PERSICARIA. 267 



form of a poultice, tlic biting taste can be of no 

 objection; and it is stated, that the fresh leaves 

 pounded and applied are of great efficacy in cleans- 

 ing and altering the ill condition of long standing 

 ulcers. It is also valuably applied in this manner 

 to contusions and blows, for the purpose of speedily 

 removing the blackness, by promoting the absorp- 

 tion of extravasated blood. 



Country people chew the leaves as a cure for the 

 tooth-ach, and they are said to have relieved the 

 pains of the gout when applied to the parts affected- 

 Linnaeus tells us, that all domestic quadrupeds 

 reject this biting Persicaria. When gathered 

 whilst in full blossom and preserved, it effectually 

 keeps insects from wardrobes and other places; 

 and on this account it is used by the Germans, to 

 keep their chambers free from fleas. 



N 2 



