and valuable investigation of the properties of this plant in 1806. He informs us that the astringency, indicated by the sulphate of iron, was greater in the tincture than in the infusion under experiments precisely similar; from which it may be inferred, that alcohol is a better solvent for this root than water. He also found the cold infusion more powerful than the hot, a circumstance probably to be accounted for by the escape of a part of the gallic acid by evaporation. The astringeney was found fully equal to that of galls, and ink made from equal quantities of the two, similarly treated, was equal in blackness. The Statice Caroliniana possesses much medicinal reputation as an astringent, and large quantities of it are annually consumed in different parts of the United States. In Boston it is regularly kept by the druggists, and larger quantities are sold, than of almost any indigenous article. It is principally sought for as a topical remedy in aphthæ and other ulcerative affections of the mouth and fauces. From its astringent and antiseptic quality, it is peculiarly suited to correct the state of these local maladies, and its application is commonly followed with success. It is much better suited to such complaints than the Coptis trifolia or gold thread, with which it is frequently combined, and which is only a tonic bitter without astringency. Dr. Baylies of Dighton, Mass. employed a decoction of the root, both internally and externally, in the Cynanche maligna, a disease which has at times been epidemic and very destructive in different parts of our country. It proved very successful not only under his own observation, but under that of other physicians in this dangerous complaint. Dr. Mott informs us, that in the chronic stages of dysentery, after the inflammatory diathesis, great tenesmus, &c. are removed; a strong decoction of the root has restored patients to health, after various tonics and astringents had been used to no effect. BOTANICAL REFERENCES. Statice Caroliniana, WALTER, Flora Car. 118.-PURSH, i. 212.-NUTTALL, i. 206.-Statice limonium, MUHLENBERG, Catglogue, 33.-ELLIOTT, Carolina, i. 874. MEDICAL REFERENCES. MOTT, Inaugural Dissertation.-THACHER, Disp. 345.-BAYLIES, Papers of the Mass. Med. Society, vol. i. 8 |