauca is supposed to be antiputrefactive, therefore it is used 
by the inhabitants of the island for the manufacture of coffins. Several other 
genera furnish aromatic and bitter tonic barks, many of which are used by the 
natives of the countries in which they grow. 
History and Habitat.—The Sweet Magnolia is indigenous to North America, 
from Cape Ann and Long Island southward. At first it keeps to the seaboard, 
but gradually extends inland the farther south it is found. It grows in swamps, 
and expands its fragrant flowers from May (southward) to June and August. 
The use of the fresh bark, cones, and seeds of this species, together with 
those of M. grandiflora, acuminata, tripetala, and macrophylla, has descended to 
the laity and general practitioner from the Aborigines, who employed a warm 
decoction of the bark and cones extensively against rheumatism, and a cold infu- 
sion as an antiperiodic. The fresh bark has long been considered as a bitter, 
aromatic tonic, febrifuge, diaphoretic, antiperiodic and gentle laxative, in acute 
coryzas, bronchial catarrhs, chronic rheumatism, dyspepsia, remittent and inter- 
mittent fevers and typhoid states, being deemed contraindicated, however, if 
inflammation be present. The odor of the cut flowers, especially at night in a 
close room, is very penetrating, unpleasant, and to some insupportable, causing, 
in susceptible persons, a great oppression of the chest and vertigo. Dr. Wm. 
Barton “imputed to the odor the power of increasing the pain of inflammatory 
gout, and occasioning an exacerbation of a diurnal fever.’* It is thoroughly 
believed in the South that a growth of magnolias in stagnant waters renders them 
pure and prevents the generation of malarial poisons. 
The bark is still officinal in the U. S. Ph. 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh flowers are chopped and 
pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, © 
the pulp thoroughly mixed with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol | 
added. After stirring the whole well, it is poured into a well-stoppered vial and» 
allowed to stand eight days in a dark, cool place. The tincture thus prepared 
should, after filtration, have a deep brownish-red color by transmitted light, a pet 
fume much like the wilted flowers, an acrid and bitter taste, and an acid reaction. 
* W. P.C, Barton, Med. Bot. loc. cit. 
