136 HORSE CHESTNUT HORSEMINT. 



HORSE CHESTNUT. /Esculus Hippocastanum. 



N.O. Sapindacets. 

 Syn. Hippocastanum vulgare, Gaertn. 



Parts used Bark, fruit. 



Action Tonic, narcotic, febrifuge. The bark is 

 used in intermittent fevers infused with boiling water 

 i ounce to a pint and given in tablespoonful doses 

 three to four times daily ; this has also been used as 

 an external application to ulcers. The fruits have 

 been employed with success in treatment of rheu- 

 matic and neuralgic disorders ; also for rectal complaints, 

 backache, piles, &c. 



Preparations Fluid extract, fruit : Dose, 5-20 drops. 

 Fluid extract, bark : Dose, -2 drachms. 



Distinctive character The bark occurs in flat- 

 tened pieces 4-5 inches long, and about i-i inch broad, 

 and about i-ij inch thick, greyish brown externally, 

 with corky warts tangentially elongated ; on the inner 

 surface, pinkish brown, and finely striated longitudinally. 

 Fracture finely fibrous and laminate towards the inner 

 surface. Taste, bitter and astringent. Odour, none. 

 The fruit is a capsule, splitting into three valves, with 

 short spines scattered on the surface, each containing 

 a large brown polished seed, about i inch broad and 

 inch thick, with a large dull, rough, and pale brown 

 scar where it has been attached to the capsule. Seed 

 white, giving a blue fluorescent infusion. 



HORSEMINT. Monarda punctata, Linn. 



N.O. Labiatoe. 

 Syn. American Horsemint. 



Parts used Leaves, tops. 



Action Stimulant, carminative, diuretic. Like all 

 the Mint family this drug may be serviceable as a 

 stimulating diaphoretic in flatulence, nausea and vomit- 

 ing. The warm infusion is a pleasant diuretic and it 



