SOCHLEARIA ARMORACIA. ORD. XXIII. Siliquose. i AOl 
The root of this plant, which has long been received into the 
Materia Medica, is also well known at our tables; “ it affects the 
organs both of taste and smell with a quick penetrating pungency ; 
nevertheless it contains in certain vessels a sweet Juice, which 
sometunes exudes in little drops upon the surface. Its pungent 
matter is of a very volatile kind, being totally dissipated in drying, 
and carried off in evaporation or distillation by water and rectified 
spirit: as the pungency exhales, the sweet matter of the root 
becomes more sensible, though this also is in a great measure 
dissipated or destroyed. It impregnates both water and spirit, 
by infusion or distillation, very richly with its active matter: in 
distillation with water it yields a small quantity of essential oil, 
exceedingly penetrating and pungent.” * 
Dr. Cuilen having, in our opinion, mentioned every hii neces- 
sary to be known respecting the medical virtues of Horse-radish, 
-we shall here transcribe all that the ingenious Professor has 
written on this subject: 
« The root of this only is employed, and it affords one of the 
«“ most acrid substances of this order, (siliquosa) and therefore 
“ proves a powerful stimulant, whether externally or internally 
-* employed. Externally it readily inflames the skin, and proves a 
« rubifacient that may be employed with advantage in palsy and 
« rheumatism ; and if its application be long continued it pro- 
«* duces blisters.”’-—‘* Taken internally, I have said in what manner 
its stimulant power in the fauces may be managed for the cure 
«« of hoarseness.” Received into the stomach, it st:mulates this, 
« and promotes digestion, and therefore is properly employed asa 
“ condiment with our animal food. If it be infused in water, and 
* Lewis, M. M. p. 534. 
» The Doctor here refers to the article Erysimum, the juice of which mixed with 
an equal part of honey or sugar, is strongly recommended for the cure of hoarseness 
which proceeds from an inttrrupted secretion of mucus, and which stimulants of 
_the acrid kind are found most efficacious in restoring. When the Erysimum was 
not at hand, the Dr. substituted a syrup of Horse-radish, He says, ‘¢ I have found 
No. 34.— vot. 3. 51 
