158 CHAMOMILK. 



There are several other species of Cliamomile, but the only 

 one of any consequence is the Anthemis Cotulo, stinking chamo- 

 mile or May-weed, which is distinguished by its very smooth 

 bipinnatifid leaves with awl-shaped segments, its conical recep- 

 tacle with bristly scales, and fruit without any margin or 

 pappus. It grows in corn-fields, has a fetid smell, and is said 

 to blister the hands of those who gather it. It is still used by 

 the peasantry in the United States as a sudorific in chronic 

 rheumatism, and was formerly recommended by Tragus and 

 others in the form of decoction, as a remedy in hysteria and 

 worm cases, and externally in fomentations. The wild Chamo- 

 mile (^Matricaria Chamomilla) is generically distinguished by its 

 receptacle being destitute of scales and nearly cylindrical ; the 

 rays of the florets are very obtuse and notched at the ex- 

 tremity, and the scales of the involucre obtuse. It grows in 

 corn-fields and waste places^ flowering in August. — This has a 

 bitter taste and faint aromatic smell, and possesses the virtues 

 of the true Chamomile in an inferior decree. 



Qualities. — The whole plant is odorous, but the flowers ex- 

 hale a peculiar aromatic smell, which is very powerful and not 

 unpleasant. They are bitter and aromatic to the taste, with some 

 degree of warmth. Both water and alcohol take up the whole 

 of their active qualities. By distillation witli water they yield a 

 small quantity of essential oil of a blueish colour. By inspis- 

 sating a decoction of the plant its peculiar flavour is dissipated, . 

 but the bitterness remains. Rectified spirit extracts more of 

 the flavour than water. The flowers yield by analysis a gum- 

 resinous principle, tannin, camphor, and an essential oil; by 

 treating them in the same manner as black pepper. Dr. Thomson 

 has obtained a considerable quantity of piperine to which he 

 ascribes the active antiperiodic properties of the flowers. 



Medical Properties and Use. — Chamomile flowers are 

 tonic, antispasmodic, and slightly anodyne. When given in 

 substance, in doses of half a drachm to a drachm every three 

 or four hours, in the absence of the paroxysms, they have been 

 found very serviceable for the cure of intermittent fevers ; but 

 in these cases it is necessary at the same time to give opium and 

 astringents, if the bowels be easily affected. Bodard* very 



* Proprietes medicinales de la Camomille noble, 8vo. 



