178 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



exceeded four or five drachms in the twenty-four hours, there was a derange- 

 ment of the nervous system with vertigo and subsequent stupor. 



Dr. Roxburgh is of opinion that the bark should be collected when the 

 sap begins to ascend, and that the small or middle-sized branches furnish the 

 best. The dose in substance is from one to five drachms a day; it may also 

 be given in infusion and tincture. 



The barks of the other species of this order are possessed of much the same 

 powers : thus, that of the Swietenia mahogoni is used in the West Indies as 

 a tonic and febrifuge, but is far inferior to cinchona. It may be mentioned 

 that Blume describes a species of C. edrela which he calls febrifuga, occurring 

 in the island of Java, where it is known by the natives under the name of 

 Suren, which is highly esteemed in the treatment of the malignant intermit- 

 tents of that island. This tree has been thought to be the same as the C. 

 toona of Roxburgh, but it is more than probable that it is identical with the 

 Soymida febrifuga, with the characters of which it agrees in all respects. 

 Horsefield used it in the latter stages of dysentery with much benefit, and 

 Forsten (Diss, de Cedrel.) is of opinion that it is very beneficial in bilious 

 fevers and in protracted diarrhoea kept up by atony of the muscular fibres. 

 Khaya Senegalensis is a native of Senegal, noticed by Batka under the 

 name of " Quinquina de Senegal," as having very bitter bark, found useful 

 in the fevers of the country ; it is always given in infusion or decoction, never 

 in substance ; it is considered by De Candolle and others to belong to Swie- 

 tenia. 



The tree noticed by Dr. Hancock (Trans. Med. Bot. Soc. 1834) under the 

 name of Juribali or Euribali, a native of Pomeroon, probably belongs to 

 this order or the next, though his description is too imperfect, to be even cer- 

 tain of this. The bark is a powerful bitter and astringent, and is stated to 

 be more effectual than cinchona in fevers of a malignant or typhoid type. It 

 does not constipate the bowels or affect the head, but generally opens the 

 pores and promotes perspiration. To render it more active, it should be given 

 in a warm decoction. Dr. Hancock observes in addition, that another tree, 

 the Icica altissima, is often known under the name of Juribali, and is also 

 febrifuge (Journ. Phil. Coll. Pharm. v. 144). 



Order 29. — MELIACE^E. — Jussieu. 



Sepals 3-5, somewhat united at base. Petals 3-5, hypogynous, cohering at base, 

 sometimes unequal, aestivation imbricated. Stamens of the same number as, or double 

 the number of the petals, monadelphous at base, inserted on the outside of the torus. 

 Anthers sessile, within the ring of filaments. Ovary 3-5-celled, each cell containing 1-2 

 ovules. Styles and stigmas usually united into one, 3-5-lobed. Fruit drupaceous, bac- 

 cate, or capsular, 3-5 celled, each 1-2 seeded, when dehiscent, loculicidal. Seeds never 

 winged or flat, albumen scanty or none. 



The Meliacese consist of trees and shrubs, with alternate or occasionally 

 somewhat opposite leaves, which are simple or pinnate and exstipulate. 

 They are found in most parts of the world, but principally in warm climates, 

 the extra-tropical species being few. Their usual qualities are those of the 

 bitters and astringents; but in some of them other and more powerful pro- 

 perties are present. Several species of Trichilia are very active ; the T. 

 cathartica is a violent purgative, and at the same time is excessively bitter. 

 According to Martius, it is given in fevers, dropsies, &c. (Jour. Chim. Med., 

 iii. 498). The T. emetica has emetic roots, but its fruit is eatable, though its 

 seeds are acrid, and are used to cure the itch. T, glabra is a powerful pur- 



