MATERIA MEDICA

MATERIA MEDICA, Of Classification. A GENERAL name for every substance used in medicine, and by some extended even to every article used as food or drink. Thus the materia medica becomes exceedingly extensive: however, before we enter upon any particular discussion of the subject, it appears proper to give some general idea of medicines and their operation. A medicine, properly so called, is a substance which, when applied to the living human body, makes such an alteration in it as either to prevent the approach of disease, or to remedy a morbid state when already present. Such substances as may be used for these purposes without any great preparation are called simple medicines, or simples; and with these the writers on materia medica are chiefly conversant. In treatises written professedly on this subject, it is common to give a particular description of each article, the characteristic marks by which it may be distinguished from all other substances, and the methods by which an adulteration or an imperfection may be discovered in it, together with the dose in which it can safely be given: but as all these particulars are taken notice of in different Of Classi-cation. different parts of this work, it is only necessary here to mention the general classification, and enumerate the names of the various substances used in medicine, after giving, as hath been already promised, a brief and general account of their mode of operation. Concerning the manner in which medicines act, physicians have greatly differed, and each has followed his own particular theory. The followers of Boerhaave have supposed their action to be directly upon the solids and fluids; while those who build their theories on the hypothesis of Hoffman have asserted, that all medicines act immediately upon the nervous system, and from thence only in a secondary manner are their effects diffused over the solids and fluids. To discuss this question is not our business at present: neither indeed is it a matter of great consequence whether it be discussed or not; seeing all parties must own, that certain effects follow the use of certain particular substances, whether these substances act first upon the nervous system or upon the solids and fluids. From their operations on the human body medicines are most usually divided into classes. Some are found to have the property of rendering the solid parts of the body more lax than before, and are therefore called relaxing medicines: Others there are which have an effect directly contrary, and are therefore called indurating medicines: A third kind are found to excite inflammation in the part to which they are applied, and are therefore called inflammatory medicines: And, lastly, a fourth kind are found remarkably either to increase or diminish the vigour of the body, or what is called the tone of the solids; and have therefore got the name of tonics if they increase, and sedatives if they diminish, this tone. Some medicines are supposed neither remarkably to increase nor diminish the tone of the solids; but to perform their office either by correcting some morbid matter in the body, or by evacuating it: in the former case they are called alterants, in the latter evacuants. These are the general divisions or classes into which medicines are commonly divided; but when we begin more particularly to consider their virtues, a great many inferior divisions arise.—Of the relaxing medicines, some, when externally applied, are supposed only to soften the part; and in that case are called emollients: while others, which have a power of converting the humours stagnating in any inflamed part into pus, are called maturationists, or suppuratives. Sedative medicines, externally applied, are sometimes called paregorics: when taken internally, if they take off a spasm then exiling in the body, they are called antispasmodics; if they mitigate pain, anodynes; if they produce a quiet sleep, hypnotics; or if they produce a very deep and unnatural sleep, together with a remarkable stupefaction of the senses, they are then called narcotics. Tonic medicines obtain the name of corroboratives, analeptics, or nerve medicines, when they slightly increase the contractile power of the solids; but of astringents, if they do this in a great degree, especially if at the same time that they indurate the solids they also coagulate the fluids. Some of these medicines have received names from their supposed virtue of promoting the growth of the flesh, consolidating wounds, and stopping fluxes of blood: but it is now discovered that no medicines whatever are endowed with any such powers; and therefore the divisions into farcotics, traumatic, or vulneraries, &c. are seldom used.—If astrigent medicines are used with an intention to drive, by the constriction which they occasion, any kind of matter from the surface towards the internal parts of the body, they are called repellents; but if they insensibly expel any kind of stagnating matter from the parts where it is contained, they are then called discutients; and lastly, stimulants, or attractives, if they bring a greater flux of humours to the part to which they are applied. As to medicines of the inflammatory kind, they are divided into vesicatories or blisters, which by their application raise watery bladders on the skin; and cathartics, escharotics, or corrosives, if they eat into and destroy the substance of the solid parts themselves. Another subdivision has been added, viz. that of rubefactive medicines, or such as only induce a redness on the part to which they are applied; but these belong to the vesicatories, and what proves only rubefactive to one will frequently blister another. The alterants are divided into absorbents, such as by their alkaline quality neutralise and destroy any acid matter which may be in the stomach; and antiseptics, or those which correct any putrid matter in it; coagulants when they thicken the humours, and resolvents if they thin them; beating medicines when they increase the velocity of the blood, and refrigerating if they diminish it. The evacuating medicines are divided according to the nature of the humour they evacuate. Thus, if they evacuate the contents of the stomach by vomiting, they are called emetics; if they induce purging, they are called cathartics; if they only evacuate the immediate contents of the intestines, they are named eccepsies; or if a moderate evacuation is produced, without sickness or pain, they are called laxatives.—The medicines which gently promote the expulsion of humours through the pores of the skin, are called diaphoretics. If they do this in great quantity and with violence, they are called sudorifics. Such as excite urine, are called diuretics. Such as produce their evacuation by the glands of the palate, mouth, and salival ducts, are called salivating medicines; those which promote the evacuation of mucus from the throat, are called apoplectic medicines; while those which evacuate by the nose, are called ptarmics, erubines, sternutatories; and those which promote the menstrual flux, emmenagogues.—To the order of evacuants also some reduce those medicines which expel any unnatural bodies, as worms, stones, and flatus. Those which destroy worms are called anthelmintics; those which dissolve the stone in the bladder, lithontriptics; and such as expel flatus, carminatives. According to these divisions Mr Vogel classes the articles of his Materia Medica; but Dr Lewis chooses to arrange them according to the natural qualities of the substances themselves, and not their effects on the human body. Writers on the materia medica (he observes) have taken great pains in arranging the various articles of which. which it is composed, into different divisions and subdivisions, according to their real or reputed medicinal powers. It has been imagined, that the whole materia medica is reducible under the three distinctions of alteratives, evacuants, and restoratives: the first comprehending all that has any power to alter the constitution, without sensibly increasing or diminishing any of the natural evacuations; the second, whatever visibly promotes those discharges; and the third, all that contributes to lessen them, and make the increase greater than the waste. These divisions being too general, they are broken into subdivisions; and these again are further divided into different classes, under more restrained denominations, as cardiac, carminative, hyflic, stomachic, &c. Specious as this plan may appear to be, he imagines the execution of it, to any useful purpose, would require a far more extensive knowledge of the nature and operation of medicines than has yet been attained to. A just and useful method of simples is scarcely to be expected, while those properties on which the method is founded are imperfectly known, and in many articles only conjectural. In all the arguments that have been hitherto contrived upon this plan, there appears a striking incongruity among the several articles of which even the ultimate subdivisions are composed; substances extremely dissimilar being classed together, as cantharides and tea, tobacco and bran, hemlock and cowslips, scurvy-grass and raisins, arum root and liquorice, wormwood and parsnips, cinnamon and nettles, raspberries and chalk, artichokes and alum, cloves and coffee, mustard-seed and black cherries, &c. Nor are these incongruities to be laid always to the charge of the authors, the nature of the system itself rendering them often unavoidable; for the particular effect which intitles a medicine to a particular class, may be produced by substances very dissimilar, and even opposite, in their general powers: thus the alvine excretions are restrained by starch, wax, tormentil-root, opium; among the capital diuretics are cantharides, nitre, salt, fixt alkaline salts, squills. It should seem that the method of arrangement cannot be a just one which requires substances so discordant to be ranked together, and which further requires each of these substances to be ranked over again, in other classes, along with other substances to which they are equally discordant. There is also a material imperfection in this scheme, even in the primary divisions. Steel and its preparations act, in different circumstances, both as evacuants and restoratives. Mercury and antimony afford, in their different preparations, both evacuants and alteratives; and there are many other drugs which are sometimes used as alteratives, and sometimes as evacuants; indeed, all evacuants, in diminished doses, seem to act merely as alteratives. It should seem therefore, that "the division of the whole materia medica into alteratives, evacuants, and restoratives," is a division not founded in nature, even if there was no objection to the vague meaning of the appellations themselves. Cartheuser has divided the materia medica on a plan which appears more rational. Instead of the operations of medicines in the human body, which are precarious, complicated, and greatly diversified according to the dose, the preparation, and the circumstances of the patient, he takes for the basis of his arrangement their more simple, obvious, and constant properties, as bitterness, sweetness, astringency, acidity, &c. Having considered the nature of bitterness, for instance, in general, he examines what effects medicines possessed of this property are capable of producing in the body, and in what circumstances they may be expected to be serviceable, and then proceeds to an account of the particular bitters. This method is of real use, but its use is limited to a small part of the materia medica. There are many of the medicinal simples, in which we can distinguish no prevailing qualities of this kind; there are many, in which different qualities are blended together; and many which, though similar in these kinds of qualities, are very dissimilar in their operations in the human body: thus though gentian and aloes agree in having a bitter taste, and sugar and manna in being sweet, their medicinal virtues are respectively very different. Accordingly, the author is obliged in some cases to depart from his general plan, and found the division on the medicinal effects: he makes one class of purgatives and emetics, and another of vaporose inebriants and narcotics: this last class consists of tobacco, elder-flowers, saffron, opium, and poppy-seeds, substances certainly very discordant in all their qualities that relate to medicinal intentions. In this article, instead of attempting a medicinal distribution of the simples, which we apprehend not to be practicable to any good purpose, we shall, after Dr Lewis, adopt the alphabetical mode of arrangement, as possessing upon the whole a decided superiority over every other. We shall, however, premise, from the same ingenious author, some general observations on certain classes of medicines, in Cartheuser's manner; and thus preserve the less exceptionable parts of his plan, with some amendments. ART. I. ACIDS. Class 1. Vegetable { native; as sorrel, wood-sorrel, juice of lemon, oranges, barberries, and other fruits. produced by fermentation; as vinegar and tartar. Class 2. Mineral { the acids of vitriol, nitre, and common salt. THE medical effects of acids, duly diluted and given in proper doses, are, to cool, quench thirst, correct a tendency to putrefaction, and allay inordinate motions of the blood. By these qualities, in hot bilious temperaments and inflammatory disorders, they frequently restrain immoderate hemorrhages, and promote the natural secretions; in some kinds of fever, they excite a copious diaphoresis, where the warm medicines, called alexipharmics, tend rather to prevent this salutary discharge. Vegetable acids, particularly the native juices of certain plants and fruits, have some degree of a saponaceous quality; by means of which they attenuate Absorbents, or dissolve viscid phlegm and deterge the vessels, and thus prove serviceable in sundry chronic disorders. Inveterate fevers have sometimes yielded to their continued use, especially when given in conjunction with medicines of the acrid or pungent kind: experience has shown, that the acrid antifebrics have much better effects when thus managed than when exhibited by themselves; hence in the succi febrifugici of our dispensatory, Seville orange juice is usefully joined to that of the coelebaria and nasurtium. The mineral acids instantly coagulate blood: the vegetable dilute it, even when inspissated or thickened by heat; in which state, watery liquors will not mingle with it. Hence, in some fevers, where water runs off by the kidneys almost as pale and insipid as it was drank, vegetable acids render the urine of the due colour and quality. The mineral acids (the spirit of nitre in particular) combined with vinous spirits, have a like effect. Acids are prejudicial in cold, pale, phlegmatic habits, where the vessels are lax, the circulation languid, bile deficient, and the power of digestion weak. In these cases, an acid is often generated in the stomach, from milk and most vegetable foods; which, whilst it continues in the first passages, occasions uneasiness about the stomach, flatulencies, sometimes griping pains of the bowels, and vomitings. ART II. INSIPID EARTHS capable of ABSORBING ACIDS. Oyster-shells, Chalk, Crabs claws and eyes so called, Some marbles, Coral, red and white, Lime-stones, Pearls, Marbles, Bezoar, Spars. The virtues of these substances are, to absorb or destroy acidities in the first passages, and consequently to remove such disorders as proceed from that cause. The cordial, alexipharmic, antifebrile, and other like virtues attributed to these medicines, appear to have little foundation; or at best are only secondary ones. When united with the acid, they form a neutral saline compound, possessing some degree of an aperient and detergent quality, though too inconsiderable to be in general regarded. The absorbent earths were all strangers to medicine in the earlier times; and their use does not seem to have been established before the last century; when some practitioners, from an opinion that most kinds of diseases proceeded from a preternatural acid, introduced a great variety of antacid bones, both of the earthy and saline kind, and very liberally exhibited them on almost every occasion. It is certain, that in children, and adults of a weak constitution, and whose food is chiefly of the vegetable acescent kind, sundry disorders are occasioned by acidities; these readily discover themselves by four excretions, the pale colour of the face, and in children by the four smell and green colour of the alvine faces, which are sometimes so manifestly acid as to raise a strong effervescence with alkaline salts. In these cases, and these only, the use of absorbent earths Absorbents is indicated. If there are really no acid juices in the ventricles, these earths are apt to concrete with the mucous matter usually lodged there, into hard indissoluble masses; which have sometimes been thrown up by vomit, or found in the stomach upon dissection. Hence indigestion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, obstructions of the bowels, and other disorders. Sometimes the stomach and intestines have been found lined with a crust, as it were, of these earthy bodies, which must not only have prevented the separation of the gastric liquor, but likewise have closed the orifices of the lacteal vessels, so as to obstruct the passage of the chyle into the mass of blood. Some suppose the earthy powders capable (without the concurrence of any acid) of passing the lacteals along with the chyle; and allege, in support of this opinion, that, when triturated with water, they are in part taken up and carried with it through a filter of paper; the filtrated liquor leaving, upon evaporation, a portion of whitish earthy matter. This experiment (allowing the consequence to be justly drawn from it) is itself erroneous: the residuum proceeds from the earth naturally contained in the water, not from that employed in the experiment; for if pure distilled water be made use of, it will leave no residuum, though long triturated or digested with the earth. All these bodies, particularly those of the animal kind, contain, besides their purely alkaline earth, a portion of glutinous matter. An instance of this we have in crabs-eyes, which if macerated in the weaker acids, or in the stronger sufficiently diluted with water, the earthy part will be dissolved, and the animal-glue remain in form of a soft transparent mucilage. The glutinous substance increases their tendency to concrete in the stomach; and thence those which contain least thereof should be preferred to the others. The mineral earths contain the least of this kind of matter, and some of them are very easy of solution; chalk, for instance, which may therefore be given with greater safety than the animal-absorbents. These substances, divested of their conglutinating matter by means of fire, are reduced into acrimonious calces or limes, and thus become medicines of a different class. The teeth, bones, hoof, and horns of animals consist of the same principles with the animal-absorbents above mentioned, but combined in different proportions: the quantity of gelatinous matter is so large, as to defend the earthy part from the action of weak acids; whilst the earth, in its turn, protects the gluten from being easily dissolved by watery liquors. Hence these bodies in their crude state, though recommended as possessing singular virtues, are not found to have any virtue at all. Experiments have been made for determining the degree of solubility, or comparative strength of these earths; the principal of which are arranged in the two following tables, one taken from Langius, and the other from Homberg. Absorbents. TABLE of the quantity of Acid destroyed by different Absorbents. Ten grains of Some kinds of Limestones 160 Drops of Spirit of Salt. Oyster shells 120 Chalk 100 Shells of Garden-snails 100 Calcined Cray-fish 100 Pearls 80 Tooth of the Sea-horse 80 Volatile Salts 80 Fixed Salts 60 Coral, red and white 60 Crabs-eyes 50 Egg-shells 50 Mother-of-Pearl 50 Crabs-claws 40 Jaw-bone of the Pike-fish 30 TABLE of the quantity of Absorbent Earths soluble in Acids. 576 grains of Spirit of Salt dissolved of Crabs-eyes 216 Mother-of-Pearl 144 Pearls 128 Oyster-shells 156 Hartshorn 165 Coral 186 Oriental Bezoar 118 Occidental Bezoar 123 Quick Lime 199 Slacked Lime 193 576 grains of Spirit of Nitre dissolved of Crabs-eyes 277 Mother-of-Pearl 202 Pearls 219 Oyster-shells 236 Hartshorn 234 Coral 233 Oriental Bezoar 108 Occidental Bezoar 144 Quick Lime 180 Slacked Lime 216 These experiments do not sufficiently ascertain the point intended by them: in the first sett, the quantity of acid is too vague and indetermined; in the second, we are not told whether the acid was perfectly saturated; and in both, the acids made use of were so very different from any that can be supposed ever to exist in the human body, that little can be concluded from them with regard to the medical effects of these absorbents. Trial should have been made with the mild vegetable acids, as the juices of certain fruits, four fermented liquors, or rather with four milk. Nevertheless these tables, though not so perfect as could be wished, have their use in the hands of such as can make proper allowances. ART. III. EARTHS not DISSOLUBLE in Acids or other liquors. These may be ranged in two classes. Class 1. Hard crystalline earths: as the ruby, garnet, emerald, sapphire, hyacinth, and other precious stones; crystal, flint, &c. These kind of substances were introduced into me-No 197. dicine, and many fabulous virtues attributed to them Indissoluble Earths. by the superstition of the earlier ages. Some of them are still preserved in foreign pharmacopoeias, but at length very justly expunged from ours, notwithstanding what some late writers of repute speak of their medical virtue. These indissoluble hard bodies are not capable of producing any other effect, than by their rigid angular particles (which, though levigated with the utmost care, the microscope still discovers in them) to offend or wound the intestines. In levigation, they wear off so much from the hardest marble instruments, as will equal or exceed their own weight: from this circumstance we may account for their having sometimes appeared to act as absorbents. Some of these stones, exposed to a vehement fire, become in some measure friable; but nevertheless remain indissoluble. Most of the coloured ones by this treatment lose their colour; and in this state prove nearly of the same quality with common crystal: such are, the sapphire, emerald, amethyst, and corneian. Others melt into a blackish vitreous matter, from which a portion of iron is obtainable by proper fluxes; as the hyacinth and garnet. Geoffroy concludes from hence, that these stones really possess some medical virtues, depending upon their metallic part: but the quantity of metallic matter, sufficient to give them a considerable tinct, is so exceedingly small, and so inclosed in a stony matter not at all soluble by any of the known menstrua, as scarce to admit of any possibility of its acting in the human body. Class 2. Softer earths: the talky, gypseous, and argillaceous. THE talky and gypsums have rarely been used as medicines. Some of the former, from their unctuous softness and silver hue, stand recommended externally as cosmetics; and some of the latter, on little better foundation, internally as astringents. But they have long been deservedly rejected by the judicious practitioners. They seem to possess the ill qualities of the alkaline earth (concreting with the mucus of the stomach, &c.), without any of their good ones. Several of the clays, boles, and terræ sigillatæ, were highly celebrated by the ancients as astringents and alexipharmics, and some of them still continue in esteem; though it is certain they have no great claim to the virtues that have been attributed to them. Their real effects are, to give a greater degree of consistency to the fluids in the first passages, and in some measure defend the solids from their acrimony. Most of these bodies contain, besides the tenacious indissoluble earth, which is their principal characteristic, (1.) A portion of an earth soluble in acids similar to those of the first section. (2.) Of acid, separable by distillation in a strong fire: this acid is always of the same nature with that obtained from vitriol, sulphur, and alum. (3.) The coloured ones contain likewise small quantities of iron, reducible, by inflammable fluxes, into its metallic form. In consequence of the first of these ingredients, these earths may be looked upon in some measure as absorbent: the acid appears to be united with a part of the absorbent earth into a saline compound, approaching to an aluminous nature; whence they have some degree of astringency: Glutinous and Unctuous substances. gency: whether they receive any peculiar virtue from the iron, is greatly to be doubted; since it is in a very crude state, and in quantity extremely small. These earths unite with water into a turbid liquor, slippery and smooth to the touch, and remain for some time suspended; the sand, grit, or other grosser matters, which are often found naturally mingled with them, subsiding. They may be freed by means of acids from their alkaline earth; by coction in water, from their saline matter; and the coloured ones from their iron by digestion in aqua-regis, the only menstruum we are acquainted with that will extract the ferruginous matter of argillaceous and bolar earths. This purified, they have all nearly the same appearance and qualities. Exposed to a strong fire, they lose their soft glutinous quality, and are reduced into hard masses, indissoluble as at first. ART. IV. GLUTINOUS Vegetable and Animal Substances. Clas 1. Vegetable. Pure gums: Vegetables abounding with mucilage: Tragacanth, Orchis root, Seneca, Althæa root, The gums of cherry, plum, and other European trees. Quince-seeds, &c. Gums and mucilages are glutinous vegetable productions, of no particular taste or smell, soluble in water, but not in vinous spirits or in oils. They differ from one another only in degree of tenacity; the more tenacious are called gums; those which are less so, mucilages. The first naturally exude from certain trees and shrubs; the latter are extracted by art. Almost all vegetable substances contain some portion of these, which, after the resinous part has been extracted by spirit, may be separated from the remaining matter by means of water. The general virtues of these kinds of substances are, to thicken the fluids, and defend the solids from them when grown sharp or corrosive. Hence their use in a thin acrimonious state of the juices, and where the natural mucus of the intestines is abraded. Clas 2. Animal. Most animal substances (the fat excepted) contain a viscous matter, in many respects similar to the foregoing, and capable of being extracted by strong coction in water. Animal glues and gellies have the general qualities of the vegetable gums and mucilages; with this difference, that the former are more nutrimental, and apt to run into a putrid state. Considered as the subjects of chemistry, the difference betwixt them is very great: those of the animal kind are changed by fire into a volatile alkaline salt, and a fetid oil; the vegetable into an acid liquor, and a very small portion of oily matter, considerably less fetid than the former. ART. V. Soft UNCTUOUS Substances. Clas 1. Insipid vegetable oils; and substances abounding with them; as almonds, and the kernels of most fruits; linseed, and the medullary part of sundry other feeds. Clas 2. Animal fats; as spermaceti. VOL. X. Part II. UNCTUOUS vegetables unite with water, by trituration, into a milky liquor; and give out their oil upon expression. These kinds of oils and animal-fats dissolve not in any menstruum except alkaline ones; which change their quality, and reduce them into a soap, dissoluble in water, but more perfectly in vinous spirits; from this compound, the oil may, by a skillful addition of acids, be recovered in a purer state than before, and rendered soluble, like essential oils, in spirit of wine. The medical virtues of these substances are, to obtund acrimonious humours, and to soften and relax the solids; hence their use internally in tickling coughs, heat of urine, pains, and inflammations; and externally in tension and rigidity of particular parts. The milky solutions, commonly called emulsions, though much less emollient than the oils themselves or animal-fats, have this advantage, that they may be given in acute or inflammatory distempers, without danger of the ill consequences which the others might sometimes produce: fats and oils, kept in a degree of heat no greater than that of the human body, soon become rancid and acrimonious; whilst emulsions tend rather to grow sour. ART. VI. ASTRINGENTS. Galls, Balauftines, Tormentil-root, Terra Japonica, Bitort-root, Acacia, &c. ASTRINGENT substances are distinguished by a rough austere taste; and changing solutions of iron, especially those made in the vitriolic acid, of a dark purple or black colour. Astringents yield their virtues by infusion both to water and vinous spirits, generally in greatest perfection to the former. Oils extract nothing from them; nor do they give over any of their virtue in distillation: nevertheless their astringency is considerably abated by evaporating decoctions of them to the consistence of an extract, and totally destroyed by long keeping. The medical effects of these kinds of substances are, to constringe the fibres, and incrassate or lightly thicken the juices. Their more experienced use is in disorders proceeding from a debility or flaccid state of the solids: in hæmorrhages, from a thinness of the blood, laxity or rupture of the vessels; in preternatural discharges of other kinds, after the offending matter has been duly corrected or evacuated; and in external relaxations. In some cases, they produce the effects of aperients; the vessels, constricted and strengthened by them, being enabled to protrude the circulating juices with greater force. A good deal of caution is requisite in the use of these medicines, especially those of the more powerful kind. In plethoric habits, inveterate obstructions, critical evacuations, and in all kinds of fluxes in general before the morbid matter has been expelled, or where there is any stricture or spasmodic contraction of the vessels, astringents prove eminently hurtful. Where critical dysenteries or diarrhoeas are restrained by styptics, the acrimonious matter, now confined in the intestine, corrodes or enflames them; and sometimes occasions a gangrene of the parts. ART. VII. SWEETS. Sugar,Honey, Raisins,Liquorice, &c. THE vegetable sweets are a very numerous tribe; almost every plant that has been examined, discovering in some of its parts a saccharine juice. The bottoms of flowers, and most kinds of seeds and grain when they begin to vegetate, are remarkably sweet. Vegetable sweets are extracted both by water and vinous spirits, most readily by the first, but in greatest perfection by the latter. Nothing of their taste arises in distillation with either of these liquors: nevertheless, by long boiling with water they become somewhat less agreeable; but are not much injured by being treated in the same manner with rectified spirit. The purer sweets, as sugar, promote the union of distilled oils with watery liquors, and prevent the separation of the butyraceous part from milk: from this quality, they are supposed to unite the unctuous part of the food with the animal juices. Hence some have concluded, that they increase fat: others, that they have a contrary effect, by preventing the separation of the unctuous matter which forms the fat from the blood: and others, that they render the juices thicker and more sluggish, retard the circulation and cuticular excretion, and thus bring on a variety of disorders. But sweets have not been found to produce any of these effects in any remarkable degree: common experience shows, that their moderate, and even liberal, use is at least innocent; that they reconcile, not only to the palate, but to the stomach also, substances of themselves disgusting to both; and thus render salutary what would otherwise be injurious to the body. The unctuous and mucilaginous sweets, as the impure sugars, liquorice, &c. have a considerable degree of emollient and lubricating virtue.—Those accompanied with a manifest acid, as in the juices of most sweet fruits, are remarkably relaxing; and if taken immoderately, occasion diarrhoeas and dysenteries, which sometimes have proved fatal. ART. VIII. ACRIDS. ACRIDS are substances of a penetrating pungency. Applied to the skin, they inflame or exulcerate it: chewed, they occasion a copious discharge of saliva: and snuffed up the nose, they provoke sneezing. These substances, considered as the subjects of pharmacy, may be divided into three classes, Yielding their acrimony 1. In distillation with water: as horse-radish, mustard, scurvy-grass, &c. 2. By infusion only: as the greater celandine, pyrethrum, &c. 3. Neither to infusion, nor distillation: as arum and dracunculus. The general effects of acrid medicines are, to stimulate the vessels, and dissolve tenacious juices. In cold leucopilegmic habits, stagnations of the fluids, and where the contractile power of the solids is weak, they prove powerful expectorants, deobstruents, diuretics, and emmenagogues; and if the patient is kept warm, sudorifics. In hot bilious constitutions, plethoric habits, inflammatory distempers, where there is already a degree of irritation, where the juices are too thin or acrimonious, or the viscera unfound, these stimulating medicines prove highly prejudicial, and never fail to aggravate the disease. Certain acrid substances have been lately recommended in dry convulsive asthmas: of the efficacy of the squill in particular, for the cure of this disorder, several instances are related in the Commercium Literarium of Norimberg for the years 1737 and 1739. Cartheuser thinks, that not the asthma itself, but a particular effect of it, was removed by this medicine. He observes, that in all asthmas the free circulation of the blood through the pulmonary vessels is impeded; and hence, during every paroxysm, the lungs are in a kind of oedematous state: that if this oedema, becoming habitual, remains after the fit is over, it is either perpetually occasioning fresh ones, or gives rise to a dropsy of the breast: that acrid medicines, by removing the oedema, remove what was originally an effect of the asthma, and in time a cause of its aggravation. ART. IX. AROMATICS. AROMATICS are substances of a warm pungent taste, and a more or less fragrant smell. Some of the spices are purely aromatic, as cubeb, pepper, cloves; some substances have a sweetness mixed with the aromatic matter, as angelica-root, aniseed, fennel-feed; some an alstringency, as cinnamon; some a strong mucilage, as casia lignea; some a bitterness, as orange-peel. The aromatic matter itself, contained in different subjects, differs also not a little in its pharmacæutic properties. It is extracted from all by rectified spirit of wine; from some in great part, from others scarcely at all, by water. The aromatic matter of some subjects, as of lemon-peel, rises wholly in distillation both with spirit and water; that of others, as cinnamon, rises wholly with water, but scarcely at all with spirit; while that of others, as pepper, is in part left behind after the distillation of water itself from the spice. With regard to the general virtues of aromatics, they warm the stomach, and by degrees the whole habit; raise the pulse, and quicken the circulation. In cold languid cases, phlegmatic habits, and a weak flaccid state of the solids, they support the vis viva, and promote the salutary secretions. In hot bilious temperaments, plethoric habits, inflammatory indispositions, dryness and stricture of the fibres, they are generally hurtful. ART. X. BITTERS. Gentian root, Lesser centaury, Hops, Carduus, &c. BITTERS for the most part yield their virtue both to watery and spirituous menstrua; some more perfectly to one, and others to the other. None of the substances of this class give over any thing considerable of their taste in distillation, either to water or to spirit; their bitterness remaining entire, and frequently improved, in the extracts. Such as are accompanied with flavour, as wormwood, may by this process be reduced into simple flavourless bitters. These substances participate of the virtues of astringents and aromatics. Their general effects are, to constringe the fibres of the stomach and intestines, to warm the habit, attenuate the bile and juices in the Emetics and Cathartics. first passages, and promote the natural evacuations, particularly of sweat and urine. In weakness of the stomach, loss of appetite, indigestion, and the like disorders, proceeding from a laxity of the solids, or cold sluggish indisposition of the juices, these kinds of medicines do good service. Where the fibres are already too tense and rigid, where there is any immoderate heat or inflammation, bitters very sensibly increase the distemper; and, if their use is continued, communicate it to the kidneys: hence the urine becomes high-coloured, small in quantity, and at length suppressed; a dropy soon succeeding. If the kidneys were before so lax as to remain now uninjured, yet the other viscera become gradually more and more rigid, and a tabes is at length brought on. Bitter substances destroy insects, and prevent putrefaction. Hence they are recommended as anthelmintic, and externally as antiseptics. ART. XI. EMETICS and CATHARTICS. Hellebore, Colocynth, Julip, Scammony, Ipecacuanha, Gamboge, &c. THESE substances consist of a resinous part, in which the purgative or emetic quality resides: and a gummy saline one, which acts chiefly as a diuretic. The first is extracted or dissolved by vinous spirits; the latter by water. Nothing arises in distillation from either. The acrid resins, exhibited by themselves, tenaciously adhere to the coats of the intestines, by their stimulating power irritate and inflame them, and thus produce sundry violent disorders. Hoffman relates, that he has sometimes observed convulsions, and a paralysis of both sides, from their use. These inconveniences may be avoided, by previously triturating them with substances capable of dividing their tenacious texture, and preventing their adhesion; by this means they become mild and safe, operate without disturbance, and at the same time more effectually answer the purposes intended by them. Some have endeavoured to correct the ill quality of the resinous purgatives, by the addition of acids and aromatic oils. Acids weaken their power, but have no other effect than what a diminution of the dose would equally answer. The pungent essential oils may serve to warm the stomach, make the medicine fit easier, and thus prevent the nausea which sometimes happens; but as soon as the resin begins to exert itself in the intestines, these oils, instead of correcting, increase its virulence; being themselves apt to occasion the inconveniences which they are here intended to prevent, an irritation and inflammation of the bowels. Alkaline salts or soaps have a better effect; as they dispose the resin to solution, and promote its operation. The medicines of this class seem to act by liquefying the juices, and stimulating the coats of the stomach and intestines. If the irritation is strong and sudden, their action is quick and upwards: if slower, downwards. Cathartics given in a liquid form, or in very sensible habits, often prove emetic; and emetics, where mucus abounds, cathartic. They operate more violently in robust constitutions than in those of a contrary temperament; the vessels being in the former more tense and rigid, and consequently less capable of bearing an equal degree of irritation. The action of these medicines is extended beyond the primæ viæ: This appears evident from the increase of the pulse which always accompanies their operation; and from the common observation of children being purged by the milk, if the nurse has taken a cathartic. Some of them, particularly hellebore, are said to purge, if only applied externally in issue.—Purgatives, even of the more powerful kind, exhibited in suitable small doses, in conjunction with the milder aperients, may be introduced into the habit, so as to prove notable deobstruents, diuretics, and diaphoretics, without acting sensibly by stool. A CATALOGUE of the SIMPLS used in the MATERIA MEDICA, exhibiting at one view their TECHNICAL NAMES, ENGLISH NAMES, PARTS USED IN MEDICINE, VIRTUES, and the different PREPARATIONS FROM THEM.—A particular account of the different articles of this list is given in the course of the alphabet, chiefly under the Linnaean names: And the method of making the preparations from them are shown under the article PHARMACY. The notes subjoined at the bottom of the following pages are intended to supply some particulars relating to a few of the detached articles already past. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Abies ruber (Pinus abies, Lin.) The fir-tree. The wood, tops, and cones. Diuretic and diaphoretic. A decoction. Abrotanum femina (Santolin chamæcypris, Lin.) Lavender cotton. The leaves. Stimulant, detergent, and anthelmintic. Decoction, and ointment for cutaneous eruptions. Abrotanum mas (Artemisia abrotanum, Lin.) Southernwood. The leaves. Stimulant, detergent, aperient, and sudorific. Decoction and tincture; also lotion and ointment for cutaneous eruptions. Abinthium maritimum (Artemisia maritima, Lin.) Sea wormwood. The tops. Stomachic. An oil, extract, conserve, and several distilled tincture-waters. They also enter the common fomentation and green oil. Abinthium vulgare (Artemisia abinthium, Lin.) Common wormwood. The leaves and flowering tops. Stomachic. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. Acacia Germanica The sloe. Inspissated juice. Astringent. (Prunus spinosa,Lin.) Acacia vera (Mimosanilotica, Lin.) Inspissated juice. Astringent. Acetofa (Rumex acetosel, Lin.) Leaves. Astringent and antiscorbutic. An essential salt for taking out spots in clothes. A decoction. Acetofella (Oxalis acetosel, Lin.) The leaves. Astringent and antiscorbutic. A conserve. Acetum. Vinegar. Cordial, refrigerant, sudoric, and antiseptic. A distilled spirit. Aconitum (A. na-pellus, Lin.) The herb and leaves. Narcotic. Tincture. Acorus. See Calamus arom. infra. Adiantum verum Maiden-hair. The leaves. Attenuating and aperient. Decoction and syrup; its virtues best obtained from an infusion of the herb sweetened with sugar and liquorice, and drank as tea. (Adiant. capill. Ven., Lin.) Aer dephlogisticus. Dephlogisticated air. Supposed to be antiseptic and corroborative. Aer mephiticus. Fixed air. Antiseptic and lithontripic. Aer nitrosus. Nitrous air. Very antiseptic. Æs. See Cuprum. Brafs. See Copper. Agaricus (Boletus pini laricis, Lin.) Agaric. Cathartic. An aqueous extract, but now much diffused. Agaricus chirurgorum (Boletus ignarius, Lin.) Female agaric, or agaric of the oak, touchwood, or spunk. Styptic. Pieces applied externally. Agnus castus (Vitex agnus castus, Lin.) The chaste-tree. The seeds. Antaphrodisiac. Agrimonia (A. Eu-pator, Lin.) Agrimony. The leaves. Attenuant and tonic. Albumen ovi. White of an egg. Disentient. Digested in whey, it forms a diet-drink used by some in the spring. Alchemilla (A. vul-garis, Lin.) Ladies-mantle. The leaves. Astringent. Alkekengi (Physalis alkekengi, Lin.) Winter-cherry. The fruit. Aperient and diuretic. Alliaria (Erysimum allaria, Lin.) Sauce-alone, or Jack-by-the-hedge. The leaves. Sudoric and deobstruent. Allium (A. sati-vum, Lin.) Garlic. The roots. Stimulant, attenuant, disentient, and diuretic. Alnus (Betula alnus, Lin.) Alder. Leaves and bark. Astringent. Aloes (Aloe perfo-liata, Lin.) Aloes. Inspissated juice. Decoction. The leaves chopt and heated, efficacious for dispersing milk in the breasts. Alseine (A. med., Lin.) Chickweed. The leaves. Refrigerant. Ingredient in several tinctures and pills. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Althæa (A. officina-lis, Lin.) Marshmallow. The leaf and root. Emollient. A syrup and ointment. Alumen. Alum. The whole. Strongly astringent. A styptic powder, styptic wa-ter, whey, &c. Ambragrisca. Ambergriſe. The whole. A high cordial. A tincture or essence. Ammi vulgaris. Bishop's weed. The leaves. Stimulant. An ingredient in the theriac. Amomum verum. True amomum. The seeds. Aromatic. An ingredient in the theriac. Amomum vulgare(Sifon, Lin.) Bastard stone-par-ſey. The seeds. Carminative anddiuretic. Ammoniacum. SeeGummi. Amygdala (Am.con. Lin.) Sweet and bitter al-monds. The fruit. Relaxing. Expressed oil and emulſion. Amylum. Starch. Astringent. Anacardium occi-dentale, (Lin.) Cashew-tree. The nuts. Corrosive. Oil outside, but the kernelsuſed as almonds; the guminſtead of gum arabic. Anagallis (Arven-ſis, Lin.) Pimpernel. The leaves. Sudoric and ner-vine. Extract, or inſpiſſated juice. Ananas (Bromeliaananas, Lin.) The pine-apple. The fruit. Refrigerant. Anchufa (A. tin-toria, Lin.) Alkanet. The root. Only uſed for itscolour. Anethum (A. gra-veolens, Lin.) Dill. The seeds. Carminative. Diſtilled oil, water, and spi-rituous extract. Angelica (A. Arch-angelica, and ſyl-veſtris, Lin.) Angelica. The roots, ſtalks,leaves, and feeds. Aromatic. Several compound waters. Anguſtura cor-tex, (A) Aniſum (Pimpinel-la aniſum, Lin.) Aniſe. The feed. Aromatic and to-nic. An eſſential oil, a ſpirituouscompound water, &c. Antimonium. Antimony. Diaphoretic, ca-thartic, emetic, orcauſtic. A number of chemical prepa-rations. See CHEMISTRY-Index, KERMES Mineral,and REGULUS of Antimony. Aparine (Galliumaparine, Lin.) Goofegraſs, or cli-vers. The leaves. Aperient. Apium (A. gra-veol. Lin.) Smallage. The roots, leaves,and feeds. Carminative. Diet-drinks. Aqua marina. Sea-water. Cathartic and alte-rative. Aquæ minerales. Mineral waters. Tonic and altera-tive. Aquæ ſulphureæ. Sulphureous wa-ters. Alternative and au-thelminthic. Argentina (Po-tentill. argentin.Lin.) Silverweed. The leaves. Corroborant. Argentum vivum. Quickſilver. A moſt powerfulalterant. Several chemical prepara-tions; ſee CHEMISTRY-In-dex. An ingredient in fe-veral other officinal prepa-rations. Arifto. (A) The Anguſtura bark was firſt imported from the Weſt Indies in 1788; but it is a native of Africa. Mr Bruce, who had been cured of a dyſentery in Abyſſinia by the bark of a plant called there Wooginos, brought the feeds from that country, and the plant is now cultivated in Kew garden and other places under the name of Brucea antidyeſterica, or ferruginea. He ſuppoſed the bark of this was the ſame with that of the Anguſtura; but Dr Duncan, in the Medical Commentaries for 1790, ſays that they are totally different when compared together. For an account of the Anguſtura bark, ſee Jſſivis's Bark. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED INMEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Avitolochia (A. clematitis, Lin.) Birthwort. The roots. Attenuating, stimulant, and detergent. Armeniaca (Prunus Armeniaca, Lin.) The plum-tree. The fruit and gum. The fruit refrigerant, and the gum demulcent. Arnica (A. montana, Lin.) German leopard's bane. The herb, flowers, and roots. Antispasmodic; emetic, cathartic. A warm infusion. Arsenicum. (a) Arsenic. Corrosive. Artemisia (A. vulgaris, Lin.) Mugwort. The leaves. Antispasmodic. Infusion. Arum (A. maculatum, Lin.) Wake-robin. The root. Stimulant. A compound powder and conserve (c). Asafetida. SeeGummi, infra. Asarum (A. Europeanum, Lin.) Asarabacca. The leaves. Errhine, cathartic, and emetic. A compound powder (b) Asparagus (A. officinalis, Lin.) Asparagus. The roots. Supposed diuretic, but uncertain. Asperula. Woodruff. The flowers. Attenuant and aperient. Asphodelus. (b) This pernicious mineral has some time ago been introduced into medicine as a certain remedy for cancers; but Mr Juslamond, who published a treatise on this subject two or three years ago, informs us, that even the most guarded use of it in the external way, while it produces the happiest effects in healing cancerous ulcers, yet occasions such disagreeable symptoms of the paralytic kind, that it cannot be persisted in. The latest trials in London are likewise said to confirm this account; notwithstanding which, however, the internal use of it has since gained ground in a variety of disorders, particularly in intermitting fevers, which are said to be readily cured by it sometimes after the bark and all other remedies had failed. A solution of the mineral is given by drops, from one sixteenth to a sixth part of a grain for a dose, largely diluted in a warm aqueous liquid. Dr Aikin recommends oil and milk as a certain remedy against this destructive poison. He quotes from Hoffman an instance where several persons of distinction had tasted food mixed with arsenic instead of sugar. All of them were seized with anxiety at the breast, pain at the stomach, tremor of the lips, and reachings. Milk and oil were given in great plenty, and they continued strongly vomiting for half a day. Some vomited no less than 100 times; but all of them recovered. Some instances of a similar kind have come within the Doctor's own knowledge. Sage in his Mineralogy relates, that the regulus is much less dangerous than the calx or glafs: he says that on giving half an ounce to a cat, the animal only grew meagre for some time, but afterwards became fat again. He says that acids, particularly vinegar, are the antidotes to this poison; and that oils and emulsions do not so effectually obtund this poison as acids do. Of this he has had experience in brutes. He adds, that the regulus is not soluble in water, and that the founders are more afraid of fumes of lead than arsenic. (c) Dr Aikin informs us, that the insupportable pungency on the tongue, which has hitherto prevented it from being used in a fresh state so as to exert its full virtues, is effectually covered by unctuous and gummy materials. The fresh root beaten into a smooth mass, with the addition of a little testaceous powder which promotes the division of it, may be either mixed with about an equal quantity of powdered gum arabic, and three or four times as much conserve, so as to make them into an electuary; or rubbed with a thick mixture of mucilage of gum arabic and spermaceti, gradually adding any suitable watery liquors, and a little syrup in order to form an emulsion, two parts of the root, two of gum, and one of spermaceti, make an emulsion, which scarce impresses any degree of pungency upon the tongue though kept long in the mouth. In these forms our author has given the fresh root from ten grains to more than a scruple, three or four times a-day: it generally occasioned a slight sensation of warmth, first about the stomach and then in the remoter parts; manifestly promoted perspiration, and frequently produced a plentiful sweat. Several obstinate rheumatic pains have been removed by the use of this preparation, which our author therefore recommends to further trial. (d) The leaves of this plant are by some supposed to be more powerful than the roots as emetics and cathartics, but they are milder as errhines. Geoffroy relates, that a single dose of the errhine of which this root is an ingredient has occasioned a discharge for three days; and that he has known a palsy of the mouth and tongue cured by the same means. He recommends it in stubborn disorders of the head proceeding from viscous matters, in palsies, and lethargic disorders. During its operation the patient must carefully avoid cold; which is apt to produce pustules, inflammations, swellings of the face, and sometimes worse symptoms than even these. The empirical herb-snuffs have the leaves of asarum for their basis, but sometimes mixed with ingredients of a more dangerous nature. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Asphodelus (A. Asphodelus, Lin.) Asphodel, or king's lily. The roots. Emollient and suppurative. Atriplex (Chenopodium vulgare, Lin.) Stinking orach. The leaves. Antispasmodic. A spirituous tincture, decoction, or conserve, recommended by Tournefort and others. Avena fativa (Lin.) Oats. The grain. Emollient. Decoction. Aura electrica. Electricity. A violent stimulant. Aurantium (Citrus auranti, Lin.) The orange. The leaves, fruit, and flowers. Cordial, stomachic, and refrigerant. An essential oil, a distilled water, and a conserve. Auricula (Tremell. verruc., Lin.) Judex, Jews-ears. The whole. Purgative, or astringent; uncertain. Auripigmentum. Orpiment. Corrosive, but less so than arsenic. Axungia porcina. Hog's lard. Emollient. Axungia viperina. Viper's fat. Balaustium (Punica granat., Lin.) Balaustine, or double-flowered pomegranate tree. The flowers. Astringent. Ingredient in a powder. Balsamita (Tanacetum balsaminum, Lin.) Costmary. The leaves. Aromatic, antihysteric. Distilled water and spirituous tincture. Balsamum Canadense (Pinus balsamea, Lin.) Balsam of Canada. The rosin. Diuretic and tonic. Balsamum Copayve (Copaifera officinalis, Lin.) Balsam of Copivi. The rosin. Diuretic and tonic. An empyreumatic oil, and an ingredient in some tinctures (E). Balsamum Gileadense (Amyris Gileadensis, Lin.) Opobalsam, or balm of Gilead. The rosin. Said to be a most extraordinary vulnerary. Balsamum Peruvianum (Myroxylon peruviferum, Lin.) Balsam of Peru. The rosin. A fine warm aromatic. An ingredient in many tinctures, and some ointments. Balsamum Tolutanum (Toluifera balsaminum, Lin.) Balsam of Tolu. The rosin. Aromatic and corroborant. An ingredient in several tinctures, elixirs, and a kind of pectoral pills. Bardana major (Astrium lappa, Lin.) Burdock. The roots and feeds. Aperient, diuretic, and sudorific. Decoction. Barytes (F). Beccabunga, (E) Balsam of Copivi has been employed empirically in hemorrhoidal cases; and Dr Cullen informs us, that he has known it give relief in such cases, in doses from 20 to 40 drops once or twice a day, mixed with powdered sugar. Fuller recommends it in consumptions; but his practice is censured by Dr Fothergill in the 4th volume of London Medical Observations. (F) Barytes. The solution of the aerated barytes, or terra ponderosa, in spirit of salt, has been found capable of producing powerful effects on the human system. Several trials of it were made in the year 1789 by Dr Crawford, in St Thomas's hospital; and it was found to be very efficacious in scrofulous complaints. In some cases of swelled glands, foul ulcers, enlarged joints, and general cachexy, singular relief was given, by the muriated barytes, either alone or joined with mercurials, antimonials, and the bark. The medicine in a few cases appeared to augment the cuticular secretion; in most it occasioned an uncommon flow of urine, and almost universally improved the appetite and general health of the body. Few stomachs, however, could bear more than from six to ten drops of a saturated solution, nor did a continued use of the medicine reconcile the stomach to it, but rather the contrary. Sometimes it produced a vertigo, which probably arose from its nauseating quality. Dr Crawford is of opinion, that this solution, when injudiciously managed, is capable of producing deleterious effects, by disordering the nervous system, and bringing on violent vomiting and purging. From some experiments made upon dogs, it appears that a large dose would prove fatal. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED INMEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Beccabunga (Veronica beccabunga, Lin.) Brooklime. The herb. Attenuating, and antiscorbutic. Bechen album, (Centaurea bechen, Lin.) The root. Stimulant. Bechen rubrum, (Statice limon, Lin.) The root. Stimulant. Belladonna (Atropa belladonna, Lin.) Deadly nightshade. The juice. Narcotic. An extract of the juice, decoction, infusion, powders. Bellis minor, (Bell. peren, Lin.) Common daisy. The leaves. Attenuant. Benzoe, (Terminalia benzoin, Lin.) Benzoin. The resin. Pectoral. Ingredient in the paregoric elixir. Berberis vulgar, (Berber. vulgar, Lin.) Barberry. The bark and fruit. Astringent. A jelly. Beta, (B. vulgaris, Lin.) The beet. The root and leaves. Cathartic and erthine. Betonica (B. officinalis, Lin.) Betony. The leaves and flowers. Corroborant. Betula (B. alba, Lin.) The birch-tree. The bark and sap. Antiscorbutic and diuretic. Bezoar. Bezoar-stone. Many virtues falsely ascribed to it; now found to be only an absorbent. Bilis animalis. The gall or bile of animals. Cathartic. Bistorta (Polygonum bistorta, Lin.) Bistort or snake-wort. The roots. Powerfully astringent. An ingredient in a powder. Boli. Boles. Astringent and slightly absorbent. Ingredients in several powders. Bonus Henricus, (Chenopodium bonus Hen, Lin.) English mercury, all-good, or good Henry. The leaves. Laxative. Borax. Tincal, or borax. The whole. Diuretic and emmenagogue. An ingredient in a powder, and a salt prepared from it. See CHEMISTRY-Index. Branca ursina, (Acanthus mollis, Lin.) Bear's-breech. The root. Emollient. Brassica, (B. oleracea, Lin.) Cabbage. The leaves. Refrigerant and laxative. Brassica marina, (Convolvulus soldanella, Lin.) Sea-coleworts, or foldanella. The leaves. A strong cathartic. Now rejected from practice. Brucea antidysenterica. See note (A), supra. Bryonia (B. alba, Lin.) White briony. The root. Disentient and violently cathartic. Burfa pastoris, (Thlaspi bursa p., Lin.) Shepherd's purse. The leaves. Astringent, but very doubtful. Cacao (Theobroma cacao, Lin.) Chocolate tree. The fruit. Analeptic. Chocolate. Cajeput (Maleleuca leucadendron, Lin.) Cajeput. The fruit. Stimulant, healing, carminative. Distilled oil. List ofSimples. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED INMEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. List ofSimples. Calaminaris lapis. Calamine stone. Defecative, heal-ing. An ingredient in collyria,epulotic cerate, &c. Calamintha (Melissacalamintha,Lin.) Calamint. The leaves. Aromatic and sti-mulant. Calamus aromati-cus (acorus cala-mus, Lin.) Sweet-flag. The roots. Aromatic and sto-machic. Calendula (C. offic-inalis, Lin.) Garden marigold. The flowers. Attenuating and fu-dorific, but verydoubtful. Calx viva. Quicklime. A violent corrosive,and powerful al-terant and absor-bent. A medicated water. Camphor (Lauruscamphora, Lin.) Camphire tree. The concreted ef-fential oil. Refrigerant and di-aphoretic, stimu-lant, antispasmo-dic. A solution in rectified spirit, inexpressed and essential oils.Ingredient in many othercompositions. Canella alba (Lin.) White cinnamon. The bark. Aromatic and sti-mulating. An ingredient in several tinc-tures. Cannabis (C. sativa, Hemp.Lin.) The seeds. Aperient and re-frigerant, butdoubtful. Decoctions and infusions. Cantharis (Meloevesicatorius, Lin.) Spanish fly. Violently stimula-ting and vesica-tory. A spirituous tincture, a pla-ster, ointment, &c. Caparis (C. spinosa, Caper-bush.Lin.) The bark of theroot, and flower-buds. Aperient and sto-machic. Pickled. Cardamines (C. pra-tensis, Lin.) Cardamine. The flowers. Antispasmodic. Powder. Cardamomum ma-jus (Amom. car-dam. Lin.) Greater cardamom. The seeds. Aromatic and sti-mulant. A spirituous water andtincture. Ingredient alsoin several officinal com-positions. Cardamomum mi-nus (Amom. re-pens, Lin.) Lesser cardamom. The seeds. Aromatic and sti-mulant. Cardiaca (Leonuruscardiaca, Lin.) Mother-wort. The leaves. Antispasmodic. Carduus benedictus(Gentauria bene-dicta, Lin.) Blessed-thistle. The leaves and seed. Stomachic. An ingredient in a stomachictincture. Infusions. Carica (Ficus carica, The fig.Lin.) The dried fruit. Emollient, suppu-rative. Ingredient in the pectoraldecoction and lenitive elec-tuary. Carlina (C. acaul. Lin.) Carlina-thistle. The root. Diaphoretic. Carpobalsam (Amy-ris Gilcadenfis,Lin.) Carpobalsam. The fruit. Aromatic. In substance applied warmas a cataplasma. Carthamus (C. tin-ctorius, Lin.) Bastard saffron. The seeds. Cathartic. Carvi (Carum carvi, Caraway.Lin.) The seeds. Aromatic. An essential oil, a spirituouswater. Ingredient also insome officinal compositions. Caryophylla rubra(Dianthus caryoph.Lin.) Clove july-flower. The flowers. Cardiac and alexi-pharmac. A syrup. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Caryophyllata,(Geum urban.Lin.) Avens, or herbbenet. The root. Aromatic. An essential oil. Caryophyllum (C.aromaticus, Lin.) The clove-tree. The flower-cups. Strongly aromatic. An essential oil. Ingredientalso in many officinal com-positions Cascarilla (Crotoncascar, Lin. Cro-ton eleutheria,Swartz Prodr.) Cascarilla. The bark. Aromatic and sti-mulant. Infusions. Cassia fistularis (C.fistula, Lin.) Cassia. The fruit. Purgative. An ingredient in two electua-ries. Cassia lignea (Lau-rus cassia, Lin.) Cassia. The bark andflower-buds. Aromatic. The basis of a distilled water. Cassumunar. Cassumar. The root. Stomachic and car-minative. Castoreum (Castorfiber, Lin.) Castor. Nervine and anti-spasmodic. A simple water; a spirituouswater; a tincture. In-redient in several officinalcompositions. Catechu (Mimosacatechu, Lin.) Catechu, vulgo Ja-pan earth. Astringent. A tincture, troches, and con-fection, and an ingredientin several officinal compo-sitions. Celeri (Apium gra-veolens, Lin.) Celery. The leaves. Laxative. Centaurium majus(Centauria centau-rium, Lin.) Greater centaury. The root. Astringent, aper-ient, and vulne-rary. Centaurium minus(Gentiana centaur.Lin.) Lesser centaury. The tops. Stomachic. Tincture and infusion. Cepa (Allium cepa,Lin.) The onion. The root. Attenuating anddiuretic. Cera alba. White wax. Emollient. Ingredient in many plastersand ointments. Cera flava. Yellow wax. Emollient. Ingredient in almost all oint-ments. Cerasus (Prunus ce-rasus, Lin.) The cherry tree. The fruit and gum. Refrigerant; thegum partaking ofthe properties ofgum-arabic. Cerefolium (Sandixcerefol, Lin.) Chervil. The juice. Aperient and diu-retic. Ceterach (Asplen. ce-terach, Lin.) Spleenwort. The leaves. Diuretic (g). Cevadilla (Veratrumalbum, Lin. ?) Indian caustic bar-ley. The seeds. Virulently caus-tic, (u). Chamaedrys (Teu-crium chamadr.Lin.) Germander. The leaves and topswith the feed. Sudorific, diuretic,&c. Chamæmelum. (g) M. Morand relates, that these leaves have lately been discovered to have an admirable diuretic virtue; that they were used with great success by Count d'Auteuil, a Spanish naval commander, for the gravel, with which he was violently tormented; and since that time they have come greatly into use at Paris, Verdun, and Grenoble. From observations made in those places it appears, that they carry off sand, cleanse the kidneys, and mitigate pains in the urinary passages; that the method of using them is to drink infusions of the leaves in the morning at tea, adding such other medicines as may be judged proper. (u) These seeds appear to be the strongest of all vegetable caustics. Monardes relates, that in putrid ver-minous. List ofSimples. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED INMEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. List ofSimples. Chamæmelum (An-themis nobilis,Lin.) Camomile. The single flowers. Stomachic, carmi-native, and emol-lient. An essential oil, a simple wa-ter, an extract, a decoct-tion. Chamæpithys (Teu-erium chamæpit.Lin.) Ground-pinc. The leaves. Aperient and vul-nerary. Cheiri, seu Leuco-jum luteum (Chei-ranthebeiri, Lin.) Wallflower. The flower. Aperient, cordial,and attenuant. Chelæ crancerorum. Crab's claws. Absorbent. Levigated. Chelidonium majus,(Lin.) Common celandine. The leaves androots. Stimulating, diure-tic, and sudorific. Infusion. Dried root pow-dered. Chelidonium minus(Ranunculus fica-ria, Lin.) Pilewort. The leaves and root. Emollient. China (Smilax Chi-na, Lin.) China. The root. Diaphoretic anddiuretic. Cicer (C. arietin.Lin.) Redchicks, or chickpeas. The seeds. Lithontriptic anddiuretic, but verydoubtful. Cichorium (C. in-tyb. Lin.) Wild succory. The roots andleaves. Laxative and anti-scorbutic. Cicuta major (Co-nium maculat.Lin.) Hemlock (1). The leaves andseeds. Resolvent and alte-rant. Inspissated juice of the leaves,and an extract from theseeds. minous ulcers and gangrenes, they have the same effects as corrosive sublimate, or the actual cautery; and that the way of using them is to sprinkle a little of powdered feed upon the part; or, for the greater safety, to dilute it with watery liquors, and apply lint dipped in the mixture. In the Amanitates Academicae of Linnaeus, they are said to be the most powerful of all medicines for destroying cutaneous insects in children. (1) It is supposed that the juice of this plant was the poison so much used among the Athenians for putting criminals to death; but from some late experiments this seems to be doubtful; or at least that the remedy is very easy. Mr Haram, apothecary at Chartres, informs us, that a large spoonful of the juice given to a cat had no sensible effect; a second produced a visible embarras on the region of the reins: in a little time the animal staggered, but did not fall. A quarter of an hour after, she was found stretched out motionless, with her paws rigid. Half a drachm of theriaca, with two large spoonfuls of wine, were given without effect; but no sooner was a large spoonful of lemon-juice swallowed than she got up as if nothing had happened, and continued afterwards in good health. Other authors likewise inform us, that vinegar is an antidote against the poisonous effects of this plant. With regard to its medical virtues, Dr Monro, who has seen it tried in a great number of cases, informs us, that he never saw it cure a confirmed cancer, whether ulcerated or not; that in a few cases of ulcerated cancers it mended the discharge, and changed it from a thin ichor to an appearance of laudable pus; but, notwithstanding this favourable appearance, the distemper at last terminated fatally. — In scrofulous cases, some few small tumours were thought to be disscuffed by it; but large hard swellings were never removed by it, tho' the remedy was continued for weeks and months. The discharge from scrofulous sores of the extremities, however, was often mended by it; and in many cases, it was found to be of more service when joined with the bark than when given alone: the action of the bark and mercury was thought to be rendered more powerful by it. In the chincough it did not produce any remarkable effects. In some few instances, he imagined that it hurt the health of the patients; and in one or two, that it hastened death. In this last case, indeed, the use of the cicuta had been laid aside for some time, and the patients sunk so gradually, that our author was in doubt what might have been the cause of their death. The roots of hemlock have been supposed to be more active than the leaves, both when taken internally and when outwardly applied. Dr Stork relates, that on being cut, it yields a bitter acrid milk, of which a drop or two applied to the tip of the tongue occasioned a rigidity, pain, and swelling of the part, so as to deprive him of the power of speech. These symptoms, however, disappeared on washing the part with citron juice. When dried, it loses its virulence; so that Dr Stork says, he has taken a grain or two of the powder without injury. Other authors give instances where 20 and 30 grains have been given with good effect in febrifosities of the liver, quartan agues, on the approach of a fit, and even in acute fevers. Dr Aikin informs us, that the fresh root seems not to be at all times of equal virulence; and that he has seen it chewed freely without TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Cinara (Cynara fr-lymar, Lin.) Artichoke. The leaves. Diuretic (x). Cinnamomum (Laurus cinnam, Lin.) The cinnamon tree. The bark. Aromatic and corroborant. An essential oil, a simple and spirituous distilled water, and an ingredient in a great number of compositions. Citrullus (Cucurbita citrullus, Lin.) Citrullus. The seeds. Refrigerant. Coccinella (Coccus caeli, Lin.) Cochineal. Sudorific, but chiefly used for colouring. Cocculus Indicus, (Menisperm. coccul, Lin.) Indian berry. The fruit. Narcotic. Cochlearia (C. of-foinalis, Lin.) Scurvy-grafs. The leaves. Stimulating and attenuant. A conserve and spirit. An ingredient in some other official preparations. Coffea (C. Arabica, Lin.) The coffee-tree. The fruit. Stomachic and corroborant. A decoction. Colchicum (C. autumnale, Lin.) Meadow saffron. The root. Diuretic. A syrup and oxymel. Colocynthis (Cucumis colocynthis, Lin.) Coloquintida, or bitter-apple. The medullary part of the dried fruit. Violently cathartic. An ingredient in some cathartic pills and extracts. Columbo (Ignatia amara, Lin.) Columbo, or Columbina. The root. A most excellent antiseptic and stomachic. A vinous tincture. Conciffi (Nerium antidysentericum, Lin.) Conciffi. The bark. Antiseptic and tonic (z). Confolida major, (Symphitum officin, Lin.) Comfrey. The root. Emollient. Contrayerva without any other effect than that sweetness observable in parsley roots or carrots. There are likewise instances, where the cicuta roots have been taken to the quantity of some drachms, or even ounces, without any bad consequence. The feeds have been recommended as demulcent, paregoric, and antaphrodisiac; but little more (according to Dr Aikin) is yet known about them, but that they are innocent to some birds. Mr Ray says, that he found the crop of a thrush full of them, and that at a season when the corn was in full growth. In the first volume of the Medical Commentaries, an extract prepared from hemlock-seeds is preferred to that made from the leaves; and in the last Edinburgh Pharmacopœia, an extract of this kind is ordered as an official. (x) Dr Aikin informs us, that the expressed juice of the leaves has sometimes proved successful in dropsies, when other remedies had failed. For this purpose it is not depurated, but only freed by passing through a strainer from the grosser feculencies, and mixed with an equal quantity of white wine; three or four spoonfuls to be taken every morning and evening.—The following decoction (as we are informed by Dr Monro) was long kept a secret by a person at Andover, and is said to have carried off the water from several people labouring under a dropsy. Take of artichoke leaves and stalks three handfuls; of bruised juniper-berries one quart; of scraped horse-raddish one handful; of green fir-tops two handfuls; of bruised white mustard-seed two table-spoonfuls; mix the whole, and boil them in two gallons of water to one, and strain the whole thro' a cloth. Half a pint to be taken by a grown person morning and evening, adding a little syrup or sugar to make it agreeable. (z) This bark is reckoned a specific in diarrhoeas; the fine powder being made use of in an electuary formed with syrup of oranges, and given to the quantity of half a drachm or more four times a day, after a vomit has been given. The first day it is taken, the number of stools is generally increased, without any increase of the griping; the second, the colour of the stools is meliorated; and, on the third or fourth, the constipation approaches to the natural, when it makes a cure. It seldom fails in curing a recent diarrhoea, proceeding from irregularities in diet without fever; and it is frequently of service in habitual diarrhoeas. LIST ofSimples. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED INMEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. LIST ofSimples. Contrayerva (Dor-stenia contrayerva,Lin.) Contrayerva. The root. Aromatic and dia-phoretic. Spirituous tincture, extract,powder. Convallaria (C. Po-lygonatum, Lin.) Solomon's seal. The root. Suppurative. Poultice, decoction in milkrecommended in some casesof hemorrhagy. Corallina (Sertula-rin, Lin.) Coralline. Absorbent. Coriandrum (C. sa-tewum, Lin.) Coriander. The seeds. Carminative andstomachic. Formerly an ingredient insome officinal compositions. Cornu cervi (Cer-vuselephas, Lin.) Hartshorn. Emollient and nu-tritious. Shavings, a jelly, a volatile al-kaline salt and spirit, andan empyreumatic oil. Costus (C. Arab.Lin.) Costus. The root. Attenuant and diu-retic. Craffula (Sedum te-lephnum, Lin.) Lesser orpine. The leaves. Emollient and af-tringent. Creta alba. White chalk. Absorbent. Crithmum (C. ma-ritimum, Lin.) Samphire. The leaves. Aperient, stoma-chic, and diu-retic. Crocus (C. sativusoffic. Lin.) Saffron. The chives, orfleshy capilla-ments growingat the end ofthe flower. Aromatic and cor-dial. A spirituous tincture; a sy-rup; and an ingredient inseveral officinal composi-tions. Croton. See Cas-carilla supra. Cubebæ (Piper cu-beba, Lin.) Cubebæ. The fruit. Aromatic and sti-mulant. An ingredient in several offi-cial compositions. Cucumis hortensis(C. sativus, Lin.) The garden cucum-ber. The seeds. Refrigerant. Cucumis agrestis(Momordica ela-terium, Lin.) Wild cucumber. The fruit. Violently cathartic. The juice inspissated. Cucurbita (C. pepo,Lin.) The gourd andpompion. The seeds. Refrigerating. An expressed oil. Cuminum (C. cymi-num, Lin.) Cuminum. The feed. Aromatic, stimu-lant. An essential oil by distilla-tion; and giving name to aplaster and cataplasm. Cupressus. The cypress. The fruit. A strong astring-gent. Cuprum. Copper. A violent emetic,diuretic, and al-terative. Calcinæd, and producing saltsby combination with sever-al acids, and with volatilealkali. See CHEMISTRY,Index. Curcuma (C. longa,Lin.) Turmeric. The root. Aromatic, aperient,and emme-nagogue. Curfuta (Gentianapurpurea, Lin.) The root. Stomachic. Cydonium (Piruscydonia, Lin.) The quince. The fruit and seeds. Stomachic and cor-rosorative. A syrup and jelly of the fruit,and mucilage of the seeds. Cuminum. See Cu-minum supra. Cynoglossus (C. of-ficinalis, Lin.) Hound's tongue. The root. Narcotic, butdoubtful. Cynosobatum (Rosacanina, Lin.) The wild briar,dog-rose, orhip-tree. The fruit and flow-ers. Refrigerant andantiforbatic. A distilled water and conserve. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Cyperus (C. longus, Lin.) Long cyperus. The root. Aromatic and carminative. Dactylis (Phoenix dactylis, Lin.) The date-tree. The fruit. Emollient and slightly astringent. Daucus Creticus (Athamanta Cretensis, Lin.) Candy carrot. The seeds. Aromatic. Ingredient in mithridate and theriaca. Daucus sativus (D. carota, Lin.) The garden carrot. The roots. Powerfully antiseptic. A poultice from them for cancers, and a marmalade. Daucus silvestris (D. carota, Lin.) Wild carrot. The seeds. Aromatic. Dens leonis (Leonodon tarax., Lin.) Dandelion. The root and herb. Attendant, but doubtful. Dictamnus Creticus (Origanum dictamnus, Lin.) Dittany of Crete. The leaves. Aromatic. An essential oil; and ingredient in several officinal powders. Dictamnus albus (Lin.) Bastard dittany. The root. Alexipharmac, tonic, and anthelmintic. Digitalis (D. purpurea, Lin.) Fox-glove. The leaves. Emetic, cathartic, and diuretic. The leaves in powder or infusion, used in dropsies. Bolichos (D. pruriens, Lin.) Coughage, or cowitch. The hairy matter of the pods. Anthelmintic. Doronicum. See Arnica. Dulcamara (Solanum dulcamara, Lin.) Bitter-sweet, or woody nightshade. The herb and root. Diaphoretic, attenuant, and cathartic. Watery infusions. Ebulus (Sambucus ebulus, Lin.) Dwarf-elder, or Danewort. The root, bark, leaves, and fruit. Strongly cathartic. A rob from the berries. Elaterium. See Cucumis. Elatine (Veronica officinalis, Lin.) Fluellin, or female speedwell. The leaves. Diuretic and attenuant. Gives name to one of the officinal honeys. Elecampane. See Enula. Elemi (Amyris elemifera, Lin.) Gum elemi. Aromatic. Gives name to an ointment. Eleutheria. See Casuarilla. Endivia (Cichoreum endivia, Lin.) Endive. The leaves and roots. Aperient and refrigerant. Enula (Inula helenium, Lin.) Elecampane. The root. Expectorant, stomachic, attenuating, and tonic. Spirituos and watery extracts. A confection. Eruea (Sisymbrium amphibium, Lin.) Rocket. The seeds. Stimulant. Eryngium (E. maritimum, Lin.) Eryngo, or sea-holly. The root. Aperient and diuretic. Erysimum (E. officinale, Lin.) Hedge-mustard. The recent plant. Attenuant and diuretic. Eupatorium cannabinum (Lin.) Hemp-agrimony, water-agrimony, or water-hemp. The leaves. Attenuant, corroborant, and antiscorbutic. Euphorbium (Euphorbia officinalis, Lin.) Euphorbium. Sternutatory. Powder. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Faba Indica, seuSancti Ignatii,(Ignatia amara,Lin.) St Ignatius's bean. The seeds; (theroot, the co-lumbo.) Antispasmodic. Faba vicia (Viciafaba, Lin.) The garden-bean. The seeds and flow-ers. Nutritive and cos-metic. A distilled water from theflowers. Fagopyrum (Pa-pyr. fagopyr.Lin.) Snakeweed. The seeds. Refrigerant. Farina tritici velavenæ. Bran. Discutient. Ferum. Iron. Corroborative andalterant. Infusions in wine; the metalreduced to a calx by rust,or by fire, and some saltsproduced from it by com-binations with different ac-ids. See CHEMISTRY In-dex. Ficus. See Carica. Filipendula (Spiræafilipend. Lin.) Commondropwort. The root. Astringent and cor-roborant. Filix (Polypodiumfilix mas, Lin.) The male fern. The leaves and root. Anthelmintic anddeobstruent. Powder. Flammula Jovis (Cle-matitis flammula,Lin.) Upright virgin's-bower. The leaves andflowers. Very acrid. Powder for sprinkling on can-cerous and venereal ulcers;infusion and extract for in-ternal use, in wastings, &c.from lues venerea. Foeniculum dulce etvulgare (Anethumfenic. Lin.) Sweet and commonfennel. The seeds, roots,and leaves. Aromatic, stimu-lant, and carmi-native. A simple water; and an in-redient in one or twocompositions. Foeniculum aquati-cum (Phellandri-um aquat. Lin.) Waterwort. The leaves and seeds. Corroborant. Foenum Græcum(Trigonella sanum-græcum, Lin.) Fenugreek. The seeds. Emollient. Chiefly used in cataplasms,fomentations, emollient gly-sters, &c. Formica (F. rufa,Lin.) The ant. The whole insect. Stimulant. An oil and acid spirit. Fragaria (F. vesca,Lin.) The strawberrybush. The leaves andfruit. Astringent, cor-roborant, and refri-gerant. Frangula (Alnus ni-gra, Lin.) Black alder. The bark. Violently cathartic. Fraxinella (Diham-nus albus, Lin.) White or bastarddittany. The root. Diaphoretic. Fraxinus (F. excel-sior, Lin.) The ash-tree. The bark and seeds. Astringent and sti-mulant. Fuligo ligni splen-dens Shining woodfoot. Antispasmodic. A spirituous tincture. Fumaria (F. officina-lis, Lin.) Fumitory. The leaves. Stimulating, atten-nuant, and an-tiscorbutic. Fungus melitenfis(Cynomorium coc-cin. Lin.) The stems and tops. Tonic and astring-gent. Decoction and tincture. Galanga minor(Kempferia Galan-gal, Lin.) Galangal. The root. Stomachic. Galbanum (Bubongalbanum, Lin.) Galbanum. The gum. Antihysteric. An ingredient in several offi-cial compositions. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Galega (G. officina-lis, Lin.) Goat's rue. The herb. Diaphoretic, butvery doubtful. Gallæ (ex Querc.terr. Lin.) Galls. Astringent (m). Gallium luteum (G.verum, Lin.) Yellow ladies bed-straw, or cheese-rennet. The tops. Astringent. Gambogia. SeeGummi gambogia,infra. Genista (Spartiumscoparium, Lin.) Broom. The leaves, flowers,and seeds. Diuretic and ca-thartic Gentiana (G. lutea,Lin.) Common gentian. The root. Stomachic and sti-mulant A spirituous tincture, and aningredient in many officinalcompositions. Geoffræa (G. iner-mis, Lin.) Cabbage-bark, orworm-bark tree. The bark. Anthelmintic andpurgative. Powder, decoction, syrup, ex-tract. Geranium Robert-ianum (Lin.) Herb Robert. The leaves. Astringent, butvery doubtful. Ginseng (Panaxquinquifol. Lin.) Ginseng. The root. Stimulant and cor-roborant. Gladiolum luteum(Iris pseudacorus,Lin.) Yellow water-flag,bastard acorus, orwater flower-de-luce. The roots. Strongly cathartic. Glycyrrhiza (G.glabra, Lin.) Liquorice. The root. Emollient and pec-toral. An extract and powder. Aningredient in many officinalcompositions. Gramen caninum(Triticum repens,Lin.) Quick-grass. The roots. Aperient. Grana paradisi (A-momum gr. par.Lin.) Grains of paradise. The seeds. Aromatic and sti-mulant. Granatum (Punicagranatum, Lin.) The pomegranate. The fruit andflowers. Refrigerant andastringent. Gratiola (G. officina-lis, Lin.) Hedge-hyssop. The herb. Emetic and cathar-tic. Guajacum (G. offici-nale, Lin.) Lignum-vitæ, orguajacum. The wood andbark. Aperient, stimu-lant, and cor-roborative. An extract, two tinctures,and a gummy resin. Aningredient in many officinalpreparations. Gummi arabicum(Mimosa nilotica,Lin.) Gum-arabic. Astringent and mu-cilaginous. An ingredient in a great num-ber of officinal composi-tions. Gum ammoniacum(Ferula meoides,Lin.?) Gum-ammoniac. Aperient, antispas-modic, and emol-lient. A solution. An ingredientin several pectoral composi-tions. Gum. asafætida(Ferula asaf.Lin.) Asafætida. The concrete juice. Antihysterican-thelminthic. Tinctures. Gum. bdellium. Bdellium. Sudorific, diuretic,and emollient. Gum benzoin (Ter-minalia benzoin,Lin. Styraxben-zoin, Lond. Ph.Trans.) Benzoin. Cosmetic. An ingredient in several anodyne compositions. (*) Dr Cullen informs us, that an ointment composed of one part of powdered galls and eight of hog'slard is a common remedy for the hæmorrhoids, and has been found efficacious. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Gum. elemi (Amyris elemifera, Lin.) Elemi. Aromatic. An essential oil, and gives name to ointment. Gum. galbanum, (Bubon galb Lin.) Galbanum. Antispasmodic. An ingredient in many antihysteria medicines. Gum. gambogia (Gambogia gutta, Lin. Stalagmites gambogioides, Murray.) Gamboge. Emetic and cathartic. Gives name to a certain kind of pills. Gum. kino. Kino. Astringent. A tincture. Gum. labdanum (Cistus ladanifera, Lin.) Labdanum. Stomachic. An ingredient in the stomachic pills and plasters. Gum. lacca (Coccus lacca, Lin. habitans in Eucurelignosa, in Mimosa cineraria; & alia.) Gum lac. Astringent. A tincture. Gum. mastich, (Pistacia lentiscus, Lin.) Mastich. Corroborant. Gum. myrrha. Myrrh. Antispasmodic and corroborant. A tincture, and an ingredient in many officinal compositions. Gummi olibanum, (Juniperus Lycia, Lin.) Olibanum. Astringent, but uncertain. An ingredient in some powders, and other officinal compositions. Gummi opoponax (Pastinaca opoponax, Lin.) Opoponax. Attenuant and stimulant. An ingredient in some officinal compositions. Gum. sanguis draconis. Vid. Sanguis, infra. Gum. Senegal (Mimosa Seneg Lin.) Astringent and mucilaginous. Gum. styrax. See Styrax, infra. Gum. thus. See Thus, infra. Gum. tragacanth (Astragalus trag. Lin.) Gum tragacanth, commonly gum-dragon. Astringent and corroborant. Hæmatites. Blood-stone. Astringent and corroborative. Hedera arborea (Hedera helix, Lin.) Ivy. The leaves, berries, and resin. Diaphoretic. Hedera terrestris, (Glechoma hederacea, Lin.) Ground-ivy. The leaves. Aperient and corroborant. Helenium. See E-nula, supra. Helleboraster (Festuca, Lin.) Bear's foot. The leaves. Emetic, purgative, and anthelmintic. Syrup. Helleborus albus, (Veratrum alb. Lin.) White hellebore. The root. Most violently emetic and catharine. A tincture and honey, formerly. Helleborus niger (Lin.) Black hellebore, or Melampodium. The root. A powerful alterative and emmenagogue. A tincture and extract. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Hepatica nobilis(Anemone hepatic.Lin.) Noble liverwort. The leaves. Cooling and corroborant. Hermodactylus(Iris tuberosa,Lin.) Hermodactyl. The root. Purgative, but doubtful. Herniaria (H. glabra,Lin.) Rupture-wort. The leaves. Astringent. Hippocastanum(Escul. hippocast.Lin.) Horse-chestnut. The bark and fruit. Corroborant and errhine. Hordeum (H. distichon,Lin.) Barley. Refrigerant. A decoction. Horminum (Salvia horminum,Lin.) Garden-clary. The leaves and feeds. Corroborative. Hydrargyrus. SeeArgentum vivum,supra. Hydrolapathum(Rumex aquaticus,Lin.) Great water-dock. The leaves and roots. Alterant and laxative. Hyoficiamus (H. niger,Lin.) The common wild or black henbane. The leaves and feeds. Narcotic. Cataplasms, plaster, powder, ointment. Hypericum (H. perforatum,Lin.) St John's wort. The leaves, flowers, and feeds. Diuretic, sudorific, and alterant. Gives name to a coloured oil. Hypocistis (Cytisus hypocistis,Lin.) Hypocistis. The juice. Astringent. Juice inspissated. Hyssopus (H. officinalis,Lin.) Hyssop. The leaves. Aromatic and pectoral. A distilled water. Jalappa (Convolvulus jalappa,Lin.) Jalap. The root. Cathartic. An extract, a simple tincture, a compound tincture, a resin, and powder. Japonica terra. SeeCatechu, supra. Imperatoria (I. trifolium,Lin.) Master-wort. The root. Aromatic. Indian root. SeeRadix Indica, infra. Ipecacuanha (Psychochiria emetica,Lin.) Ipecacuanha. The root (n.) Emetic and cathartic. A vinous tincture, and a powder. (n) A root has been sometimes imported, under the name of white ipecacuanha (viola ipecacuanha, Lin.), which has little or nothing of the virtues of the true kind. More dangerous abuses, however, have been practised by the substitution or mixture of the roots of a kind of apocynum, which have been found to operate with great violence both upwards and downwards, so as to prove fatal in some cases. They may, however, easily be distinguished by their colour, which is a deep reddish yellow, while the true ipecacuanha is pale coloured or greyish: the poisonous roots are likewise larger, the fissures more distant, and the intermediate spaces smoother, than in the true ipecacuanha. This root is found to increase the purgative virtue of jalap remarkably. Dr Aikin informs us, that 15 grains of jalap, with two or three of ipecacuanha, purge more than twice the quantity of jalap by itself. "Of late (says Dr Monro), a notion has prevailed, that the keeping up a nausea by means of small doses of ipecacuanha, or of watery solution of emetic tartar, was of great service in promoting the cure of fevers, as well as of fluxes, from a belief that they affected the nervous system, and were capable of exciting the action of the extreme vessels, and of increasing the secretions by the skin, and of the internal organs. Hitherto I have not found this method to answer my expectations; and I have always observed, that such a dose of an emetic as emptied the stomach freely, and gave a shake to the whole frame, had a much better effect than those List ofSimplex. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED INMEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. List ofSimplex. Iris Florentina, (Lin.) Florentine iris. The root. Aromatic and stimulant. An ingredient in several peccatorial medicines. Iris palustris. See Gladiolum, supra. Juglans (J. regia, Lin.) The walnut-tree. The fruit. The kernel emollient, the shell astringent. Jujuba, (Rhamnus arizoph. Lin.) Jujubes. The fruit. Emollient and balsamic. Juncus odoratus. See Calamus, supra. Juniperus (J. communis, Lin.) Juniper. The berries, wood, and resin. Carminative and stomachic. An essential oil, and spirituous water. Ingredient in several officinal compositions. Kermes (Coecus querc. ilic. Lin.) Kermes. Astringent and corroborant. A confection. Kino. See Gum Kino, supra. Lac. Milk. Analeptic and corroborant. A saccharine salt. Lacca. See Gum Lacca, supra. Lactuca, (L. sativa, Lin.) Garden lettuce. The leaves and feeds. Supposed narcotic. Lactuca virosa, (Lin.) Wild lettuce. Juice. Laxative, diuretic, and diaphoretic. An extract. Ladanum (Cistus creticus, Lin.) Ladanum. The gum-resin. Ingredient in the stomachic plaster. Lamium album (Lin.) White archangel, or dead-nettle. The leaves and flowers. Supposed corroborant. Lavendula (L. Spica, Lin.) Greater, or broad-leaved lavender. The flowers. An excellent cordial and aromatic. An essential oil, a simple and compound spirit, and a conserve. An ingredient in some officinal preparations. Laurus (L. nobilis, Lin.) The bay-tree. The leaves and berries. Carminative and antispasmodic. An expressed oil. An ingredient in different compositions. Lentiscus (Pistacia lentiscus, Lin.) The lentisc or mastich tree. The wood. Astringent, tonic, and diuretic. Lepidium, (L. latifol. Lin.) Common broad tander, pepperwort, or poor man's pepper. The leaves. Antiscorbutic and diuretic. Levisticum (Ligusticum levisticum, Lin.) Lovage. The root and feed. Aromatic. Ingredients in some compound waters. Lichen cinereus terrestris (L. caninus, Lin.) Asht-coloured ground liverwort. The whole. Recommended by Dr Mead as a specific against the bite of a mad dog, but without foundation. Principal ingredient in the pulvis antilussus. Lichen islandicus (Lin.) Eatable liverwort. The herb. Nourishing, antiseptic, and laxative. those frequently repeated small doses, which kept the patient in a disagreeable uneasy situation for hours together; and I am persuaded, that no practitioner of experience, who has attended large hospitals, where he has had an opportunity of trying and seeing the effects of different medicines, will ever recommend this nauseating method for general practice in fevers, though it may be of use in some particular cases." TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Lignum campe-chenfe (Ha-matocarpum cam-pech. Lin.) Logwood. The wood. Astringent. An extract. Lignum rhodium,(Genista canari-ensis, Lin.) Rose-wood. The wood. Cordial. An essential oil. Ligusticum. SeeLevisticum,supra. Lilium convallium,(Convall. maius.Lin.) Lilly of the valley. The root and flow-ers. Cephalic and ner-vine. Lilium album, (L.candidum, Lin.) White lily. The root. Emollient. Poultice. Limon, (Citrus me-dica, Lin.) The lemon-tree. The fruit. Aromatic, antiscor-butic, and cordial. An essential oil; an ingredi-ent in several compositions. Linaria (Antirrh-inum linaria, Lin.) Toad-flax. The leaves. Diuretic and ca-thartic, butdoubtful. Lingua cervina,(Asplenium scol-pend. Lin.) Hart's tongue. The leaves. Aperient. Linum catharticum(Euphorbia lathy-rus, Lin.) Purging flax. The leaves. Cathartic. Infusion in whey. Driedpowder. Linum Sativum(L. usitatissimum,Lin.) Flax. The feed. Emollient. An expressed oil. Cataplasma. Liquida ambra (a-ceruergundo, Lin.) Sweet gum, or sto-rax tree. The resinous juice. Aromatic and cor-dial. Lithospermum (L.officinale, Lin.) Gromwell. The feeds. Resolvent; lithon-triptic. Lobelia (L. spicilisti-ca, Lin.) Blue cardinalflower. The root (o). Alterant, and deter-gent. Decoction. Lujula, or wood-forrel. See Ac-tosella, supra. Lumbrici et limacesterrestres. Earth worms andsnails. Aperient and ana-leptic. Decoction in milk. Lupinus (L. albus,Lin.) White lupines. The feeds. Anthelmintic. Lupulus (Humul.lup. Lin.) Hops. The loose leafyheads whichgrow upon thetops of the stalks. Diuretic and stom-achic. (o) This root was long a famous secret among the North American Indians for curing the venereal disease. The secret was purchased by Sir William Johnson, and has been published in the writings of Bartram, Kalm, &c. The following method of using it is, by Dr Aikin, recommended as the best: "A decoction is made of an handful of the roots in three measures of water. Of this half a measure is taken in the morning fasting, and repeated in the evening; and the dose is gradually increased till its purgative effect becomes too violent, when the medicine is for a time to be intermitted, and then renewed till a perfect cure is effected. One dose daily is sufficient during the latter part of the treatment; and the regimen, during the whole process, is to be equally strict with that observed in a course of mercurial salivation. From the third day, the ulcers are to be well washed twice daily with the decoction; and it is said, that when they are very deep and foul, the Indians sprinkle them with powder of the internal bark of the spruce tree. By this method we are assured that inveterate venereal complaints are cured without the aid of mercury." List ofSimplex. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED INMEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. List ofSimplex. Lycoperdon (L. bovista, Lin.) Puff-ball, or dusy mushroom. Styptic. Macis. See Nux Moschata, infra. Majorana (Origanum majorana, Lin.) Sweet marjoram. The leaves and flowers. Aromatic and crrhine. An essential oil. Malabathrum (Laurus casta, Lin.) Indian leaf. Aromatic. An ingredient in mithridate and theriaca. Malva (M. sylvestris, Lin.) The mallow. The leaves and flowers. Emollient. Ingredient in the decoction for glysters, used also in cataplasm and fomentations: formerly there was a conserve of the flowers. Malus (Pyrus malus, Lin.) The apple-tree. The fruit. Refrigerant and laxative. Mandragora (Atropa Mandrag. Lin.) The mandrake. The leaves. Narcotic. Manna (Fraxinus ornus, Lin.) The manna ash. The concreted juice. Laxative. Gives name to an officinal lo-hoch, and enters several other compositions. Marrubium (M. vulgare, Lin.) White horehound. The leaves. Stomachic and aperient. An ingredient in theriaca (v). Marum Syriacum, (Teucrium mar. Lin.) Syrian herb-mastich. The leaves. Aromatic and crrhine. An ingredient in some cephalic snuffs. Mastiche. See Gum mastic, supra. Matricaria (M. parthenium, Lin.) Feverfew. The leaves and flowers. Aperient and antispasmodic. Mechoacanna, (Convolvulus mechoac. Lin.) White jalap, or Mechoacan. The root. Cathartic. Mel. Honey. Aperient and detergent. Melampodium. See Helleborus niger, supra. Mellilotus (Trifolium mellilot. Lin.) Mellilot. The leaves and flowers. Emollient and carminative. Gives name to a plaster. Melissa (M. officin. Lin.) Balm. The leaves. Aromatic. An essential oil, and an infusion. Melo (Cucumis melo, Lin.) The melon. The seeds. Refrigerant and emollient. Mentha crispa (Lin.) Danish or German curled mint. The herb. Aromatic and cordial. A distilled water, essential oil, and essence. An ingredient in several officinal preparations. Mentha vulgaris, (M. viridis, Lin.) Spearmint. The herb. Aromatic and cordial. A distilled water, an essential oil, a spirit, and essence. An ingredient in several officinal preparations. Mentha (v) The juices of horehound and plantain mixed are remedies of great repute in America against the bite of the rattlesnake. They are given by spoonfuls at short intervals; while at the same time the wounded part is covered with a cataplasm of the same herbs bruised. The good effects are said to be speedy, and the recovery of the patient complete and certain. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Mentha piperitis(M. piperita,Lin.) Pepper-mint. The herb. Aromatic and cordial. A distilled water, essential oil, and essence. An ingredient in several officinal preparations. Mercurialis (M. annua, Lin.) French mercury. The leaves. Emollient and laxative. A syrup. Meum (Ethusa meum, Lin.) Spignel. The root. Aromatic and carminative. Mezereon (Daphne mezereum, Lin.) Mezereon, or spurge olive. The bark of the root. Violently cathartic. Decoction and powder. Millefolium (Achillea millefol.Lin.) Millefoil, or yarrow. The leaves and flowers. Mildly astringent and aromatic. An essential oil. Millepedæ (Oniscus asellus, Lin.) Wood-lice, hog-lice, or flaters. Diuretic. The insects dried and powdered; an infusion in wine; also an ingredient in some other officinal preparations. Minium. SeePlumbum, infra. Morus diaboli(Scabiosa succisa,Lin.) Devil's bit. The leaves and roots. Diaphoretic. Morus nigra (Lin.) The mulberry-tree. The fruit and bark of the roots. Refrigerant, astringent, and anthelmintic. A syrup from the juice of the fruit. Moschus (M. moschiferus, Lin.) Musk. Diaphoretic and antispasmodic. A julep. Myristica. SeeNux moschata, infra. Myrobalani (Prunus myrobalanus, Lin.) Myrobalans. The fruit. Purgative. Myrrha. See Gum myrrha, supra. Myrrhia (Sison Canadense, Lin.) Sweet cicely. The leaves and seeds. Diuretic. Myrtillus (Vaccinium myrtil. Lin.) Whortle-berry. The leaves and berries. Astringent. Myrtus (M. communis, Lin.) The myrtle. The berries. Astringent. Napus (Brassica napus, Lin.) Sweet navew, or navew gentle. The seeds. Aromatic. An ingredient in the theriaca. Nardus Indica, (Andropogon nardus, Lin.) Indian nard. The roots. Stomachic and carminative. Ingredient in the mithridate and theriaca. Nasturtium aquaticum (Sisymbrium nasturtium, Lin.) Water cresses. The leaves and juice. Aperient and anti-scorbutic. An ingredient in the succi scorbutici. Nasturtium hortense (Lepidium sativum, Lin.) Garden cresses. The leaves and seeds. Aperient and anti-scorbutic, but much weaker than the former. Nepeta (N. cataria, Lin.) Nep, or catmint. The leaves. Aromatic and cordial. Nephriticum lignum (Guilandina moringa, Lin.) Nephritic wood. The wood in substance. Diuretic, but uncertain. Nicotiana (Nicotiana tabacum, Lin.) Tobacco. The leaves. Violently emetic, cathartic, and narcotic. An extract recommended by Stahl and other German physicians. List ofSimplex. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED INMEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. List ofSimplex. Nigella (Nigella sativa, Lin.) Fennel-flower. The seeds. Aperient and diuretic, but uncertain. Nitrum. Nitre or salt-petre. Diaphoretic, diuretic, and refrigerant. An acid spirit and fixed alkaline salt, an aqueous decoction or solution, troches. An ingredient in many other officinal preparations. Nummularia (Lythrum nummularia, Lin.) Moneywort, or herb twopence. The leaves. Antiscorbutic. Nux moschata (Myristica aromatica, Lin. Myristica moschata, Aët. Holm.) The nutmeg-tree. The fruit, and covering called mace. An excellent aromatic, cordial, and stomachic. An expressed oil, falsely called oil of mace; an essential oil; a simple water; a spirituous water; an ingredient in many officinal compositions. Nux pistachia (Pistacia vera, Lin.) The pistachia-tree. The fruit. Emollient and analeptic. Nux vomica (Strychnos nux vom. Lin.) Nux vomica. The fruit. Narcotic. Nymphaea alba (Lin.) White water-lily. The roots and flowers. Astringent and corroborative. Ochra Yellow ochre. Astringent, but very weak. Oenanthe (O. crocata, Lin.) Hemlock dropwort. Leaves and root. A virulent poison: But the juice of the root, or the infusion of the leaf, has been recommended in chronic eruptions. The latter has been also found useful as an emmenagogue. Olibanum. See Gum olibanum, supra. Oliva (Olea Europaea, Lin.) The olive-tree. The fruit. Emollient. An expressed oil used in almost all ointments, plasters, &c. Ononis (O. spinosa, Lin.) Rest-harrow, cammock, or petty-whin. The root. Aperient and diuretic. Opium (Papaver Orientale, Lin.) The Asiatic poppy. The inspissated juice. A most excellent anodyne and cordial when properly applied, but a very fatal poison if taken in too great quantity. Purified by straining, called the Thebaic extract; a viscous and spirituous tincture, called liquid laudanum. Also a capital ingredient in many officinal preparations. Opopanax. See Gum opopanax, supra. Origanum (O. vulg. Lin.) Wild marjoram. The leaves. Aromatic. An essential oil. Oryza (O. sativa, Lin.) Rice. The grain. Emollient and refrigerant. Oxylapathum (Rumex acutus, Lin.) Sharp-pointed dock. The roots and leaves. Alterant and laxative. Paeonia (P. officinalis, Lin.) Male and female peony. The roots, flowers, and seeds. Emollient and antispasmodic. Ingredients in some antiepileptic powders. Palma (Cocos butyracea, Lin.) The palm-tree. The kernels of the fruit. Emollient and anodyne. An expressed oil used in stomachic plasters. Palma Christi. See Ricinus, infra. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Papaver album (P. somniferum, Lin.) The white poppy. The heads. Anodyne. A syrup. Papaver erraticum (P. rhœas, Lin.) Red poppy, or corn-rose. The flowers. Valued chiefly for the colour they communicate. A syrup. Parasyris (Primula veris offic. Lin.) Cowflip. The flowers. Corroborant and antispasmodic. A syrup. Pareira brava (Cissumpelos pareira, Lin.) Pareira brava. The root. Attenuant, diuretic, and lithontriptic. Parietaria (P. officinalis, Lin.) Pellitory of the wall. The leaves. Emollient and diuretic. Ingredient in a nephritic decoction. Pastinaca (P. sativa, Lin.) Garden parsnip. The roots and seeds. Emollient and aromatic. Pastinaca silvestris (Lin.) Wild parsnip. The seeds. Aromatic. Pentaphyllum (Potentilla reptans, Lin.) Cinquefoil. The root. Astringent. Periscaria urens (Polygonum hydropiper, Lin.) Bitter arsmart, lake-weed, or water-pepper. The leaves. Diuretic and detergent when externally applied. Periscaria mitis (Polygonum perfic. Lin.) Spotted arsmart. The leaves. Antiseptic and astringent. Perlica (Amygdalus perlica, Lin.) The peach-tree. The leaves, flowers, and fruit. Laxative, anthelmintic, and refrigerant. Peruvianus cortex (Cinchona officinalis, Lin.) The quinquina, or Jesuit's-bark-tree. The bark. A most excellent corroborative. An extract, a resin, a spirituous tincture, a compound tincture, a tincture in volatile spirit; also an ingredient in the stomachic tincture. Petafites (Tussilago petafites, Lin.) Butterbur. The root. Aromatic, aperient, and deobstruent. Petroleum. Rock oil. Anodyne and corroborative when applied externally. Petroleum Barbadense (Bitumen petroleum, Lin.) Barbadoes tar. Discutient, sudorific, and corroborative. Petrofelinum (Apium petrofelinum, Lin.) Common parsley. The roots, leaves, and seeds. Aperient and somewhat aromatic. The feeds an ingredient in an electuary. Peucedanum (P. officinale, Lin.) Hog's-fennel, or Tulphur-wort. The root. Aperient, stimulating, and errhine. Pimenta (Myrtus pimenta, Lin.) Pimento, Jamaica pepper, or allspice. The berry. Aromatic and stimulant. The basis of a distilled water, a spirit, and an essential oil. Pimpinella sanguinfoiba (Sanguisorba officinalis, Lin.) The greater wild burnet. The leaves. Astringent. Pimpinella saxifraga (Lin.) Burnet saxifrage. The root, leaves, and seeds. Diaphoretic, diuretic, and antiscorbutic. Pinus sylvestris (Lin.) The pine-tree. The kernels of its fruit or cones, and resin. The kernels emollient; for the resin, see Terebinthina, infra. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Piper longum (Lin.) Long pepper. Highly aromatic and stimulant. Piper nigrum (Lin.) Black pepper. Piper Jamaicaense.See Pimenta, supra. Piper Indicum (Capicum annuum, Lin.) Guinea pepper. A powder called Gayenne pepper. Pix liquida (Pinus sylvestris, Lin.) Tar. Attenuant and stimulating. An infusion in water, and an ingredient in a kind of pectoral pills. Pix Burgundica (Pinus abies, Lin.) Burgundy pitch. A warm adhesive resinous substance. Ingredient in several plasters, ointments, and cerates. Plantago latifolia, P. major, Lin.) Common broad-leaved plantain. The leaves. Astringent. Plumbum. Lead. Astringent and refrigerating, but very dangerous. Several chemical preparations. See CHEMISTRY-Index. A tincture and extract, or solution in vegetable acids; also an ingredient in several ointments, &c. Polium montanum (Teucrium polium, Lin.) Poley-mountain. The tops. Aromatic. Ingredient in the Mithridate and theriaca. Polygala amara (Lin.) Milkwort. The root. Purgative. Polygala fenega (Lin.) Rattlesnake root. The roots. Stimulating, attenuant, and diuretic. Polypodium (P. vulgare, Lin.) Polypody. The root. Laxative. Populus nigra (Lin.) Black poplar. The buds. Aromatic. Used only in an ointment, but capable of being applied to better purposes. Porrum (Allium porrum, Lin.) The leek. The root. A stimulating diuretic. Portulaca (P. oleracea, Lin.) Purslane. The seeds. Refrigerant. Primula veris (Lin.) Primrose. The herb and root. Aromatic and stomachic. An infusion and distilled spirit. Prunella (P. vulgaris, Lin.) Self-heal. The leaves. Attenuant and detergent. Pruna Gallica (Prunus domestica, Lin.) French or common prunes. The fruit. Cooling and aperient. Prunus sylvestris. See Aceria Germanica, supra. Psyllium (Plantago psyll. Lin.) Fleawort. The seeds. Emollient and laxative. Ptarmica (Achillea ptarmica, Lin.) Sneezewort, or bastard pellitory. The root. Errhine and stimulating. Pulegium (Mentha puleg. Lin.) Pennyroyal. The flower. A warm aromatic. A simple water, a spirituous water, an essential oil; and an ingredient in some other officinal compositions. Pulmonariamaculosa (P. officinalis, Lin.) Spotted lung-wort, or sage of Jerusalem. The leaves. Said to be aperient and analeptic. Pulsatilla nigricans (Anemone pratensis, Lin.) Meadow anemone. The herb and flower. Emetic, diuretic, and cathartic. An extract and distilled water, used in venereal complaints, and certain disorders of the eye. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Pyrethrum (Anthe-mis pyrethr. Lin.) Pellitory of Spain. The root. Promotes the salivalflux. Quassia (Q. Sima-rubra, Lin.) Simarouba. The bark. Antiseptic; usefulin dysentery. See Ed. Phil. Trans. vol. ii. Quassia (Q. amara,Lin.) Quassy. The wood. Stomachic and to-nic. An extract. Quercus (Q. robur,Lin.) Oak-tree. The bark. Strongly astringent. Quercus marina(Fagus vesicu-losus, Lin.) Sea-wrack or Sea-oak. The herb. Astringent and de-tergent. A powder of the burnt herb. Radix Indica Lo-peziana (Gaub.Advers.) Indian or Lopezroot. Astringent. Raphanus rustica-nus (Cochleariaarmorata, Lin.) Horse-radish. The root. Stimulating and at-tenuant. A compound water. Rhabarbarum(Rheum palmat.Lin.) Rhubarb. The root. Cathartic and sto-machic. Toasted; a watery infusion;vinous and spirituous tinct-ures; and an ingredientin several officinal composi-tions. Rhamnus catharti-cus. See Spinacervina, infra. Rhaponticum(Rheum rhapon.Lin.) Rhapontic. The roots. Laxative. Rhododendronchrysanthemum(Lin.) Rhododendron. The herb. Powerfully sedative. Decoction and powder; late-ly found serviceable in thegout and rheumatism. Ribes nigrum (Lin.) The black-currantbush. The fruit. Refrigerant anddetergent. A jelly. Ribes rubrum(Lin.) The red-currantbush. The fruit. Ditto. Ricinus, (R. com-munis, Lin.) Palma Christi. The seed. Laxative, anthel-mintic. Expressed oil. Rosa damascena(R. centafolia,Lin.) Damask rose. The flower. Aromatic and gent-ly laxative. A distilled water and syrup. Rosa rubra (R.Gallica, Lin.) The red rose. The flower. Astringent and cor-roborative. A conserve, honey, tincture,troches, vinegar, and syrup.An ingredient in severalofficinal compositions. Rosmarinus horten-sis (R. officinalis,Lin.) Rosemary. The tops andflowers. A fine aromatic andcordial. An essential oil; a distilledspirit called Hungary water.An ingredient in many cor-dial and antispasmodic me-dicines. Rubia tinctorum,(Lin.) Madder. The root. Aperient and de-tergent. Rubus idaeus,(Lin.) The rasp-berrybush. The fruit. Refrigerant. A syrup. Rubus niger (R.fruticosus, Lin.) The bramble. The leaves. Astringent. Ruscus (R. aculea-tus, Lin.) Butcher's-broom,or knee-holly. The root. Aperient. Ingredient in diet-drinks. Ruta (R. gravo-lens, Lin.) Broad-leaved rue. The leaves andseeds. Powerfully stimu-lating, attenua-ting, and deter-gent. An extract; and an ingredi-ent in several compositions. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Sabadilla. See Ge-vadilla, supra. Sabina (Juniperussabina, Lin.) Savin. The leaves or tops. A stimulating aperient. An essential oil; a watery extract; and an ingredient in several officinal compositions. Saccharum (Arumdo saccharifera,Lin.) purifica-tum & non puri-ficatum. Sugar, refined andbrown. } Emollient and laxa-tive. Saccharum cantum,album & rubrum. Sugar-candy,white andbrown. Sagapenum (Ferulaorientalis, L. in.) Gum sagapenum. Aperient and de-obstruent. An ingredient in several an-tispatmodic medicines. Sal alkali vegeta-bile. Vegetable alkalinesalt, or pearl-ashes. Aperient, diuretic,and caustic. The basis of a great numberof neutral salts. Sal alkali minerale. Mineral alkali, saltof Soda, or basisof sea-salt. Ditto. Ditto. Sal ammoniac. SeeAmmoniac. Sal catharticus a-marus. Epsom salt. Cathartic. Magnesia. Sal commune. Common salt. In small doses sti-mulant, in largeones cathartic. Salicaria (LythrumSalicaria, Lin.) Purple loose-strife. The herb. Astringent. Salix (S. fragilis,Lin.) The crack-willow. The bark. Corroborant. Salvia (S. officinalis,Lin.) Common sage. The leaves. Moderately stimu-lating and astring-gent. Infusions. Sambucus (S.nigra, Lin.) Common black-berried alder. The leaves, bark,flowers and ber-ries. Cathartic, aroma-tic, and aperient. A rob for internal use fromthe berries, and an oint-ment and oil from the flow-ers and bark; the flowers arealso ingredients in somecompound waters. Sanguis draconis,(Calamus retang,Dracena draco,Pterocarpus, dra-co, &c. Lin.) Dragon's-blood. Astringent. An ingredient in some offic-inal compositions. Sanicula (S. Euro-pea, Lin.) Sanicle. The leaves. Supposed to be cor-roborant. Santalum citrinum,(S. album, Lin.) Yellow sanders. The wood. Greatly recom-mended by Hoff-man as a restora-tive. Essential oil; extract. Santalum rubrum(Pterocarpus san-tolinum, Lin.) Red sanders. The wood. Used only for itscolour. Santonicum (Arte-misia santonica,Lin.) Worm-seed. Anthelmintic. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Sapo durus. Hard Spanish soap. Resolvent and stimulating. The first gives name to a plaster, liniment, balsam, and pills; the second is an ingredient in the milder caustic; and the third in an anodyne plaster. Sapo mollis. Common soft soap. Sapo niger. Black soap. Saponaria (S. officinalis, Lin.) Soapwort or bruise-wort. The herb and root. Aperient, corroborant, and sudorific. Tincture; extract. Sarcocolla (Penaea farcocol, Lin.) Gum farcocol. Supposed a vulnerary. Ingredient in the pulvis cerussa. Sarsaparilla (Smilax farsap, Lin.) Sarsaparilla. The root. Alterant, and diaphoretic. Infusions and extract. Sassafras (Laurus sassafras, Lin.) Sassafras. The root. Alterant, aperient, and corroborant. An essential oil; an ingredient in some officinal preparations. Satureia (S. hortensis, Lin.) Summer savory. The leaves. A very pungent warm aromatic. Satyrion mas (Orchis mascula, Lin.) Orchis. The root. Coagulant and corroborative. Salep, supposed to be a preparation from a root of this kind. Saxifraga alba (S. granulata, Lin.) White-flowered faxifrage. The roots and leaves. Supposed to be aperient, diuretic, and lithontriptic, but without just foundation. Saxifraga vulgaris (Peucedanum filius, Lin.) Meadow faxifrage. The leaves and seeds. Scabiosa (S. arvenfis, Lin.) Scabious. The leaves. Aperient, sudorific, and expectorant. Scammonium (Convolvulus scam. Liu.) Scammony. Roots. Strongly cathartic. Gives name to a powder, and is an ingredient in some officinal preparations. Scilla (S. maritima, Lin.) The squill, or sea-onion. The root. Powerfully diuretic, stimulant, and expectorant. A syrup, vinegar, oxymel, pills; the root dried, baked, and made into troches. Scolopendrium.See Lingua cervina, supra. Scordium (Teucrium scordium, Lin.) Water germander. The leaves. Deobstruent, diuretic, and sudorific, but doubtful. An ingredient in mithridate, theriaca, and several other preparations. Scorzonera (S. bif. panica, Lin.) Viper's grass. The root. Cordial and stimulant, but doubtful. Scrophularia (S. nodosa, Lin.) Fig-wort. The leaves and root. Supposed corroborant, but doubtful. Sebesten (Cordia myxa, Lin.) Sebesten plum. Emollient. Sedum acre (Lin.) Wall stone crop, or wall pepper. The fresh plant. Strongly purgative, emetic, and diuretic. Sedum majus (S. album, Lin.) Greater houseleek. The leaves. Refrigerant. Seneka. See Polygala seneka, supra. Senna (Cassia senna, Liu.) Senna. The leaves. Cathartic. Infusion, spirituous tinctures, compound powders, and an electuary. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Serpentaria Virgini-nana (Aristolochiaserpentaria,Lin.) Virginian snake-weed. The root. A warm diaphore-tic and diuretic. A spirituous tincture; and aningredient in a number oftinctures. Serpyllum (Thy-mus serpyll. Lin.) Mother of thyme. The herb. Aromatic. Seiatis vulgaris,(Tordylium offi-cin. Lin.) Common hartwort. The seeds. Agreeable aroma-tics, but neglect-ted. Levoux. Seiatis massiliensis(Seiatis elatum,Lin.) Hartwort of Mar-seilles. The seeds. Sigillum Salomo-nis (Convallariapolygon. Lin.) Solomon's seal. The root. Probably emollient. Simarouba. SeeQuassia simarouba,supra. Sinapi (Sinapis al-ba & nigra, Lin.) Mustard. The seeds, blackand white. Strongly pungentand stimulant. An expressed oil. Sium (S. molliflo-ram, Lin.) Creeping skerrit,or water part-nip. The herb. The juice service-able in some cu-taneous disor-ders. Solanum (S. nigr.Lin.) Nightshade. The leaves. Powerfully evacu-ant. Spermaceti (Phy-seter macrocephal-us, Lin.) Spermaceti. A mild emollient. Gives name to a lochoch. Spigelia (S. Mari-landica, Lin.) Indian pink. The root. Anthelmintic. Spina cervina,(Rhamnus cathar-ticus, Lin.) Buckthorn. The berries. Strongly cathartic. A syrup. Spiritus vinosi. Vinous spirits. Cordial and stimu-lant. Used as menstruum for tin-tures, &c. in almost everypreparation of that kind. Spongia (S. offici-nal, Lin.) Sponge. Used as a tent fordilating ulcers,&c. Burnt, recommended in scro-phulous affections. Stannum. Tin. Anthelmintic. Powdered. Staphisagria (Del-phinium staphisa-gria, Lin.) Staveface. The seeds. A violent cathartictaken internally,Its external ap-plication de-stroys lice andother insects. Stoechas (Laven-dula stoechas,Lin.) Arabian stoechas,or French laven-der. The flowers. Aromatic. An ingredient in mithridateand theriac. Stramonium (Da-turiflorum,Lin.) Thorn-apple. The herb. Narcotic. An extract. Styrax calamita (S. Stora-x officinalis, Lin.) Storax. Aromatic, stimu-lant, and nec-vine. Ingredient in some tincturesand pills. Styrax liquida (Li-quidambar styraci-flua, Lin.) Liquid storax. Ingredient in a mercurialplaster. Suber (Quercusfab. Lin.) The cork-tree. The bark. Astringent. TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Succinum. Amber. Astringent and corroborant. A tincture, balsam, essential oil, and an ingredient in several official preparations. Sulphur. Sulphur, and flowers of sulphur. Laxative, diaphoretic, and alterant. Solutions in different kinds of oils called balsams, and an ingredient in some ointments. Sumach (Rhus coriaria, Lin.) Common sumach. The leaves and feeds. Astringent. Tacamahac (Populus balsamifera, Lin.) Tacamahac-tree. The resin. Discutient, emollient, and suppurative. Tamarindus (T. indica, Lin.) Tamarinds. The fruit. Refrigerant and laxative. Tamaricæus (Tamarix Gallica, Lin.) The tamarisk-tree. The leaves and bark. Astringent. Tanacetum (T. vulgare, Lin.) Tansy. The leaves, flowers, and feeds. Stimulating, antispasmodic, and anthelmintic. Taraxacum (Leontodon tarax. Lin.) Dandelion. The leaves and root. Attenuating and resolvent. Tartarum. Tartar. Refrigerant and cathartic. A distilled spirit, recommended by professor Deelius of England in asthmatic and hydropic affections.Purified from its earthy parts, and called cream of tartar, the basis of some useful purging salts. An alkali is also prepared from it by fire. Terebinthina Veneta (Pinus larix, Lin.) Venice turpentine. Warm stimulating diuretics and aperients. Used chiefly in external applications. Terebinthina Argentoratenfis. Strasburgh turpentine. Terebinthina Chia. Chian, or Cyprus turpentine. Terebinthina communis. Common turpentine. An essential oil. The residuum forms the resina alba nigra, or white and black rosin of the shops, used in almost every ointment. Terra Japonica.Seo Gatechu,supra. Thapsus barbatus (Verpascum thapsus, Lin.) Great white mullein. The leaves and flowers. Analeptic. Thea bohea et viridis (Lin.) Bohea and green tea. The leaves. Cordial, diuretic, and diaphoretic. Thlaspi (T. arvense, Lin.) Treacle, or mithridate mustard. The seeds. Aromatic and stimulant. Thus vulgare. Common frankincense. Supposed corroborative. Thymus citratus. Lemon thyme. The leaves. An agreeable aromatic. Thymus vulgaris. Common thyme. The leaves. An agreeable aromatic. Tilia (T. Europea, Lin.) The lime or linden tree. The flowers. Antispasmodic. Tithymalus (Euphorbia lathyris, Lin.) The spurge. The juice of the root. Violently cathartic. Tormentilla TECHNICAL NAMES. ENGLISH NAMES. PARTS USED IN MEDICINE. VIRTUES. PREPARATIONS FROM THEM. Tormentilla (T. ereba, Lin.) Tormentil, or sept-foil. The root. Astringent. An ingredient in several officinal compositions. Trichomanes (Asplenium trich., Lin.) Maidenhair. The herb. Pectoral. Decoction and syrup. Trifolium paludosum (Menyanthes trifoliata, Lin.) Marsh trefoil, or buck bean. The leaves. Laxative and alterant. Triticum (T. triticum, Lin.) Wheat. The grain and flour. Nutritive and glutinous. Starch. Turpethum (Convolvulus turpethum, Lin.) Turbith. The root. Violently cathartic. An extract. Tussilago (T. farfara, Lin.) Coltsfoot. The leaves and flowers. Emollient and mucilaginous. An ingredient in pectoral decoctions. Tutia. Tutty. Ophthalmic. Ingredient in several ointments, and collyria. Valeriana sylvestris (Val. officinalis, Lin.) Wild valerian. The root. Antispasmodic. A tincture in proof spirit, and in volatile spirit; also an ingredient in several cephalic and anti-epileptic medicines. Veratrum. See Helleborus albus, supra. Verbascum. See Thapsus, supra. Veronica mas (V. officinalis, Lin.) Male speedwell. The leaves. Aperient and pectoral. Infusions. Vinum. Wine. Cordial and corroborant. A menstruum for a great number of medicinal substances. Viola (V. odorat., Lin.) The single March violet. The flowers. Laxative. A syrup. Vipera (Coluber berus, Lin.) The viper. The flesh and fat. Restorative and emollient. A vinous tincture; an ingredient in theriaca. Vitis vinifera, (Lin.) The vine. The leaves, sap, flowers, and fruit. Astringent, diuretic, aromatic, and pectoral. Wine. The dried fruit or raisins are ingredients in some pectoral and stomachic medicines. Ulmus (U. campestris, Lin.) The elm-tree. The inner bark. Astringent. A decoction recommended by Dr Letson in obstinate cutaneous eruptions. Winteranus cortex (Wintera aromatica, Lin.) Winter's bark. Aromatic. Urtica (U. dioica, Lin.) The nettle. The herb. Rubefacient. Uva ursi (Arbutus uva ursi, Lin.) Whortle-berry. The leaves. Astringent and lithontripic. Zedoaria (Kampferia zedoaria, Lin.) Zedoary. The root. Stomachic and corroborant. An extract with proof spirit. Zincum. Zinc. Supposed to be a good antiepileptic. The metal reduced to a calx by fire. Calamine and tutty are a kind of ores of this metal. These last are the basis of two officinal ointments. A salt produced by its combination with the vitriolic acid. See CHEMISTRY-Index. Zinziber (Almomum zinzib., Lin.) Ginger. The root. Aromatic. A syrup. Also an ingredient in several officinal compositions. The five opening roots: { Smallage,Asparagus,Fennel,Parsley,Butchers broom. The five emollient herbs: { Marshmallows,Mallows,Mercury,Pellitory of the wall,Violets. The four cordial flowers: { Borage,Bugloss,Roses,Violets. The four greater hot feeds: { Anise,Caraway,Cummin,Fennel. The four lesser hot feeds: { Bishopseed,Stone parsley,Smallage,Wild carrot. The four greater cold feeds: { Water melons,Cucumbers,Gourds,Melons. The four lesser cold feeds: { Succory,Endive,Lettuce,Parslane. The four capillary herbs: { Maidenhair,English maidenhair,Wall rue,Ceterach. The four carminative flowers: { Camomile,Feverfew,Dill,Mellilot. The simples of each of the above classes have been often employed together under the respective general appellations. This practice has entirely ceased amongst us; and accordingly these denominations are now expunged both from the London and Edinburgh pharmacopœias, and they are now retained in very few of the foreign ones. But as these articles are frequently mentioned under their general titles by writers of eminence, it was imagined that the above enumeration of them might be of some use. GENERAL RULES for the Collection and Preservation of SIMPLEX. ROOTS. Annual roots are to be taken up before they shootNº 197. out stalks or flowers: Biennial ones, chiefly in the autumn of the same year in which the seeds were sown: The perennial, when the leaves fall off, and therefore generally in the autumn. Being washed clean from dirt, and freed from the rotten and decayed fibres, they are to be hung up in a warm, shady, airy place, till sufficiently dried. The thicker roots require to be slit longitudinally, or cut transversely into thin slices. Such roots as lose their virtues by excication, or are desired to be preserved in a fresh state, for the greater convenience of their use in certain forms, are to be kept buried in dry sand. There are two seasons in which the biennial and perennial roots are reckoned the most vigorous, the autumn and spring; or rather the time when the stalks or leaves have fallen off, and that in which the vegetation is just to begin again, or soon after it has begun; which times are found to differ considerably in different plants. The college of Edinburgh, in the two first editions of their pharmacopœia, directed them to be dug in the spring, after the leaves were formed; in the third edition the autumn was preferred. The generality of roots appear, indeed, to be most efficacious in the spring: but as at this time they are also the most juicy, and consequently shrivel much in drying, and are rather more difficultly preserved, it is commonly thought most advisable to take them up in autumn. No rule, however, can be given, that shall obtain universally: arum root is taken even in the middle of summer, without suspicion of its being less active than at other seasons; while angelica root is inert during the summer, in comparison of what it was in the autumn, spring, or winter. HERBS and LEAVES. Herbs are to be gathered when the leaves have come to their full growth, before the flowers unfold; but of some plants the flowery tops are preferred. They are to be dried in the same manner as roots. For the gathering of leaves, there cannot perhaps be any universal rule any more than for roots; for though most herbs appear to be in their greatest vigour about the time of their flowering, or a little before, there are some in which the medicinal parts are more abundant at an earlier period. Thus mallow and marshmallow leaves are most mucilaginous when young, and by the time of flowering approach more to a woody nature. A difference of the same kind is more remarkable in the leaves of certain trees and shrubs: the young buds, or rudiments of the leaves, of the black poplar tree, have a strong fragrant smell, approaching to that of storax; but by the time that the leaves have come to their full growth, their fragrance is exhausted. Herbs are directed by most of the pharmaceutical writers to be dried in the shade; a rule which appears to be very just, though it has sometimes been misunderstood. They are not to be excluded from the sun's heat, but from the strong action of the solar light; by which last their colours are more liable to be altered or destroyed than those of roots. Slow drying of them in a cool place is far from being of any advantage: both their colours and virtues are preserved in greatest perfection. perfection when they are dried hastily by the heat of common fire as great as that which the sun can impart: the juicy ones, in particular, require to be dried by heat, being otherwise subject to turn black. Odoriferous herbs, dried by fire till they become friable, discover indeed, in this arid state, very little smell; not that the odorous matter is dissipated, but on account of its not being communicated from the perfectly dry subject to dry air; for as soon as a watery vehicle is supplied, whether by infusing the plant in water, or by exposing it for a little time to a moist air, the odorous parts begin to be extracted by virtue of the aqueous moisture, and discover themselves in their full force. Of the use of heat in the drying of plants, we have an instance in the treatment of tea among the Chinese. According to the accounts of travellers, the leaves, as soon as gathered, are brought into an apartment furnished with a number of little furnaces or stoves, each of which is covered with a clean smooth iron plate; the leaves are spread on the plates, and kept rolling with the hands till they begin to curl up about the edges; they are then immediately swept off on tables, on which one person continues to roll them, while another fans them that they may cool hastily: this process is repeated two or three times, or oftener, according as the leaves are disposed to unbend on standing. EXSICCATION OF HERBS AND FLOWERS. Herbs and flowers are to be dried by the gentle heat of a stove or common fire, and only in that quantity at a time by which the exsiccation may be very soon finished. By this means their strength is best preserved; and this is indicated in proportion as they retain their native colour. But the leaves of hemlock, and some other herbs replete with a subtile volatile matter, are to be powdered immediately after the exsiccation, and preserved in glass vessels, well shut. FLOWERS. Flowers are to be gathered when moderately expanded, on a clear dry day, before noon. Red roses are taken before they open, and the white heels clipped off and thrown away. The quick drying, above recommended for the leaves of plants, is more particularly proper for flowers; in most of which both the colour and smell are more perishable than in leaves, and more subject to be impaired by slow exsiccation. Of the flowers which come fresh into the apothecaries hands, the only ones employed dry in the London pharmacopoeia are red roses; and these, in all the compositions in which they are used in a dry state, are expressly ordered to be dried hastily. One of the most valuable aromatics of European growth, saffron, is part of a flower, dried on paper on a kind of kiln, with a heat sufficient to make it sweat, taking care only not to endanger the scorching of it. It may here be observed, that the virtues of flowers are confined to different parts of the flower in different plants. Saffron is a singular production growing at the end of the style or pistil. The active part of camomile flowers is the yellow disk, or button in the middle: that of lilies, roses, clove-july-flowers, violets, and many others, the petala or flower-leaves; while rosemary has little virtue in any of these parts, the fragrance admired in the flowers of this plant residing chiefly in the cups. SEEDS AND FRUITS. Seeds should be collected when ripe, and beginning to grow dry, before they fall off spontaneously. Fruits are also to be gathered when ripe, unless otherwise ordered. Of the fruits whose collection comes under the notice of the apothecary, there are few which are used in an unripe state; the principal is the floe, whose virtue as a mild astringent is much diminished by maturation. The fruit of the orange tree, raised in our gardens or green-houses, is sometimes gathered in a state of much greater immaturity, soon after it is formed on the tree, before it has acquired its acid juice; at this time it proves an elegant aromatic bitter, nearly resembling what are called Curassao oranges, which appear to be no other than the same fruit gathered at the same period in a warmer climate. The rule for collecting seeds is more general than any of the others, all the officinal seeds being in their greatest perfection at the time of their maturity. As seeds contain little watery moisture, they require no other warmth for drying them than that of the temperate air in autumn: such as abound with a gross expressible oil, as those commonly called the cold seeds, should never be exposed to any considerable heat; for this would hasten the rancidity, which, however carefully kept, they are very liable to contract. Seeds are best preserved in their natural husks or coverings, which should be separated only at the time of using; the husk, or cortical part, serving to defend the seed from being injured by the air. WOODS AND BARKS. The most proper season for the felling of woods, or shaving off their barks, is generally the winter. No woods of our own growth are now retained by the London or Edinburgh colleges. The only two which had formerly a place in the catalogues of simples were the juniper and the box; the first of which is never kept in the shops, or employed in practice; the other may be procured from the turner; and it is indifferent at what season it has been cut down, being at all times sufficiently fit for the only use to which it was applied, the yielding an empyreumatic oil by distillation in a strong fire. It may be doubted, whether barks are not generally more replete with medicinal matter in summer and spring than in winter. The barks of many trees are in summer so much loaded with resin and gum as to burst spontaneously, and discharge the redundant quantity. It is said that the bark of the oak answers best for the tanners at the time of the rising of the sap in spring: and as its use in tanning depends on the same astringent quality for which it is used in medicine, it should seem to be also fittest for medicinal purposes in the spring. It may be observed likewise, that it is in Collection, this last season that barks in general are most conveni-&c. ofSimplex. eally peeled off. ANIMAL SUBSTANCES. Animal substances are to be chosen in their most perfect state, unless they be ordered other-wise. Collection&c. ofSimplex. Whatever virtues these bodies may have, they aresupposed to be best when they have attained to theircommon full growth. M A T M A T MATERIAL, denotes something composed ofmatter. In which sense the word stands opposed toimmaterial. See MATTER and METAPHYSICS. MATERIALISTS, a sect in the ancient church,composed of persons who, being possessed withthat maxim in the ancient philosophy, Ex nihilo nihilfit, "Out of nothing nothing can arise," had recourseto an internal matter, on which they supposed Godwrought in the creation; instead of admitting Godalone as the sole cause of the existence of all things.Tertullian vigorously opposes the doctrine of the ma-terialists in his treatise against Hermogenes, who wasone of their number. Materialists is also a name given to those who main-tain that the soul of man is material; or that the prin-ciple of perception and thought is not a substance dis-tinct from the body, but the result of corporeal or-ganization: See METAPHYSICS. There are others,called by this name, who have maintained that thereis nothing but matter in the universe; and that theDeity himself is material. See SPINOSISM. MATHAM (Jaques), an engraver of considerableeminence, was born at Haelem in 1571, and after thedeath of his father, Henry Goltzius, a celebratedpainter and engraver, married his mother. From hisfather-in-law he learned the art of engraving. Hewent to Italy, to complete his studies from the worksof the greatest masters; and in that country he engrav-ed a considerable number of plates. At his return,he worked under the eye of Goltzius, and producedmany very valuable prints. Following the example ofhis father-in-law, he worked entirely with the graver,in a clear, free style; and though he never equalled himin point of taste or correctness of drawing, especiallywhen confined to the naked parts of the human figure,most of his prints are greatly esteemed.