GENERAL REMARKS. 313 



plants at the proper season, and preserving them in the best man- 

 ner, but the rules are few and simple, and might be procured from 

 any respectable medical practitioner. As it is now ascertained, 

 on unquestionable authority, that the Chondrus crispus is sold, by 

 the most respectable apothecaries, in lieu of the Iceland moss, 

 and in many cases may be the preferable article, so there is no- 

 thing to prevent our druggists procuring a sufficient supply from 

 their own shores. There are some herbs used to a greater ex- 

 tent amongst our peasantry and labourers, than those who have 

 not mixed with them, and inquired into their habits, will readily 

 believe ; and to some of these simples they ascribe an efficacy in 

 certain diseases equalled only by the specifics of the newspapers. 

 But to prescribe these remedies in proper cases is not beneath 

 the dignity of the physician, and he may thereby lessen the ex- 

 penditure of the poor. A poultice of the leaves of the mallow or 

 maas is cheaper than one of bread and milk, and equally efficacious. 

 An infusion of the clary or of chervil is a very bland fomentation, 

 and will be used sedulously by the patient when the prescription 

 of warm water alone would be regarded as almost trifling with his 

 complaint. The buckbean, the chamomile, and the mugwort, 

 are bitters in common use amongst them, and are in some cases 

 little less powerful than gentian or quassia, and perhaps more so 

 when prejudice aids the operation of the former. The roots of 

 burdock and dandelion will always supply excellent substitutes 

 for the very expensive sarsaparilla ; and the roots of Carex are- 

 naria and hirta have been said to possess similar properties. 

 There are not better tonic astringents in the Materia Medica 

 than what the common avens and tormentil afford, and the latter 

 in particular might be gathered in any quantity on our moors. 

 Perhaps our fishermen might procure from its roots a good tan 

 for their nets. 



If the water-cress were regularly brought to our market, there 

 would soon, in all likelihood, arise a demand for it, for it is a very 

 wholesome salad, too bitter perhaps to be eaten by itself, but 

 which would mix well with other herbs of similar properties. 

 And were our fisherwomen instructed in the mode of preparing 

 laver, I do not doubt that we might also in time acquire a relish 

 for this hitherto expensive delicacy, the more particularly as there 

 is a general, and, I think, a well-grounded belief in its usefulness 

 in scrofulous constitutions. 



VOL. II. O 



