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oil obtained varies from one to three and four per cent.* The 

 spirituous tincture, when inspissated, consists of two distinct sub- 

 stances ; one oily and sweet, the other tenacious, resinous, and 

 aromatic. Tromsdorf analyzed the fruit, and found it to contain 

 volatile oil, wax, resin, saccharine matter, mucus, acetate and 

 malate of lime, with some other vegetable salts. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — The wood of the Juniper, 

 either of the stem or root, is diuretic and sudorific, and has been 

 very favourably mentioned for a variety of complaints. In de- 

 coction or infusion, it has been beneficially employed in gout, 

 rheumatism, catarrhs of the lungs and bladder, obstructions of the 

 liver, amenorrhcea, ozsena, and scurvy. Monro f employed a 

 bath (prepared with wood) very beneficially, in the treatment of 

 malignant small-pox. RosensteinJ asserts, that the strong de- 

 coction soon clears the hands in scabies. Friction by flannel satu- 

 rated with the decoction, has proved a good palliative for atonic 

 gout, chronic rheumatism, and ischiatic pains. Formerly, it was 

 highly praised, particularly by Brassavola,§ Ettmuller,|| and Sco- 

 poli,^[ against the venereal disease, attributing to it antisyphilitic 

 powers equal to guaiacum, sassafras, sarsaparilla, and the like ; 

 but in the present day, it is rarely, if ever, given for this com- 

 plaint. The tops of Juniper have also been given for the same 

 disorders as the wood; and both, when reduced to ashes, have 

 been advocated** in dropsy, but the benefits recorded, are by no 

 means confirmed by subsequent experience. The resin (sandarach) 

 is excitant, and with this view it may be applied, in powder, to pro- 

 mote the healing of wounds, and to cleanse unhealthy ulcers. It is 

 often added to gargles against scorbutic swellings of the gums, an 

 to injections for the urethra and chronic blennorrhoea. Internally, 

 it has been given in chronic catarrhs, chronic diarrhoeas, and for 

 passive haemorrhages, but its reputed success is not always constant. 



* Probably in consequence of the greater or less maturity of the fruit. 

 In the Journal de Pharmacie, 1827, p. 215, it is stated, that before ma- 

 turity the berries contain an essential oil ; when ripe, turpentine, and 

 when dry on the tree, merely a resin. 



f Account of the Inoculation of Small-pox in Scotland, p. 9. 



X Rosenstein; Bskd. p. 468. 



§ Respons. ad quest. Fontanae in Vogel. M. m. p. 271. 



|| Opera. Med. p. 591. 



^| Diss. Obs. pract. de radicis frut. Junip. decocto. 



** Darcl ; Socken-Apot, p.'46. 



