43-3 
nuts are said to yield a starch of finer quality than that of any cereal (Parmen- 
tier) ; paste made of the powdered nuts is claimed to be very tenacious and not 
attacked by moths and vermin; the saponaceous property of the seeds, when 
used in lieu of soap, is highly esteemed in cleaning and fulling woollens, espe- 
cially in France and Switzerland (Marcandier). The nuts of Aesculus Californica 
are largely used by the natives of that State for making into bread, after remov- 
ing the bitterness by freely washing the powdered cotyledons. The fruit of Ae. 
pavia is used by the Aborigines for stupefying fish; this species is so common in 
Ohio that it has become an emblem, and given rise to the sobriquet “ Buckeye 
State,” = ; 
The use of Cortex hippocastani dates from the writings of Matthiolus.* In 
Europe it was put forward, especially by Zannichelli, as an efficient remedy for in- 
termittent fevers of various types; this use has been upheld by many able medi- 
cal writers, from whose works it would appear equal if not superior at that time to 
Peruvian bark. The usual dose given was from one to four scruples of the 
powder, repeated from two to six times in twenty-four hours ; this use seems never 
to have extended to England or America. The bark and nuts were introduced 
into the Edinburgh College with a view to their errhine power; it being known 
that insufflation of the powder caused violent sneezing, it was recommended for 
the purpose of producing or promoting nasal discharge. 
In this country, especially among the laity, the nuts have been greatly es- 
teemed as a remedy for hemorrhoids and rheumatism, used either as a decoction 
or as a salve prepared with lard. So great is the faith of many people afflicted 
with either of these diseased conditions, that they carry a few nuts in their 
pockets from season to season, fully confident that the disorder is warded off by 
this means.+ In Europe the oil procured by means of ether is used largely in 
neuralgia and rheumatism. An infusion of the bark or nuts is said to act favor- 
ably in the healing of indolent and gangrenous ulcers. The testa of the nuts is 
narcotic; according to Dr. McDowell 10 grains are equal to 3 grains of opium, 
Aesculus is not officinal in the U. S. Ph., nor has it an officinal preparation in 
the Eclectic Materia Medica, though used—especially as an extract—under the 
name Aesculin, 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh, ripe, hulled nut is pounded 
to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp 
mixed thoroughly with one-sixth part of it, and the rest of the alcohol added. 
After stirring the whole well, and pouring it into a well-stoppered bottle, it is al- 
lowed to stand at least eight days in a dark, cool place. 
The tincture, separated from the mass by filtration, has a clear brownish- 
orange color by transmitted light; no characteristic odor; an extremely bitter, 
acrid, and astringent taste, and an acid reaction, An amylaceous deposit takes 
place on standing, which, being of no value to the preparation, may be filtered off. 
ae area manat nee 
* Epist. Medicinal, op. omn. p. 101, 125. 
+ I know at present many who indulge in this practice who have been sufferers, and they are really free from 
the disease while carrying the nuts, This should not seem a fallacy, to us as homceopathists, in cases where Aesculus 
is indicated, 
