Although this plant has not yet found its way into the materia medica of
the Pharmacopœia, its credited virtues entitle it to some notice in the
present work. It was first brought into repute in this country by Dr.
Somerville (_Med: Chirug: Trans: Vol. 5_). It is bitter, and consists of
Resin, gum-resin, tannin, and bitter extractive. Alcohol and proof
spirit are its best menstrua, but the watery infusion appears to contain
all the virtues of the plant. MED. USES. It is said to be diuretic,
tonic, and deobstruent; there is, however, no evidence to shew that it
acts, specifically, on any other than the urinary organs. Dr. Ives, in
the American edition of the present work, says, that as a diuretic
medicine it has unquestionable merit, and that it will frequently
mitigate symptoms of gravel, and strangury proceeding from other causes;
he does not, however, agree with Dr. Barton, in considering it
_Antilithic_. He has also given it, alternately with the _Uva Ursi_, in
hæmaturia; the effects of severe and long continued gonorrhœal
inflammation, with the most obvious benefit, and he considers it very
analogous in its operation to the _Uva Ursi_. In some instances it has
appeared to afford great relief in chronic cutaneous diseases. Further
observation is necessary to define the mode and extent of its medicinal
operation, but there is no hazard in saying that it is a medicine
possessing considerable activity. Dr. Barton observes that this plant,
like Uva Ursi, occasionally imparts a black tinge to the urine. DOSE ʒi
to ʒij of the tincture; f℥ij to f℥iv of the infusion, prepared by
pouring a pint of boiling water upon ℥j of the stalks and leaves.