rose. 257 



refrigerant, and slightly diuretic, but more nutrient than me- 

 dicinal. The gall, or bedeguar, is astringent, and somewhat 

 styptic, but is very little employed. 



The expanded petals are reputed to possess an equally laxa- 

 tive virtue with those of R. centifolia, and when folded up in 

 the bud to be astringent like the R. galltca. For either of 

 these, therefore, it may be substituted. 



CONFECTION OF DOG-ROSE*. 



Take of pulp of the Dog-Rose one pound. . 



refined sugar, in powder . . . twenty ounces. 

 Rub them together until they are well incorporated. 



*** The chief objection to this preparation is the difficulty of separating the 

 bristly hairs which line the interior of the fruit, and are capable of produc- 

 ing considerable irritation in the mouth, throat, and stomach, pruritus ani, 

 and sometimes vomiting ; hence one of the French vulgar names of the hip, 

 gratte-cul. — The most effectual method is to slice the fruit longitudinally, 

 carefully remove the seeds and hairs, and expose the pulp to a gentle heat 

 in a water-bath, or leave it till it begins to grow soft, and then press it 

 through a hair-sieve. The Parisian codex has the following directions for 

 preparing the pulp : " Cut off the umbilicus and the pedicel, remove the 

 seeds, and macerate the rest in two parts of white wine for three or four 

 days, until it is completely softened ; then bruise it in a marble mortar 

 Avith a wooden pestle, and strain the pulp through a piece of silk." 



The conserve is a useful article of diet in febrile disorders, 

 but very little confidence can be reposed in its astringent, 

 diuretic, and stomachic properties. Boiled with raisins and 

 prunes, it is also serviceable in costive habits, and it may be 

 taken to the amount of two ounces or more. It is chiefly em- 

 ployed as a vehicle for more active medicines, for making pills and 

 electuaries, and as an ingredient in linctuses, to allay irritation 

 in troublesome coughs. " The following linctus has been re- 

 commended : — 



Take of Conserve of hips two ounces. 



Oil of almonds two drachms. 



Tincture of squills .... one drachm. 

 Tincture of opium .... twenty drops. 

 Mix and form a linctus. A teaspoonful to be taken when the cough is 

 troublesome."! 



* Confectio rosse caninse. Pharm. Lond. 

 f Waller's Brit. Dom. Herb. p. 194. 



