258 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



cretion, that was taken out of a human 



body. 



Both water and rectified spirits extract the 

 virtues of this root, by infusion, and imbibe 

 the whole taste and pungency of the plant. 



Boerhaave, who was so justly celebrated 

 through Europe as professor of physic and 

 botany, says it is one of those plants whose 

 virtues are the least equivocal: its aperient, 

 antiscorbutic, and resolvent qualities purify 

 the blood, agree with colds, and above all, 

 cure dry hard coughs, and the extinction 

 of the voice. 



Dr. Cullen says, " The root externally ap- 

 plied readily inflames the skin, and proves a 

 rubifacient that may be employed with ad- 

 vantage in palsy and rheumatism ; and if its 

 application be long continued, it produces 

 blisters." 



The German authors give many examples 

 of its being an excellent remedy, as well in- 

 ternally as for the exterior, in cases of the 

 dropsy and rheumatism. 



One drachm of the root, fresh scraped 

 down, is enough for four ounces of water, 

 to be infused in a close vessel for two 

 hours, and made into a syrup, with double 



