168. Anthemis Cotula, 
state the general reputation of this plant, as a medicine in, certain 
=e and then mention the result of my own experience with, 
-Shepf who. speaks particularly of. it, describes it as, a. fetid 
a being anodyne, and repellant; and says that it is used in | 
hysteria, epilepsy, dropsy, scrofula, and. asthma ; and.also.that an. 
infusion. is useful in contusions:and for rheumatism. Here we evi- 
dently see that at the period when Sheepf wrote his work (in 1787) 
great powers were imputed to the plant, and that it was extensive- 
ly and variously employed. I have reason, from the observation 
and enquiries I have made, to believe that this undue reputation is 
still attached by the vulgar of this country to the plant in question, 
and that it is, consequently, still much resorted to for medical re- 
lief. Decoctions of it are said to be used in cases of hysteric suffo- 
cation, and in common’ casés 
ases of what are called hysteric fits, as a. 
bath or fomentation. In the same form it has also been applied to 
hemorrhoidal swellings and pains, and to all sorts of contusions. 
It appears, to be more generally. employed. externally, than by in- 
_ward administration. Yet: both .decoctions.and infusions are. not 
unfrequently given. internally, in, fevers.and colds, The notion: 
that it.can cure-scrofula, is.not confined to the work of Dr.Shoepf ¢ 
Curtis. quotes. Mr, Ray as. mentioning.“ that.a decoction of the herb 
“ has by some (in England,) been. given internally, with success, in: 
“ scrofulous cases.’’* . It is not, presume, necessary forme: to, 
say, that I give no. kind of credit to, the reputed powers of sbinplant 
* Flora Londinensis. eGo 
