260    VIBURNUM  PRUNIFOLIUM  IN  THREATENED  ABORTION. 
or  otherwise — whether  threatened  from  accidental  cause  or  crimi- 
nal drugging. 
It  tones  up  the  system,  preventing  or  removing  those  harassing 
nervous  symptoms  that  so  often  torment,  wear  down,  and  dis- 
qualify the  pregnant  woman  for  the  parturient  effort.  It  enables 
the  system  to  resist  the  deleterious  influences  of  drugs,  so  often 
used  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  abortion.  It  is  well  known 
that  the  inner  bark  of  the  cotton  root  is  used  by  many  to  induce 
miscarriage — one  pint  of  the  strong  decoction  being  sufficient  for 
this  purpose.  The  regular  exhibition  of  the  viburnum  completely 
neutralizes  the  effect  of  the  gossypium,  compelling  the  delinquent 
mother,  however  unwilling,  to  carry  the  foetus  to  full  term.  Some 
farmers,  on  whose  plantation  I  have  used  this  medicine,  and  who 
have  seen  much  of  its  effects  on  negro  women  who  always  man- 
aged to  miscarry,  declare  their  belief  that  no  women  can  possi- 
bly abort,  if  compelled  to  use  the  viburnum.  This  may  be  claim- 
ing too  much  for  it ;  but  it  has  certainly  prevented  abortion  in 
every  case  in  which  I  have  ordered  it  for  the  purpose.  Nega- 
tively, miscarriage  has  never  taken  place,  so  far  as  I  am  in- 
formed, in  any  case  in  which  this  medicine  was  used  as  a  pre- 
ventive. 
[We  omit  the  cases  adduced  to  support  the  views  of  Dr.  P., 
but  may  remark  that  they  appear  to  be  favorable  to  the  value  of 
the  viburnum. — Ed.  Am.  Jour.  Pharm.] 
I  have  heretofore,  for  some  years  past,  made  known  the  use 
of  this  valuable  agent,  in  conversations  with  members  of  the  pro- 
fession, as  well  as  by  letter.  Its  value  as  a  medicine  is  so  well 
ascertained  as  to  justify  a  lengthy  article  in  print,  and  its  gen- 
eral use  by  the  medical  profession.  The  bark  may  be  gathered 
at  any  time,  but  is  best,  perhaps,  gathered  in  October  and  No- 
vember. When  practicable,  I  have  preferred  obtaining  it  from 
trees  in  open,  exposed  situations.  Situation  materially  affects 
the  qualities  of  plants.  A  plant,  for  instance,  which,  gathered 
oa  the  level  of  New  Orleans,  is  inert;  gathered  here,  is  probably 
the  best  remedy  in  the  world  for  tetanus  ;  of  which  more  another 
time. — Southern  Jour,  of  Med.  Sciences,  February,  1867,  from 
Atlanta  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal. 
