481 
Saffron-, tlras prepared, has a powerful penetrating diffufive fm 
and a warm pungent bitterifh tafte. " It gives out the whole of its vir 
tues and colour to rectified fpirit, proof fpirit, wine, vinegar, and water: 
about three parts in four of the Saffron are taken up by each of thefe 
menftrua ; and the matter which remains undiffolved is inodorous, 
infipid, and of a pale clay colour.- " The acetous, and even vinous 
tinctures of Saffron, on long keeping, lofe a little of their colour and 
ftrength, but thofe made with reclined fpirit remain in perfection for 
years/ " In diftillation it impregnates water ftrongly with its flavour: 
if the quantity of Saffron is large, a fmall portion of a fragrant and 
very pungent effential oil may be collected, amounting, as is faid by 
Vogel, to about a dram and a half from fixteen ounces. Rectified 
fpirit elevates alio a considerable fhare of its flavour, but leaves much 
the greater part concentrated in the extract." f 
Saffron is evidently the k^™? of the Greeks, Crocus of the Latins, 
and Zaffaran, or Zahafaran, of the Arabians. It was held in much 
eftimation by the Hebrews, who called it Car.com, and was 
rea 
tly 
celebrated in ancient times both- by phyficians and poets. As a me 
dicine, Saffron was confidered to be very powerful. Schroder afferts, 
that if taken to the quantity of two or three drams, it proves fatal ; 
and by feveral authors we are informed, that in large dofes it produced 
cephalalgia,, intoxication, and mania.! 1 We are alfo affured, that it 
penetrates every part of the body, tinging the folids and excretions 
with a yellow colour; 1 and that even the odour or effluvia of this drug, 
have been known to produce deleterious effects. 14 It appears, how 
ever,, from the experiments of Dr. Alexander, 1 that Saffron poffeffes 
but very little active power, and may be taken in considerable quan- 
tity, without- producing any remarkable effect : and it was lately given 
in the Edinburgh Infirmary, by Dr. Henry Cullen, even to the extent 
ot half an ounce a-day, in feveral hyfterical cafes, without. any fenfible 
At*? *^ -V" *A«* ■»^_ fc ■„ A- _ • *r^* 
whatever.* 
d 
Ibid. * 
* Ibid. 
Lewis, Iv'L M. ^..258. 
h See efpecially Zacut. Lzi/ii. apud Fricc. d'e venen. p. 394. 
1 Hertodt, Crocologia. p. 279. 
* Borellus. Hijh et Obf. cent. 4. Obf. 35. p. 303. Tralles,^ Opio.fefi. 1; p. 114 
Zacut,- Lufit. he. ' "" ' ' 
* 
1 Experimental Ejfays^ p. 88. 
See Duncan's Edinburgh New Dijpenjatory-y p. 178. 
Writers 
