292 FAMILY HERBAL. 



appears much more plainly in the dry, than in the 

 fresh root. 



The root is used : its virtues are sufficiently 

 known ; it is a gentle purge, and has an after as- 

 tringency. It is excellent to strengthen the sto- 

 mach and bowels, to prevent vomitings, and carry 

 otf the cause of colics ; in the jaundice also it is 

 extremely useful. Rhubarb and nutmeg toasted 

 together before the fire, make an excellent remedy 

 against purgings. There is scarce any chronic dis- 

 ease in which rhubarb is not serviceable. 



The Rhapontic monks rhubarb, and false monks* 

 rhubarb, all approach to the nature of the true 

 rhubarb ; they have been described already in their 

 several places, 



Rue. Ruia 



A rRETTv little shrub, frequent in our gar- 

 dens. It grows three or four feet hi<rh. The stem 

 is firm, upright, and woody ; very tough, and 

 covered with a whitish bark. The branches are 

 numerous, and the young shoots are round, green, 

 and smooth ; the leaves are composed of many 

 smaller divisions ; they are of a blue green colour 

 Rnd fleshy substance ; and each division is short, 

 obtuse, and roundish. The (lowers are yellow, not 

 large, but very conspicuous ; they have a quantity 

 of threads in the center, and they are succeeded by 

 lough seed-vessels. 



Hue is to be used fresh gathered, and the tops 

 of the young shoots contain its greatest virtue. 

 They are to be given in infusion : or they may be 

 beaten un into a conserve with three times their 

 weight of sugar, and taken in that form. The in- 

 fusion is an excellent medicine in fevers ; it raises 

 the spirits, and promotes sweat, drives any thing' 



