112 NAT. ORDER. — COMPOSITE. 



We are told that the ancient Romans employed this root as a 

 pickle ; and indeed it seems much less acrid than many other sub- 

 stances now employed for this purpose. The ancient Egyptians 

 held this plant in such high repute, that they dedicated it to the 

 cuz'ing of agues; their experience and success, in the administra- 

 tion of this medicine, gained for it a reputation that placed it very 

 high in their estimation ; they employed it with great success in 

 the treatment of disease of the Pleura. 



Medical Properties and Uses. Spanish camomile, or Pellitory, 

 is a jjowerful irritant, almost exclusively used as a sialagogue in 

 certain forms of rheumatism, neuralgic affections of the face, head- 

 ache, toothache, etc., or as a local stimulant in palsy of the tongue 

 or tliroat. In its recent state, this root is not so pungent as when 

 dried, yet, if applied to the skin, it is found to act similar to the 

 bark of mezereon, and in four days produces inflammation of the 

 part. 



From the aromatic and stimulating qualities of Pyrethrum, 

 there can be no doubt but that it may be found an efficacious 

 remedy, and equally fitted for an internal medicine, as many others 

 of this class now so extensively prescribed. Its use, however, has 

 long been confined to that of a masticatory, for, on being chewed, 

 or long detained in the mouth, it excites a glowing heat, stimulates 

 the excretories of saliva, and thereby produces a free discharge. 

 It is also a valuable external application for sprains, bruises, swell- 

 ings, rheumatism, contracted muscles, tumors, etc., and for this pur- 

 pose it is generally employed in the form of a nei've ointment. For 

 many purposes it may be chewed, or employed as a gargle in 

 decoction or vinous tincture. The dose, as a masticatory, is from 

 30 grains to a drachm. 



In a very ancient but valuable medical work, published in 

 London, in the year 1610, by William Salmond, M. D., we find 

 several pages of this extensive English Herbal devoted exclusively 

 to the medicinal virtues of this plant. 



