JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS, ORD, I. Conifere. 15 
These berries are chiefly used for their diureticieffeGs; they are 
also considered to be stomachic, carminative, and diaphoretic.— 
Of the efficacy of Juniper berries in many hydropical affeétions, 
we have various relations by physicians of great authority, as Du 
Verney, Hoffman, Boerhaave, and his illustrious commentator, 
Baron Van Swieten, &c. Authors however seem not to be perfeétly 
agreed which preparation of the Juniper is most efficacious, many 
prefer the rob or inspissated deco€tion, but Dr. Cullen observes,* 
that this is an inert medicine, alleging that to the essential oil, which 
is much the same as that of turpentine, only of a more agreeable 
odour, he thinks all the virtues ascribed to the different parts of 
Juniper are to be referred. Hoffman, on the contrary, strongly 
recommends the rob, and declares it to be of great use in debility 
of the stomach and intestines; and he experienced it to be particu- 
larly serviceable to such old people as are subject to these disorders, 
or labour under a difficulty with regard to the urinary excretion; 
from hence it appears, that the ries stl retain medicinal powers, 
though deprived of the stimulating effets of the essential oil. 
But as the Juniper is now seldom if ever relied upon for the cure 
of dropsies, and only called to the aid of more powerful remedies, 
it is justly observed by a modern author, that “ perhaps one of 
the best forms under which the berries can be used is that of a 
simple infusion. This either by itself, or with the addition of a 
little gin, is a very useful drink for hydropic patients. © Medical 
writers have also spoken of the utility of Juniper in nephritic cases, 
uterine obstructions, scorbutic affeCtions, and-some cutaneous diseases, 
and in the ive last mentioned complaints, eg and tops of the 
. Ri, 
* M. M. vol. id. p. 187. 
* Van Swieten prescribed the following formula: Be Rob. Bace. Junip. ii. 
dilue in aque Junip. fii. add. spirit. bacc. Junip. Zii. Quandoque spiritus nitri 
dulcis ¥ss ad sitim sedandam additur. Comment. in Boerh. aph. T. 4. p. 258. 
this mixture one or two ounces were givin every three hours. 
* Dancan New Ed. Dispens. p. 214. 
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