IMPROVED. 217 



mucous Tafte which it leaves in the Mouth, and be- 

 caufe when it is cut it appears regularly marbled, of 

 a Red, White, or Yellow Colour ; and thefe Co- 

 lours are difpofed in a radiated Manner. This Sort, 

 to wit. Monk's Rheubarb is a (landing Ingredient 

 in the Medicated Ales or Diet- Drinks intended for 

 the Care of the Jaundice, and removing Foulnefs of 

 the Urinary Paffages ; which it does by its deterfive 

 Quality, for it does not come up to a Purge. 



The Rheubarb from the Le^vant is now accounted An Ac- 

 beft ; it is of a bright yellowiih Colour, and of a cv.mt of 

 Nutmeg-Grain if 'tis good ; tho' a deal of the bcft Rheubarb, 

 Pieces will be decay'd in every Parcel you look upon. ^^^^^^^ 

 There is fome comes from China, and other Parts of 

 the Eajl-lndies, but is not fo much in Elleem as this 

 from the Le-vant, being of a darker Colour, more 

 foetid in Smell, and is not eafily povv^der'd ; tho* 

 that from the Eajl-Indies is more Purgative, efpe- 

 cially in Inflifion, but has not fo much of the 

 Allringent Quality fo efficacious in Diarrhoea's or 

 Loofenelfes, and Dyfenteries or Bloody-Flux ; and 

 that Sort which is accounted the fineft is very little 

 Purgative, but is much preferable in all the Inten- 

 tions of a Reftringent, and for this Reafon it is beil 

 in Fluxes of all Kinds. 



The Purgative Quality of Rheubarb feems moftly 

 to confift in its Gummy'Parts, by reafon it is drawn 

 out bell with watry DifTolvents impregnated Vvith a 

 Lixivial Salt, as Salt of Tartar, or the like j and 

 extreme Drying dellroys its Purgative Quality ; 

 wherefore it is frequently order'd to be toaHed on 

 purpofe t© make it lefs Pu-rgative, and more allrin- 

 gent or binding ; and nothing llrengthens the Sto- 

 mach and Bov/els more than this Drug in the 

 Hands of a judicious Prefcriber : Nor do the Kid- 

 neys lie too remote for its Influences ; for it fre- 

 quently pafies fo much that Way as to difcover it- 

 felf in the Colour of the Urine : And upon this Ac- 

 count it is good in Obllrudlions of the Reins and 

 Urinary Paffages, whether from Sabulous arjd Gra- 

 L velly 



