893 



ORDER 186. COMPOSITE. 



128. Arctium. Two species; 6, 1, L. 



Arctium lappa. Burdock. Off. The root has been considered 

 tonic, aperient, sudorific, and diuretic. It has been used in the form 

 of decoction in rheumatism, and diseases of the skin. Sir Robert 

 Walpole praised it as a gout medicine, and others have considered it 

 an excellent substitute for sarsaparilla. The fruit, which is bitter, 

 and slightly acid, has been used as a diuretic. (Lindley.) The wilt- 

 ed leaves, applied to bruises and local pains, are excellent discutients 

 and anodynes. It was once thought to be a certain cure for cancer. 



129. Leontodon. Six species ; 18, 1, L. 



Leontodon taraxicum. Dandelion. Off. This beautiful plant has 

 come into much vogue in medicine, within a few years, for the cure of 

 hepatic affections and dyspepsia. It is diuretic, and slightly tonic 

 and aperient. It is thought to excite the languid action of the liver, 

 and to discuss chronic enlargements of it. It is particularly adapt- 

 ed to all the diseases produced by the derangement of the biliary 

 secretions. An infusion or decoction of the root, or the extract, 

 removes obstructions of the bowels, and promotes the flow of urine. 

 It is also useful in diseases of the skin, in dropsy, consumption, and 

 scirrhosities of the stomach. An irritable state of the stomach for- 

 bids the use of it, or much inflammation of that organ, otherwise it 

 may be taken freely. It is used in extract or decoction. 



130. Lactuca. Twenty-three species ; 18, 1, L. 



Lactuca elongata. Wild lettuce. Anodyne, laxative, diaphoretic, 

 and diuretic. 



131. Prenanthes. Thirty-five species; 18, 1, L. 

 Prenanthes alba. Gall of the earth. This is the famous Indian 



cure for the bite of venomous serpents. ' It grows to a great height. 

 The leaves are lactescent, and every part of the plant is intensely 

 bitter. 



132. Hieracium. Eighty species; 18, 1, L. 



Hieracium venosum. Veiny-leaved hawk-weed. The whole plant 

 is active and bitter to the taste. It is also vulnerary and astringent, 

 sudorific, antiseptic, and pectoral. Schoepf and Harlan have both 

 used the bruised leaves with success for the bite of the rattlesnake. 

 By some, it has been called rattlesnake plantain, but erroneously. 



