oil MADNKSS. -279 



The ivaler plantain (alisma planlago) has also proved one 

 of those unfortunate articles oilered to notice, which only 

 served to raise hopes it was doomed never to realise. As it 

 came recommended by a Russian counsellor of state, M. Ja- 

 Lovv'SKY, at the express direction of his g-overnment, it met 

 with a cordial reception, and a full trial in England and else- 

 where, but, I believe, every where it proved fallacious. It 

 should, however, be stated, that, in the trials of it made by 

 Mr. YouATT on rabid dogs, it certainly appeared to arrest the 

 progress of the disease for a time, in the same manner with 

 some other plans of treatment, but, as under those, so, under 

 the use of the plantain, the fatal termination was the same. 



T'O enumerate all the other articles, particularly of the 

 veg"etable world, that at some period or other have been 

 deemed prophylacticks, would be endless. Among the most 

 popular we may mention the eglantine, or wild rose {^rosa 

 sylvestris, Lim^.)^, pimpernel {anagallis)1', deadly night- 

 shade (citropa belladonna) %, rue (ruta) §, garlic (alliwn 

 sativum), sage (salvia), daisy (bellis), vervain (subena), 



* The wild rose seems to have been a remedy of much repute in its 

 day CBaldot, Mem. de la Soc. Roy. 1783). In a communication to the 

 Royal Society of Medicine of Paris, M. Provost details the virtues of its 

 inner bark. And, among the Sicilians, its spongy excrescences {hede- 

 guar) are considered a powerful antidote to the rabid poison {Miiseo di 

 piante rare du P. Boconi). According to Pliny, its virtues were revealed 

 by an oracle ; from whence we may learn, that a preventive efficacy was 

 long ago attributed to it. 



f An account of its supposed anti-rabid virtues may be seen by con- 

 sulting Hist, de la Med., Sprengel, tom. ii, p. 48 ^ CEuv. de Bourgelat, 

 Reflex, sur la Rage Voy. Journ. d'Aricult. p. 109. 



t As long as the time of Pliny, the belladonna has been used as a re- 

 medy against rabies. Apilei also notices it ; and, in later times, Munch 

 also. Hist de la Soc. Roy. de Med., 1783, 2d part. At the present, no 

 dependance is placed on it. 



§ Rue was a very antient favourite prophylactick, and it still enters 

 into many of the country nostrums and drinks against madness. It 

 formed also an ingredient in the celebrated powder of Palmeuiis.— See 

 Andry's account of celebrated remedies. 



