AGRIMONY. 13 



feeble, and is soon lost by drying : the flowers, when fresh 

 gathered, says Withering, smell like apricots. It is bitter and 

 astringent to the taste, but is eaten occasionally by sheep and 

 goats ; horses, cows, and swine refuse it. 



When the plant is beginning to flower, it will dye wool of a 

 bright nankeen colour, and gathered in autumn a darker yellow. 

 Dambourney recommends for this purpose a strong infusion to 

 be made in water, and a weak solution of bismuth to be used as 

 a mordant. The astringent qualities of the plant have recom- 

 mended it also for dressing leather. 



Geoffroy remarks, that the juice of the leaves imparts a slight 

 red tinge to blue paper ; and an infusion of them instantly 

 blackens a solution of sulphate of iron. 



Medical Properties and Uses. — This plant, though rejected 

 by modern physicians, is of considerable efficacy in removing 

 obstructions, and has been always celebrated as a valuable 

 remedy in diseases of the liver and spleen, as well as many 

 chronic complaints; It is recommended also for spittings of 

 blood and bloody urine. The best method of using it is in in- 

 fusion : a handful of the dried leaves are to be put into a 

 vessel, and a quart of boiling water poured on them ; and, when 

 cool, to be strained. Or a tea may be made of five or six of 

 the dried leaves to half a pint of boiling water, with the addi- 

 tion of a little sugar. By means of this drink some very obsti- 

 nate indurations of the liver have been removed. It should be 

 taken in a morning fasting, and repeated twice or three times in 

 the day ; a tea-cup full at least each time. It has been found 

 also extremely serviceable in cutaneous eruptions, and is an 

 excellent purifier of the blood. Externally it is useful in foment- 

 ations, boiled with cham.omile flowers, St. John's wort, and 

 wormwood. As a vulnerary it has enjoyed as much fame as the 

 Adder's-tongue : boiled with wheaten-bran in wine-lees, and 

 applied to luxations, sprains, &c., it was esteemed very efficacious, 

 and it certainly had a better claim than many plants, to that now 

 obsolete title. It forms a very good gargle for sore throats. 



The plant should be gathered when in blossom, and carefully 

 dried in the shade. It may then be preserved in boxes, or in 

 bundles hung up in a dry place. 



