905 



hardly be made into cheese. The plant, bruised and applied to a 

 woman's breast, when it is caked from redundance of milk, will sub- 

 due the inflammation, and cause the milk to flow in a short time. I 

 have been more successful with this, in this complaint, than with any 

 other remedy. 



198. PyenantTiemum. Fifteen species ; 14, 1, L. 

 Pyenanthemum incanum. Mountain mint. This plant is similar 



in all respects, in its properties, to the pennyroyal. 



199. Scutellaria. Twenty-four species ; 14, 2, L. 

 Scutellaria lateriflora. Scull-cap ; mad-dog weed. Sec. I do not 



feel disposed to canvass the mooted question, at this time, whether 

 this plant is efficacious in the cure of hydrophobia. Many highly 

 respectable physicians have believed in its efficacy in this complaint, 

 while others have believed it to be inert. According to Rafinesque, 

 the dried plant gave one-fourth of soluble matter, and a very 

 active extract. The substances found in it by Cadet were : 1. Yel- 

 low green oil, fixed and soluble in ether. 2. A bitter principle, 

 soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. 3. Chlorophylle. 4. A pecu- 

 liar volatile matter, smelling and tasting like the principle of anti- 

 scorbutic plants. 5. An essential oil. 6. Albumen. 7. A sweet 

 mucous substance. 8. A peculiar astringent principle. 9. Lignin. 

 When burnt, the ashes afford the chloride of soda, and seven other 

 salts. It is, therefore, preposterous to deem such a plant inert. It 

 is, says he, tonic, astringent, antispasmodic, and anti-hydrophobic, 

 at least. The steamers consider it their grand antispasmodic. 



200. Ocymum. Basil. Similar in its properties to the mints, 

 pennyroyal, &c. 



ORDER 222. 



201. Cynoglossum. Thirty-five species ; 5, 1, L. 



Cynoglossum officinale. Hound's tongue. Sec. Called hound's 

 tongue from the shape of the leaves. The root and leaves have an 

 odour like mice, and it is said that rats will not infest a barn where 

 this plant is deposited. Many writers consider this plant poisonous, 

 while others think it inert. The point is unsettled. It has been 

 employed as a demulcent and sedative in spitting of blood, coughs, 

 catarrhs, dysentery, diarrhoea, &c. ; likewise in burns, scrofulous 

 tumours, ulcers, &c. The leaves, smoked like tobacco, are narcotic. 

 VOL. II. 58 



