LAURACEiE. 555 



of these, Dryobalanops camjphora, which affords the Borneo Camphor, has 

 already been noticed, (p. 146,) the other the tree now under consideration. 

 This article does not appear to have been known to the Greeks and Romans, 

 but is spoken of by the earlier Arabian writers. Sprengel is of opinion that 

 the first description of it was given by Simeon Seth in the 11th century. 



Medical Uses. — The exact effects produced by Camphor on the system, 

 have not been satisfactorily ascertained. It is known, however, that its local 

 action on tender surfaces is that of an acrid, but it does not appear to produce 

 any marked influence on the surface of the body, when the cutiele is unin- 

 jured. When it is administered internally, it is partially absorbed, as is the 

 case with most of the volatile oils. Its main influence seems to be exer- 

 cised on the nervous system, as in moderate doses it acts as a stimulant, and 

 subsequently as an anodyne ; whilst, in larger ones, it causes much disorder 

 of the cerebro-spinal system ; and, in over quantities, acts as a powerful acro- 

 narcotic poison. It also operates as an anaphrodisiac ; this property of it 

 has long been known, and recent experiments have confirmed the assertions 

 of earlier writers, in a great measure. Camphor has been prescribed in a 

 multitude of diseases ; its employment has been almost entirely empirical. It 

 has been found useful in the low states of fever, where there is singultus, tre- 

 mor , &c. ; but its most decided effect is obtained as an anodyne in irritation 

 or pain in the genito-urinary organs : thus it greatly alleviates the pain in 

 dysmenorrhcea, especially when combined with a small quantity of opium ; 

 and has often been found of benefit in the strangury caused by blisters. It 

 has also been found of service in pain in the bowels ; and, in combination 

 with laudanum, in restraining discharges from these viscera. Externally it 

 is in very general use, in solution, as an embrocation in local pains. 



It is given in substance, in tincture, and in mixture. The medium dose 

 of the powder is from five to ten grains, given in pill or emulsion ; of the 

 tincture, ten drops to a drachm! It enters into the composition of Paregoric 

 elixir, and although the most active ingredient in this excellent preparation is 

 opium, its efficacy is undoubtedly aided by the camphor. 



Cinnamomum. — Nees. 



Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous, in panicles or fascicles, naked. Calyx six-cleft, 

 the limb deciduous. Fertile stamens 9, in 3 rows; the 3 inner with 2 sessile glands at 

 base ; anthers 4-celled, the 3 inner extrorse. Three capitate abortive stamens next the 

 centre. Fruit seated in a cup-like calyx. 



This is a somewhat extensive group of plants, removed from Laurus by 

 Nees, having strongly-ribbed leaves, and the leaf-buds not scaly. It may be 

 observed that many of the genera of the Lauracese are very closely allied, and 

 might without confusion be considered rather as sections of Laurus than en- 

 titled to an equal rank ; as they have, however, been considered as distinct by 

 the best authorities, as Nees v. Esenbeck, Blume, Lindley, and others, I have 

 adopted their views. The present genus is important, from affording Cinna- 

 mon and Cassia, but there are many doubts and differences of opinion as to 

 the species furnishing these and some other analogous barks. 



C. zeylanicum, Nees. — Branches somewhat quadrangular, smooth. Leaves ovate, or 

 ovate-oblong, tapering into an obtuse point, triple-nerved, reticulated on the under side, 

 smooth. Panicles terminal or axillary, stalked. Flowers hoary and silky ; segments ob- 

 long, deciduous in the middle. 



Nees, Laurin. 45; Nees and Eberm., Hdndb., ii. 420; Lindley, Fl. Med. 

 329 ; C. nitidum, Nees, non Hooker ; Laurus cinnamomum, Linn. Sp. PL 



