120 THE PRICKLE Y ASH. 



THE PKICKLEY ASH. 



Its Medical Properties and Use. 



The prickley ash has a good reputation in the 

 United States as a remedy in chronic rheuma- 

 tism. In that disease its operation seems anal-- 

 agous to that of mazorion and guaiacum, which 

 it nearly resemhles in its sensible properties. 

 Many physicians place so much confidence in it 

 that it is generally kept by the ajDothecaries. 

 It is most frequently given in decoction — an 

 ounce being boiled in a quart of water and 

 taken in small quantities, frequently repeated. 

 Dr. George Hayward. of Boston, took it in his 

 own case of chronic rheumatism with evidently 

 good effect; he took a pint of the decoction a 

 day, diluted with water so as to weaken its pun- 

 gency. The powdered bark may be taken in 

 doses of from 10 to 20 grains, and frequently 

 repeated. Dr. Bigelow says it is also given with 

 good effect in cases of old indolent sores; it is 

 given internally and applied to the sore in the 

 form of a wash. Doctors Barton and Thatcher 

 both speak highly of this medicine. 



