224 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



pepsia, hypochondriasis, hepatic disease, gout, apoplexy, and a long and fright- 

 ful catalogue of other ills. 



It should be noticed that the action of wine upon the system, though mainly 

 dependent on the alcohol contained in it, differs in many respects from that 

 of the latter; its stimulant operation is less sudden and more durable, and 

 hence may be considered as more tonic. Nor is the intoxicating effect of 

 wine in exact proportion to the proportion of alcohol it contains, nor to that of 

 a mixture of alcohol and water of corresponding strength. Thus eight fluid 

 ounces of brandy contain about four ounces of alcohol, whilst 18 ounces of 

 Port wine contain the same. Thus a pint of wine should be as intoxicating 

 as half a pint of brandy, which is well known not to be the case. It is possi- 

 ble that this difference of action is owing to a modifying influence exercised 

 by the other constituents of the wine. The after results of an habitual use of 

 distilled spirits and wine are also different; thus diseases of the liver are fre- 

 quently caused by the use of ardent spirits and are seldom produced by an 

 indulgence in wine. 



The chief medicinal employment of wine is as a stimulant and tonic in 

 fevers of a low grade, or to obviate symptoms arising from exhaustion and de- 

 bility, and to rouse the energies of the system. In these cases it has proved 

 highly beneficial, as its powers can be regulated with ease and certainty, 

 whilst it is generally grateful to the patient. The quantity to be administered 

 is dependent on the state of the system. The object to be attained is to afford 

 such stimulus as is required, and at the same time to avoid any excess that 

 may occasion a subsequent exhaustion. It must therefore be regulated by 

 the effects it produces, advantage being derived from it when it renders the 

 pulse more slow and firm, where irritation is lessened, delirium removed and 

 sleep induced. On the other hand, if the pulse be quickened, restlessness 

 induced, thirst excited, and the heat of body and delirium increased, it is obvi- 

 ously injurious, and must be relinquished. 



Group XVI.— Polygalales. 



Order 43.— POLYGALACE^E.— Lindley. 



Sepals 5, often irregular and unequal ; 3 exterior and smaller, (1 superior, and 2 infe- 

 rior,) and 2 interior. Petals hypogynous, usually 3, deciduous, 1 anterior and larger than 

 the other two, which are alternate with the upper and lateral sepals, sometimes united 

 at base; or when 5, the two additional ones are very small. Stamens 6 — 8, united by 

 the anthers into 2 fasciculi; anthers innate, 1-celled, opening at the apex. Ovary com- 

 pressed, 2-celled, each cell with one pendulous ovule, (rarely 2 — 6) ; style and stigma 

 simple. Pericarp an indehiscent small capsule. Seed pendulous with a fleshy albumen. 



The plants in this small order are herbaceous, as is the case with all the 

 North American species, or shrubby. They have alternate, entire leaves, 

 without stipules, often verticillate at the lower part of the stem. The flowers 

 are generally small, and in racemes or terminal spikes. The roots are bitter 

 and sometimes milky. They are found in most parts of the world. The 

 properties of the different species are various. Some are bitter and tonic ; 

 this is the case with several species of Polygala, as P. amara, vulgaris, 

 rubella, tyc, and particularly with the Soulamea amara, called by Rumphius 

 " rex amaroris." This plant is used in some parts of the East Indies with 

 great success in cholera, and is regarded as a most valuable febrifuge. Some 

 are emetic, purgative and diuretic, of which the most important is the P. 

 senega, though some others participate in these qualities. Some have merely 

 emetic properties, as the P. poaya, and others. Some are diuretic and sudo- 

 rific, as the P. thesioides and the Bardiera diver sifolia,, and finally some are 

 poisonous, as in P. venenosa, of Java. 



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