384

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

by two of the most eminent writers on diseases of the urinary organs. My ownexperience of it amounts to this: that in some cases ihe relief obtained by theuse of it was most marked ; whereas, in other instahces, it was of no avail. Itis to be remembered, that its astringent Operation unfits it for acute cases, andthat the alteration which it produces in the condition of the urinary organs iseffected very slowly ; so that to be beneficial, it requires to be exhibited for aconsiderable period. In calculous affections it has occasionally given relief.De Haen (Rat. Med. t. ii. p. 63,) and Van Svvieten (Commentaries, t. xvi. p.300,) speak of the good efFects of it in these cases. It alleviated the pain,checked the purulent and mucous secrelion,and restored the urine to its naturalcondition. These effects seem to have arisen from its influence over the kid-neys and bladder, for it did not appear to affect the calculus. In chronic bron-chial affections, with profuse mucous or purulent secretion, it may occasionallyprove serviceable. Dr. Bourne 'Cases of Pulmonary Consumption, &c. treatedwith Uva-ursi, 18,) gave it in powder (in doses of from 8 to 20 grs.) threetimes daily, in milk, with success.

Administration ___The dose of the powder is from 9j. to 3j. But the " pow-

dered leaves of this plant are so bulky and disagreeable, that few stomachs willbear to persevere long enough in the use of the requisite quantity ; and the sameis pretty much the same with the Infusion and decoction." (Prout, op. cit. p. 185.)On this account the extract is frequently preferred.

1. DECOCTÜM UVJ! IIRSI, L. Decoction of Bearberry. (Uva-ursi, bruised,gj. i Distilled Water, Ojss. (Water, ßxx. U.S.) Boil down to a pint, andstrain).—Dose, f'3j. to f3iij., three times a day.

1EXTRACTUM UVJ URSI, L. (ü. S.) Extract of Bearberry. (Uva-ursi, bruised,Ib. ijss.; Boiling Distilled Water, Gong. ij. Macerate for twenty-four hours;then boil down to a galion, and strain the liquor while hot; lastly, evaporate toa proper consistence.) Dose, grs. v. to grs. xv., tvvice or thrice daily.

OTHER MEDICINAL, ERICACB«;.

Gaultiieria trocumbens, or the Partridgc Berry, is a native of t!ie United Slates of Arne-rioü. It Combines the properties of an aromatic and astringent. Its aromatic q u;ili(ies residein a volatile oil, its aslringency in tannin. It is used in America as a fiavonring ingredient,and also as an emmenagogue. The volatile oil of partridge berry (oleumgaultherite) has beensold in England under tho narae of oil of winler green. It has a pinkish yellovv colour. Itssp. gr. is 1-17. It is uscd to cover the unplcasant rlavour of other rnedicines (see Syrupus Sar-saparille, ]>. 131). In the dose of a fiuidounce it has caused fatal gastritis. (Uniled StatesDispensalory.)

Order XLIX.—LOBELIACEiG, Jussieu.—THE LOBELIA TRIBE.

Essentiai. Character. — Cahjx five-lobed, more or less adherentto the ovary. Corolla persis-tent, more or less gamopetalous ; lohes or petals five, usually irregulär, sometimes almostregulär; lubes entire or elcft longitudinally. JEslivation somewhat valvulär. Slamens five,alternate wilh the lobes of the corolla, usually free, but sometimes adherent to the tube ofthe corolla; Jilamenls free, or more or less connale; anthers cohering, bilocular, dehiscing'longitudinally ; fallen ovoid. Ovary inferior or semi-superior, two or rarely one-celled, thenwith parietal placentae; style one; Stigma surrounded with a ring of hairs. Fruit usuallydehiscing at the apex by two valves, rarely from above by an opcreulum or lalcrally by threevalves, or indehiscent. Seeds indefinite; albumen fleshy; embryo straight.—Lactescentherbs or under-shrubs, rarely small trees. Leaves alternate, without stipules. Flowersusually axillary, solitary, racemose. (Condensed from De Cand.)

Properties. —Dangerous or suspicious plants; mostly acrids or aero-narcoticsr

LOBE'LIA INFLA'TA, Linn. L. E.~ BLADDER-PODDED LOBELIA; INDIAN

TOBACCO.

Sex. Syst. Pentandria, Monogynia.

(Herb, E.)

(Lobelia, U. S.)

Histoky.— -This plant was employed by the aborigines in America ; and afterhaving been for some time used by quacks, was introduced to the notice of the