MEZEREON. 187 



plaints, dyspnoea, angina pectoris, &c. It should be 

 used with caution, as it causes emesis in even small 

 doses. 



Distinctive character The dried tops of this Cactus 

 are about 1^-1$ inch in diameter and about inch thick, 

 the centre covered with white silky tufts of hairs, with 

 a few solitary tufts scattered over the surface. It is 

 from these tufts that the small vase-shaped pink flowers 

 arise, but the flowers and fruits are not often seen in 

 the drug. Fracture short and horny, pale brown. 

 Taste, gritty, mucilaginous, slightly acrid, pungent, and 

 bitterish. 



MEZEREON. Daphne Mezereum, Linn. 



N.O. Thymelaacece. 

 Syn. Spurge Olive, Spurge Laurel. 



Parts used Bark, root, rootbark. 



Action Stimulant, alterative, diuretic. Acts favour- 

 ably in syphilis, scrofula, and rheumatism. The 

 decoction of ounce in a pint of water is taken in 

 wineglassful doses. Externally it is used as a lotion 

 to blistered surfaces, indolent ulcers, &c. 



Preparations Powdered bark : Dose, 10 grains. 

 Fluid extract : Dose, 2-10 drops. 



Distinctive character The root of Daphne Mezereum 

 is brownish, very tough, in branched pieces about i-i 

 feet long, the epidermis peeling off when bent and the 

 inner bark consisting of very fine strong fibres. The 

 bark of D. Gnidium, L., which is used in France under the 

 name of "Garou," occurs in commerce in this country, is 

 usually sold in the form of bark only. It has a purplish 

 brown tint, and the stem-bark is slightly hairy. The 

 brown stem-bark of D. Laureola, L., which is also sold as 

 Mezereon bark, has the leaf scars crowded at well- 

 defined intervals. Taste, very acrid and caustic. Odour, 

 unpleasant in the fresh state. 



