Burnett, the diaphoretic effects which followed their use, are to be attributed to them or to dilution we 
cannot determine. Externally, they are still much recommended for their soothing effects; but we are scep- 
tical, and venture to assert, that both fomentations and ointments would be quite as efficacious without them : 
indeed, what is sold for Elder ointment in the shops is seldom a genuine article. 
* Professor Taylor tells us that the berries in a crude state excite nausea and purging ; and that 
Dr. Christison states that the leaves and flowers of the Common Elder (Sambucus Nigra) act as an 
irritant poison, having caused in a boy severe inflammation of the bowels, which lasted for eight days. (Op. 
cit. 607; and Ed. Med. and Sur. Jour, xxxiii. 73). The berries of this tree do not, however, appear to 
possess in the ripe state, any noxious properties. The following case of poisoning by the expressed juice of 
the roots is reported. (See Med. Gaz. xxxv. 96.) A weakly woman, 54 years of age, who had been sick 
all day, and thrown up a quantity of greenish matter, which she regarded as bile, was persuaded by her 
husband to take two tablespoonfuls of the juice of the fresh elder-root which he himself had dug up, shaved 
down and pressed. The woman soon after complained of pains in the abdomen. She was ordered some 
infusion of senna, but did not take it, as the bowels began almost immediately to act copiously. Next day 
the symptoms were those of enteritis, which proved fatal. 
(Economical Uses. — The ripe berries are in considerable repute, as affording a domestic wine, which, 
if properly prepared and drank warm, with spices and sugar, is an excellent cordial. For making this wine, 
Mrs. Hewlett, in a valuable work, entitled “ Cottage Comforts,” which no peasant should be without, has 
given the following plain and wholesome directions : “ If two gallons of wine are to be made, get one gallon 
of elderberries, and a quart of damsons, or sloes : boil them together in six quarts of water, for half an hour, 
breaking the fruit with a stick flat at one end; run off the liquor, and squeeze the pulp through a sieve, or 
straining cloth; boil the liquor up again, with six pounds of coarse sugar, two ounces of ginger, two ounces 
of bruised allspice, and one ounce of hops; (the spice had better be loosely tied in a bit of muslin;) let this 
boil above half an hour ; then pour it off ; when quite cool, stir in a tea cup full of yeast, and cover it up to 
work. After two days, skim off the yeast, and put the wine into the barrel, and when it ceases to hiss, 
which will be in about a fortnight, paste a stiff brown paper over the bung-hole. After this, it will be fit for 
use in about eight weeks, but will keep eight years, if required. The bag of spice may be dropped in at the 
bung hole, having a string fastened outside, which shall keep it from reaching the bottom of the 
barrel.” 
The wood of the Common Elder is commonly made into skewers for butchers, lops for angling rods, 
and needles for weaving nets. The pith, being very light, is cut into balls used in electrical experiments. 
Dose — The dose of the bark is from grs. x. to 3 SS. ; or half an ounce may be boiled in a pint and a 
half of water, down to twelve ounces, and divided into three equal doses. 
Off. Prep. — Succus spissatus Sambuci nigrse, E. D. 
Unguentum Sambuci, L. D. 
Sambucus Ebulus. 
Besides the nigra, there is another species, the Sambucus Ebulus, Dwarf Elder, or Danewort, which is j 
not uncommon throughout Europe, in waste places, and by the sides of hedges, occasionally occurring in 
Great Britain, and flowering in July. It grows in many places near London, and is figured in “ English 
Botany.” v. 7, t. 475. It may be readily distinguished from the other species, by its low annual, herbaceous 
stem, leafy stipules, cymes with three principal branches, and its beautiful, dull purplish, or lilac-coloured 
flowers. The whole plant, with the exception of the flowers, has a nauseous, acrid, bitter taste, and a dis- 
agreeable smell. Every part of the plant, especially the bark, is violently cathartic, and sometimes emetic ; 
being stronger and more unpleasant than the Common Elder. The berries are likewise purgative, but in a 
lesser degree. A syrup prepared from them has been given to the quantity of an ounce, as a laxative ; in 
smaller doses, it is said by Haller, to be used in Switzerland as a deobstruent in chronic diseases. By some, 
the Sambucus Ebulus has even been regarded as an acrid poison. 
* Taylor on Poison in relation to Medical Jurisprudence, page 513. 
