CALENDULA OFFICINALIS. lil 
History.—The ancients considered the Calendula a deobstru- 
ent remedy, exerting a great influence on the circulation. 
Dioscorides recommends it in cancer; and Fuchsius (Hist. 
Stirp., 1546) prescribed the juice of it against toothache. 
Virgil (Bucol., Eclog. ii.) mentions it: 
“Tum Cussia atque aliis intexens suavibus herbis 
Mollis Luteola pingit vaccinia Caltha.” 
Gerarde, also, in describing its virtues remarks, “that the 
flowers and leaves of Marigold being distilled, and the water 
dropped into red and watery eyes, ceaseth the inflammation and 
taketh away the pains.” 
Calendula was formerly in much request as a medicine, and 
was used more especially in carcinoma and scirrhus; according 
to Westring, with great effect in the third stage, particularly in 
diminishing the pain, and rendering the pus less corroding ; 
but on further experiment by others, the same effects were not 
produced, and therefore it was thrown aside. It was also used in 
chlorosis, hysteria, epilepsy, jaundice, and some kinds of 
dropsy. Schneider found it of great efficacy as a lotion to fresh 
wounds, inducing union by the first intention. Zorn considered 
Calendula of great service in throwing out the eruption of 
measles and small-pox; and as a topical application to stop 
the bleeding in hemorrhoides fluentes. It was a favourite 
remedy with Boerhaave, who employed it in uterine diseases, 
in diseases of the kidney, and jaundice. Its chief use, how- 
ever, was for cancer, and it was the principal ingredient in the 
famous Rust Pill, which consisted of oxide of iron, colewort, 
and extract of Marigold. W. Carter found the extract 
of Calendula of great assistance in obstinate vomiting; and 
De Camp, in a case of cardialgia, where all medicines, etc., 
were vomited up, owing to a great irritability of the stomach. 
Muhrbeck used the extract of Marigold, in chronic vomiting, 
with great success, in acase where violent pains were felt at 
the same time in the region of the uterus; it was remarked 
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