118 LAB I AT JE. 



History, Uses, &C. — This plant is the TTpi<Tiov of Theo- 

 phrastus (yi., 2), who mentions twokinds. Dioseorides (iii.,110) 

 relates its medicinal uses, which are also noticed by Hippocrates 

 (681, 3), Celsus (v., 11), and PUny (20, 89). The ancients 

 considered it to be a general stimulant^ expectorant, deobstruent, 

 carminative and local anodyne. Horehound has still a consi- 

 derable reputation in Europe as a remedy for chronic bronchitis 

 with copious expectoration, and as a stomachic tonic in dys- 

 pepsia. It was also foi^merly prescribed in chronic rheumatism, 

 hepatic and uterine obstructions and ague, the usual dose being 

 from ^ to 1 drachm of the dried herb. The ancients used the 

 expressed juice with honey, both internally and as a local appli- 

 cation to foul ulcers and diseased mucous surfaces. 



Horehound is the Farasiyun of Ibn Sina and other Arabian 

 physicians, who reproduce the account given by Dioseorides of 

 its medicinal uses. Hakim Ali Gilani, in his commentary upon 

 the Kanun, gives Suf-el-ard, 'dearth wool," and Hashishat-el- 

 kalb, '* dogs' herb," as Arabic names for the plant; he says that 

 dogs always piss on smelling it. 



Owing to the similarity between the Greek words 'rrpaa-iov and 

 TTpao-ov some Mahometan physicians have fallen into the error 

 of supposing the drug to be an alliaceous plant. Hakim 

 Muatamid-el-muluk Syud Alvikhiin points out this error, but 

 falls into another^ inasmuch as he identifies it with Arusa 

 {Adhafoda Vasica). Mahometan writers also mention a second 

 kind of Fardsiydn called Baluti ; this is our Black Horehound 

 (Ballota nigra, Linn.). 



M. mlgare is a common plant in Persia ; Aitchison observed 

 it growing abundantly in Khorasan. In the bazars of the plains 

 of India it is not obtainable ; if demanded, either Arusa, or a 

 kind of squill called Farasiydn-i-piyazi, is supplied. 



SCription. — The branching stem is about a foot high, 

 quadrangular, much -branched, and covered with a white felt- 

 The leaves are opposite, petiolate, about an inch long, roundish- 

 ovate, somewhat heart-ahaped or rounded at the base, obtuse, 



serrate or cnav'^Alv nrpna*^ -fir*.;«1^1..J i a1._ • i ^/^iSia 



