Page 517 - My FlipBook

JAMAICA DOGWOOD. 515

juice, which is known as Fix Canadensis—Canada pitch, is a yel-
lowish or faintly greenish, transparent, viscid liquid, when fresh,
but afterward becomes an opaque, reddish-brown, hard and brittle
mass, which contains resin and a volatile oil. It is used to make
rubefacient plasters. The bark is rough and deeply furrowed,
and is very astringent, possessing properties similar to those of
the white-oak bark. An extract prepared from the bark is used
as a topical astringent, but it is not considered to have any ad-
vantages over other common vegetable astringents :
For Ivjiained Mucous Membrane, and for Use after the Removal
of Salivary Calculus.
A. W. Harlan.
U. Pinus canadensis (white) ^ss
Aquae Rosae J iijss
Eugenol Hl"^'''
SiGNA.—Use as a lotion or on a tooth-brush, 3 times daily.
PISCIDIA ERYTHRINA—JAMAICA DOGWOOD.
— Jamaica Dogwood is a plant indigenous to the West
Source.
Indies, where it has been used as an intoxicant in taking fish.
The bark is the officinal portion, and is smooth and bright-
colored.
Medical Properties «Wy/t//5«.-—Jamaica dogwood is a powerful
narcotic, and, in a measure, tonic and diuretic. Its narcotic prop-
erties are supposed to be superior to opium, as it does not cause
the disagreeable after-effects common to that drug. When chewed,
Jamaica dogwood has an unpleasant, acrimonious taste. It yields
its virtues to alcohol, but not to water. Its internal use is gen-
erally followed by a sensation of heat, gradually extending to the
surface, and succeeded by profuse perspiration, with profound
sleep. In large doses it produces general paralysis, and death
from asphyxia. It has been used as a substitute for morphine,
which it resembles in many respects.
Therapeutic Uses.—The principal use of Jamaica dogwood is
in neuralgia, in the form of a tincture composed of Jamaica dog-
wood oj, rectified spirits fsiv. It is effectual in acute pains usu-
ally, and is said to be efficacious in lunacv, and cough of
phthisis.