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Show CHERRY LAUREL, A87 MEDICAL VIRTUES, Since Dr. Madden communicated to the Royal Society an account of the deadly effects of the simple distilled water from the lauro-cerasus, many experiments have been made, here in England, to prove and confirm the truth of the same; but I do not know of any attempts that have been made towards discovering what influence this water, or the leaves from whenceit is distilled, would have on animal bodies, if exhibited in small doses, and continued so for some time. Nowas this, in my humble opinion, is the only way of investigating the useful properties of such plants whose modus of action we are unacquainted with, I hope the following experiments will be acceptable; for, let them be ever so simple, they may lead us to greater discoveries, and without doubt one of the most considerable services we can do to mankind, is to be diligent in making a variety of experiments, and collecting observations; and when we have procured a num- ber of these, it will be allowable to reason upon, and deduce proper inferences from them. To find out the virtues of plants, says Dr. Langrish, has ever been reckoned the most commendable undertaking, and nothing CHERRY LAUREL. PRUNUS LAURO.CERASUS. , Class XIX. Icosandria.. Order I. Monogynia. Essent, Gen. CHar. The same as the last. Cuan, Flowers in racemes: Leaves Spec. ce evergreen, with two glands a¢ e back. EE DESCRIPTION. Tus is a shrub rising sometimes very high. The leaves are obovate, blunt, somewhat Serrate, of a shining green, placed alternate uponstrong short footstalks, The flowers are on short peduncles, in spikes, which proceed fromthe alz of the leaves. The calyx is firm, divided into five segments. composed of five small petals, The corolla is HtsToRry, It is native of the Levant, and has been long cultivated in England; for its polished evergreen leaves add much to the beauty of our shrubberies, is more certain than that the likeliest means to discover the efficacy of such as are not as yet used in physic, is to have recourse to proper experiments with them uponbrutes ; for though some things may be hurtful to man that are not so to other animals, and vice versa, yet, as the greatest number of medicines affect both equally, the exhibition of them to brutes will afford good Opportunities for observing their effects. Doubtless, says the illustrious Boyle, we trample upon many things that, did we know their uses, might serve the noblest ends. We despise many common plants of extraordinaryefficacy for want of taking pains to discover their virtues; and though some maybe deleterious or poisonous in themselves, or in large doses, yet it is probable that art may discover ways and means to reduce such drugs into useful medicines. I amof opinion we have simples of our own growth capable of curing the most formidable diseases, did we but understand their efficacy, and ‘the best manner of applying them; and [ doubt not but a further acquaintance with experimental philosophy will hereafter suggest ways and means of discovering their virtues, and of making most noble medicines ‘from such plants Which arelittle thought of at present, at least for such uses, |