PIMPERNEL. 279 



This little plant, uhosc numerous branches 

 spread themselves on the ground, being too weak 

 to erect their flower-stems, but which catch our 

 attention by the vivid scarlet of the corolla, was 

 formerly in so great repute with medical practi- 

 tioners, that, although it is now neglected in our 

 practice, we shall notice the various uses that it was 

 most celebrated for; and should it be found to 

 possess but one of the qnalities attributed to it by 

 many eminent men, we shall regret that it ever was 

 banished from modern medicine. 



The Greeks and Romans, according to Pliny, 

 used the juice of this plant, mixed with honey, for 

 complaints of the eyes. Ettmuller, and many other 

 writers of equal note, extol it as a remedy for mad- 

 ness. Quercetanus, who was celebrated for the 

 cure of this disease, gave decoctions of Pimpernel 

 after antimonial vomits and laxative medicine. In 

 malignant fevers, with low muttering delirium, or 

 wherever the functions of the brain are disturbed, 

 the Pimpernel is said to be an efficacious medicine. 

 Tragus pronounced it a remedy for the plague ; 

 others recommend it in all convulsive disorders, 

 hysteria, hypochondriasis, St. Yitus's dance, &c. 

 In the early stage of consumption, the decoction of 

 Pimpernel is said to be a most invaluable remedy. 

 Externally, the juice or decoction, is employed for 

 cleansing foul ulcers ; and Geoffroy commends it 



