196 ORD. IX. Cucurbitacee. BRYONIA ALBA. 
Bergius ° states the virtues of this root to be purgans, hydragoga, 
emmenagoga, diuretica; recent. rad. subemetica; and recommends 
it in dropsy and asthma. 
This powerful and irritating cathartic, though now seldom pre- 
scribed by physicians, is said to be of great efficacy in evacuating 
serous humours, and has been chiefly employed in hydropical dis- 
orders.© Instances of its good effects in other chronic diseases are 
also mentioned, as asthma, mania,’ and epilepsy.* In small doses it 
is reported to operate as a diuretic, and to be resolvent and deob- 
struent: given in powder, from a scruple to a dram, it proves 
strongly purgative; and the juice, which issues spontaneously in 
doses of a spoonful or more, has similar effects, but is more’ gentle 
in its operation. An extract, prepared by water, acts more mildly, 
and with greater safety, than the root in substance, and may be 
given from halfa dram to a dram.. Externally the fresh root has 
been employed in cataplasms,’as a resolvent and discutient; also in 
ischiadic and other rheumatic affections. 
“ » Mat. Med. p. 786. 
© See Burcgraf, Lexicon Med. p. 1710. where he gives a ‘acemniae account of a 
successful method of employing this root. 
* Sydenham, Process. integr. in op. p. 626. 
© Arnoldus De Villa Nova. Brev. pratt. L. 1. c. 22. Reussner, Curat. § Obserz. 
p- 158. 
£ND OF THE FIRST VOL, 
London: Printed by Phillips & Fardon, 
George Sue tana Soc 
