68 RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS. 
constant, but fails to take place in certain con- 
stitutions or at certain seasons of the year. 
Generally, however, they are said to operate in 
halfan hour, or less, from the time of their appli- 
cation. Tliey are stated'to possess the advantage 
over blisters made by flies, that they never occa- 
sion symptoms of strangury. . 
With a view to their external stimulus they 
have been used advantageously in rheumatism, 
the hip disease, hémicrania, ‘and fixed pains of 
various descriptions. Among the old practition- 
ers, who have recorded instances of their effects, 
are Baglivi, Storck, and’ Sennertius, A curious 
practice, at one time, prevailed in several coun- 
tries in Europe, of applying the Ranunculus to 
the wrists or fingers, for the cure of intermittent 
fever. This is mentioned by Van Swieten, ‘Tissot, 
and some others. In hemicrania it was applied 
to the head, and in this case it did not produce a 
discharge, nor break the skin; but occasioned 
tumefaction of the hairy scalp. rite 
An objection against the use of the Rewulidali 
as external stimulants, exists in the uncertainty of 
their operation, and the violent effects which 
sometimes have followed after they had been ap- 
plied. ‘Those writers, who have witnessed their 
application, record instances in which these yvege- 
