TONICS. 121 
CHAMOMILE FLOWERS (Anruemis Noztis) 
Are a universal favourite as a stomachic and tonic, useful in 
indigestion and debility, and as a tonic in fevers, &c. A 
fomentation and poultice, made by boiling an ounce in a pint 
of water, is very good in painful swellings, and to hasten the 
maturing of abscesses. The infusion may be made with an 
ounce to the pint or quart. Dose: a wineglass of the first, 
and two of the last; of the powdered flower, 10 to 20 grains ; of 
the essential oil, one to four drops ; solid extract, five to ten 
grains, 
WHITE POPLAR BARK (Porutvus TREMULOIDEs). 
The bark of the white poplar tree has long been used by 
herbalists as a tonic. The aneients, as far back as the 
beginning of our era were well acquainted with it. Galen 
affirmed that it had a cleansing property, while Dioscorides, 
another old medico, says it will cure sciatica and strangury. 
The buds, which later on become the leaves, mashed with 
honey, are good for coughs, sore throats, hoarseness, &c. ; and 
according to Dr. Robinson this conserve is good for dull sight. 
The leaves bruised and pressed give out the juice, which, 
when warmed and a few drops put into the ear, eases earache. 
The white poplar bark makes as good a tonic as the celebrated 
quinine, one ounce to the pint. Dose: a wineglassful three 
or four times aday. The black poplar tree may be distin- 
guished from the white by its being straighter in the stem 
and higher. Its leaves are broad and smooth at the edge, 
while those of the white are toothed and paler on the 
under side. The unexpanded buds, when simmered in 
lard or fresh butter, or better still, vaseline, make a very 
good healing ointment for fresh wounds, inflamed sores, and 
as a plaster to prevent the secretion of milk in the breasts. 
The seeds in decoction are recommended in epilepsy. - The 
bark of the black is recommended by Dr. Coffin in the cure of 
dropsy ; usual decoction. The powder of the white enters 
into the Stomach Bitters, and various compounds. 
