103-2 
The previous uses of this plant in medicine were of a very limited character. 
A decoction was used in domestic practice for various forms of tinea capitis, psora 
and herpes; also in secondary syphilis. It has been recommended in inflammatory 
fevers as a cardiac depressor; its astringency was utilized also by the application 
of the drug in diarrhoeas and hemorrhages of the bowels. ’ 
Kalmia is not officinal in the U. S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Materia Medica its 
preparations are: Decoctum Kalmie ; Tinctura Kalme ; and Syrupus Phytolacce 
Compositus.* . 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh leaves) gathered while the 
plant is in blossom, are treated as in the preceding species, The tineture thus 
prepared is opaque; in thin layers it has a deep brownish-orange color; it retains 
the peculiar odor of the bruised leaves, has an extremely astringent and somewhat 
bitter taste, leaves a slightly scalded sensation upon the tongue, and has a strong 
acid reaction. a 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—A special active principle has not as yet been 
determined in this plant. The analyses of Bigelow,} Bullock,t and Kennedy,§ 
resulted in the determination of Aréudin,|| tannic acid,t+} resin,}t fat,t gum,}t wax.f 
an acid body uninvestigated,{ extractive,t yellow coloring matter,{ a mannite,{ and 
the usual plant constituents. 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Laurel leaves have always been deemed poi- 
tetas eho especially by the Indians and the laity. Their action upon sheep, 
especially lambs, has given two of its vernacular names, Sheep-laurel and /amb-hill. 
Catesby says :§] “deer feed upon its green leaves with impunity; yet when cattle 
and sheep, by severe winters deprived of better food, feed on the leaves of this 
plant, a great many of them die annually.” And Kalm gives the following :** 
“The leaves are poison to some animals, and food for others: experience has 
| taught the people, that when sheep eat of these. leaves, they either die immediately. 
or fall very sick, and recover with great difficulty, The young and more tender 
i =a killed by a small portion, but the older ones can bear a strenger dose 
Yet this food will also prove mortal to them if they eat too much of it, The same_ 
_ noxious effect it shows in regard to calves, they fall vay sick swell 
foam at the mouth and can hardly stand. The sheep are most exposed to be 
tempted with these leaves in winter, ... . being greedy of all greens 
ites rie oe me nee upon the ground. Horses, oxen, and cows, which have 
a oe beer hee pled been very ill after the meal.” He farther adds that 
aad te enue G sears iets for stags, and if killed during the time of feeding : 
oe es ans ey ogs to eat, they “become quite stupid,-and, as it were, 
ee ee el ok Ape 1 oe sick thas they seem to be at the point of death; but 
Dr. Bivelow stat we eaten the venison have not felt the least inconvenience.” 
mae gelow states, as do other observers, that it is a common belief that the fles 
