BUCKBEAN. 



lor 



as periodical headaches, hypochondriasis, palpitations of the 

 heart, paralysis, &c. Willis used it as a vermifuge for children, 

 in the dose of half a drachm to one drachm every morning fast- 

 ing, for several days together, which was followed by an abund- 

 ant evacuation of intestinal worms. Simon Pauli, Doloeus, 

 Willis, and others, have eulogized it more or less as a remedy in 

 icterus and abdominal obstructions, uterine haemorrhages, drop- 

 sy, cachexia, scrofula, and rheumatism. It has been lauded 

 even in pulmonary consumption ; its efficacy in intermittent 

 fevers, however, is better authenticated. It has consequently 

 been used as a substitute for bark, and as it grows in marshy 

 districts, where remittent and low fevers abound, it has been 

 deemed by some as a specific in those diseases. The celebrated 

 Boerhaave, in his own case of gout, found benefit from drinking 

 the juice mixed with whey ; and Dr. Alston and others bear 

 witness to its efficacy in keeping off the gouty paroxysms. Dr. 

 Cullen relates, that " he had several instances of its good effects 

 in some cutaneous diseases of the herpetic or seemingly can- 

 cerous kind. It was taken by infusion in the manner of tea." 

 Externally, it has also been variously employed. Schulz found 

 the pain of gout mitigated by applying the fresh leaves to the 

 part affected. The juice has been used as a detersive in scorbutic 

 and other ulcers. The decoction has been administered in baths 

 and fomentations, in some chronic diseases of the skin. " But 

 it must not be forgotten, that its application to ulcerated parts 

 has been followed by swelling and inflammation ; and its in- 

 ternal use by dyspnoea. And though these ill effects are soon 

 dissipated by the suspension of the medicine, they form a suffi- 

 cient reason for abstaining from it in plethoric subjects, in de- 

 licate and irritable habits, and in all diseases accompanied with 

 inflammation." * 



The leaves should be gathered in May and June, before the 

 flowers are perfectly evolved, and being well dried, they may 

 be preserved for use. The dose of the powder is from a scru- 

 ple to a drachm ; and the infusion may be made with half an 

 ounce of the dried plant to a pint of water, milk, wine, or al- 

 cohol, to which some warm aromatic, as two drachms of ginger, 



* Flore Medicale, toni. v. p. 12. 



