400-3 
northward to the Arctic Circle. In Europe it extends northward from North- 
western Ireland, Yorkshire, and Central Russia; in Asia also northward from 
Lower Siberia and Kamtschatka, its northerly range includes Iceland and Green- 
land, Its choice of growth is barren, but healthy ground, among rocks, where it 
flowers in May. 
The principal substitutive leaves for the Uva-Ursi of commerce are those of 
Vaccinium Vitis [dea, Linn., of which Mr. J. H. Sears says:* “ This is the plant 
that the Shakers gather instead of the Uva-Ursi; they go 4o or 50 miles for it 
when Uva-Ursi is abundant in their own ground. Uva-Ursi is common at Groton, 
Mass.; still the Shakers of that vicinity go to Danvers, where there is a small patch 
of Vztis Zdea, which they gather instead.” Comparing the leaves of specimens 
sent by Mr. Sears, I find the following distinction : 
Uva-URsI. | : Vitis Ipaa. 
Bearberry. Cowberry. 
Blade, oblanceolate to oblong, never spatulately  _ Blade, narrowly oblanceolate, seldom, if ever, 
narrowed, as in Vitis Idea; reticulately broad- | tending toward oblong; very distinctly black- 
veined beneath, not dotted. | dotted and narrow-veined beneath. 
| The character of the leaves being toward the 
apex crenate and distinctly revolute,+ is not at 
all constant, nor is it distinctive. 
Uva Ursi is an ancient astringent, though used but little until the 13th century 
by the “physicians of Myddfai.” Clusius described the plant, in 1601, as the 
“Apxtoy otapvay of Galen, useful as an hemostatic; it was not much used, how- 
ever, until about the middle of the eighteenth century, when it began to prove, in 
the hands of De Haen and Gerhard, an excellent remedy in nephritic disorders. 
It was admitted to the London Pharmacopeeia in 1763. From this time it came into 
more or less general use as an astringent tonic and -diuretic in various diseases, 
particularly, however, in dysuria, chronic vesical catarrh, cystitis with or without 
ulceration, calculous disorders, and kindred affections, as well as in irritations of 
the genital tracts, such as gleet, gonorrhcea, leucorrhcea, blenorrhcea, etc. In ail 
these disorders, however, it proved itself simply palliative in most cases, and many 
times fell into disuse. Dr. Bourin, of Oxford, recommended it highly in phthisis, 
but it only abated the hectic fever from reduction of the heart’s action. In late 
years it has been called attention to as a uterine excitant, very useful in prolonged _ 
parturition from atony; it is claimed that it is fully as sure as Secale, while the — 
contractions resulting are more prolonged, while less painful, and dangerous to the | 
child. The general dose in nephritic complaints has been: of the powdered leaves, 
Dij to 5), and of the decoction, cock. mag. y to iv, guater wm de, and in parturition, 2 3 
grs. xv, in infusion, a cuptul every hour, one, or at most two doses, — we ee 
sufficient. 
The American Aborigines smoke the dried leaves with tobacco, making ge 
mixture called Sagack-homi in Canada, and Kintkintk among the Wena tribes; 
this is the Larb of the Western hunters. ae a 
* In a letter from Peabody haetens of Science to the author. BES, : : oe 
: 2 Bentley and Trimen, Med. Pty ae M = = 
