18 HOP. 



but the fermented liquor derives a quality from the presence of carbo- 

 nic acid, which renders it more agreeable to the palate and stomach. * 

 As a tonic it is very useful in some cases of dyspepsia, by giving 

 tone to the stomach and allaying irritation; also in some stages of 

 fevers, scrofula, atonic dropsy, and chronic cutaneous diseases. f 



That the Hop induces an increased secretion of urine, there can 

 be no question ; but its lithontriptic powers are very questionable. 

 " Before it became generally used in brewing, it was employed 

 medicinally for hypochondriacal and other disorders connected with 

 acidity in the prima: vice, as well as for the purpose of preventing 

 or dissolving urinary calculi. When, however, its use in beer was 

 become general, an outcry was raised against it, as inducing this 

 last mentioned disease, for which it had formerly been given to 

 cure; and it was affirmed, that the number of persons afflicted with 

 stone and gravel were very alarmingly increased in the country. 

 The Hop, however, stood its ground, and long experience has 

 shown the groundlessness of the clamour raised against it." % 

 Ray,§ moreover, remarks, that urinary calculi had become more 

 rare since the introduction of beer ; and this prophylactic effect of 

 dissolving stone was likewise assumed by the result of experiments. || 

 Besides its allowed tonic action, the Hop manifests considerable 

 influence over the nervous system, particularly by inducing sleep 

 and allaying pain ; hence it is a valuable remedy in those affections 

 accompanied with suffering and watchfulness. Dr. Maton found 

 that besides allaying pain and procuring sleep, the preparations of 

 Hops were capable of reducing the frequency of the pulse, and 

 increasing its firmness in a direct manner. Dr. Bigelow % justly 

 concludes, that its narcotic power is slight when compared with 

 that of opium ; yet it nevertheless has, in certain cases, a decided 

 property of procuring sleep. It has been found particularly effec- 

 tual in the case of persons advanced in life, who have been accus- 

 tomed to the moderate, but increasing use of spirituous liquors ; 

 and who at length have considered it impossible to procure a quiet 



* Bigelow's Araer. Med. Bot. vol. iii. p. 169. 



f Flore Medicale torn. iv. p. 110. 



J Waller ; Brit. Herb. p. 202. 



§ Ray ; Hist. PI. vol. i. p. 157. 



|| Lobb, de Dissolv. Calc. p. 106. 



% Amer. Med. Bot. vol. iii. p. 169. 



