DRUPACEJE. 289 



with water, a volatile oil, combined with hydrocyanic acid, was obtained. 

 This product was subsequently examined by Mr. Wm. Procter (Amer. Jour. 

 Pharm., iii. 300, iv. 197), and shown to be nearly identical with the oil of 

 bitter. almonds, and, like that substance, not to pre-exist in the bark, but to 

 be formed by the action of emulsine on amygdaline, as in the almond. 

 These observations show the close chemical alliance existing between the 

 genera Amygdalus and Cerasus, and which the same experimenter has 

 proved to extend to the inosculating genus Armeniaca ; thus confirming the 

 validity of their botanical arrangement. 



Medical Properties. — The bark is tonic and exciting in its operation on 

 the digestive organs, and at the same time exercises. a sedative influence on 

 the circulatory and nervous systems, owing to the presence of the hydrocy- 

 anic acid. From this combined action, Wild Cherry Bark has been found 

 extremely useful in a variety of diseases or states of disease, where it is of 

 importance to impart tonicity, and yet to avoid any undue excitement of the 

 circulation; as during the first stages of convalescence from inflammatory 

 attacks, in many of the pulmonary diseases. In phthisis, where hectic 

 fever exists, it has also proved highly beneficial, and its use is becoming very 

 general in this complaint. It has been advantageously employed in some 

 forms of dyspepsia, especially in the form of a cold infusion. It has likewise 

 been used as a febrifuge in intermittents, and, like all other tonic remedies, 

 has proved serviceable, but should not be relied upon, except in cases where 

 the Peruvian bark or its salts are inadmissible. This article has not yet been 

 sufficiently investigated, as regards its true curative powers, but enough is 

 known to entitle it to a very high rank among the articles of the Materia 

 Medica, either of foreign and native origin. 



It is given in powder, in doses of half a drachm to two drachms, or in in- 

 fusion, which is officinal in the U. S. Pharmacopoeia; it is made with half an 

 ounce of the bark to a pint of water ; the dose a couple of ounces or more, as 

 may be required. This preparation is a pleasant and effectual mode of exhi- 

 biting it; as the hydrocyanic acid is volatilized by the heat required to make 

 a decoction, this latter form is highly objectionable. Another preparation 

 of it has, within a short time, attained much celebrity, and is highly spoken 

 of by those who have used it; this is the Syrup (see Amer. Jour. Pharm. 

 vii.) ; this is a neat and effective form of exhibition, and is coming into very 

 general use. 



Section 3. Lauro-cerasus. — Flowers in racemes from the axils of the persistent leaves 

 of the former season. 



2. C. lauro-cerasus, Loisel. — Racemes shorter than the leaves. Leaves ovate-lanceo- 

 late, remotely serrate, with 2 — 4 glands beneath. Fruit ovate, acute. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 678; Woodville, iii. 513; Stephenson and Churchill, ii. 

 117 ; Lindley, Flor. Med. 232. 



Common Names. — Cherry Laurel ; Common Laurel. 



Foreign Names. — Laurier cerise, Fr. ; Lauro regio, It. ; Lorbeer- 

 kirsche, Ger. 



Description. — The Cherry laurel is a small tree, with spreading branches covered 

 with a smooth brown bark. The leaves are evergreen, persistent, alternate, on short 

 petioles ; they are elliptical, tapering towards the base, pointed and curved at the apex, 

 finely serrate, smooth, deep-green, and furnished with two or more glands at w base. The 

 flowers are in short, axillary, erect racemes. The calyx is inferior and five-toothed. 

 The corolla consists of five small, concave, spreading petals^f a whitish colour. The 

 stamens are alternately longer and shorter, about fifteen to eighteen in number, 



19 



