CHINESE SUMAC OR SUMACH-TREE OF HEAVEN.
Introduction
(Ailanthus-derived from ailonto, a Malacca name said to mean tree of heaven.)
The ailanthus tree is a native of China and japan and in the latter country some silk worms are fed on its leaves instead of the mulberry, the cost being much less and the product, it is claimed, being much together and stronger.
The ailanthus is a rapid growing and pretty looking tree, but with a very disagreeable odor during the flowering season, and was first introduced onto this country about the year 1800.
The late Dr. Henry Minton, father of our Prof. Minton, was one of the first provers of this naturalized tree.
According to Millspaugh, ailanthus “has caused more
newspaper comment than any other” tree “now planted in this.” First grown on account of its beauty, it soon rose to great popularity on account of its supposed power of absorbing malarial poisons. (the Australia eucalyptus was later considered just as efficacious.)
Then the people began to wonder and say that it this tree had the power of absorbing the poison, might it not also throw it off at certain times? The odor during the flowering season lending color to this view, a crusade was organized against, which in this city had the aid of the department of Health, and all the ailanthus tree were ordered cut down. At present there are more than we need for medicinal purposes.
Symptoms
“Ailanthus cause nausea, vomiting, great relaxation of the muscles, and death-like sickness, very similar to that produces” (Millspaugh) by the early use of tobacco.
The principal use that we make of his remedy is in scarlet fever, with symptoms of depressions and general stupor (164).
The Eruption is slow in appearing and is of a livid hue, and when pressed out, with the finger, it returns very slowly. In diphtheria complicates this condition, we have a livid appearance if the throat (62), grayish exudation, great swelling both internal and external, with ichorous discharge from the nose and sordes on the teeth.
It is of value on scarlet fever, wit deep coma (164), rash pale foliate, involuntary discharges from the bladder and rectum, tip of nose (44) and extremities cold.
I use Ailanthus 3rd.
