ASPARAGUS. 31 



from whence they derive that quality, than 

 any of the parts growing above ground, which 

 cannot imbibe it so copiously as the root 

 itself receives it from the earth. And this 

 may pass for a reason why most roots are 

 more endowed with this property than their 

 plants. The root of asparagus is one of 

 those called the five opening roots : it is also 

 of some use as a pectoral; and makes a chief 

 ingredient in the syrup of marsh-mallows, 

 given as a remedy for the stone. It is good 

 in all compositions intended to cleanse the 

 viscera, especially where obstructions threaten 

 the jaundice and dropsy. This vegetable is 

 also salutary in many disorders of the breast, as 

 operating by urine, which is generally of ser- 

 vice in such cases.* 



If the root is put upon a tooth that aches 

 violently, it causes it to come out without 

 pain, according to Ant. Mizald, and others. -f- 



M. Roliquet has, it is said, discovered a 

 new vegetable principle in asparagus : it is a 

 triple salt of lime and ammonia, of which the 

 acid is unknown. This chemist and M. 

 Vauquelin have found a substance in the juice 

 of this vegetable, analogous to manna. 



# Galen, Hoffman, James, 8cc. 



t Mizald, cent. 7. Memorab. A ph. 34. Schenck, Obs. 

 Med. L. 1 . 



