called Wahoo), though the same name is given to the ear-leaved Magnolia, and the Ulmus alata.* EUONYMUS AMERICANUS, Linn., (Strawberry Tree.) The seeds of both species of this shrub, are emetic and purgative; the bark a very efficient alterative. A quack preparation, in which the first species forms the principal ingredient, under the name of Wahoo, has considerable repute, in this state, in the cure of many chronic diseases, where a depurative alterative is indicated. We believe the tree has valuable deobstruent properties, which entitle it to the attention of the profession generally. RHAMNACEE, Juss.-(THE BUCK-THORN TRIBE.) RHAMNUST CATHARTICUS, (Common Buck-thorn). This is found in the highlands of this state, and naturalized in many places, (Eaton's Manual). A shrub seven or eight feet high; berries, officinal; their odor is unpleasant, taste bitter, acrid, and nauseous. Contain a peculiar coloring matter, acetic acid, mucilage, sugar, a peculiar principle, rhamnin, and a nitrogenous substance. The berries and expressed juice actively purgative; apt to cause nausea and griping, with much thirst and dryness of mouth; chiefly useful as hydragogue cathartic in dropsy. The syrup is the best form of giving it. This is often made, in this city, of the berries of the Cratagus. We have another species, R. Alnifolius, growing in swamps in the northern parts of the state, whose berries have similar properties. Root CEANOTHUS AMERICANUS, Linn., (New Jersey Tea). The leaves of this shrub were used for tea, during the revolutionary war. slightly bitter and astringent; imparts a red color to water; a useful alterative, in syphilis, hepatic, and cutaneous diseases; has been employed with success in dysentery, in the form of strong infusion of the leaves; forms a valuable local application in aphthous affections of the mouth and fauces. Ferrien states that a strong decoction of it cures gonorrhoea in two or three days, (Griffith). The Indians use it as a febrifuge, as well as an astringent. We regard it as a valuable article. VITACEE, Juss.-(THE VINE TRIBE). The VINE TRIBE of our state yields four indigenous species. These are VITIS LABRUSCA, Linn., (Fox Grape) V. AESTIVALIS, Michx., (Summer Grape); V. CORDIFOLIA, Michx., (Frost Grape); V. RIPARIA, Michx., (Winter Grape). It is said by Mr. Adlum, that there are 200 varieties of the wild grape in the United States. Rafinesque has described forty-one indigenous species. The Fox grape is about threefourths of an inch in diameter, globose, usually dark purple, when ripe, sometimes amber-colored, or greenish-white, of a strong musky odor, and somewhat rancid taste, filled with a tough pulp. The Isa The Trees of America, native and foreign, by D. J. Browne. Harpers: NewYork, 1846. + From the Greek, rhamnus, a branch. bella, Schuylkill, or Alexanders, the Catawba, and Bland's grape, are varieties of this species. The berries of the Summer grape are about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, globose, deep blue, or almost black, of a pleasant flavor. The berries of the Frost grape are about onefourth of an inch in diameter, nearly black when mature, very acerb, but pleasant after having been frozen. The Winter grapes are about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, and dark purple or amber-color when ripe. When ripe these, like other grapes, possess valuable medicinal properties, being wholesome, antiseptic, cooling, diuretic and laxative, and prove beneficial in many diseases. Thus we have what is called the Grape cure in Germany, which consists in confining patients with chronic diseases entirely to a diet of grapes. Palatable wines may also be made of our indigenous grapes, possessing the same medicinal qualities as those of foreign wines POLYGALACEE, Juss.-(THE MILk-wort Tribe). The plants of this, like many of the other natural orders, differ considerably in their medicinal properties. Some are bitter and tonic ; some emetic, purgative and diuretic, some are merely emetic, others are diuretic and sudorific; while others still are poisonous. POLYGALA SENEGA, Linn., the Seneca Snake Root is a not uncommon plant in this state, in dry rocky woods, and flowering from May to July. Expectorant, emetic, sudorific, diuretic, emmenagogue, cathartic, diaphoretic, etc., according to dose and manner of administration; most valuable as an expectorant in croup, and other pulmonary affections. In amenorrhea, it proves most useful in recent cases. The Senega contains. two peculiar acids, the Polygalic and the Virgineic, on which its virtues depend. (Quevenne, in Jour. de Pharm xxii.) According to POLYGALA SANGUINEA, Linn., (Purple Milk-wort). Dr. B. S. Barton, this species possesses the same medicinal properties as the former, and may be used in the same cases. We have never tested it. POLYGALA PAUCIFOLIA, according to Rafinesque, has active properties; the root having a sweet, pungent, and aromatic taste, while, like the Senega, it is stimulant, sudorific, expectorant, etc., but milder in its action than the latter plant; used in warm infusion and decoction. Dr. Griffith says that the root appears to have the properties of a tonic and bitter, similar to the P. amara and P. rubella, and that his observations do not agree with those of Rafinesque. (Med. Botany, p. 227.) * From the Greek, poly, much, and galı, milk; from its supposed power of increasing the secretion of mi k. (To be con inued.) ART. II.-Quarterly Report of sick and wounded of the U. S. Infantry at Vera Cruz, for the quarter ending June 30th, 1847.-By C. H. LAMB, M. D., U. S. A. Vera Cruz, Mex., July 3d, 1846. SIR,-Herewith I have the honor to enclose a quarterly report of sick and wounded of the 1st U. S. Infantry, stationed at this post, for this quarter, ending 30th June, 1847. By this report you will observe, that the yellow fever is one of the prevailing diseases of the city at this time, and although it cannot be said as yet to have assumed an epidemic character, a considerable number of cases have occurred. The mortality, I am happy to be able to say, up to this time, has been comparatively small (for hospital patients), the number of deaths from this disease being about 24 per cent. and from all diseases about 5, a result, which will, I believe, compare very favorably with mortuary statistics of the southern cities of the United States during the prevalence of this fever. The mortality at New Orleans, I am informed, has been, for a series of years, a fraction less than 50 per cent. With some exceptions the disease has been of a mild and tractable character, yielding, if taken in its earlier stage, to the influence of full doses of Quinine (15 to 20 grs.) with mercurials, aided by general and local depletion, warm mustard baths, mild purgatives or enemata, iced or acidulated gum-water in small quantities as a drink. The greatest reliance may be placed upon large doses of Quinine at the onset and continued in smaller doses (5 to 8 grs.) every 4 or 6 hours during the first thirty-six or forty-eight hours, in arresting the disease; mercurial cathartics coming in as a part of the early treatment, with a view principally of dislodging the contents of the bowels. When this course fails, as it sometimes does, in producing a favorable termination or crisis, the subsequent treatment, a much less active one, consists in the administration of various remedial agents to meet local symptoms as indicated by the prominent features of each individual case; such as the application of dry cups, iced water and vinegar to the head, fomentations or sponging with warm brandy and water, sinapisms, blisters, mustard pediluvia, together with the internal administration of camphorated ammonia mixture, or where there is much irritability of stomach, bicarb. soda and morphia; at the same time keeping the primæ viæ free by mild enemata. My own experience and I believe that of most of the medical men here, compels me to say that little benefit has been derived from this subsequent treatment; the cases in which we have had an opportunity of testing its value, having, with but few exceptions, terminated fatally. A few cases have, from the commencement assumed an aggravated form; the hemorrhagic tendency being early dev. loped in sanguineous discharges from the mouth and anus, and the ejections from the stomach of that peculiar secretion, the black vomit," which with some of the resident physicians appears to have given the distinctive appellative to this " vomito," as differing in some respects from the yellow fever of New Orleans, but of which the evidence presented by the disease gives no corroboration. Other rare cases of that peculiar form desig. nated as "walking" have been observed, in which the patient, though fatally affected, is, nevertheless, able to walk about to within a comparatively very short time of his dissolution. This propensity too, he is sure to indulge, contrary to instructions, if not narrowly watched and prevented. These cases afford additional proof of the assertion of Prof. Harrison, of New-Orleans, that they are almost invariably fatal, in defiance of all remedies and contrary to what would be expected (judging merely from appearances) by those who have never witnessed this curious form of the disease. A singular symptom, which I have not seen noticed by any writer on the subject, is the discoloration of the tongue, which has been observed by myself and others. This occurs during convalescence, even as late as the fifteenth and twentieth day; commencing in the centre and extending in some cases over the whole upper surface of the tongue, so as to give it the appearance of having been smeared with ink. This symptom occurring without any assignable cause, has proved to be of little importance; disappearing under the administration of aromatic sulph. acid and quinine, in doses of one or two grains three times a day. The general type of the fever has been that of an open remittent character, while some cases, from the commencement of, or soon after the attack, have assumed a typhoid character; a highly-unfavorable state of things, the mortality being greater and the convalescence more tedious and protracted. I have not spoken of the dietetic management of this disease, because little, indeed, can be said on this subject. An entire restriction from all articles of nourishment must be enjoined and strictly required until the period of convalescence be permanently established; when beef-tea or chicken-water may be allowed in small quantity, with Port wine-sangarees, brandy-toddy, porter or ale, as the fancy of the individual may suggest, and occasional doses of the mineral acids. When cases have terminated fatally, death has taken place generalty on the fifth day, while the period occupied in the convalescence has been from 8 to 20 days. With great respect your obedient servant, C. H. LAMB, Asst. Surg. U. S. A. Surgeon General, U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. |