This section is from the book "A Manual of Materia Medica and Pharmacology", by David M. R. Culbreth. Also available from Amazon: Manual of Materia Medica and Pharmacology.
Amygdalus (Prunus) Per'Sica, Peach. Persia, cultivated largely in the United States, etc. Fruit edible, abounding in sugar, juice ferments, and upon distillation yields peach brandy; kernels poisonous front yielding HCN, often substituted for bitter almonds, also contain fixed oil resembling that of almond, for which it is an adulterant; leaves mild sedative in doses of gr. 15-30 (1-2 Gm.), in infusion.
Cydo'Nia (Py'Rus) Cydonia, (Quince. Pomaceae. The seed, official 1860 1890; W. Asia. Tree 2.5-0 M. (8-20°) high, with crooked, straggling branches; leaves like pear leaves; flowers white or purplish; fruit pear-shaped; seed 6 Mm. (1/4') long, ovate, triangular, brown, covered with whitish, mucilaginous epithelium, causing seeds of each cell to adhere; swell with water, forming heavy mucilage; 2 cotyledons, white, oily, bitter almond taste; very similar to apple seeds; contain mucilage (cydonin) 20 p. c. (not precipitated by borax or potassium silicate, soluble in cold and hot water), fixed oil, proteids; used as demulcent, protective; fruit astringent. Mucilago Cydonii (1 part + water 50), official 1880-1890.
Ma'Lus (Pynis) Malus, Apple. Plant resembles quince; fruit edible, laxative; bark tonic, febrifuge. Dose, gr. 15-60 (1-4 Gm.); succus pomorum.
 
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