yoi 
After its IntroducYion into Europe, we find Spain, Portugal and 
•France, became fucceffively poffefled of this valuable plant, with its 
-congeners ; arid the Hefperian fruits are now produced in fuch . 
abundance, that their exportation gives rife to a lucrative branch of 
commerce. 
The Lemon-tree, like the orange, is common in our green-houfes; 
and according to the Hortus Kewenfis, was hill cultivated in Britain 
in the Oxford garden, previous to the year 1648/ 
The juice of the fruit, which is more acid than that of the orange, 
poflefTes fimilar medical virtues, and therefore what we have already 
iaid of the latter will equally apply to the former. However this 
juice is always preferred where a ftrong vegetable acid is required. 
Saturated with the fixed vegetable alkali, it is in frequent extempora- 
neous ufe in febrile difeafes; and by promoting the fecretions, efpecially 
that 'of the furface, proves of confiderable fervice in abating the 
violence of pyrexia. This medicine is alfo often employed to reftrain 
antifcorbutic, Lemon juice is alfo very generally 
vomiting 
A 
s an 
taken on board mips, deftined for long voyages; but even when well 
depurated of its mucilaginous parts, it is found to fpoil by long 
keeping ; to prevent which various means have been devifed. We 
are told that, by mixing it with a fifth or fixth part of brandy or rum 
it underwent no change during thirty-two months ; c but by being 
> 
mixed with the fpirit, it mull have loft a part of its fharpnefs. As to 
reducing it to the ftate of a rob, we have already noticed the objections 
of Dr. Cullen in treating of the orange juice. 
To prefer ve Lemon juice in purity for a confiderable length of 
time, it is necefTary that it mould be brought to a highly concentrated 
ftate, and for this purpofe it has been recommended to expofe the 
juice to a degree of cold fufficient to congeal the aqueous and muci- 
laginous parts. After a cruft of ice is formed, the juice is poured 
into another vefTel ; and by repeating this procefs feveral times, the 
c See Hort. Oxon. ed« I. 
d However, when purified as mentioned by Dr. Cullen, (which we have related of the 
grange juice) and kept in a proper cellar, it has been found to retam its qualities un- 
impaired for four years. Vide Georgii in Vet. Acad. HandL 1774. />• 245. fqq. 
• 
* 
c For/ier's Voyage-^ p. 638 
remaining 
* 
