NAT. ORDER.— IRIDACE.E. " • -■ . " 19 



From the furegoing authority it wouki appear that Saflroii, as a 

 medicine, was of very little consequence ; but modern authors have 

 given us new light on this plant; and it is now considered as one 

 of our most valuable domestic medicines; it is in conunon use all 

 over the country ; raised in almost every farmer's garden, in small 

 beds or patches, and wiicn in blossom makes a verygav appearance. 

 Although the odorous part of SallVon arises in distillation with either 

 menstruum, yet a great portion of fixed matter is obtained in the 

 extract ; but the extract from water is very much changed from the 

 nature of the entire SallVon. That made from the spirit of wine 

 retains the sensible qualities of the Saffron more entirely ; but as 

 there has been some dissipation of the odorous and volatile parts, 

 we can hardly suppose that the concentrated tincture, or extract, 

 can obtain the whole of the medicinal substance of the entire Saffron. 



We deem it proper to give here as well as we can, the chem- 

 ical history of this famous drug ; but would remark, that from 

 this chemical history we learn nothing towards pointing out or ex- 

 plaining the medicinal powers ; nor, indeed, more from these than 

 may be learned from its sensible qualities. By these, being of some 

 acrimony both in smell and taste, it would seem that Saffron might 

 be very active with respect to the human body. Some writers on 

 the Materia Medica have .spoken of it in the highest terms as an ac- 

 tive medicine. But their reports, in some instances of its etTects, 

 appear somewhat extravagant, though often repeated. Frequent 

 experiments in practice do not always support the opinions that have 

 generally been entertained of it. I have frequently administered this 

 medicine in large doses, without perceiving the least sensible effects, 

 and in many instances without increasing the frequency of the pulse. 

 As an anodyne, or antispasmodic, I have considered it to possess 

 very limited powers, scarcely ever observing any such effects in its 

 operation ; but as a diaphoretic, it is now universally acknowledged 

 to possess highly valuable properties, and as such it is brought into 

 general use by practitioners throughout the country. In all eruptive 



