434 NOTES ON THE ECONOMIC APPLICATION OF BARKS. 



to a moderate height, but of an enormous hulk, sometimes measuring 20 

 or 30 feet in diameter. The hark has heen used with great success hy Dr. 

 Duchassaing in the miasmatic diseases of the West Indies, and he has pub- 

 lished the result of his experience with it. In France it has also been suc- 

 cessfully employed in intermittent fever. The bark is mucilaginous, and 

 almost without smell or taste. It produces increased appetite and perspi- 

 ration. The leaves also have similar properties. The natives use the 

 bark for various purposes, as for making ropes, nets, &c. 



Inga Unguis Cati, Willd. — A small tree or bush, growing about 10 

 feet high, common in various parts of tropical America. The bark is 

 very astringent, and is reported to have diuretic properties; it is used as 

 a lotion, and for fomentations for external application, as well as in- 

 jection in cases of relaxation of the parts. 



Schinus Molle, L. — A small and very graceful tree, about 20 feet high;, 

 native of Peru and Brazil. The bark abounds in a whitish resinous 

 substance resembling mastic. The natives prepare a lotion which they 

 apply to tumours and inflammations, by boiling the bark in water. The 

 bark of another species of the same genus, S Aroeira, of L., is said to 

 be used by the Indians in diseases of the eyes. They also employ it, 

 when fresh, for rubbing upon new ropes to strengthen them. 



Quercus pedunculata, Willd. — This is our well-known English oak, 

 the bark of which is so much used for its astringency. The principal 

 uses to which it is applied in medicine are in gargles, lotions, &c. It is 

 also given in powder as a febrifuge, made into poultices it is applied to 

 Ulcers and external gangrene ; a decoction is given in chronic diarrhoea. 

 This bark, so much used for tanning, will be noticed more fully under 

 that head. 



Quercus alba, L. — The white oak, and Q, tinctorla, the black oak of 

 North America, are both large trees found growing in the American 

 forests. The properties of the bark are the same as our Quercus pedun- 

 culata, that from the black oak being considered inferior for internal 

 administration, having the power to irritate the bowels in a greater- 

 degree than that of Quercus alba. 



Flcus Indica, L. — The Banyan tree of India, where it is common in 

 all parts, growing to an enormous extent by throwing adventitious roots 

 from its horizontal brandies, downwards into the soil, thereby support- 

 ing the superincumbent weight, and at the same time adding extent to 

 the circumference. The bark is considered by the Hindoos as a power- 

 ful tonic, and is used by them in diabetes. 



Ficus racemosa, L. — Also an East Indian tree, produces a bark which 

 is somewhat astringent, and is used in native practice in cancerous affec- 

 tions, being reduced to a fine powder and mixed with gingelley oil ; an 

 infusion is given in diabetes. 



Myrtca ccrifera, L. — A small tree or bush called Bay berry, some- 

 times growing 12 feet high, native of the woods of North America. The 

 root bark is astringent, and very acrid. It produces a strong burning 



