197 



cinal wine they call Vin d'Aulnee. JiinsUe, 1. 120. Eupatoriurn perfoliatum 

 is known in North America under the name of Boneset. It possesses very 

 important tonic and diaphoretic properties ; it is also slightly stimulant. See 

 Barton, 2. 133. upon this subject. In proportion as this resinous principle 

 increases, the stimulating properties are augmented. Some become anthel- 

 mintics, as Artemisia, Tansy, and Santolina ; others emmenagogues, as Matri- 

 caria, Achillea and Artemisia. The seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica are 

 accounted, in India, a very powerful anthelmintic. Ainslie, 2. 54. Artemisia 

 chinensis and other species yield the Moxa of China, a substance which is 

 used as a cautery, by burning it upon parts affected by gout and rheumatism. 

 The leaves of A. maderaspatana are esteemed by the Indian doctors a valuable 

 stomachic medicine ; they are also sometimes used in antiseptic and anodyne 

 fomentations. Ibid. 1. 482. Artemisia indica is considered in India a power- 

 ful deobstruent and antispasmodic. Ibid. 2. 194. Some are sudorifics, like 

 Eupatoriurn, Achillea, Artemisia, and Calendula ; others diuretic ; and some 

 possess both these qualities. A species of Conyza is highly esteemed in 

 Mendoza as a diuretic. Erigeron philadelphicum and heterophyllum are both 

 used in the United States as diuretics. They are commonly sold under the 

 name of Scabions. Barton, 1. 234. The roots of several species of Liatris 

 are active diuretics. Ibid. 2. 225. A decoction of the leaves and roots of 

 Elephantopus scaber is given on the Malabar coast in cases of dysuria. 

 Ainslie, 2. 17. A decoction of Cacalia sonchifolia is antifebrile. Ibid. 2. 213. 

 The leaves of Cacalia alpina and sarracenica are recommended in coughs. 

 Ibid. Many are sternutatories, as Rtarmica and Arnica ; others excite saliva- 

 tion powerfully, as Spilanthus, Siegesbeckia orientalis, Anthemis pyrethrum. 

 Coreopsis bidens, and Bidens tripartita : some are emetic. A decoction of 

 Anthemis cotula is a strong and active bitter ; in the dose of a teacupful it 

 produces copious vomiting and sweating. Barton, 1. 169. Others are tonic 

 and antispasmodic, such as Achillea, Camomile, Wormword, Tansy, Eupato- 

 riurn, &c. Many have been celebrated for their power of curing the bites of ser- 

 pents, especially Eupatoriurn Ayapana, the leaves of which also form, in infu- 

 sion, excellent diet drink ; when fresh bruised, they are said to be a most use- 

 ful application for cleaning the face of a foul ulcer. Ainslie, 2. 35. An infu- 

 sion of another species is used by the Javanese in fevers. Ibid. A valuable 

 antidote against the bite of serpents, Vijuco del guaco, much esteemed in 

 Spanish America, is produced by Mikania guaco. Humboldt Cinch. Forests, 

 p. 21. Eng. ed. But the power of this Mikania is denied in the most positive 

 terms by Dr. Hancock (Quarterly Journ. Jidy 1830, p. 334.), who suspects 

 that the real Guaco antidote is some kind of Aristolochia. The peculiar and 

 agreeable flavour of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) is well known. A 

 vinegar, not distinguishable in flavour from it, is prepared in the Alps from 

 Achillea nana, as well as from several dwarf species of Artemisia. The seeds 

 usually abound in a fixed oil, which, in some cases, has the reputation of being 

 anthelmintic : it is extracted in abundance from Madia sativa, Verbesina sativa, 

 and even Helianthus, the grains of which are made into cakes by the North 

 American Indians. The genus Helianthus contains a species remarkable for 

 its eatable, wholesome tubers (H. tuberosus, or Jerusalem Artichoke,) while 

 the roots of the Dahlia are extremely disagreeable. It is stated by M. Payen, 

 that benzoic acid exists in the Dahlia. Brewster, 1. 376. A principle called 

 Inulin is obtained from the roots of Inula Helenium. Turner, 700. The pith 

 of the Sunflower has been stated by John to be a peculiar chemical principle, 

 which he calls Medullin. 



ClNAROCEPHAL.E. 



Characterized by intense bitterness, wdiich depends upon the mixture of 

 extractive with a gum which is sometimes yielded in great abundance. On 



