78 NAT. ORDER. TRII.LIACE^. 



fails to open tlie bowels, or produce vomiting ; so that in common 

 with the tonic properties of a bitter, it seems farther to possess a 

 considerable share of medicinal activity ; we can, therefore, more 

 easily credit the reports of its success in a great number 

 of chronic diseases mentioned by various authors, such as scurvy, 

 dropsy, jaundice, asthma, pei-iodical headaches, intermittents, hy- 

 pochondriasis, cachexia, obstructio mensium, rheumatism, scro- 

 fula, worms, gout, &c. Dr. Boerhaave was relieved in the last 

 mentioned complaint by drinking the juice mixed with whey ; and 

 Dr. Alston tells us, that " this plant had remarkable effects in the 

 gout, in keeping off the paroxysms ;" but adds, " though not to the 

 jiatient's advantage." In confirmation of the good effects of 

 Treefoil in dropsies, we are told from undoubted sources, that 

 sheep, when forced to eat it, are cured of the rot, oves tabidce ; yet, 

 as we have but few and imperfect proofs of its diuretic powers, 

 this fact will be considered of little weight. 



Bertxius confines the uses of this plant to scorbutic and rheu- 

 matic affections, and this specification is still farther contracted by 

 later writers on the Materia Medica. In Lewis' I\Iat. Med., by 

 3£r. Aikin, it is said that the leaves of Treefoil " have of late 

 years come into common use as an alterative and aperient, in im- 

 purities of the humors, and some hydropic and rheumatic cases ;" 

 and as an active eccoprotic bittei-, we should suppose them well 

 adapted to supply the want of bile in primce vite, and thus infer 

 their use in protracted jaundice, and other biliary obstructions. 

 Dr. Cullen has " had several instances of their good effects in some 

 cutaneous diseases, of herpatic, and seemingly of the cancerous 

 kind." 



The leaves may be given in jiowder, from five to ten grains 

 for a dose, two or three times a day ; but a strong infusion of 

 them is, perhaps, preferable ; and with delicate stomachs it may 

 be necessary to conjoin a grateful aromatic. They impart their 

 properties both to watery and spirituous menstrua. 



