20 FLORA HOMCEOPATHICA. 



insertion of the leaf-stalk. They have no fragrance until 

 bruised, and they then emit a strongish odour, like ratifia, 

 which is strongest in the young undeveloped leaves during the 

 months of May and June. The leaves have been confounded 

 sometimes with the Portugal Laurel (Prunus Lusitanica) . 

 These may be easily distinguished by their darker green tint, 

 the want of the serrated edge, and the absence of glands. The 

 leaves of the Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis) are not half the size 

 of those of the Cherry Laurel, and are well known from their 

 peculiar odour. 



Geographical Distribution. — Asia Minor and Persia. 

 Introduced into this country by Clusius, and now become 

 naturalized. Common in gardens everywhere. 



Parts used in Medicine, and Mode of Preparation, 



The Leaves, which are gathered in April and May. They are 

 to be reduced to a fine paste in an iron mortar, mixed with 

 equal parts of alcohol ; express the juice, and then mix again 

 with equal parts of alcohol. The mother tincture thus pre- 

 pared serves to make the attenuations. Christison (Disp., 592) 

 states that the hydrocyanated oil does not exist in the leaves 

 ready formed, but seems to be produced by some mutual 

 reaction of principles brought in contact with one another, when 

 the cells of the plant are crushed and broken up. 



Physiological Effects.— On Vegetables. The distilled 



water of the Cherry Laurel has a poisonous effect on almost all 

 vegetables. Goppert states that its poisonous effect is owing to 

 some quality peculiar to it, and not to the hydrocyanic acid 

 it contains, as its activity is greater than that of water con- 



9) 



(Decandolle, Veget 



On Animals. — When applied to wounds in animals it 

 induced vomiting, convulsions, great prostration of strength, 

 diminished sensibility, and death. Injected into the stomach 

 and rectum, it excited a similar train of symptoms, except that, 

 in the latter, the convulsions were more violent, and tetanus of 



