HOUND'S TOKGt'E. 123 



the Continent, its medicinal use in England is now a thing 

 of. the past. Its medicinal effects seem of too doubtful a 

 nature to make it of any real service, for while some 

 authors ascribe to it valuable narcotic and astringent 

 properties, others deny that it has any healing influence at 

 all. Its lurid appearance, offensive smell, and the aversion 

 with which animals regard it, are points that have justifi- 

 ably caused it to be regarded with suspicion. Even the 

 handling of the plant for any considerable time will in 

 some persons produce nausea, giddiness, and fainting. It 

 would seem almost impossible for anybody, however stupid, 

 to mistake this plant for anything culinary, but moi-e than 

 one case is recorded in medical works where the plant has 

 been eaten in error, and with the gravest results. The root 

 of the hound's tongue is tapering, and some eight or nine 

 inches long, and dark reddish-black externally, but whitish 

 within. The stems are thick, erect, some two feet high or 

 so, branching freely near their summits, and clothed with 

 rough hairs. 



" The roote of Dogstoong," the writer of a treatise 

 published A.D. 1586 tells us, "is very good to heal wounds, 

 and it is with good successe laid to the disease called the 

 wild-fire, when it is pund with barley meale. The water 

 or wine wherein it hath bene boyled cureth woundes and 

 hote inflammations, and it is excellent against the boils 

 and grieuances of the mouth. For the same purpose they 

 make an ointment, as followeth : First they boyle the 

 iuice thereof with honey of roses, then when it is well 

 boyled they mingle turpentine with it, sturring it hard, 

 untill all be well incorporate together, then they apply it 

 to wounds." 



The leaves are numerous, alternate, long, and narrow, 



