MILKWORT. 133 



There are numerous species of Polygala, most of them 

 natives of warm climates. The species above described is the 

 only indigenous Milkwort, if we except the Polygala amara, 

 which is scarcely specifically distinct, merely differing in its obo- 

 vate, obtuse, radical leaves, more erect stem, and longer calycine 

 wings : it is also smaller in all its parts, and more bitter to the 

 taste. The Rattlesnake root (P. Senega), a native of North 

 America, is a powerful expectorant, and a stimulating tonic. 

 Several other species are endowed with similar properties, and 

 P. glandnlosa, the Yan-foo of the Chinese, is reputed to be 

 emetic. 



Qualities and general Uses. — This plant has been recom- 

 mended for cultivation as affording a useful food for cattle. 

 According to the Swedish experiments, it is eaten by cows, 

 sheep, and goats, but is refused by swine. The dried herb is said 

 to afford a pleasant flavour when infused in the manner of tea. 



Milkwort is destitute of odour ; but its taste is bitter, re- 

 maining a long time in the mouth. These properties appear 

 most developed in the bark of the root, which is of a yellowish 

 ash colour externally, and white within ; and its bitterness is 

 accompanied with somewhat of an acrid and aromatic flavour. 

 Water and alcohol equally extract its virtues. Peschier has de- 

 tected in the root of P. Senega, a new alkaline principle, which he 

 has named Polygalina, united with a new acid which he calls 

 the Polygalinic ; and this salt he supposes is the active principle. 

 It is probable that this species contains the same principle in an 

 inferior degree, but we have no analysis. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — The properties of this 

 plant are stated to be expectorant and tonic, and at the same 

 time purgative*. Gesner-j* affirms that an infusion of the herb 

 in wine for twenty-four Hours, is a safe and effectual purgative, 

 as he himself experienced. Van Swieten and Collin J attributed 

 to it great efficacy in various inflammatory diseases of the chest, 

 particularly in hcemoptysis and pulmonary phthisis, and it is re- 



* Proceeding upon the supposition that the P. vulgaris and P. amara are 

 referrible to one species, whose properties are affected chiefly by soil and 

 situation, we have here spoken of them indiscriminately. Duhamel as- 

 serts that the common Milkwort has no purgative quality. 



f Epist. lib. iii. fol. 121. 



X Observ. circa morbos. P. ii. p. 202; 



