HOUSE-LEEK. 43 



Good results have been dated from its use, in dysentery,* and 

 convulsive diseases f Peasants, also, led no doubt by the na- 

 tural credulity which prevails respecting" " herbs " among that 

 class of society, sometimes take it for the cure of intermittent 

 fevers, and are said to derive either imaginary or positive relief. 

 Externally applied, the House-leek has enjoyed no mean reputa- 

 tion. Galen celebrates it as as an application in erysipelas, shingles, 

 and other inflammations ; Dioscorides in ophthalmia, and against 

 worms; and Pliny for weakness of the eyes. Later authorities 

 have confirmed the main of these observations. The juice, mixed 

 with honey, and with or without alum, is spoken of by Boyle, X 

 Rosenstein§ and Scopoli,|| as a beneficial remedy for infantile aph- 

 tha, and as a gargle inangina. Van Swieten^[ applied lint, satu- 

 rated with this juice, to fissures of the nipple. Ettmuller** and 

 Chomelft used the juice, with like effect, for the parched and fis- 

 sured tongue attending fevers. The leaves, bruised and enclosed 

 in linen, have been found to relieve the pain of, and even to dissi- 

 pate, haemorrhoids. j} A coagulum, prepared by mixing spirits of 

 wine with the juice, is recommended §§ for freckles and sun-burns. 

 Lastly, the bruised plant is frequently employed in rustic practice 

 against bruises, burns, and long-standing ulcers. 



The customary dose of the depurated juice is about two ounces. 



SYRUP OF HOUSE-LEEK.|||| 



Take of juice of House-leek reduced"! one ounce . 

 to one-half by evaporation . . . . J 

 White sugar sixteen ounces. 



Boil for a few minutes, and strain. Dose, from one to two ounces. 



* Boerh. Hort. L. B. p. 368. 



t Pereboom, in Nov. Act. Nov. Cur. torn vii. p. 33. 



X Boyle's Works, vol. iv. p. 501. 



§ Rosenstein om Barnsjukd, p. 44. 



|| Scopoli; Fl.,Carn. ed. i. p. 491. 



^ Van Swieten ; Comment, vol. iv. p. 644. 



** Ettmuller; Opera, p. 661. 



ft Chomel ; Usuell. P. iii. p. 126. 



It Scopoli ; Lib cit. 



§§ Crell. Neueste Entdeck, P. ix. p. 109« 



till Pharmacopoeia Wirterobergiea. 



