BEARBERRY.

383

Braconnot, Bull, de Pharm, iii. 348; and Bouillon-Lagrange, Ann. de Chim.lv. 46.)

Composition. —Uva-ursi leaves were analysed, in 1809, by MM. Melandriand Moretii, (Bull, de Pharm, i. 59,) and in 1827 by Meissner. (Gmelin,Hand. d. Chem. ii. 1294.) The eonstituents in 103 parts are, according to thelast-named chemist, gallic acid 1-2, tannic with some gallic acid 36-4, resin4-4, oxidized extractive, with some citrate (?) oflime, 0-8, gum with superma-lates oflime andsoda, and traces oftannin and common salt, 3-3, chlorophylle,6-3, gum (pectic acid ?) extracted by potash 15-7, extractive obtained by potash17-6, lignin 9-6, and water 6-0 (excess 1-3).

Tannic Acid is the active principle of the leaves. An aqueous infusion produces a bluish-black preeipitale {tannate of iron) with the ferruginous salts, and a yellowish-white one (lan-nate of gelaline) with a Solution of isinglass. Gallic acid also contributes to the astringcncyof the leaves.

Phvsiological Effects, a. On Animals generatty. —Most animals refuseto eat this plant: there are, however, some few exceptions to this Statement.Birds, it is said, will eat the berries; and Murray (Opuscula, p. 98,) teils uslhat two kinds of insects feed on the plant, one of which (a species of Coccus)yields a crimson dye. Girardi (De Uva Ursina [Sandifort, Thesaurus, ii.453,] Patavi, 1764,) found that an infusion of the leaves might be injected intothe urinary bladder of animals with impunity; but when taken internally it ex-cited vomiting, and contraction, and inflammation of the slomach.

ß. On Man. —The most obvious effects of Uva-ursi are those of the vegeta-ble astringents before described (see vol. i. p. 188). But the remarkable benefitfrequently obtained by the use ol it in affections of the urinary organs—a bene-fit not equally procurable by the use of other vegetable astringents—leads to thebelief that it has some parlicular influence over ihese organs ; though the onlyeffects observable in healthy persons is an alleration of the colour of the urine(showing that the colouring matter of ihe plant is absorbed), and a slight in-crease in the quantity of this secretion. Alexander (Exp. Essays, p. 151,)found that 3ss. of the powder acted as a mild diuretic (see vol. i. p. 107). Inlarge doses, the powder readily nauseates. As the astringent principle of Uva-ursi has been detected in the urine, it is not improbable that part of the benefi-cial effects which this plant produces in afiections of the kidneys and of themucous membrane lining the urinary organs, may be owing to the local actionof the tannin, in its passage through and from the kidneys.

Uses. —As an astringent it is applicable to all the purposes for which thevegetable astringents generally are used (see vol. i. p. 188). It has been em-ployed asan anüdote in poisoning by ipecacuanha (see Ipecacuanha). But theprincipal use of this remedy is in chronic affections of the bladder, attended withincreased secretion of mucus, and unaccompanied with any marks of active in-flammation. Thus, in the latter stages of catarrhus vesicas, the continued useof Uva-ursi is frequently most beneficial. Combined with hyoscyamus, saysDr. Prout, (On Affect. ofthe Urinary Organs, pp. 185 and 268, 2d ed. 1825,)and persevered in sleadWy for a considerable time, it seldom fails to diminish theirrilation and quantity of mucus, and thus to mitigate the sufferings of the pa-tients. "It undoubtedly possesses," he adds, "considerable powers in chronicaffections of the bladder,/»/ which only it is adapted, its Operation being slow,and requiring perseverance." Sir Benjamin Brodie, (Lond. Med. Gaz. vol. i.p- 300,) on the other hand, observes, that " Uva-ursi has the reputation of beinguseful in some cases of chronic diseases of the bladder, and in this [infiamma"tion] among the rest. I must say, however, that I have been disappointed inthe use of Uva-ursi, and that I have not seen those advantages produced by itwhich the general reputation ofthe mediane had led me to expect. I have seenmuch more good done by a yery old medicine"—the root of the CissampelosPareira. Such are the opposite Statements of the effects of this remedy, made