57 PICIL3ENA EXCELSA 



Medical Properties and Uses. Quassia wood is a pure bitter 

 tonic and stomachic. It also possesses anthelmintic properties, 

 and is supposed by some to be narcotic, as it acts as a narcotic 

 poison on flies, and also, it is said, on some of the higher 

 animals. In overdoses it causes vomiting. It is a valuable 

 remedy in atonic dyspepsia, in debility, and in convalescence after 

 acute diseases. It has also been administered with success as an 

 antiperiodic in fevers ; and as an enema to destroy thread-worms 

 in children. As it contains no tannic acid, it is frequently given 

 in combination with chalybeates. 



The bitter -cups now frequently sold, are manufactured from 

 quassia wood. 



Like other pure bitters, its infusion may be used to preserve 

 animal matters from decay. The Papier mouri, which is largely 

 used to destroy flies, is prepared from an infusion of quassia 

 sweetened with sugar. Quassia is also very extensively employed 

 by brewers, &c., as a substitute for hops in the manufacture of 

 beer and ale. 



Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii, pt. 2, p. 392 ; Christison's Disp., p. 763 

 Pharmacographia, p. 118; Waring's Therapeutics, 2nd edit., 

 p. 602; U. S. Disp., by W. & B., p. 720; Liebig's Annalen d. 

 Pharm., vol. xxi (1837), p. 40; Parrish, in Amer. Journ. of 

 Pharm., vol. xxix, p. 104; Whipple, in Pharm. Journ., vol. xiii, 

 1st ser., p. 642. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



Drawn from specimens in the British Museum collected in Jamaica (Dr 

 Wright) and St. Kitts (Masson). 



1. A branch with bisexual flowers. 



2. A hermaphrodite flower. 



3. The same with the petals removed. 



4. Section of the same. 



5. A stamen. 



6. Fruit. 



7. A single drupe seen from the inner side. 



8. Vertical section of the same. 



9. A male flower. 



10. A stamen from the same. 



(2-5 and 8-10 enlarged.) 



