RHUBARB. 125 



and the first lie looser, and the latter lie 

 deeper : so that, if you infuse rubarb for an 

 hour, and crush it well, it will purge better, 

 and bind the body less after the purging, 

 than if it stood twenty-four hours." 



It is one of the best and mildest cathar- 

 ticks in the whole Materia Medica ; it ope- 

 rates very well on the bile, and on all the 

 viscera of the abdomen, and at the same 

 time strengthens the nervous fibres. On 

 these accounts, it is proper in weak stomachs 

 and intestines. It is given in substance 

 from twelve grains to half a dram ; and in 

 infusion, from half a dram to a dram and a 

 half; and in a small dose, it becomes an ex- 

 cellent alterative. It purges the bile very 

 effectually, and has a greater force than any 

 other purgative, in opening obstructions of 

 the liver. It is found by certain experience, 

 to evacuate the bile preferably to any other 

 fluid. On this account, it is the panacea of 

 children; and also because it strengthens 

 the stomach, and carries off all sorts of mat- 

 ter that stagnates therein.* 



The virtue of this root consists in the mix- 

 ture of a subtile and acrimonious salt with 



# Geoffroy. 



