BOXWOOD. 37 



Externally employed as a poultice for inflammatory 

 swellings. 



Preparation Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. 



Distinctive character Leaves oval, pointed, 3 or 

 more inches long, and about i inch broad, the lower 

 stalked, rough, with stiff one-celled hairs on the upper 

 surface and on the veins below, the margin entire but 

 wavy. Flowers blue, star-shaped, with central appen- 

 dages, the anthers forming a cone in the centre. Fruit 

 of four brownish black nutlets, hollowed at base. Taste 

 of leaves, cucumber-like and saline. Odour, none. 



BOXWOOD. Cornus florida, Linn. 



N.O. Cornacea. 

 Syn. American Dogwood, Dogtree. 



Parts used Bark, rootbark. 



Action Tonic, astringent, stimulant. Used with 

 advantage in all fevers, and forms an excellent substi- 

 tute for Peruvian Bark, also given for headaches and 

 exhaustion. A decoction of i ounce of bark in a pint 

 of water is taken in wineglassful doses. 



Preparations Powdered bark: Dose, i-i drachm. 

 Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. Corniu : Dose, 2 

 grains. 



Distinctive character Bark in slightly curved 

 pieces averaging about 2 inches long and -1 inch wide, 

 greyish and scaly, or, where the outer layer is removed, 

 pale brown and irregularly cracked longitudinally ; 

 inner surface pinkish brown, rough, with minute 

 linear prominences. Transverse fracture with somewhat 

 distant medullary rays and raised groups of stone cells. 

 Taste, astringent, bitter. Odour, none. 



