This section is from the book "The Engineer's And Mechanic's Encyclopaedia", by Luke Hebert. Also available from Amazon: Engineer's And Mechanic's Encyclopaedia.
The wood of an American tree, of the laurel kind, imported in large straight blocks; it is said to be "warm, aperient, and corroborant," and to be often successfully employed in purifying the blood, for which purpose an infusion, in the way of tea, is a very pleasant drink; its oil is fragrant, and possesses most of the virtues of the wood.
 
Continue to: