This is a shrub that is in many parts of the United States. It grows to the height of 10 or 12 feet, and has little short thorns on its twigs like those on the twigs of a small locust shrub. The Indians use this in connection with Rattle Root. It is a remedy highly valued by the eclectic profession.

Medical properties and uses. -- It is a tonic to the general system, alterative and stimulant. When swallowed into the stomach it creates a warmth like that of ginger, and acts as a gentle stimulant on the skin, causing a slight moisture to appear. It is one of the best stimulants to the mucous tissues of the human body known to the medical profession. I have given it with good results in chronic sore throats, and in nearly every mucous difficulty with happy and satisfactory results. The bark is the part I have always used, in the form of tincture usually, but of late I use nearly all barks in the powdered form. Peel the bark from the tree in August and September, cut up fine, and fill a bottle one-half full, and add whisky. Dose from 20 to 40 drops four times a day.