GERMANDER. 357 



bodies wliich lay on these plants were much slower in putrefy- 

 ing than the rest ; and from this fabulous relation its anti-pu- 

 trescent character seems to have originated, and, most likely, 

 its employment (with a host of other medicines) in the alexi- 

 terial and epidemic waters, Mithridatium, Theriaca, the dia- 

 scordium of Francastorlus*, &c., as a specific against the 

 plague f , contagious diseases in general, and gangrene. It has 

 also been lauded in cases where there is want of tone in the 

 stomach, and in flatulence, dropsy, anasarca, amenorrhoea, and 

 humid asthma ; likewise in various cutaneous diseases, and to 

 expel intestinal worms. It has been applied as a topical stimulant 

 in the form of cataplasm, fomentation, or in powder, to atonic 

 tdcers and hospital gangrene. 



Of the powdered herb, one or two drachms is a dose ; and 

 combined with some aromatic or opium, it forms a good remedy 

 in chronic fluxes or diarrhoea. The infusion made by pouring 

 a quart of water on an ounce of the recently dried plant, may- 

 be taken in doses of a cupful. It may also be made into 

 a syrup, with one part of the herb and two parts of water, 

 digested for two hours, then strained, and a sufficient quantity 

 of sugar added. The distilled water has been given to the 

 amount of one to three ounces, and the tincture is thus pre- 

 pared : — 



TINCTURE OF WATER GERMANDER J. 



Take of Water Germander three ounces ; 



Alcohol sixteen ounces. 



After digesting for thi-ee days, pour the liquid upon 



Water Germander two ounces. 



Let them macerate for some time, then express and filter. 



Excitant, reputed alexipharmic and diaphoretic. — Dose sixty 

 drops. 



* Hieronymus Francastorius was physician to Pope Pius III. (who died 

 in 1553.) 



•|- See Diemerbroek de Peste, and Chenot de Peste. I. c. 

 Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica. 



+ 



