BROOK LIME, 91 



and cutaneous affections ; but more has been expected from it 

 than sober opinion would justify, and it has accordingly fallen 

 into disuse. Dr. Guersent, an eminent French physician, thus 

 ably describes its character. 



" In the early spring, when its growth is just commencing, 

 and towards the end of summer, when fructification is pro- 

 ceeding, the Brooklime is merely aqueous, or astringent, and 

 almost tasteless, but when the plant is fully developed, and 

 ready to flower it has a slightly bitter and acid flavour, rather 

 more acrid and biting than that of water-cress. These sensible 

 properties are much more apparent in those plants which grow 

 on the banks of rividets, and are exposed to the sun, than 

 in those which vegetate under water or in the shade. Whatever 

 may be its natural affinities, it has certainly less analogy, in a 

 medical point of view, with the veronicae, than with the family of 

 the cruciferae; it agrees with them in its oily principle, which is 

 pungent and volatile, and only differs from them in being less 

 acrid, and a little astringent. For this reason it is sometimes 

 preferred to more active stimulants, which may occasion too 

 much irritation and heat, and is not unfrequently added to the 

 juice of cruciferous plants to modify their effects. The Brook- 

 lime acts in the same manner as those vegetables which are 

 designated by the name of antiscorbutics, though it does not 

 appear to be endued with any special advantages. On account of 

 its exciting and slightly tonic properties, it is suitable in some 

 cutaneous and scorbutic affections ; it has also appeared to be ser- 

 viceable in some kinds of phthisis, and atonic engorgements of 

 the abdpminal viscera which have supervened to irregular 

 gom."* 



As an antiscorbotic, the expressed juice has been recommend- 

 ed, in the quantity of two or three ounces taken every mornino-, 

 either alone, or mixed with tiiat of water-cress or scurvy- grass, 

 or in a little milk. A conserve made of the fresh leaves, or a 

 syrup from the juice, were formerly substituted for the above, 

 as more palateable, but they are now seldom administered. The 

 bruised herb has been applied externally, for the purpose of 

 cleansing foul ulcers, and to relieve piles, whitlows, and burns. 



* Dictionnaire des Sciences nvedicales, Tom. Hi p. t'd. 



n2 



