FEVERFEAV, 305 



with a bitter mucilage, and a blueish volatile oil, which se- 

 parates on distilling the plant in water. Its other principles 

 are also obtained by infusion in water and alcohol. The aqueous 

 extract is very bitter, saline, and but very slightly aromatic. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses.— It has been remarked 

 that the energy of the sensible qualities of plants is indicative 

 of potent medicinal virtues, and Feverfew confirms this asser- 

 tion. This plant exercises a powerful tonic action upon the 

 animal economy, hence result the antispasmodic, stomachic, 

 diuretic, emmenagogue, resolutive, and other properties attri- 

 buted to it. It has been more especially celebrated for its 

 specific action on the uterus, promoting the menstrual evacuation 

 and the lochial discharge, aiding the expulsion of the placenta, 

 facilitating difficult labours, and curing hysteria. In this 

 character it has been regarded, more or less, since the age of 

 Dioscorides *, and is highly recommended by Simon Pauli-j- and 

 many other physicians, though neglected by practitioners in 

 the present day : few plants however are more extensively em- 

 ployed by country people. It is also asserted by Ray |: and 

 Lange § to be' very useful in expelling worms, and Miller || 

 states that two ounces of the expressed juice have been given 

 with advantage in intermittent fevers, an hour before the 

 paroxysm ; — hence the name Feverfew. Gerard ^ mentions 

 its use in agues. Externally the decoction of Feverfew is em- 

 ployed in fomentations, generally combined with chamomile 

 flowers, and sometimes with wormwood and St. John's wort. 

 These fomentations are particularly applicable to cases of severe 

 after-pains and windy colics, head-aches, &c. 



It may be given in powder in the dose of one or two scruples. 

 An infusion of two drachms in a sufficient quantity of water or 

 wine, is a good substitute for the expressed juice, and in the 

 diseases above mentioned may be used in the form of tea, as 

 common drink. 



* Mat. Med. lib. iii. c. 155, p. 236. 



t Quadrip. Bot. p. 432. 



+ Hist. Plant, torn. i. p. 35?. 



§ Brunsv. Dom. p. ^2. 



II Bot. Off. p. 288. 



*f[ He writes, " It is used both in drinks, and bound to the wrists with 

 bay salt, and the powder of glasse (!) stamped together, as a most singular 

 experiment against the ague." — Herbal, p. 653. 



