Chionanthus virginica

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

{Fringe Tree.)

Description. — This is a singular looking shrub or low tree, from ten to thirty feet high, growing from Pennsylvania to Georgia, on river banks and sandy plains. It presents clusters of snow-white flowers in May and June. (It is called the "Virginian Snow-Flower Tree," " Snow-drop Tree," etc.) The small fruit is a drupe, berry-like, with a "bloom "on it, con taining a striated nut.

The leaves are often a foot long and nearly half as broad. There are three varieties, but all have the same properties.

Officinal Preparation. — Tincture of the bark with strong alcohol ; dilutions.

Analogues. — Chelidonium, Chelone, Carduus, China, (f) (No Provings.)

0 Hypertrophy of the liver. (Dr. Goss.) 0 Chronic hepatic disorders, jaundice, etc. ° The bark of the root, bruised, is sometimes used for healing; wounds. (Browne, " Trees of America.") (See Vol. II. " Therapeutics.''')

Volume I — Appendix

Description. — (See page 209 of " Symptomatology.") Stomach and Bowels.

Sensations of contractions in the stomach, as if some living thing was moving in it. Uneasy sensations in the region of the liver, and occasionally in the region of the spleen. Unpleasant sensations in the stomach and hypochondria increase and become very annoying.

Sensations like spasms or palpitation of the heart in the stomach. Uneasy feeling in the region of the sigmoid flexure, as if caused by flatulence. Uneasiness in right hypochondrium, extending to left iliac region. Tongue coated yellow in the centre; previously clean. Evacuation of bowels at bedtime of black, tarry-like faeces. A feeling as if the bowels were about to move off violently from the action of a purgative, with the nausea usually associated with such an action, though there is no discharge from the bowels.

0 Jaxmdice, with enlarged liver.

Spine.

Pain for a short time in the spine, from seventh to tenth dorsal vertebrae.

Head.

Head remarkably clear for a few hours, and all the symptoms of the previous aphasia (before proving) disappeared, but returned the next day not so severe.

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

This is a singular-looking shrub, growing from Pennsylvania to Georgia, on river-banks and sandy plains. It presents clusters of snow-white flowers in May and June. The common names are “ old man’s beard ” and “ fringe tree.”

I call your attention to this medicine, which may fill a place in your armamentorium which no other can fill. It seems to be very similar in its action on the liver to the Chelidonium, upon which I lately lectured. I get my knowledge of it from Dr. Goss, a well-known physician. He says: “The most important therapeutic property that it possesses is its specific power over morbid conditions of the liver.

“I have tried it in hypertrophy of that organ, and with uniform success ; and also in obstruction of the liver, in malarious districts, ■with like success.

“ Some years ago I called the attention of the profession to its specific effects in jaundice, and gave several cases in proof of the ■fact.

“Since then I have used the Chionanthus in a great many cases tol. xi. — 13

of jaundice, and have never failed to remove it in but a single instance, and that one I think was a case of obstruction of the gallducts by calculi; in that case I tried all the reputed cholagogues without success. It removes jaundice of years’ standing in from eight to ten days. I have treated several persons who had been subject to jaundice annually, in summer, for several years, and had been dosed with blue pill, calomel, and other articles without any benefit, and I have not failed in a single instance to remove the disease entirely. And when it is removed by the Chionanthus, it does not return — at least it has not in any instance to my knowledge.”

This is very positive testimony. He adds that it is not a purgative — which would go to prove that it was a true hepatic remedy.

The tincture of the bark should be made with strong alcohol, and given in ten or fifteen drops every three hours.