OXALIS ACETOSELLA. ORD. XXXII. Gruinales. 565 
which is more agreeable than the common sorrel, (Rumex Acetosa) 
and approaches nearly to that of the juice of lemons, or the acid 
of tartar, with which it also corresponds in a great measure in its 
medical effects, being esteemed refrigerant, antiscorbutic, and 
diuretic. It is recommended by Bergius in inflammatory, bilious, 
and putrid fevers, and from the cases adduced by Francus,* he 
concludes, “ Acetossellam appetitum restaurare, vomitum conso- 
pire, alvum stringere, sitim, sedare, oris amaritiem tollere, cordis 
vires reparare, anginamque abigere.”* _The principal use, how- 
ever, of the Acetosella, is to allay inordinate heat, and to quench 
thirst; for this. purpose, a pleasant whey may be formed by boiling 
the plant in milk, which under certain circumstances may be pre- 
ferable to the conserve directed by the London College, though an 
extremely grateful and useful medicine. Many have employed 
the root of Lujula, probably on account of its beautiful red colour 
rather than for its superior efficacy. An essential salt is prepared 
from this plant, known by the name of Essential Salt of Lemons, 
and commonly used for taking ink-stains out of linen.‘ 
© De vera herba Antiquorum Acetosella, &c. 
4 Mat. Med, p. 379. 
© This salt is made from the expressed juice. Vide Boerh. Chem. vol. 2. proc. — 
7. & Savary, Diss. de Sale Essent. Acetoselle. p. 9. Thunberg found that the 
Oxalis cernua of the Cape of Good Hope, yicids the salt in greater quantity than 
the Acetosella.—This salt, when genuine, which is seldom to be procured so, | 
is composed of the vegetable alkali and a peculiar acid, which seems more allied 
-to the acid of sugar than that of tartar. Vide Bergman Act. Up. Nov. vol. 2. p. 
215. where the manner of separating this acid is also given, and related by Murray. 
Ap. Med. vol. 3, p. 497. 
| Vide Scheele in Girwells nya tidningar, 1775, n. $0. p. 237. and Savary,l.c. What is sold under 
the name of Essential Salt of Lemons, in this country, appears sometimes to consist of C. Tart. with 
the addition of a small quantity of vitriolic acid, MS. Lectures on Chemistry by Dr. Hamilton. 
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