336 succory. 



ganic obstructions*. The root appears to contain, in combin- 

 ation with its bitter milky juice, a slightly anodyne principle ; 

 hence it has been successfully given in jaundice, cachexia, 

 hypochondriasis, melancholy, and hectic disorders')-. Various 

 practitioners have recommended it in phthisis, and in inflam- 

 matory states of the throat and chest. Some have exhibited 

 it alone or with whey in lingering fevers ; others assert, that 

 a drachm of the powdered leaves, twice a day, has produced 

 excellent effects in diseases of the skin, gout and rheumatism, 

 while a third class speak of its faculty of subduing intermittents J 

 when combined with an ammoniacal salt or any other exciting 

 adjunct. The root and leaves may be made into cooling aperient 

 drinks, and as such, may be advantageously allowed to patients 

 labouring under bilious fevers, agues, inflammations, &c, since 

 they often induce free urinary secretion and cutaneous perspir- 

 ation. The flowers of Succory for a long period ranked among 

 the four cordial flowers, and a water distilled from them, although 

 inert, was much used in haemorrhages, inflammation, and other 

 diseases of the eye. With more propriety the seeds formed one 

 of the lesser cold seeds, and the large quantity of oil they contain 

 renders them useful as a demulcent. 



This plant may be made to enter into various preparations 

 for use, and as it is not possessed of violent properties, consi- 

 derable latitude may be given to the proportions. The usual 

 dose of the expressed juice is from one to four ounces a day. 

 Ptisans made from this herb are preferable to most glutinous 

 decoctions ; and the syrup of Succory, combined with syrup of 

 rhubarb, forms a very good aperient for children, given in doses 

 of half an ounce to an ounce. The extract made from the 

 leaves may be administered in the dose of six to thirty grains. 

 The decoction made by gently boiling half a pound of this herb 

 in six pints of water till reduced to four pints, is reputed 

 to be an excellent alterative diet drink, taken liberally. The 

 dried root may also form a decoction, and this with the ad- 

 dition of liquorice is useful in pectoral complaints, and vis- 

 ceral and hepatic obstructions. 



* Lewis, Mat. Med. p. 209. 

 -f- Murray, App. Med. torn. i. p. 157- 



X Geoffroy (Mat. Med. torn. iii. p. 322) states that he has known persons 

 cured of intermittents by eating it freely as a salad. 



