HOUN'j's-TONGUE. 39 



similar instance, but there appears to be a doubt whether the cyuo- 

 glossum or some other plant were the cause. ' 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. —The medicinal effects of 

 Hound's-tongue are somewhat doubtful ; narcotic, anodyne, and as- 

 tringent properties being attributed to it by some authors, whilst 

 others deny its having any narcotic or anodyne influence over 

 the human system. It was formerly included in the Materia Me- 

 dica of the London and Edinburgh pharmacopoeias ; it is still re- 

 tained by our continental neighbours, and occasionally used in 

 catarrh, coughs, diarrhoea, dysentery,* fluor albus, gonorrhoea, 

 and haemorrhages. Externally, it is often successfully used in cata- 

 plasms, to soften and resolve tumours, and to all kinds of ulcers 

 and wounds; whence Rayf unwarrantably denies its possessing 

 any narcotic principle. It is likewise celebrated against scrofulous 

 and strumous affections,^: and Tragus recommends an ointment 

 (made with the juice mixed with honey and turpentine) for old 

 malignant and fistulous ulcers. 



Both the root and the leaves are possessed of the same pro- 

 perties. 



COMPOUND DECOCTION OF HOUNd's-TONGUE.§ 



Take of Dried leaves of Hound's-tongue four ounces ; 



Hyssop, "} of each 



Maidenhair, > one 



Coltsfoot, y ounce ; 



Liquorice root two dra chtns ; 



Rice one ounce. 



Boil in six pints of water to four, and, towards the end of the process, 

 add two ounces of clarified honey, and strain. 



A useful remedy in that obstinate kind of cough called by the 

 ancient physicians tussisferina, on account of the sound of it re- 

 sembling that of a wild beast. Dose, a wine-glassful every three 

 or four hours, or, if necessary, more frequently. 



* Schreckii; Diss, de Cynoglosso, p. 19. 

 t Alston's Mat. Med. vol. i. p. 430. 

 I Hist. PI. p. 490. 

 § Geoffroy ; Mat. Med. torn. iv. p. 395. 



