888 



ORDER 122. GERANIACE^E. 



97. Geranium* Forty-two species ; 16, 10, L. 



Greranium maculatum. Crows-bill, sometimes, though improperly 

 called crow-foot. Off. This is one of our purest astringents, accu- 

 rately and beautifully drawn and described by Bigelow and others, 

 to whom I refer the reader. 



98. G-eranium Robertianum. Herb Robert. This plant has 

 much reputation with many people for the cure of bloody water in 

 cattle and horses, and also for the cure of bloody flux in them, and 

 it is thought by some more efficacious in these complaints than most 

 of the common medicines in use. It is employed in tanning in Ger- 

 many, like the other species of geranium. It is diuretic, and less 

 astringent than the G. maculatum, and, therefore, more proper in 

 nephritis, and diseases of the bladder. It has been used in fever 

 and ague, and as a gargle for sore mouths and throats. 



99. Oxalis acetosclla* "Wood sorrel ; 10, 5, L. Off. From this 

 plant the oxalic acid is prepared, which is so extensively employed 

 in medicine. This plant is a good diuretic. Boiled in milk, it yields 

 an acid whey. It is useful in affections of the kidneys. The oxalic 

 acid, taken to a considerable extent, is poisonous. The leaves should, 

 therefore, be used with moderation. One hundred pounds of the 

 leaves give thirty pounds of juice, which yield ten ounces of super- 

 oxalate of potash. This is sometimes used under the name of salts of 

 lemon. A conserve and syrup are made of the leaves, which are 

 pleasant medicinal preparations, but perhaps inferior to currant 

 jelly, and other acid fruits. Raf. 



100. Oxalis stricta. Possesses similar properties. 



ORDER 126. BALSAMIC. 



101. Impatiens. Thirteen species ; 5, 1, L. 



Impatiens noli me tangere, vel pallida. Touch-me-not ; jewel weed. 

 Sec. The whole plant is acrid. When taken internally, it operates 

 as an emetic, cathartic, and diuretic. Dr. Euan, of Philadelphia, 

 employed it successfully in piles, by boiling the plant in a recent 

 state in lard. The impatiens balsamine of the gardens possesses the 

 same properties as the noli me tangere. W. and B. 



