SAPONARIA OFFICINALIS. ORD. XXXII. Caryophyllece. — 583 
The diseases for which the Saponaria is recommended, as syphilis, 
gout, rheumatism, and jaundice, are not perhaps the complaints in 
which its use is most availing; for a fancied resemblance of the 
roots of Saponaria with those of sarsaparilla, seems,to haye led 
physicians to think them similar in their effects, and hence they 
have both been administered with the same intentions, particularly 
in fixed pains, and venereal affections. Bergius says, ‘in oi 
tide, cura mercuriale, &c. nullum aptiorem potum novi.’ 
However, according to several writers, the most inveterate cases 
of syphilis were cured by a decoction of this plant, without the 
use of mercury.‘ 
Haller informs us, that Boerhaave entertained an high opinion 
of its efficacy in Jaundice, and other visceral obstructions. 
¢ Vide Rudius. De morb. occult. et venenat. L. 5. c. 18. p. 215, Septalins, 
Animads, et caut. med. p. 275. Zapata, Memorad. medico-chir, Werner, Diss. 
de virtute saponar, 
