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Elder.

THERE are several species of this plant. That which puts forth large umbelliferous bunches of white flowers in June, followed in August and September, by black berries, growing in the same form, and generally known by the name of sweet elder, is the sort in most esteem for medicinal uses. The young buds and shoots are said to be so powerfully purgative as to be unsafe; the inner green bark is gently laxative, and excellent in ointments for all kinds of hot, painful eruptions. It is made by simmering the green bark in oil or lard, until they become of a green colour. An infusion of the flowers is an excellent purgative for very young infants, and is said to effectually cure the St. Anthony's Fire, or Eresipelas, if drank very freely for some time. The berries may be dried, and in that form kept for use; a table spoonful of them steeped in a gill of water, until half evaporated, and sweetened with honey, or syrup of roses, or even coarse sugar, will prove powerfully cathartic for infants and

young children. The expressed juice formed into a syrup, with an equal quantity of honey, or treacle, will keep many months, and is excellent for children who are affected with cutaneous eruptions. It must be given in doses of from one to two table spoonsful every morning, for several days, to have the desired effect in those cases; but as a laxative in cases of constipation, a table spoonful to an infant, from four months to a year will produce the end required. To an older child the dose must be increased.

Elecampane.

THIS is a large downy plant, growing wild in all our woods and fields. It is said to expel poison, by causing perspiration. The root when dry has an agreeable smell, its taste is glutinous and somewhat of an aromatic bitter; when nicely candied it forms an elegant confection, highly recommended for humoral coughs and asthmas, as a stomachic, and for strengthening the system in general. Children, who are subject

to coughs, may receive great benefit from it in this form, and they are usually fond of it.

Sweet, or Slippery Elm.

THIS is a forest tree, very common in America. The inner bark is in great repute in cutaneous eruptions, and is taken in decoction, and spirituous infusion. In the Edinburgh Dispensatory we find this short notice: "This bark has a mild astringent taste; a decoction formed from it, by boiling an ounce in a pound of water, to the consumption of one half, has been highly recommended by some, particularly by Dr. Letsome, in obstinate cutaneous disorders." A cataplasm formed by boiling this bark, previously bruised, in milk and water until it becomes perfectly soft and mucilaginous, is one of the best applications for a bile or painful tumour I ever tried in my family. It is extremely easy and grateful.

Sweet Fennel.

It is an old adage that "he who sows fennel, sows sorrow." How this poor plant came to be loaded with such a stigma it would be difficult to say; however, when we reflect that whether we sow fennel or not, sorrow will spring up in all our paths, it is needless to banish this very excellent' herb, lest it should come accompanied by its meagre companion; therefore, let us cultivate it for its known virtues, which are many. It is said the seeds are good in the small-pox, measles, malignant fevers, heaviness, headachs, indigestion, flatulent colics, and many other complaints, from whence it might seem that " he who sows fennel might banish ' sorrow." The dose of the seeds is from half a drachm to a drachm; of the essential oil from two to twenty drops, on sugar.

Fever Bush.

THIS is a beautiful, fragrant shrub, growing wild in many parts of America, and in high repute among the inhabitants as a febrifuge, from whence its name.

The whole chewed a

plant is highly aromatic; the bark short time has much the taste of lemon peel, though less pungent. A tea made from any part of the bush is both aromatic and mucilaginous, and is found very efficacious in dysenteries. It will probably one day or other attract the attention of the medical societies in this country, or has already done

So.

Sweet Flagroot.

THIS is an elegant aromatic, and is found in abundance in low marshy grounds. It is a powerful carminative for infants, and is said to prove stimulating to people of all ages, occasioning agreeable sensations in the mind.

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