170 NAT. ORDER. ROSACEA. 



proper for the front of shrubberies, and they propagate freely by 

 cuttings planted in the autumn in a sheltered situation. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The roots of this plant possess 

 properties agreeing with those of the Potentilla reiytans. They have 

 a styptic, bitterish, gastic taste, and give out their astringent matter 

 both to water and spirit. From history, we learn that in ancient 

 times this plant was held in high estimation as a medicine, and was 

 afterwards used by Hippocrates and Dioscorides, and by the former 

 particularly recommended for the cure of intermittents. And later 

 writers tell us that the middle classes of inhabitants still employ 

 thein with this intention. 



The medicinal quality of Cinquefoil is confined to the externa] 

 or cortical part of the root, and depends merely upon its astringent 

 effects ; it has therefore been chiefly prescribed internally in diar- 

 rhoeas and other fluxes, and externally in gargles and astringent lo- 

 tions ; but as its efficacy is much inferior to many other plants of this 

 class, the Cinquefoil is now rarely used. In large doses, however, it 

 may be found no bad substitute for some other astringent. 



Both the root and the herb is used in dysentery and fluxes. 

 The herb may be used as tea, and the root in decoction ; an ounce 

 of which may be boiled in a pint and a half of water, to a pint : the 

 dose of this will be half a wine-glassful three times a day. The 

 root finely powdered has of late been used in connection with 

 Sanguinaria canadensis, as a snuff for catarrhal affections. 



