72 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR, 
us of a contrast, a hypochondriac patient who took our medicine, 
as well as bucketfuls of others. He had visited the surgery 
of perhaps the most reputed doctor in the province, who, at 
last got tired of him, as his conscience might be accusing him 
for taking so many half sovereigns from a poor man. At the 
last visit the doctor addressed him thus: ‘‘Go home, my man, 
and don’t take any more medicine; go to work and try and 
forget your trouble, for it is only imaginary.” His conscience, 
however, did not prevent him taking another fee. His advice 
did not suit, for he came to us and took about an hour to tell 
of his aches and pains. We gave him medicine, which we can 
only hope did him good. Returning to our subject, we do not 
know of a better way of taking this native medicine than that 
recommended by the liberal doctor just mentioned : a handful 
of the blossoms and twigs of the tree infused in a pint of boiling 
water, and half a cupful about two to six timesaday. It 
may be made into a tincture, two ounces to the pint of proof 
spirit ; steep for a week, strain, press, bottle, and take from a 
tea- to a table-spoonful for a dose. This may be used in all 
cases when a diuretic is needed. 
BEARBERRY (Uva Ursz). 
This hardy shrub inhabits the northern latitudes and high 
mountains of Europe, Asia, and America, It prefers barren 
wastes and dry sandy tablelands. The leaves are the part 
used in medicine. They are small, pale green, not unlike 
senna, but smaller, thicker, and smooth, with slight shade 
sf brown ; when powdered this brown shade isapparent. The 
best way we have found to get the whole of the virtues is to 
infuse the powder, two teaspoonfuls to the pint; drink one 
or two wineglassfuls three or four times a day. Itis usually 
combined in diuretic mixtures. 
QUEEN OF THE MEADOW (Evpatorrum PurPurEvM), 
(Gravel Root or Meadow Sweet), 
Is described as a perennial herbaceous plant, with a purple stem, 
five or six feet high. Its leaves are lance-shaped and toothed ; 
