ASPARAGUS. 



observed the powerful smell imparted to the urine immediately 

 after eating the young shoots of asparagus. This circumstance, 

 at an early period, directed the attention of physicians to its 

 diuretic properties, which were found to exist to the greatest 

 degree in the root. It is also gently aperitive, and may be em- 

 ployed to advantage in all obstructions of the viscera and de- 

 rangements in the functions of the liver. It has been recom- 

 mended in jaundice, and some other complaints connected with 

 the abdominal viscera. Its sedative properties were discovered 

 accidentally, by a gentleman labouring under palpitation of the 

 heart, which he found diminished after eating asparagus. M. 

 Eusebe de Salle has recently ascertained, that in addition it 

 possesses the property of causing constriction of the throat and 

 a spasmodic irritation of the larynx, which lasts about twenty 

 minutes after its injection. 



Vanhelmont and EtmuUer, with some other of the old phy- 

 sicians, were of opinion that this plant assisted greatly the 

 formation of calcxdus or stone in the bladder, and of gravel in 

 the kidneys. Although there does not appear to be much 

 foundation for this opinion, yet patients labouring under either 

 of these complaints will do well to abstain from eating this plant, 

 or any other that powerfully stimulates the urinary organs. 



It has been ascertained by experiment, that the asparagine 

 possesses the diuretic, and the green re*m the sedative properties 

 of the plant, but the combination of the two proves more effica- 

 cious : therefore the expressed juice, made into a syrup, will 

 probably answer every purpose of the syrup of asparagine, which 

 has been recommended in France. 



Asparagine has been thus prepared by M. Regimbeau, of 

 Montpellier : — 



He has the stalks of Asparagus wrapped up in a piece of moistened linen 

 for a few days at the ordinary temperature, until decomposition has com- 

 menced, which may be known by the unpleasant smell. They are then 

 beaten in a marble mortar^ with a sufficient quantity of water to dilute the 

 viscid juice, which is afterwards pressed strongly through a piece of cloth, 

 and heated in order to coagulate the albumen and chlorophylle. It is sub- 

 sequently filtered, and concentrated in a marine bath : it is again filtered and 

 boiled down to the consistence of syrup, and set apart for a fortnight in a 

 cool place. The vessel containing the liquid will be found lined with crys- 

 tals of asparagine, covered with extractive matter : they are to be purified 

 by washings in cold water or diluted spirit. — Journal de Pharmacie. 



D 2 



