212 PERIWINKLE. 



subulate, calycine segments, are ciliated : it is also twice the 

 size of the former in all its parts. 



Chaucer, in his " Romaunt of the Rose," mentions the Peri- 

 winkle as one of the ornaments of the God of Love ; and in the 

 same poem, speaking of a garden, he says : — 



"There sprange the violet al newe, 

 And fresh pervinke, rich of he we, 

 And flouris yellowe, white and rede; 

 Such plente grew there ner in mede." 



Qualities. — The plant is totally inodorous ; of a persistent 

 bitterish taste in its recent state, and astringent * when dried. 

 The bitter principle is soluble in water ; the aqueous infusion 

 of the recent plant is of a yellowish colour, almost inodorous, 

 very bitter, and throws down a dark precipitate with sulphate 

 of iron. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — Periwinkle has been much 

 extolled for its power of arresting haemorrhages. The bruised 

 leaves, we are told, introduced into the nostrils have been effi- 

 caciously used to stop bleeding at the nose f. The aqueous 

 decoction, taken internally, is also reputed to be useful for re- 

 pressing hcemoptysis, sanguineous haemorrhoids and excessive 

 menstruation J , also in chronic diarrhoea and other fluxes, in 

 which, from its tonic and astringent qualities, it is undoubtedly 

 a useful remedy, although seldom or never used in the present 

 day. A decoction of the plant in whey has been stated to be 

 serviceable in pulmonary phthisis. Agricola §, Tissot ||, and 

 Bourgois speak of its efficacy as a gargle in inflammatory sore 

 throat; others have recommended it in the same form in relax- 

 ation of the palate and uvula, in atonic engorgements of the 

 mouth and pharynx, and in some affections of the gums. The 

 infusion in the form of tea is reputed to be useful in fluor albus. 



The infusion or decoction, made with an ounce of the recent 

 or half an ounce of the dried plant to a pint and a half of water, 

 may be given at two or three doses as frequently as circum- 

 stances may require. 



* The leaves, on account of their astringency, have been recommended for 

 tanning leather. 



f Chomel, Usuelles, torn. ii. p. 273. 



+ Tournefort, Hist.de PI. de Paris, torn. i. p. 371 • 



§ Instit. Chir. f. m. 225. 



|| Avis, p. 152. 



