UVA URSI. 61 



They occur in pieces of various lengths, of a brownish colour, 

 covered with a thin bark, which abounds most in the active prin- 

 ciple, tannic acid. 



Uses. — An excellent domestic astringent, much employed ki 

 chronic diarrhoeas and dysentery; also in the latter stages of cholera 

 infantum. Dose of powder, 20 to 30 grs. ; best given in decoction, 

 made by boiling 3j of the smaller roots in a pint and a half of water, 

 down to a pint ; dose, f^ij. 



PiPsissEWA. — (Chimaphila, U. S.) 



Leaves of the Chimaphila umbeUata^ sometimes called Winter' 

 green^ a small evergreen plant, indigenous to both continents. It has 

 a creeping root, which sends up several erect stems, from four to 

 eight inches high. The leaves are about an inch and a half long, 

 serrated, of a green colour. When bruised, and in the fresh state, 

 they emit an aromatic odour. They retain their green colour, if 

 well dried. Taste, bitter, astringent, and aromatic ; water and alco- 

 hol extract its virtues, which depend on tannin and a bitter 

 extractive. 



Uses. — Chiefly as a mild alterative tonic in scrofulous complaints, 

 and in diseases of the urinary organs ; also, in dropsy, attended with 

 dyspepsia and debility. It is best given in the form of decoction and 

 extract. Dose of the former, f 3iv, several times a day ; of the lat- 

 ter, 20 to 30 grs. An excellent mode of administering pipsissewa 

 is in the form of heer^ made by adding molasses, ginger, and yeast 

 to the decoction. 



UvA Ursi, U. S. 



Leaves of the Arbutus Uva Ursi, or bear-berry, a small, trailing, 

 evergreen shrub, growing in the northern parts of both continents. 

 The leaves are obovate, about half an inch in length, thick and 

 entire, a good deal resembling the box leaves. They are apt to be 

 adulterated with the leaves of the red whortleberry. No odour 

 when fresh, but acquire the smell of hay by drying ; taste, bitter, 

 astringent, and sweetish ; virtues are yielded to alcohol and water, 

 and depend on tannin and a bitter extractive. 



Uses. — Chiefly in disorders of the urinary organs, as catarrh of 

 the bladder, chronic nephritis, diabetes, and incontinence of urine. It 

 is not, however, a certain remedy. Dose of powder, 20 grs. to 3j, 

 three times a day ; of the decoction, made by boiling 3j in Ojss. of 

 water, down to Oj, f3j to fgij. 



There are a few other vegetable astringents, which are occasion- 

 ally employed: these are the rind of the Pomegranate, (^Granati 

 Fructus Cortex,) the bark and unripe fruit of the Persimmon {Dyos- 

 pyrus), and the Bistort root. 



The Rosa GaUica, or Red rose leaves, is also astringent; the 



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