72 LAUREL, 



Linnaeus informs us, that in Switzerland, it is commonly and suc- 

 cessfully used in pulmonary complaints. Baylies* employed a 

 saturated infusion in melancholy, asthma, rheumatism, and, inter- 

 nally and externally against scirrhous tumours ; but Vogelf asserts, 

 that he found it totally useless in scirrhus of the breast. ChestonJ 

 also employed an infusion for cancer of the lips, and malignant 

 ulcers. Langrish mentions its efficacy in agues ; and as Bergius 

 found bitter almonds to have this eft'ect, we may from analogy 

 conclude, that this power of the Lauro-cerasus is well established. § 

 Indeed, Dr. Langrish remarks, that in his neighbourhood, the 

 powder of the dried leaves, to the quantity of as much as would 

 lie on a shilling, was a favourite remedy with the common people ; 

 this was taken in a glass of wine, two hours before the accession of 

 the paroxysm, and repeated three times. Cameron|j gave the 

 infusion in obstinate hepatic engorgements ; and others have even 

 said, that they had found it serviceable in the treatment of syphilis.^ 

 The best form in which the Lauro-cerasus can be given, is the 

 infusion. The dose of the distilled water, or of the oil, should 

 not be more than two or three drops at the first, gradually aug- 

 menting the quantity. 



BAYLIES' INFUSION OF CHERRY-LAUREL. 



Take of the leaves of Cherry-laurel .... one pound ; 



Boiling water one pint. 



Macerate, for two hours, and strain. — Dose, from thirty to sixty drops, 

 three or four times a day. 



cheston's infusion of cherry-laurel. 



Take of the leaves of Cherry-laurel .... four ounces; 



Boiling water two pints. 



Digest till cold, then add four ounces of honey. Used externally, in 

 lotions or fomentations, or spread on linen, and applied to diseased parts. 







* Practical Essays on Medical Subjects, p. 37. 



f Chirurg. Wahrnchm. 1. Samml. p. 48. 



1 Pharmacopee Universelle, par A. J. L. Joimkm, t. i. p. 709. 



§ Woodville ; Med. Bot. iii. p. 517. 



|| Murray ; App. Mat. Med. t. iii. p. 22G. 



% Flore Medical*, t. iv. p. 193. 



