148 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
solid parts are collected, and pressed together in a mould, hoop, 
or vat, they unite to form firm Cheese. Other substances will 
serve to curdle milk in a like manner, such as the “* Bedstraw ” 
(Galium, from gala, milk), a hedgerow plant; also the juice of 
the fig-tree.—Parenthetically the curative virtues of the common 
hedgerow Galium aparine (goose-grass, cleavers, or hedge- 
heriff) which are specially present in this herb, and its allies, 
should certainly be told about. They are of undoubted reputa- 
tion with reference to cancerous growths, and tumours of a kindred 
nature. For open cancers an ointment is made from the leaves, 
and stems, with which to dress the ulcerated parts, and at the 
same time the expressed juice of the fresh herb is given internally. 
On analysis this plant is found to contain three distinct acids— 
the tannic acid (of galls), the citric acid (of lemons), and its own 
peculiar rubichloric acid. Considered generally, the Goose-grass 
exercises acid, astringent, and diuretic effects, being remedial 
therefore against such diseases of the skin as lepra, psoriasis, 
and eczema, whilst remarkably helpful in some cases of epilepsy. 
An authorized officinal juice of the herb is dispensed by druggists, 
as well as a thickened extract; or, this Goose- grass may be readily 
gathered fresh about most of our rural fields, and waste places, 
in which it grows luxuriantly, climbing with boldness by its 
slender, hairy stems through the dense vegetation of our hedges 
into open daylight, whilst having sharp, serrated leaves, and 
producing small, white flowers “ pearking on the tops of the 
sprigs.” The stalks and leaves are armed with little hooked 
bristles with which they attach themselves to adjacent shrubs 
so as to ascend in ladder-like fashion. The botanical affix 
“ aparine ” is derived from a Greek verb, “ apairo,” to lay hold 
of. Dr. Quinlan, of Dublin, directs that whilst a bundle of ten, 
or twelve stalks is grasped with the left hand, this bundle should 
be cut into pieces of about half-an-inch long by a pair of scissors 
held in the right hand. The segments are then to be bruised 
thoroughly in a mortar, and applied in the mass as a poultice 
beneath a bandage. The goose-grass has been employed thus 
with highly successful results to heal chronic ulcers on the legs. 
Appellations of “ Cheese-rennet” and “ Cheese-running” are 
given to its order of herbs. Highlanders make use in particular 
of the common Yellow Bedstraw (Galiwm verum) for curdling 
their milk to get Cheese, and to colour it; this grows abundantly 
on dry banks, chiefly near the sea ; from its small golden flowers 
