FENNEL. 187 



nity, we shall hardly find a plant more aperi- 

 tive and discussive, by means of sweat, than 

 fennel ; whence nothing can be more proper 

 in the small-pox and measles, than a decoc- 

 tion of the herb, or its seeds or roots*. Ray 

 says, fennel is excellent for preventing abor- 

 tions. 



Joannes Crats, physician to the Emperor 

 of Germany, says, he saw a monk, who was 

 cured by his tutor, in nine days, of a cata- 

 ract, by only applying the roots of fennel, 

 boiled in wine, with the decoction, to the 

 eyes. 



It is also said, that the steam of the de- 

 coction of fennel is an excellent cleanser 

 for the eyes, and that it strengthens the 

 sight. 



Boerhaave says, that this root agrees in 

 taste, smell, and medicinal quality, with the 

 celebrated ginseng of the Chinese; from 

 which, however, it appears to differ very 

 considerably. 



Pliny states, that fennel was cultivated as 

 a garden herb by the Romans, and that it 

 was so much used in the kitchen, that there 

 were few meats seasoned, or vinegar sauces 



* Sim. PauW. 



