Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

208

Materia Medica

Tonics

this subject I refer you to Dr Roys dissertation.

Prunus Virginiana or more properly Cerasis Virginiana or Wild Cherry. The berries possess a narcotic quality, the bark of the root exerts the properties of the tree most powerfully = though that of the trunk is most commonly used = it is a verry valuable tonic in many diseases, and it is verry durable in its effect = I think I have seen it cure one case of lumbar abscess, attended with Hectic fever. In Pulmonary Consumption, I have seen it usefull and known it relieve cough.

Salix Alba or Common Willow. The bark is bitter and astringent and nearly equal to the oak bark in the process of tanning = it has been used with success in intermittant fevers dose from ℈i to ℈ij [1 to 2 scruples].

Esculus Hippocastinum or Horse Chestnut. As a substitute for the Peruvian Bark it has been recommended by several verry respectable writers, in intermittants it is a good tonic and might be used with advantage* [footnote back 1 page]

Cornus Florida. Or Common Dogwood, deserves our notice, the bark is considerably astringent, I have