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VALE

Uvm Passes. L. E. P. Raisins. The dried fruit of the Vitis vinifera.Raisins are cooling, acidulous, and nutritive, also slightly laxative,and expectorant; but of little medicinal importance.

Uvm Uksi Folia. L. E. D. P. Uva Ursi, or Bear-berry Leaves. Ar-butus uva ursi. A native shrub, but not common. It is chiefly usedon account of its astringency. It is also slightly diuretic. It issupposed to relieve nephritic and calculous complaints and vesicalirritability by astringing the relaxed mucous membrane of thebladder, &c, and diminishing the secretion of mucus. The dose isDj to 5j of the dried leaves thrice a day. It frequently renders theurine black. It does not seem to merit much confidence.Imitated by substituting the leaves of other plants for the genuine,which are oblong-egg-shaped, very entire, and veined like networkunderneath.

V.

Vaccine Matter is procured by puncturing the vaccine pustule aboutthe ninth or tenth day, and drying what exudes on a lancet, or, whatis better, on a small square of glass. When it is to be sent to a dis-tance, it ought to be drawn into a small glass globe, and hermeticallysealed. It will thus keep good for a long period. When it is to beapplied, the dried matter must be moistened with a little hotwater.

Valerians: Radix. L. E. D.P. Valerian Root. Valeriana officinalis.A native plant, not uncommon in woods and thickets. The root hasa very unpleasant smell (which cats are very fond of), and a some-what acrid and nauseous bitter taste.Adulterated with other roots, but the genuine may be known by acluster of fibres adhering to one head, and by having the peculiarsmell of valerian. Those are best which are procured from a drysoil, though it is not easy to procure such, for the plant affects moistground. The same remark holds of digitalis.Medicinally it has long been considered an antispasmodic and emmena-gogue, and is on that account prescribed in hysteria, and chlorosis, aswell as in other nervous disorders. Dr. Paris says the powder is thebest form, and the decoction the worst: Mr. Brande, that the powderis not a commendable form, and that it is best in infusion or decoc-tion. The tincture is perhaps preferable. Dose of the powder 3jto 5j, twice a day, with mace or cinnamon to disguise the flavour.It is a good adjunct to bark and the foetid gums.Enters into Ext. Valeriana;. D. Infus. Valerians. D. Tinct. Vale-rians. L. D. Tinct. Valeriana; Ammoniata. L. D.