UQ 



JAMAICA DOGWOOD. 



strong infusion of the bark of the roots of a tree, well knowrt 

 by the name of the Jamaica Dogwood, with the waters of the 

 ocean. This process, well known to the planters and other* 

 here by the name of fish poisoning, has been too frequently 

 described to render any particular account from me necessary. 

 Its efFecte tried However, the effects upon fish appeared to me so singular, 



on himser/^°'" ^^^'^ ^ ^^^ ^^^ *^ ^^^ ^'°^^ ^^ would act upon the human subject j 

 and as, from the very strong and general prejudice entertained 

 against this plant, I was not likely to succeed in persuading 

 others to submit to my trial of its effects upon them, I was ne- 

 cessarily reduced to make trial of it in my own person, 

 Atincturethe To detail the various experiments which 1 have made, with 

 tion,^'^^^^'^^" ^^® ^'^^ °^ ascertaining whether this plant possessed any, and 

 what medical virtues, would be superfluous here ; and I shall 

 only observe, that I have at length discovered the tincture to bs 

 the least exceptionable form of exhibition. This is prepared 

 Mode of pre- by macerating an ounce of the dried bark of the root, in fl^vj 

 \paripgit. of rectrified spirit and fl5vj of water, or which will amount to 

 the same thing, in fl^xij of proof spirit, for three days, and 

 straining ; when a tincture will be obtained of a fine clear 

 topaz colour, somewhat resembling that of fine old Madeira 

 bnc of its ac- Wine ; when this tincture drops on any substance, a white ra- 

 ti ve principles sinous film is found remaining after the spirit has evaporated, 

 and a milky fluid is formed by the admixture of water j thereby 

 showing, that a resinous substance is one of the active consti- 

 Its dose and tuents of the bark. The smell and taste of this are not dis- 

 ^ects. agreeable ; and I findj that from fl^ij to fl^^iv taken in a ftask 



of water at bedtime, produce an immediate sensation of 

 warmth in the stomach, quickly succeeded by an universal 

 glow on the surface, together with a profuse diaphoresis, and 

 followed by an agreeable, tranquil, and refreshing sleep j with- 

 out occasioning any of those distressing sensations, whick 

 opiates so frequently produce. 

 Externally In odontalgia from a carious tooth, where the nerve is ex- 



>che. ' posed, a little of this tincture introduced into the cavity, pro- 



duces instant and most commonly permanent relief. Upon 

 the whole, I regard it as well deserving of farther research, as 

 it promises to add a very valuable medicine to the class of 

 anodynes. 

 iowtoftlie Mr. Carlisle, of Soho Square, hps been furnislied with some 



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