26 BLACK HORIiHOUND. 



Thus in Beaumont and Fletcher's M Faithful Shepherdess" (act. ii.) 

 we find : 



" This is the clote bearing a yellow flower 

 And this black hore-hound both are very good, 

 For sheep or shepherd bitten by a wood- 

 Dog's venom'd tooth." 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — This species of Horehound 

 is very rarely employed in medicine, although it possesses powerful 

 properties, especially in hysteria and hypochondriasis.* The 

 celebrated Tourneforte relates several instances of gout, if not 

 absolutely cured, at least rendered much more tolerable and less 

 frequent in its occurrence by the use of this plant.f It is seldom, 

 however, taken internally, on account of its unpleasant taste and 

 fetid odour. Externally, the leaves in form of poultice, or bruised 

 with honey, resolve hard tumours, allay pain, and cleanse in-con- 

 ditioned ulcers. The same may be also beneficially applied to 

 piles ;\ and by Boerhaave,§ a decoction of the plant was esteemed 

 an excellent detersive application in scald head. The inhabitants 

 of Gothia consider it a panacea in most cutaneous diseases, as 

 scurvy, itch, ring-worm, &c. 



Black Horehound is best given in the form of an infusion, or of 

 an extract, which is the most agreeable. 



INFUSION OF BLACK HOREHOUND. 



Take of the Leaves of Black Horehound . . . . ~| of each 

 Leaves of White Horehound .... > one 

 Leaves of Betony J handful. 



Infuse in six pints of boiling water, and when cold, stiain. A cupful 

 to be taken three or four times a- day. 



* Raii Hist. PI. 571. 



t Waller ; Birt. Herb. p. 20. 



t Tabermcmontanus, in Geoff, lib. ct loc. cit. 



§ Flore Economiquc, p. 77 



