586 



MEDICAL BOTANY. 



an austere bitterish taste. It contains Tannin, Gallic acid, and Extractive, the 

 former of which predominates. A decoction of it is employed as an astrin- 

 gent in diseases of the bowels, in certain hemorrhages, and as a wash in 

 prolapsus ani, haemorrhoids, &c. ; as an injection in leucorrhoea and gonor- 

 rhoea ; as a bath in diseases of children, where a tonic impression is wished 

 to be made, and the condition of the stomach contra-indicates an internal use 

 of remedies ; it is also beneficial as a gargle in a relaxed condition of the 

 fauces, and in an aphthous state of the mucous membrane. Externally it is 

 useful as an application to flabby and ill-conditioned ulcers ; and a poultice 

 of the ground bark has proved of service in gangrene and mortification. 



2. Q. tinctoria, Michaux. — Leaves ovate-oblong, slightly lobed, pubescent beneath; 

 lobes oblong, obtuse, mucronate ; cup flat ; gland depressed-globose. 



Michaux, N. A. Syl. i. 91 ; Willdenow, Sp. PI. iv. 444 ; Torrey, Comp. 

 357; Barton, Comp. Fl. Phil. ii. 168. 



Common Names. — Black Oak, Quercitron, &c. 



This is one of the largest of our native species, and is of great importance 

 from its bark forming an article much employed for its tinctorial qualities, 

 and largely exported under the name of Quercitron. It should be noticed, 

 however, that the barks of several other species are indiscriminately used for 

 this purpose, as those of Q.falcata, Q. rubra, &c. This is officinal in our 

 Pharmacopoeia, but is not as much employed internally as that of the White 

 Oak, being apt to irritate the bowels. Where an external astringent is re- 

 quired, it is preferable to that species, from containing more tannin and 

 gallic acid. Several other American oaks afford barks of similar properties 

 to the alba, and may be substituted for it, as Q. prinos, Q. palustris, Q. 

 bicolor, Q. montana, &c. 



Fig. 256. 



Q,. pedunculata. 



o. Male catkins, b. Stamens, c. Female involucre and stigmas, d. Young fruit, 

 magnified. /. A cotyledon with the radicle. 



e. The same 



