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Show 630 RATTLESNAKE ROOT, OR MILKWORT, posed to resemblethe tail of the animal whose name it bears; a kind of membranous margin runs on each side the whole length of the root. The barkis the active part of the root. Its tasteis atfirst acrid, afterwards very hot and pungent. It has no smell. Its acrimonyresides in a resin; for it is entirely extracted by alcohol; is precipitated by water; does not rise in distillation; and is not destroyed by keeping. MEDICAL USE, Tt is an active stimulus, and increases the force of the circula. tion, especially of the pulmonaryvessels. It has therefore been found useful in typhoid inflammations of the lungs ; but it is apt to disorder the stomach, and to induce diarrhea. Dr. Brand. reth, of Liverpool, has derived great benefit, in some cases of lethargy, from an extract of seneka combined with carbonate of ammonia. Some have likewise employed this root in hydropic cases, and not without success. ‘There are examples of its occasioning a plentiful evacuation by stool, urine, and perspiration; and by this means removing the disease, after the common diuretics and hydragogues had failed. The Senegaro Indians are said to prevent the fatal effects of BASTARD CABBAGE TREE. GEOFFRGA INERMIS. the bite of a ratilesnake by giving it internally, and byapplying it externally to the wound. The usual dose of the powder is thirty grains, or more. Externally it has heen advantageously used as a stimulating gargle in croup. OFFICINAL PREPARATION. Decocrion or Senexa. (Decoctum Polygale Senegz. E.) Take of seneka root, one ounce; water, two pounds: Boil down to sixteen ounces, and strain the decoction. The virtues of this decoction will be easily understoodfrom those of the root from whichit is prepared. Thedose inhy- dropic cases, and rheumatic or arthritic complaints, is tw@ aunces, three or four times a day, according to itseffect. Class XVII, Diadelphia. Order TV. Decandria. Essent, Gen. CHAR. Talyx five-cleft: Drupe ovate: Nut compressed, Spec, CHAR, Stem unarmed: Leaveslanceolate. SRE i DESCRIPTION. Tans is a large tree, sending off numerous branches. Leaves pinnated, consisting of several pair of pinnew, and ending in an odd one. Pinne lance-shaped, acute, veined, in pairs, on short footstalks. Flowers in clusters, upon large branched spikes, papilionaceous, of a pale rose colour, terminal, on footstalks. HISTORY. The bark of this tree, which grows in the low savannahs of Jamaica, is of a gray colour externally, but black and furrowed |