CERASUS VIRGINIANA. 
103 
by any artificial combination of a supposed similar kind. We may add diluted 
hydrocyanic acid, or cherry-iaurel water, or some of the other narcotic or seda¬ 
tive articles, to a bitter tonic infusion, and we may further flavour them with 
noyau, almond emulsion, or any similar substance, and still we shall find that 
they yield in efficacy to nature’s own combination, effected in her own laboratory.” 
Dr. Wood* * * § also refers to its value as a remedial agent in the treatment of pul¬ 
monary consumption. He also adds, “ I have employed this remedy much in 
functional and organic disease of the heart , attended with a frequent, perhaps 
irregular, but rather feeble pulse, with an anaemic or otherwise debilitated state 
of system ; and consider it one of our best remedies in such cases, combined, 
if anaemia exist, with the use of the chalybeates. As the infusion, however, 
contains tannic acid, it is better not to add the preparation of iron to it, but 
to administer the two separately.” 
The author of the article on Primus Virginian a in the ‘ Lancet ’f says, “ Wild- 
cherry bark exerts three remarkable and valuable actions on the system : it is 
(1) powerfully tonic ; (2) calmative of nervous irritability ; and (3) an arterial 
sedative. We have seen most of its employment in the form of a saturated 
tincture. This, in doses of one drachm, affords relief in a most striking manner 
in the dyspepsia of highly-nervous persons. Such patients, when under the in¬ 
fluence of depressing emotions, complain of a peculiarly distressing sensation of 
sinking and pain at the pit of the stomach ; a similar sense of distress often at¬ 
tends pulmonary consumption ; and no agent in either case affords so much re¬ 
lief as the tincture of wild-cherry bark. In gastralgia (whether before or after 
taking food), in flatulence, heartburn, nausea, or other symptoms of irritation of 
the stomach, it is equally remedial. In general debility and the depression fol¬ 
lowing catarrhs and influenza, it is a valuable tonic and restorative.” 
The so-called active constituent of wild-cherry bark, which has been termed 
prunin , Dr. Grover CoeJ regards as u a valuable stimulant tonic, and expectorant, 
when given in small and repeated doses; and an arterial sedative of considerable 
efficacy when given in larger doses.” He adds, it may be employed in coughs, 
colds, incipient phthisis, dyspepsia, hectic fever, debility, scrofula, etc. The 
author of ‘Positive Medical Agents ’§ thus speaks of Prunin:—“It possesses 
the virtues of the plant, viz. tonic, and pleasantly stimulating to the digestive 
organs, and, while it is such, exercising a marked influence over the force of 
the circulation. It has been found beneficial in the treatment of pulmonary 
disease, especially of a bronchial character, and in phthisis, when hectic fever is 
present.” The above extracts, and a host of others, might have been given 
from reliable authorities, clearly indicate that the wild-cherry bark is a remedy 
of much value, and as such, cannot but come into use into this country. 
Administration, Preparations, and Doses. —Wild-cherry bark has been 
administered in the form of powder, infusion, fluid extract, resinoid extract 
(prunin'), tincture, wine, syrup, etc. The powder is but rarely employed, as it 
is liable to oppress the stomach, and is moreover not in a favourable condition 
to undergo those chemical changes which are absolutely necessary to produce 
the full remedial effects of the remedy. The resinoid extract (prunin), might 
probably with advantage be substituted for the powder in those cases where it 
is considered necessary to order the bark in that form, as it is a more concen¬ 
trated remedy than it, being free from starch, gum, sugar, woody fibre, etc. 
Prunin, however, possesses but slightly the sedative effects of wild-cherry bark, 
as from the volatility of hydrocyanic acid, this is driven off in its preparation. 
It possesses only the tonic and anti-periodic properties of the bark. 
* Wood's ‘Therapeutics and Pharmacology,’ vol. i. p. 291. 
f ‘ Lancet,’ vol. i. 1862, p. 159. 
J ‘Concentrated Organic Medicines,’ p. 391. 
§ ‘ Positive Medical Agents,’ p. 223. 
