WATER-CKKSS. 373 



Lord Bacon tells us, that the water- cress 

 is an herb that while young is friendly to 

 life. 



The water-cress is not so powerfully acrid as 

 the land-cress, and therefore a more agree- 

 able breakfast salad; but its attenuant and 

 resolvent virtues are the same; and from the 

 detersive quality of the plant, it is recom- 

 mended in all chronical diseases, which arise 

 from glandular or viscerous obstructions. It 

 has been known to remove jaundice, and re- 

 lieve those w 7 ho suffer through complaints 

 of the liver. Water- cresses were formerly 

 thought good against malignities in the 

 measles and small-pox. 



In comatose or lethargic affections nothing 

 has been found more effectual than water- 

 cresses, either boiled or in salads.* 



A good cook, who has a chemical know- 

 ledge of the virtues of culinary vegetables, 

 will not fail to serve the table of his employer 

 with spring soups and broths, in which this 

 herb forms a principal ingredient ; nor will 

 he neglect the good old custom of garnish- 

 ing the winter capon with a nest of water- 



's 



cresses. 



* Forestus, Observ. Med. lib. 10 Obs. 39. 



