278 ELECAMPANE. 



which the power of the muscles of the limbs is greatly weakened, 

 but not destroyed ; as also in that species of paralysis which is 

 the result of the Colica Pictoniim., or painter's colic. This com- 

 plaint is very frequent in Austria and Moravia, where they 

 attribute it to the acid wines of those countries, though more 

 probably it is owing to the leaden cisterns and vessels in which 

 it is occasionally kept. The Elecampane is considered by the 

 inhabitants as a specific for these paralytic affections. 



Ettmuller strenuously commends its use in all scorbutic affec- 

 tions, and in gout and rheumatism, where that diathesis pre- 

 vails. He praises it, also, in venereal affections where mer- 

 cury is employed, for the sake of counteracting the pernicious 

 effects of that mineral upon the constitution, or for the purpose 

 of removing them when they have taken place. 



With the same view Hermann* prescribed it. Uterine influ- 

 ence is also attributed to it -j- ; hence its employment to pro- 

 mote menstruation and for the cure of chlorosis J. As to its 

 remedial agency against the plague, opinions are divided, 

 Diemerbrceck § and Ray || advocate it, while others have no faith 

 in its power. 



Externally, Elecampane, either in the form of an ointment or 

 in decoction, has been employed for the itch, but sulphur 

 and other mineral productions are much more to be depended 

 on. 



The dose of this powdered root is from a drachm to two 

 drachms, which may be taken in honey, or in a glass of wine^. 



The British Pharmacopoeias do not direct any simple for- 

 mula, but merely introduce Elecampane as an ingredient in 

 a confection of pepper**; but our continental neighbours are 

 somewhat profuse in their recipes. 



* Herm. Cynos. Mat. Med. t. i. p. 47. 



t Dioscorides, loco cit. 



■^ Murray, Mat. Med. t. i. p. 230. 



§ Diem, de Peste, p. 157. 



II Ray, Hist. Plant, t. i. p. 47. 



ff The fresh root is sometimes prepared by the confectioner.^ as a candy, 

 in which form it may be taken to advantage from half an ounce to an ounce 

 at a time ; or a decoction may be made of it, so that the same quantity be 

 taken at a dose. 



•• Confectio Piperis Nigri. — Pharm. Load. 



