NAT. ORDER. COMPOSITE. 175 



taste, but no remarkable smell. The leaves have always been of 

 great fame, as possessing demulcent and pectoral virtues ; of course 

 it is esteemed useful in pulmonary consumption, coughs, asthmas, 

 and in various catarrhal affections. Fuller recommends Colts-foot 

 as a valuable medicine in scrofula ; and Dr. Cullen, who does not 

 allow it any powers as a demulcent and expectorant, found it ser- 

 viceable in some strumous affections. It may be used as tea, or 

 given in the way of infusion, to which liquorice root or honey may 

 be added. 



We might, without exception, cite every writer of the Materia 

 Medica, as speaking in favor, except Dr. Cullen, who suspects that 

 this plant has little virtue, as he has often employed it, but never 

 found it either eminently demulcent or expectorant. Some ounces 

 of the expressed juice of the fresh leaves were taken every day, and 

 seemed to assist the healing of scrofulous sores ; even a strong de- 

 coction of the dried leaves, employed as Fuller proposes, has seemed 

 to answer the same purpose ; but both have occasionally failed. 



The leaves and flowers were smoked by the ancients for pulmo- 

 nary complaints, and in some parts of Germany, this habit is still 

 kept up, and by some used as a substitute for tobacco. The usual 

 form of administration is that of decoction. An ounce or two of 

 dried leaves may be boiled in two pints of water to a pint, of which 

 a teacup-full may be given several times a day. The root of this 

 plant is used for many other purposes ; on account of its agreeable 

 odor and spicy taste, many people have been in the habit of carry- 

 ing small pieces of the roots in their pockets for the purpose of 

 chewing ; and it is reported by numbers who have used it in this 

 way, that they have been relieved of dyspepsia, and weaknesses of 

 the stomach. It has also been found useful, (after being reduced to 

 powder,) as an addition to the catarrh snuff, rendering it more plea- 

 sant, active, and agreeable to take. 



