10 NAT. ORDER. LOMENTACE^. 



species, many of which are imported into this country as the genu- 

 ine Alexandria Senna, and are but little, if any inferior in value. 

 Some species are natives of Egypt, some of Asia, Arabia, Africa, 

 France, England, and three species natives of America. 



The Senna Italica, or blunt-leaved senna, is a variety of the 

 Alexandria species, which by its cultivation in the south of France 

 has been found to assume this change ; it is less purgative than the 

 pointed-leaved senna, and requires to be given in larger doses. It 

 is very much used by physicians on the Island of Jamaica, as a 

 cathartic, where it grows on the sand banks near the sea. 



Senna appears to have been cultivated in England in the time 

 of Parkinson, (1640,) who speaks very highly of its medicinal vir- 

 tues at that time ; and there is no doubt, but that many portions of 

 the United States are equally well adapted to its culture; and 

 we would ask, why will not our societies of agriculturists, who 

 with patriotic views for the encouragement, and advancement in the 

 arts, offer a sufficient remuneration as a reward to those who may 

 succeed in the attempt, which will be ultimately accomplished ? 



The leaves of senna, which are imported here for medicinal 

 use, have rather a disagreeable smell, and a bitter nauseous taste ; 

 they yield their virtue both to water and rectified or proof spirits, 

 communicating to water and proof spirit a brownish color, more or 

 less deep, according to the proportions ; to rectified spirit a fine green. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Senna which is now in common 

 use as a purgative, was first known to the Arabian physicians ; and 

 was soon afterwards introduced into practice by the Greeks, who 

 made use of the fruit and not the leaves. For covering the taste of 

 Senna, Dr. Cullen recommends coriander seeds ; but for preventing 

 its griping, he thinks the warmer aromatics, as cardamons or ginger, 

 would be more effectual. The formulae given by the different Col 

 leges, are those of an infusion, a powder, a tincture and an electuary. 

 For a cathartic, its dose in substance is from a scruple to a drachm. 

 Senna is very much used in connection with Spigelia for worms. — 



