154 CENTAURY. 



septic, and especially on account of the former quality, not a bad 

 substitute for some of the more expensive remedies now in use. 

 As a stomachic in dyspeptic complaints, it proves very beneficial 

 by increasing and strengthening the powers of the stomach and 

 digestive organs ; and removing obstructions of the liver and 

 mesenteric glands. In these respects it is not inferior to the 

 yellow gentian, while in intermittents and other febrile disorders 

 it has well supplied the place of Peruvian bark. Dioscorides 

 and Galen, who extol the virtues of the plant, remark that 

 it sometimes proves cathartic ; but it is probable that this effect 

 is only produced in peculiar cases, or by a very large dose. Its 

 efficacy in the gout has also been greatly praised, and it was a 

 principal ingredient in the celebrated Portland powder*. It 

 has not been less commended as an external application to old 

 ulcers and scald-head. Wedel f relates that a sinuous and fis- 

 tulous ulcer, esteemed incurable, was healed by the application 

 of a cataplasm formed of this herb. Others recommend a lotion 

 formed with a strong decoction of it. Simon Paulli and Palma- 

 rius seem to have had great faith in the Centaury as a cure for 

 hydrophobia. Common Centaury may be given either in pow- 

 der, infusion, tincture, or extract. The dose of the powder is 

 from a scruple to a drachm ; if given with the view of curing 

 fevers, the latter quantity will be required. 



SIMPLE INFUSION OF COMMON CENTAURY. 

 Take of tops of common Centaury, dried, six drachms ; 



Boiling water, half a pint. 



After sufficient boiling, strain. An ounce and a half to two ounces may 

 be given three or four times a day. 



COMPOUND INFUSION OF COMMON CENTAURY. 

 Tops of common Centaury, dried, one ounce ; 



. Avens root, > , , .it 



f of each two drachms ; 



Angelica root, S 



Boiling water, one quart. 



Pound the ingi-edients in a mortar, then pour on the hot water, and 



when cold, strain off the liquor ; then add 



Compound tincture of cardamoms, two ounces. 



* The following was the composition : — Equal quantities by weight of 

 the roots of birthwort and of gentian, the tops and leaves of germander 

 {Teucrvim Chammdrys) ground pine, {Jjuffa ChumocpUys), and lesser Cen- 

 taury, powdered and mixed together. 



-j- Diss, de Cent. min. p. 29. 



