107-2 
the European and Barbarian P. Psy/ium, the Hungarian P. avenaria, and the 
South European P. Cynofs, are spoken of by Lindley as a good substitute for lin- 
seed and marsh-mallows. The leaves and roots of the common rib-grass P. lan- 
ceolata are considered expectorant and vulnerary; the Scottish Highlanders attach 
great value to this plant as a healing application to fresh wounds. 
History and Habitat.—The common plantain grows in rich, moist soils, in 
Europe, India, and America, where it is considered truly indigenous north of Lake 
Superior, It flowers throughout the summer months, fruiting as it flowers. It is 
said that the American Indians gave this plant the name of “White Man’s Foot,” 
in allusion to its method of introduction, and its trait of accompanying the civilizer 
and literally growing in his footsteps. This character also gave rise to the vul- 
garism “ way-bred.” 
The previous medical uses of plantain are chiefly those of a general vulnerary 
and demulcent; thus it became in great demand in the coughs attending various 
pulmonary and bronchial diseases as well as an application to recent wounds and 
chronic sores. The seeds were used in the former instance, the leaves in the latter. 
A decoction of the roots was recommended by Bergius in tertian intermittents, 
one ounce to four being taken when the chill came on. An infusion of the seeds 
in milk has been much used by the laity to check various hemorrhages from 
mucous surfaces, diarrhoea, dysentery, and leucorrhcea. The fibrous strings in the 
petioles have been extolled* as an almost certain cure for aching carious teeth, if 
placed in the ear on the affected side. It is said that these fibres turn black if the 
pain is relieved, but remain green if not. Boerhaave Says that in his own experi- 
ence he has found that plantain leaves placed upon the feet will ease the pain and 
fatigue engendered by long walks. Plantain has also been highly praised as an 
antidote to the effects of bites of venomous reptiles and insects; it is stated by 
Duncan} to be one of the principal ingredients in the remedy of the negro Cesar, 
for the discovery of which he received a large reward from the Assembly of South 
Carolina. To complete this review of the uses of this herb no better expression 
could be used than that of Mérat ‘{ “En fin, on a porté la racine des plantains en 
amulet pour guérir on prévenir une multitude des maladies,” 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The fresh plant, gathered when comin g 
into flower, is chopped and pounded to a pulp and weighed. Then two parts by 
weight of alcohol are taken, the pulp mixed thoroughly with one-tenth part of it, 
and the rest of the alcohol added. After having stirred the whole, pour it into a 
well-stoppered bottle, and let it stand eight days in a dark, cool place. © 
The tincture separated from this mass by filtration is opaque, in thin layers it 
has a deep reddish-brown color by transmitted light. It retains the peculiar odor 
of the plant, has a sourish astringent taste and an acid reaction, 
_ CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.— Mucilage.—This substance exists plentifully 
in the seeds of all species, from which it may be extracted by water, and pre- 
_* Dr. Reutlinger to Dr. E. M. Hale, New Rem., p. 500. 
+ New Edinburgh Dispensatory. 
I Dict. de M. Med., Supplement, 1846, p. 567, es = e: we 
