| 
_ 
} 
' 
t 
VISCUM ALBUM. ORD. V. Conglomerate. 8h. 
‘The Misseltoe of the oak, has, from. the times of the ancient 
druids been always preferred to that produced on other trees; but 
it is now well known that the viscus quernus differs in no —— 
from others. 
This plant is. ihe é of the Greeks, and was in former times 
thought to possess many medicinal virtues; however, we learn but 
little concerning its. efficacy from the ancient writers on the 
Materia Medica; nor will it be deemed necessary to state the: 
extraordinary powers ascribed, to the Misseltoe by the crafty: 
designs of duidical knavery. 
“ Both the leaves and branches of the plant have very little 
smell, and a very weak taste of the*nauseous kind. In distillation 
they impregnate water with their faint unpleasant smell, but yield 
no essential oil. Extracts, made from them by water, are bitterish, 
roughish and subsaline.. The spirituous extract of the wood has. 
the greatest austerity, and that of the leaves the greatest. bitterness.. 
The berries abound with an extremely tenacious most ungrateful’ | 
sweet mucilage.” 
The Viscus Quernus obtained great reputation for the cure of 
epilepsy; and a case of this disease, of a woman of quality, in 
which it proved: remarkably successful, is mentioned by Boyle.* 
Some years afterwards its use was strongly recommended in various. 
convulsive disorders by Colbach, who has related several instances 
of its good effects,” He administered.it in substance in doses of 
fialfa dram, or a dram, of the wood or leaves, or an. infusion. of 
anounce.. 
This author was followed by others, who have not only: given 
testimony of the efficacy of the Misseltoe in different - convulsive - 
affections, but also in those complaints denominated nervous, in: 
§ Lewis. dc. 
® See Usefulness of Nat. & Exper. Philos. 174. 
> Dissertation concerning ‘the Misseltoe, a most wonderful specifick remedy for: 
the cure of conoulstve distempers. 
No. 8. | Y: 
te 
