350 COMPOSIT AL. 
Several species of Erigeron are used officially as diuretics in 
the United States of America, and the oil of EB, canadensisis 
official inthe U.S. Pharmacopeeia. 
H. canadensis is a stimulant which owes its virtues to a vola= 
tile oil. It is popularly supposed in America to. have a special 
action on the uterus, whence its name “ Squaw-weed.” Stillé 
states that ‘ almost all of the testimony which has been pub- 
lished respecting the remedial virtues of fleabane, agree in 
attributing to the Canadian species, astringent and hemostatic 
virtues.”” It has been found a useful remedy in the treatment 
of diarrhoea, dysentery, &c. The.oil was first brought to notice 
by the eclectic physicians, recent trials seem to indicate that 
it is a remedy of special value in uterine hemorrhage. - The 
oil has been observed by R. Barthelow (Physic. and Surg.s 
April, 1887,) to check the waste of albumen, to lessen the irri- 
tability of the bladder in cystitis, and to afford considerable 
_ relief in bronchial catarrh and similar affections. The dose 
given was five drops, three or four times a day. 
The medicinal properties of H. canadensis do not appear to 
be known to the natives of India, nor have we heard of any 
vernacular name for it. : 
Description.—Stem 6 inches to 3 feet, simple, erect, 
slender, striate, with scattered hairs; branches numerous, 
_ ascending ; radical leaves spathulate, or narrowly obovate, 
dentate, stem leaves linear-lanceolate, acute; heads very 
numerous, about } inch long, involucre bracts acuminate, ligules 
pale rosy or purplish, scarcely exceeding the pappus, disk 
flowers yellow; achenes ;!; of an inch, narrow, flat, nearly 
glabrous, pappus } of an inch. The plant has a mint-like 
our, and an astringent somewhat bitter taste. 
Chemical composition.—The plant contains a volatile oil 
which is a limpid, pale yellow liquid of a peculiar aroma and 
persistent odour, somewhat terebinthinate and of an aromatic, 
not very pungent taste. According to A. M. Todd (Amer. 
Journ. Pharm., June, 1887,) the specific gravity of the natural oil - 
isnot above "865, nor below 855; it should not boil vigorously _ 
* 
seas 
mes 
( Ay 
Oe ee, 
bite 
Yous aa ai 
pe et A ef ME WE 5 
