SPIU.E A MEADOW-SWEET. 1 o 7 



Preparations. — Extractum pruni virginianjo fluidum — fluid extraot of 

 wild cherry ; iufusum pruni virgiuiaiiiu — infusion of wild cherry ; syrupus 

 pruni virginiauiu — syrup of wild cherry. — United States Piiarmacopnia. 



Bleiiml Properties and Uses. — "W'ild cherry is tor'c, astrin<^ent, and 

 sedative. Its tonic virtues doubtless reside in the bittor principle ini^n- 

 tioned above, and its astringent properties are due to the tannic and gal- 

 lic acids which it contains, while its sedative influence depends entirely 

 upon the liydrocyaiiic acid generated by its infusion in water. It is em- 

 ployed chietly in pulmonary consumption, and riot tin frequently with very 

 beneficial effects. Undei its use the ap2)etite improves, and both the cough 

 and expectoration are diminished. As the percentage of hydrocyanic acid 

 present in the infusion is very small, the dose, to produce a decided seda- 

 tive effect, must necessarily be quite large, but as its bitterness is also of a 

 mild character, large doses are generally borne withoiifc inconvenience. It 

 is sometimes en^ployed in conditions of simple del)ility and in convales- 

 cence, but here chieHy for its tonic effect. Tlio infusion, made with cold 

 wafer, is by far the best form of administration. 



E0SACE.T5. 



Character of the Sal)- Order. — Calyx entirel}- free from the ovaries, though 

 sometimes enclosing them in its tube, commonly persistent. Stamens few 

 or many. Pistils few or many, distinct, rarely solitary. 



This section, the largest of the order, ^'ompriscs many of the small 

 fruits in common cultivation, as well as numenMis plants cultivated for 

 ornament. Many plants of the sub-order possess astringent properties. 



SPIR.'EA.— aiEADQW-SWEET. 



Spiraea tome ntosa Linne. — Hardhack, Steeplehush. 



Description. — Calyx 5-cleft, short, persistent. Corolla : petals 5, obo- 

 vate, imbricate in the bud. Stamens lU to 50. Pistils 5, distinct. Pods 

 few-seeded. 



A suKiU shrub, 2 to 3 feet high, somewhat branched, brittle, clothed 

 with a woolly pubescence Avhich easily rubs off". Leaves 1 to "2 inches long, 

 ovate, unetpiall}' serrate, deep green above, thickly coated with a nasty pu- 

 bescence beneath. Flowers small, numerous, rose-colored, rarely white, 

 in a beautiful elongated panicle, appearing in July and August. 



Iluliitut. — In low grounds and swampy places fi'om Canada to Georgia 

 and westward. 



Parts U.-ied. — Th ives and bark of both the ste.' and the root — not 

 official. - 



Constituents. — Tannic and gallic acids. 



Preparations. — None are olficial. A decoction is usually employed 

 Solid aud fluid extracts occur as commercial articles. 



