This is a shrub that grows from 8 to 12 feet high in various parts of the United States, and is called by some swamp dogwood, and occupies an honored place in our Materia Medica.

Medical properties and uses. -- This forms a fine tonic for convalescents from malarial fevers. It promotes digestion and relieves asthma, and is a fine blood purifier, and if continued for a considerable length of time will permanently cure many obstinate and bad diseases. It will cure ague, remove swarthy color and make the skin smooth, but is best used in combination with other remedies of a similar character. The best form to prepare it in is in the form of a tincture; cut the inner bark fine and fill a bottle half full, and add good whisky till full. Dose of the tincture, a teaspoonful three or four times a day.