258 PHARMACOPEIAL DRUGS 



uses by the American pioneers are admirably given by 

 Buchan, (110), in Every Man His Own Doctor, as 

 follows : 



"The common wild cherry tree is often found in woods 

 and hedges and is associated with the trees of the for- 

 est, growing to the height of forty or more feet and of a 

 very large size. The gum which exudes from the tree is 

 said to be equal to gum arabic. This tree produces in 

 autumn a small bitter cherry, black when quite ripe, 

 which serves for food for birds who frequently become 

 intoxicated from eating them. They also are infused 

 in brandy by the country people on account of the 

 pleasant aromatic flavor which they impart to the 

 liquor. The bark of the wild cherry tree is powerfully 

 tonic, and has been frequently substituted for the Peru- 

 vian bark, with great success. It is slightly narcotic, 

 and commonly produces a drowsiness in those who take 

 it. From the experiments of Mr. C. Morris of Virginia, 

 (Inaugural Dissertation, 1812, Phila.), it appeared that 

 the bark of the root was more powerful than the bark of 

 the trunk. It has been very useful in dyspepsia, and 

 in consumption of the lungs. The Indians, it is said, use 

 the bark in the cure of syphilis. Very excellent effects 

 have been produced by washing ill-conditioned ulcers 

 with a decoction of the bark, and the same has proved 

 anthelmintic. The leaves of the tree are poisonous to 

 certain animals. While this valuable tree abounds in 

 the United States, we act unwisely, says Dr. Mease, in 

 sending thousands of dollars out of the country for the 

 Peruvian bark." 



