MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. 1-93 



As a medicine it is a gentle diaphoretic and diuretic ; and, 

 with this view, it is given in coughs, in gravel, strangury, 

 rheumatism, and gout, and to hinder cutaneous eruptions 

 from striking in.) 



17- Bromelia Ananas. — Pine Apple. 

 Pinguin. — Pinguins. 



Pine apples are cultivated in all the West India islands, 

 and are raised in every hothouse in Britain. There ate se- 

 veral varieties, but the sugar-loaf pine is the best. 



Ripe pine apples are amongst the finest of our fruits in the 

 West Indies, and are relished by all ranks of people, espe- 

 cially people sick of acute diseases, dysenteries, &c. They 

 have a detersive quality, and are better fitted to cleanse the 

 mouth and gums than any gargle whatever. 



Besides being eaten raw, they are often candied with su- 

 gar, and sent home as presents. Pine apples are also made 

 into tarts and pickles. 



Pinguins are planted as fences. The fruit is as big as a 

 plum. The juice is exceedingly detersive, and is often em- 

 ployed to clean the mouth. Thin slices with sugar are fre- 

 quently given to children for worms ; but much of it exco- 

 riates the mouth and passages. 



18. Bursera gummifera. — Jamaica Birch. 



This is frequent in woods, and grows speedily to a treat 

 height and thickness. The bark is brown, and very like the 

 birch of Britain. The wood is soft and useless, except when 

 pieces of the limbs are put into the ground as fences, when it 

 grows readily, and becomes a durable barrier. It has yellow 

 flowers ; male and female on different trees. The fruit is a 

 triangular capsule, which, when cut, discharges a clear bal- 

 sam or turpentine. 



On wounding the bark, a thick milky liquor is obtained, 



N 



