CELANDINE. 



151 



dine, attributes to it virtues too potent and too multilarious ; 

 he not only prescribes it in jaundice, visceral obstructions, in- 

 termittent fevers, and dropsies, but recommends it as extremely 

 efficacious in scrofulous and syphilitic affections." * Dr. Schal- 

 lernf has employed Celandine internally and externally to cure 

 diseases of the eyes ; he flatters himself that he has by this means 

 prevented cataract, dissipated ophthalmia, removed specks, and 

 cured amaurosis. Kramer J recommends it to be used as tea ni 

 gouty and calculous affections. 



Tragus greatly extols its virtues in contagious and malignant 

 diseases : he asserts that a decoction of the root in vinegar, with 

 the addition of theriaca, has been known to cure those attacked 

 by the plague if they kept themselves in bed, and took care not 

 to check the perspiration. It was esteemed a specific in the 

 epidemic called the " sweating sickness " in this country. 



Haifa drachm to a drachm of the dried root in powder is 

 directed for a dose ; or an ounce of the fresh root infused in a 

 pint and a half of white wine, of which a wine-glassful is to be 



taken at a time. 



It has also been used as a topical application in some ob- 

 stinate cutaneous diseases. Geoffroy mentions, that the ex- 

 pressed juice cleanses and heals wounds and ulcers §. A poul- 

 tice formed of the bruised leaves and stalks has been found 

 useful in herpes, and has been extolled for curing the itch. 

 Ettmullerll particularly recommends the external application 

 of this plant to those oedematous swellings of the feet which 

 succeed to violent fevers and other severe diseases. 



The use of the plant externally is well known to country peo- 

 ple as efficacious in removing warts. The method of applying 

 it is simply to break the stalk, and touch the parts afTected with 

 the yellow juice which exudes. 



The great celebrity which the Celandine once enjoyed as a 

 remedy for jaundice, probably originated in the doctrine of 



signatures. 



* Flore Med. torn. ii. p. 218. 



f " Dissertatio inaug. qua Chelidonii virtus {irmsLt\ir."—Erlanffce, 1790. 



+ In Act. Berol. vol. viii. p. 45. 



§ He likewise advises its application to specks and films of the cornea, 

 and even to sound eyes that are weak, but no persons with common sense 

 would thus tamper with so delicate an organ. 



II Materia Sled. vol. iii. p. 312. 



