158 MULLEIN. 



that the flowers yield by analysis a yellowish volatile oil, fatty 

 matter, analogous to oleic acid, phosphoric and malic acids, 

 incrystallizable sugar, gum, chlorophylle, yellow resin, and 

 various salts. We have no analysis of the seeds ; if it be 

 true that they stupify fish, they must contain a narcotic prin- 

 ciple, which might probably be obtained by a spirituous 

 tincture or aqueous extract. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses.- — The leaves and flowers of 

 the Mullein are anodyne and emollient, and considerable praise 

 has been granted to them both, as an internal as well as an 

 external remedial agent. Dr. Gilibert also attributes to Mul- 

 lein a narcotic property, but sufficiently masked as to do away 

 any apprehension of ill-consequences ; this narcotic quality is, 

 however, doubted by many, although the stupifying effect which 

 the seeds have upon fish tends to confirm the opinion of Gili- 

 bert. Pulmonary affections and diarrhoeas are the chief com- 

 plaints in which it is internally used. Schroder found it benefi- 

 cial in diseases of the chest, cough, and spitting of blood. Dr. 

 Home * esteems the decoction of the leaves particularly " useful 

 in diminishing or stopping diarrhoeas of old standing, and often 

 in easing the pains of the intestines." Indeed, it is one of the 

 most effectual remedies we have for alleviating the pain of piles 

 and tenesmus supervening dysentery, whether used internally 

 in fomentations, or in clysters. The down of the leaves has 

 been used as moxa, for which purpose it answers very well. 

 By the peasantry they are not unfrequently boiled with lard, 

 and made into an ointment for dressing recent wounds. An 

 infusion of the flowers is of great service in allaying irritation 

 of the mucous membrane of the intestines, for relieving sensa- 

 tions of heat in the chest, for hooping and convulsive coughs 

 in children, in colic, heat of urine, and in several spasmodic 

 diseases f ; against haemorrhages J ; for internal ulcers, phthisis, 

 and gout §. A conserve of the flowers, or a water distilled 

 from them, is used on the continent as an application to ring- 

 worm and other cutaneous diseases, to allay the itching, Exter- 



* Home, Ex. and Hist. sect. 22. 

 t Flore Medicale, torn. ii. p. 50. 

 \ Boerhaave, Hort. L. B. p. 307- 

 § Risler, Diss, de Verbasco, p. 15. 



