NAT. ORDER. COMPOSITE. ] 39 



lactescent plants ; the expressed juice is bitter and somewhat acrid ; 

 the root, however, is still more bitter, and possesses greater medicinal 

 power than any other part of the plant. Taraxacum has long been in 

 repute as a mild detergent and aperient ; it is also diuretic and tonic, 

 and has a direct action upon the liver and kidneys, exciting them when 

 languid, to action. It is most applicable to liejaatic diseases, and de- 

 rangement of the digestive organs generally. In chronic inflammatjons 

 of the liver and spleen, in cases of deficient biliary seci'ctions, and in 

 dropsical affections of the abdominal viscera, it is capable of being 

 very beneficial if properly applied ; from experience I can speak in 

 its favor. Howard, in his Materia Medica, says he has used it in 

 pulmonary diseases and found it an invaluable remedy. He believes 

 that if ever any one article cures a confirmed consumption, it will 

 prove to be this. Possessed of such active and extensive medical 

 properties, it may be so managed in its exhibition as to produce 

 almost any effect to any extent desired on any function, tissue, or set 

 of organs in the animal machine, Rafinesque says that the milky 

 juice of the stem of this plant removes freckles from the skin. 



It is usually given in the form of extract, decoction, or syrup. 

 The syrup is made by boiling one pound of dried root in one gallon 

 of wafer down to two quarts. Strain off] and add while warm one 

 pound of loaf sugar, and one pint of good spirits. Dose — ball' a wine- 

 glassful three times a day. ' 



