14 NAT. ORDER. PAPAVERACE/E. 



virtues among the vulgar of Europe, the roots were at first directed 

 to be hung round the neck, and if relief did not follow, a drachm 

 of the dried root was to be taken two or three times a da\'. The 

 fresh roots and seeds have a faint narcotic smell, with a slight acri- 

 monious and astringent taste ; but when dried, loose wholly, or in a 

 great degree, both. Water extracts are insipid, spirituous ones bit- 

 ter and slightly astringent. 



Medical Proper-ties and Uses. Every physician knows that the 

 poppy possesses powerful narcotic properties, and this character 

 prevails generally in the whole order. Their seed is universally 

 oily and destitute of the narcotic properties which reside in flowers 

 and plants, the oil is obtained from the seed by expression, is per- 

 fectly wholesome, and very much used in France and some parts of 

 England for the table. It is also extensively emyloyed in the adul- 

 teration of olive oil, and its use was at one time prohibited in France 

 by decrees' issued in compliance with popular clamor. It is but lit- 

 tle used in the United States, although it was frequently introduced 

 into practice for the cure of epilepsy but never proved sufficiently 

 beneficial to warrant its continuance. 



On cutting or breaking the stalk, a milky juice exudes, which 

 if exposed to the sun will attain the consistency of a gum, resem- 

 bling both in appearance, and medical properties, that of pure 

 opium, which is made from the Papaver Somniferum ; the descrip 

 tion of which willsoon be given, and the various methods of ob- 

 taining, and preparing the gum. 



