OF NEW-YORK. 43 



gastric debility, etc. The Jast is the only one indigenous to this coun- 

 try. The two former are grateful aromatic cordials, and used to allay 

 nausea, relieve spasmodic pains of the digestive organs, expel flatus, 

 and correct the taste of nauseating medicines. In fomentation over 

 the stomach, they relieve nausea and vomiting, especially in cholera 

 infantum of young children. In infusion or vol. oil. Off. U. S. P. 



Lycopus* Virginicus, Linn., (Bugle-weed). The whole herb ; 

 taste slightly bitter, odor peculiar, virtues imparted to boiling water. 

 A mild astringent, nicotic, and depurative ; has been used with suc- 

 cess in incipient phthisis, and hemorrhage from the lungs. It Lessens 

 the frequency of the pulse, quiets irritation, and allays cough. Infusion 

 best form of using it. (See N. York Med. <§■ Phys. Jour. 1, 179.) 



MoNARDAf Didyma, Linn., (Oswego Tea). M. Fistulosa, Linn., 

 (Horse Mint, Wild Bergamot). M. Punctata, Linn., (Horse Mint). 

 All these species are more or less aromatic and pungent to the taste, 

 and abound in vol. oil, which is separated by distillation. They are 

 carminative and stimulant. The oil forms an excellent stimulating 

 embrocation in rheumatism, flatulent colic, and in cases where such 

 remedies are needed. (See Phil. Med. Recorder, vol. 1, p. 494.) 



Pycnanthemum^: Incanum, Michx., (Common Mountain Mint). P. 

 Muticum, Pcrs., (Hairy-leaved Mountain Mint). P. Lanceolatum, 

 Pursh, (Virginian Thyme). We have six species of mountain mint, 

 most of which are used as domestic remedies to answer the same indi- 

 cations as the other species of mint. 



Origanum^ Vulgare, Linn., (Common Wild Marjorum). This 

 plant has a warm, pungent taste, and a peculiar aromatic odor, which 

 are owing to a volatile oil. It is a stimulant, tonic, diaphoretic, and 

 emmenagogue. The oil forms a good external stimulant as an embro- 

 cation in toothache, neuralgia, rheumatism, etc. Off. U. S. P. 



Collinsonia|| Canadensis, Linn., (Common Horse-balm, Stone 

 Root, Knot Root). An indigenous plant, having a strong and disa- 

 greeable smell, and a warm pungent taste. Diuretic, diaphoretic, tonic, 

 and astringent. The active principle is volatile, hence the fresh plant 

 is to be preferred. The decoction of the fresh root is highly recom- 

 mended in cystitis, gravel, leucorrhea, and dropsy, and it is a popular 



■ 



* From the Greek hjkos, a wolf, and pous, foot ; its leaves resembling the foot of 

 that animal. 



t In honor of Monarde.z, a Spanish botanist of the 16th century. 



t From the Greek pyknos, dense, and anthemon, a flower, the flowers being in 

 clusters. 



§ From oros, mountain, and ganeas, joy ; because many of the species are fra- 

 grant and beautiful, and grow in hilly places. 



|| In honor of Peter Collinson, of London, a distinguished patron of botany. 



