APOCYNACEiE. 



451 



tic properties are not so generally displayed, being very manifest in some 

 cases, but not so marked in others. It also acts as a sternutatory, exciting 

 much irritation of the nasal membrane. The fresh juice has likewise been 

 employed as an external application in some cutaneous affections. 



The disease in which it has been found most useful is dropsy ; in this, 

 from the concurrent testimony of several eminent practitioners, its remedial 

 powers are decided, sometimes operating as a hydragogue purgative, and at 

 others causing the most profuse discharges of urine, and thus relieving the 

 tissues from their morbid burden. Dr. Knapp gives the details of some 

 cases of intermittent fever and pneumonic affections, in which he derived 

 much benefit from this remedy, employed as a diaphoretic. (Am. Med. Rev. 

 (jr Jour.) 



When given as an emetic, the powder is to be preferred, in doses of fifteen 

 to thirty grains ; where its hydragogue or diuretic effects are desired, the 

 best form is in decoction, made by boiling an ounce of the root in a pint of 

 water; the dose is about a wineglassful, two or three times a day. The wa- 

 tery extract will act on the bowels in doses of from three to five grains, but 

 is not as efficient as the decoction. (Amer. Jour. Med. Sci. 1836.) 



Besides the value of this plant as a therapeutic agent, it is entitled to 

 1 notice for its use in the arts. The bark furnishes a fibre resembling hemp, 

 but of a whiter colour, and superior in strength and durability ; and a decoc- 

 tion of the plant affords a permanent brown or black dye, according to the 

 mordant used. 



Nerium. — Linn. 



Calyx 5-cleft. Lobes lanceolate, base within multiglandular. Corolla 5-clefl, throat of 

 tube crowned with 5 appendages. Lobes obovate ; aestivation sinistro-convolute. Stamens 

 inserted orvthe middle of the tube. Filaments ligulate. Anthers longer than the fila- 

 ments, bicaudate at base, and adhering to the stigma. Ovaries 2 ; style filiform, dilated 

 at tip with a membranous indusium; stigma short, with 5 glands at base. Follicles 

 long, straight. Seeds numerous, oblong, pubescent, with a large coma; albumen co- 

 pious. 



This small genus of ornamental shrubs is principally confined to Asia ; but 

 one species is found in the south of Europe, and is generally cultivated under 

 the name of Oleander. 



N. oleander, Linn. — Leaves opposite or ternate, lanceolate, acute ; appendages of co- 

 rolla 3 — 4-toothed. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 305 ; Lamarck, Must. t. 174 ; De Candolle, Prod. viii. 420. 



Common Name. — Oleander. 



Foreign Names. — Laurier Rose, Fr. ; Alloro Indiano, It. 



The Oleander is originally a native of Asia, but is now naturalized in the 

 south of Europe, where it grows in fissures of rocks by the sides of streams. 

 It differs from the other plants of the order in 

 having a transparent, and not a milky juice, which 

 is stated by Gray (Supp. Pharm. 65) to clear 

 muddy water. It is probably the Rhododendron 

 of Pliny, who says that although its leaves are a 

 poison to all quadrupeds, that they are a counter- 

 poison to the venom of serpents (lib. xxiv. c. xi.) 

 This plant is an active poison, and is used at Nice 

 to destroy rats. The leaves have been analyzed 

 (Bull, de Pharm.), but the results are far from 

 satisfactory. 



Medical Uses, SfC. — An ointment made by boil- 

 ing the leaves in oil or lard, is in much repute in 

 the south of France in cutaneous eruptions, and to 



Fiff. 202. 



N. oleander. 



