SPIRAEA MEADOW-SWEET. 137 



Preparations. Extractum pruni virginianae fluidum fluid extract of 

 wild cherry ; iufusum pruni virgin ianre infusion of wild cherry ; syrupus 

 pruni virginiansB syrup of wild cherry. United States Pharmacopoeia. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Wild cherry is tonic, astringent, and 

 sedative. Its tonic virtues doubtless reside in the bitter principle men- 

 tioned above, and its astringent properties are due to the tannic and gal- 

 lic acids which it contains, while its sedative influence depends entirely 

 upon the hydrocyanic acid generated by its infusion in water. It is em- 

 ployed chiefly in pulmonary consumption, and not unfrequently with very 

 beneficial effects. Under its use the appetite improves, and both the cough 

 and expectoration are diminished. As the percentage of hydrocyanic acid 

 present in the infusion is very small, the dose, to produce a decided seda- 

 tive effect, must necessarily be quite large, but as its bitterness is also of a 

 mild character, large doses are generally borne without inconvenience. It 

 is sometimes employed in conditions of simple debility and in convales- 

 cence, but here chiefly for its tonic effect. The infusion, made with cold 

 water, is by far the best form of administration. 



ROSACES. 



Character of the Sab- Order. Calyx entirely free from the ovaries, though 

 sometimes enclosing them in its tube, commonly persistent. Stamens few 

 or many. Pistils few or many, distinct, rarely solitary. 



This section, the largest of the order, comprises many of the small 

 fruits in common cultivation, as well as numerous plants cultivated for 

 ornament. Many plants of the sub-order possess astringent properties. 



SPIRAEA. MEADOW-SWEET. 



Spiraea tomentosa Linne. Hardhack, Steeplebush. 



Description. Calyx 5-cleft, short, persistent. Corolla : petals 5, obo- 

 vate, imbricate in the bud. Stamens 10 to 50. Pistils 5, distinct. Pods 

 few-seeded. 



A small shrub, 2 to 3 feeb high, somewhat branched, brittle, clothed 

 with a woolly pubescence which easily rubs off. Jjeaves 1 to 2 inches long, 

 ovate, unequally serrate, deep green above, thickly coated with a rusty pu- 

 bescence beneath. Flowers small, numerous, rose-colored, rarely white, 

 in a beautiful elongated panicle, appearing in July and August. 



Habitat. In low grounds and swampy places from Canada to Georgia 

 and westward. 



Parts Used. The leaves and bark of both the stem and the root not 

 official. 



Constituents. Tannic and gallic acids. 



Preparations. None are official. A decoction is usually employed 

 Solid and fluid extracts occur as commercial articles. 



