396 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



deserves a more extended trial ; and should the oil have the power of arrest- 

 ing uterine haemorrhage, attributed to it, it will be a most valuable addition to 

 the Materia Medica. As a diuretic, the plant is given in a strong decoction, 

 which is to be taken very freely ; and^ as it does not disagree with the sto- 

 mach, it may be administered where digitalis and squill would be rejected. 



The properties of the E. strigosum are identical with the above ; those of 

 the E. canadense differ somewhat, being more tonic and astringent. Dr. De 

 Puy, who made an examination of it, states that it contains Bitter extractive, 

 Tannin, Gallic acid, and Volatile oil, which latter is acrid. It is from this spe- 

 cies that the oil is principally obtained. The same writer states that this 

 plant is useful in dropsical complaints and in diarrhoea, and may be given in 

 substance, infusion, tincture, or extract. The Canada Flea-bane is as com- 

 mon as the other species, and is known in some parts of the country under 

 the names of Horse-iveed, Butter-weed, &c. It belongs to a different section 

 of the genus, and may therefore vary in its medicinal properties. The whole 

 subject, however, requires investigation, not only as to the remedial properties 

 of the species, but also as to their chemical composition. 



Solidago. — Linn. 



Heads few, many-flowered. Flowers of disk tubular, perfect, those of the ray few or 

 wanting. Scales of the oblong involucre imbricated, appressed, without foliaceous or 

 herbaceous tips. Receptacle narrow, usually alveolate. Style appendages lanceolate. 

 Achenia many-ribbed, somewhat terete. Pappus simple, of numerous scabrous capillary 

 bristles. 



An extensive genus of herbaceous perennials, most of the species of which 

 are peculiar to North America. The stems are mostly strict or virgate, with 

 sessile alternate cauline leaves ; the radical never cordate. The flowers are 

 yellow, in terminal or axillary racemes or clusters. The general character is 

 that of mild astringency, combined, in one or two species, with some stimu- 

 lating qualities, owing to the presence of an aromatic oil. 



S. odora, Aiton. — Stem somewhat pubescent in lines, usually simple and declined. 

 Leaves linear lanceolate, entire, smooth, with rough margins, and punctate with pellucid 

 dots. Racemes panicled. 



Aiton, Hort. Kew. i. 214 ; Torrey and Gray, Flor. ii. 219 ; Bigelow, Med. 

 Bot. i. 188, t. 20. 



Common Name. — Sweet Golden Rod. 



Description. — Stem two or three feet high, slender, often bending. Leaves sessile, at 

 length reflexed, linear-lanceolate, tapering to a point, with a prominent midrib, covered 

 with small pellucid dots. Panicle usually secund. Flowers on slender pedicles, with 

 subulate bracts. Scales of the involucre few, almost glabrous. Pappus shorter than the 

 florets of the disk. 



This plant is a native of most parts of the United States, in dry sandy soil, 

 flowering in the autumn. It is remarkable for yielding a volatile oil on dis- 

 tillation, of an odour partaking of that of aniseed ; this odour is perceptible 

 on bruising the leaves. 



Medical Uses, SfC. — The leaves are stimulant, diaphoretic and carminative, 

 and are said to be an agreeable substitute for tea. Pursh states that they are 

 exported to Canton, where they bring a high price, but we have been unable 

 to verify this assertion, and feel very doubtful of the accuracy of his infor- 

 mation. 



The oil is used as an external application in headache, but the best mode 



