Chap. 79.] GALLIC NABD. 369 



for defluxions of the eyes. It is applied topically for swellings 

 of the mamillse after delivery, as also incipient fistulas 67 of the 

 eyes, and erysipelas ; the smell of it induces sleep. It is 

 found very beneficial to administer a decoction of the root for 

 spasms, falls with violence, convulsions, and asthma. For an 

 inveterate cough, three or four roots of this plant are boiled 

 down to one-third ; this decoction acting also as a purgative 

 for women after miscarriage, and removing stitch in the side, 

 and calculi of the bladder. Drying powders 68 for perspiration 

 are prepared also from this plant ; and it is laid among gar- 

 ments for the smell. 69 The combretum which we have spoken 70 

 of as resembling the bacchar, beaten up with axle -grease, is a 

 marvellous cure for wounds. 



CHAP. 78. EIGHT REMEDIES DEBITED FROM ASARTJM. 



It is generally stated that asarum 71 is good for affections of 

 the liver, taken in doses of one ounce to a semisextarius of 

 honied wine mixed with water. It purges the bowels like 

 hellebore, and is good for dropsy and affections of the thoracic 

 organs and uterus, as also for jaundice. When mixed with 

 must, it makes a wine with strongly diuretic qualities. It 

 is taken up as soon as it begins to put forth its leaves, and is 

 dried in the shade. It is apt however to turn mouldy very 

 speedily. 



CHAP. 79. (20.) EIGHT REMEDIES DERIVED FROM GALLIC NARD. 



Some authors, as we have already 72 stated, having given the 

 name of " field nard" to the root of the bacchar, we will here 

 mention the medicinal properties of Gallic nard, of which we 

 have 73 already spoken, when treating of the foreign trees, 

 deferring further notice of it till the present occasion. In 

 doses of two drachmae, taken in wine, it is good for the stings 

 of serpents ; and taken in water or in wine it is employed for 

 inflations of the colon, maladies of the liver or kidneys, and 

 suffusions of the gall. Employed by itself or in combination 



w " .ZEgilopiis." 6S " Diapasmata." 



69 This, as Fee remarks, can hardly apply to the Digitalis purpurea of 

 Linnaeus, with which he has identified it, the smell of which is disagree- 

 able rather than otherwise. 70 In c. 16 of this Book, 



71 The Asarum Europseum of Linnaeus ; our foalfoot. See B. xii. c. 27. 



72 In c. 16 of this Book. 73 In B. xii. c. 26. 

 VOL. IV. B B 



