584 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



also indigenous in Europe, where an infusion of the berries is thought to be 

 efficient in the cure of itch, and as a vermifuge. In Sweden, the leaves are 

 used as a substitute for hops in brewing. The fruit of M. sapida, of Nepaul, 

 is large as a cherry, and is said to be pleasantly acid and edible. M. cor- 

 difolia, of the Cape of Good Hope, furnishes a wax, which Thunberg states 

 is eaten by the natives. 



Comptonia. — Alton. 



Fiar. 255. 



Flowers monoecious, amentaceous. 

 Sterile : in long, cylindrical, loosely im- 

 bricated catkins, with deciduous, 1-flow- 

 ered bracts. Stamens 6, adhering in 

 pairs. Fertile : in ovate, densely imbri- 

 cated catkins-, with 1-flowered bracts. 

 Sepals 6, larger than the bracts. Styles 

 2, capillary. Fruit an ovate, 1-seeded 

 nut. 



The only species of this genus is 

 a native of the United States. It 

 was considered by Linnseus to be- 

 long to Liquidambar, and was in- 

 cluded in Myrica by Gronovius. 



C. asplenifolia, Aiton. — Shrubby. 

 Leaves sessile, narrow-lanceolate, some- 

 what pinnatifid, brown and rather downy 

 beneath, and shining above. 



Aiton, Hort.Kew. iii. 334; Will- 

 denow, Sp. PL iv. 320 ; Barton, 

 Veg. Mat. Med. i. 221, 1. 19; Ra- 

 finesque, Med. Flor. i. 115. 



Common Names. — Sweet Fern ; 

 Fern-bush ; Spleenwort Gale, &c. 



It is a low shrub, which has an 

 aromatic fragrance when rubbed or 

 bruised between the fingers. It is 

 very common throughout the Unit- 

 ed States, and is much employed in 

 domestic practice, though seldom 

 prescribed by physicians. Schoepf, 

 on the authority of Colden, states 

 that masticating the root will check 

 a spitting of blood, and also that it 

 is useful in rachitis and the debility 

 succeeding to fevers. Its true character seems to be that of a mild astringent 

 tonic, and hence has proved useful in diarrhoea. Dr. W. P. C. Barton says 

 that he found a weak decoction of it, properly sweetened, a grateful drink to 

 children suffering from the summer complaint, and a useful auxiliary in the 

 treatment of this disease. It is used in some parts of the country as a fomen- 

 tation in rheumatism and contusions. 



C. asplenifolia. 



