484 ORD. XXVI. Multisitique. RaNxuNcuLvs-acnis. 
it to some little distance, excited a considerable soflems 
the palm of the hand in which it was held. 
It is necessary to remark, that the acrimonious quality of these 
plants is not of a fixed nature; for it may be completely dissipated 
by heat; and the plant on being ———: dried, becomes 
perfectly bland. 
Krapf attempted to counteract this venomous acrimony of the 
Ranunculus by means of various other vegetables, none of which 
was found to answer the purpose, though he thought that the juice 
of sorrel, and that of unripe currants, had some effect in this way ; 
yet these were much. Jess availing than water; while vinegar, 
honey, sugar, wine, spirit, mineral acids, oil of tartar, p. d. and 
other sapid substances manifestly rendered the acrimony more 
corrosive. It may be also noticed, that the virulency of this plant, 
as well as of most others, depends much upon the situation in 
which they grow, and is greatly diminished in the cultivated 
plant. 
This and some other species of Ranunculus have, for medical 
purposes, been chiefly employed externally as a vesicatory, and 
are said to have the advantage of a common blistering plaster, 
in producing a quicker effect, and never causing stranguary, 
But, on the other hand, it has been observed, that the Ranunculus 
is less certain in its operation, and that it sometimes occasions 
oie which prove very troublesome and difficult to heal. There- 
fore their use seems to be applicable only to certain fixed pains,* 
and such complaints as require a long continued topical stimulus, 
or discharge from the part, in the way of an issue, which in 
various cases has been found to be a powerful remedy. 
* Cases of its success in chronic rheumatism, and other complaints, are related 
by Chesnau (obs, med. ) Baglir. (oper. p.113.) Stoerck (ann. med. ii. p. 125.) 
The manner of using the plant is to bruise it in a mortar, and to apply it to the 
skin asa poultice er plaster, 
