134 LECUMINOS^E. 



3Iedical Properties and U}<es. — Early in tins century Dr. Thacher bighly 

 recommended an infusion or decoction of this plant as an antiseptic ai^pli- 

 cation to ill-conditioned ulcers, and as a gargle in malignant and scarla- 

 tinal sore throat. Other physicians considered its internal use efficacious 

 in typhus (typhoid ?) and malignant scarlet fevers. In more recent times 

 it has gained a great reputation among homoeopathic and eclectic practition- 

 ers, especially in typhoid fever. Some years ago the author exjDerimented 

 with it in this disease, with what he believed to be satisfactory results. 

 (See "Trans. Med. Soc. State of New York," 1880.) Further experiments 

 have not altogether justified the conclusions then arrived at ; still the drug 

 does in some instances aj^jjear to exert a favorable influence, and is worthy 

 of further investigation. 



CASSIA.— Senna. 



Cassia Marllandica Linne, — American Senna. 



Description. — Calyx : sepals 5, scarcely united at the base, colored, de- 

 ciduous. Corolla : petals 5, nearly equal, sj)reading. Stamens 10, rarely 5, 

 distinct, the thx'ee upper commonly abortive ; anthers opening by two pores^ 

 at the top. Pod 2 to 4 inches long, linear, comj^ressed, slightly curved, 

 at first hairy, ultimately nearly glabrous, many-celled with transverse par- 

 titions, many-seeded. 



An herbaceous perennial. Stems erect, branching, 3 to 4 feet high. 

 Leaves alternate, equally pinnate ; leaflets in 6 to 9 pairs, ovate-oblong, 

 mucronate, 1 to 2 inches long, one-half inch wide. Flowers bright orange- 

 yellow, in short axillary racemes, on the upper part of the stem ; they are 

 produced during July and August. 



Habitat. — Common in alluvial soil from New England and New York 

 southward and westward. 



Part Used. — The leaflets — formerly official ; dropped from the last 

 edition of the United States Pharmacopoeia. 



Constituents. — A satisfactory analysis of this plant is yet to be made. 

 One analyst has found in it, in addition to the ordinary vegetable prin- 

 ciples, a complex substance resembling the so-called cathartin of imported 

 senna. 



Preparations. — None are official. It yields its virtues to water, and is 

 commonly administered in infusion. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — The action of American senna is similar to 

 that of the African drug, though it is much less efficient, a dose one-third 

 or one-half larger being required to produce the same effect. On this 

 account the imported article is generally preferred. 



Other species of cassia, indigenous or introduced, are said to possess 

 medicinal activity, but are not sufficiently employed to require further 

 notice here. 



