a, ae oP ° ey al 
aia & i 
96 On the Medical Plants mentioned by Shakspeare. 
ealled toothed -violets, and sometimes dog’s-tooth violets, or 
the Erythronium dens canis; called also in Hampshire, where 
it is abundantly wild, the dog’s or hound’s tooth violet. 
The name of hound’s-tree, or hound’s or dog’s berry, given 
to the Cornus, would authorize a trial of this fruit likewise 
in this horrible complaint. 
Whether the word Madnep indicate another cure may be 
inquired, and whether the name apply to Heracleum Sphon- 
dylium, Heracleum Panaces, Partinaca Opopanax, or the 
Angelica Archangelica? 
But, if we are to believe Pliny, we are indebted to the 
oracle for the discovery that the root of Cynosbatos, or Cy- 
norrhodon, Rosa canina, or dog-rose, is a remedy for hydro. 
phobia. It will appear, from the following extracts, that our 
medical roses were all known to Shakspeare, and celebrated 
by him, although not indeed for their therapeutic efficacy. 
Notwithstanding the best conserve is made from the fruit 
of the Rosa arvensis, or apple-rose, yet we must suppose that 
our poet, by scarlet hips, referred to the fruit of the common 
briar. ‘The oaks bear mast, the briars scarlet hips.” 
Timon, act iv. sc. 3. 
The R. damascena is used for syrups, and the variety y 
of Martyn must be the true damask-rose, so elegantly and 
poetically referred to in the following passages: 
« Fair ladies mask’d are roses in the bud; 
Dismask’d, their damask sweet commixture shews, 
Are angels veiling clouds, or roses blown.’’— Love’s L. L.a.v.s.2. 
««There was a pretty redness in his lip, 
A little riper and more lusty red 
Than that mixed in his cheek: ’twas just the difference 
Betwixt the constant red and the mingled damask.” 
As You Like It, act iii. se. 5. 
««J have seen roses damasked red and white, 
But no such roses see I in her cheek.’’—Sonnet 130. 
«« Gloves as sweet as damask-roses.’’—Winter’s Tale, activ. sc. 3. 
He also contrasts the red with the white rose, both of 
which contain the same medical astringent property. ‘The 
white rose being rubbed on alkaline paper, instantaneously 
produces a very beautiful yellow colour, which may be used 
as a dye. 
' ‘ 
