252 DANDELION. 



cient without an impaired state of the stomach. The statement 

 of Zimmermann* as to its efficacy in pulmonary diseases is 

 confirmed by Dr. J. Clark -f-, who considers Taraxacum " a very 

 vakiable medicine in tuberculous constitutions, from its power 

 of diminishing abdominal plethora, and its especial influence on 

 the urinary and biliary secretions." Hufeland X strongly recom- 

 mends it every spring in the treatment of scrofula, and the 

 translator of his work regards it as an efficacious remedy in the 

 mesenteric disease of infants, and in the congestions of the ab- 

 dominal viscera which are the consequences of intermittent 

 fevers. 



On the continent, the expressed jviice of the root and leaves 

 of Dandelion is thought superior to any preparation, given in 

 the dose of two to four ounces, two or three times a day. If 

 this cannot be borne on the stomach by itself, it may be im- 

 proved by some aromatic, or a little wine and sugar. But as the 

 juice cannot always be obtained, an extract and a decoction are 

 prepared, which form a good substitute for it. 



EXTRACT OF DANDELION §. 



Take of fresh Dandelion root, bruised, one pound ; 

 Boiling water one gallon. 



Macerate for twenty -four hours, then boil down to four pints ; strain the 

 hot liquor, and evaporate it to a proper consistence. 



A preferable mode of forming the extract is to bruise the roots in a mar- 

 ble mortar, express the juice, and set it aside. Then bruise them a second 

 time, boil them in a sufficient quantity of water, and evaporate by a gentle 

 heat to the consistence of a syrup. Add this extract to the expressed 

 juice, and evaporate the whole in shallow dishes until it acquire a firm 

 consistence. 



The extract is exhibited in chronic inflammation and indura- 

 tion of the liver ; also in jaundice, and chronic affections of the 

 digestive organs : the dose, from ten grains to a scruple, united 

 with sulphate of potass. Dr. Clark usually prescribes it in com- 

 bination with some tincture of hops and aromatic water, and 

 in this form finds no difficulty in getting children to take it 

 for weeks. 



* Fragmente iiber Frierdrich den Grossen 1790, vol. iii. p. 82. 

 + Treatise on Pulmonary Consumption, p. 329. 

 J Traite de la Maladie Scrophuleuse, p. 275. 

 S Extractum Taraxaci. — Pkarm. Lond. 



