OF NEW-YORK. 17 



eyes. The bark of the branches, from three to five years old, collect- 

 ed in the spring, has been successfully employed as a substitute for 

 Cinchona. It contains bitter extractive and tannin, which are taken 

 up by boiling water, and to which it owes its astringent and tonic pro- 

 perties. Given in intermittents, etc., in substance, decoction and infu- 

 sion, in the same manner and doses as the Peruvian bark. 



CelastracejK, R. Brown. 



The Spindle Tree Trihe furnish aeveral valuable medicinal plants 

 in New-York, among which are, the 



Celastrus Scanuens, (Bitter Sweet). The bark, emetic, discu- 

 tient, anti-syphilitic, slightly narcotic, has valuable alterative properties, 

 and is a popular remedy in hepatic affections. Deserves further inves- 

 tigation. Torrey states that the plant is "narcotic and stimulating, 

 and employed as a domestic medicine in the western states." 



Euonymus* Atroturpureus, Jacq., (Burning Bush, sometimes 

 called Wahoo,) though the same name is given to the ear-leaved Mag- 

 nolia, and the Ulmus alata.~\ 



Euonymus Americanus, Linn., (Strawberry Tree). 



The seeds of both species of this shrub, are emetic and purgative ; 

 the bark a very efficient alterative. A quack preparation, in which 

 the first species forms the principal ingredient, under the name of 

 Wahoo, has considerable repute, in this state, in the cure of many 

 chronic diseases, where a depurative alterative is indicated. We be- 

 lieve the tree has valuable deobstruent properties, which entitle it to the 

 attention of the profession generally. 



Rhamnace.*:, Juss. — (The Buck-Thorn Tribe.) 

 Rhamnus| Catharticus, (Common Buck-thorn). This is found in 

 the highlands of this state, and naturalized in many places, (Eaton's 

 Manual). A shrub seven or eight feet high ; berries, officinal ; their 

 odor is unpleasant, taste bitter, acrid, and nauseous. Contain a pecu- 

 liar coloring matter, acetic acid, mucilage, sugar, a peculiar principle, 

 thamnin, and a nitrogenous substance. The berries "and expressed 

 juice actively purgative ; apt to cause nausea and griping, with much 

 thirst and dryness of mouth ; chiefly useful as hydragogue cathartic in 



* From Euunyme, mother to the Furies ; in allusifjn to the injurious effects pro- 

 duced by the fruit of this plant. 



t The Trees of America, native and foreign, by D.J. Browne. Harpers: New- 

 York, 1846. 



t From the Greek, rhamnus, a branch. 



2 



