26 MEDICAL BOTANY. 
The medical properties are those of a stimulant, alterative, and diaphoretic. 
The Spaniards first imported the Guaiacum wood from America into Europe, in 1505. It had the reputation of 
curing syphilis, and as at the time mentioned that disease was most destructive, it was called Holy Wood and Wood of 
Iafe. Van Hutten having, in 1519, been cured by it, greater reputation was acquired than it 
deserved. It ig certainly 
a useful remedy. 
The mode of administering the wood is to boil the raspings or chips in water, so as to form a decoction. Guaia- 
cum resin is given in powder or in tincture. 
Piate XVI.—Represents the plant in flower, and the fruit. 
DIOSMEA, 
7 ADR. JUSSIEU. 
Essentiat, Cuar.—Calyz free. Petals equal in number to the segments of calyx, sometimes combined. Sta- 
mens equal to or twice as many as the petals, the alternate ones opposite to them, then shorter or without anthers. 
Ovaries several, free, or more or less united, two-ovuled. Ovules affixed to the axial angle, collateral, or obliquely 
placed one over the other, very rarely with four ovules. Fruit separable into several carpels, which by abortion are 
often single-seeded ; endocarp cartilaginous, free, two-lobed, and elastic. Seeds inverse. Embryo included in albumen, 
or without albumen. (Royle, Mat. Med.) 
The plants belonging to this tribe were formerly embraced by Rutacew, or Zanthoxylee, to both of which they 
have a close resemblance. They are distinguished, however, by the endocarp in the ripe capsule. They are charac- 
terized by volatile oil and resin, and in some cases a bitter principle. 
BAROSMA CRENULATA., 
WILLDENOW. 
DiosMa cRENULATA.—Linneus. D. oporata.—De Candolle. 
Sex. Syst.—Pentandria, Monogynia. 
GEN. Cuar.—Calyz i 
of the calyx, and has a short scarcely prominent rim. Stamens ten, inserted with the petals, and equal to them m 
length, five fertile, alternating with the 
a short gland, often beco. 
Wd a and cove e 
He plants belonging to this genus, are shrubs of the Cape of Good Hope. Their leaves are opposite or alte 
leathery, flat, dotted, especially near the 2 ot 
peduncles, or fasciculate in 
Srecrr. Cuar.— 
single-flowered peduncles. 
