82 WHITE LILY. 



obstinate tumours ; scirrhus of the uterus in particular.* The 

 distilled water has been prescribed in coughs, asthma, and other 

 pulmonary affections, but its efficacy is not well authenticated. 

 It has, however, been in great esteem as a cosmetic, to preserve 

 and improve the freshness of the complexion, and to remove 

 pimples and freckles. Geoffroy speaks very decidedly in favour 

 of it, provided a small quantity of salt of tartar be dissolved 

 in it. The anthers are esteemed anodyne, antispasmodic and 

 emmenagogue, and were formerly exhibited with the view of 

 favouring the expulsion of the foetus in difficult parturition, and 

 to promote menstruation, but without any just claim upon our 

 confidence. They were given in a dried state and reduced to 

 powder, in doses of from twenty to sixty grains. The bulb, 

 infused in wine, was given in the plague ; and, made into bread, 

 was celebrated by Godorusf against dropsy. Externally, it is 

 emollient and suppurative, and as such, is a very good application, 

 in cataplasms, to local inflammations of the skin and cellular 

 tissue, inflammatory tumours, swellings, wounds, and to painful or 

 irritable ulcers. 



* Flore Medicale, t. iv. p. 222. 

 f Gerarde Herb. p. l'Jl. 



