HORSE-TAIL. 35 



covered by the use of this plant, freely administered in decoctions 

 and glysters. In spitting of blood, Geoffroy* recommends a 

 drachm of the dried plant in powder with the juice of the pome- 

 granate, three or four times in the day. Ettmullerf commends it 

 in the morbid discharges of women, and in piles. Externally, he 

 praises it as an application to indolent ulcers, to accelerate their 

 contraction. In this case a strong decoction should be employed. 



In addition to its astringent and vulnerary qualities, Professor 

 Lenhossek, of Vienna, has lately advocated the Horse-tail as a 

 powerful diuretic. He says, that it neither oppresses the diges- 

 tive organs, nor disturbs the nervous or sanguiferous system. He 

 particularly recommends it in cases of serous effusions from re- 

 laxation or debility, or after scarlet fever or erysipelas, and 

 condemns its use in dropsical swellings, attended with febrile 

 symptoms. 



The dose commonly directed is a drachm of the dry leaves in 

 powder, or two ounces of the expressed juice. An infusion of the 

 dried herb is frequently used as a tea by poor people for diarrhoea 

 and other alvine evacuations. 



* Geoffroy ; Mat. Med. torn. iii. p. 435. 

 t Ettmuller ; Oper. Med. p. 504. 



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