THYME. 357 



mary, Balm, and others of the same natural family, will apply 

 equally well to this plant. 



As a topical application, it is recommended for promoting 

 the resolution of serous swelling's, and atonic tumours, applied 

 either in little bags, or by fomentation *. " Ettmuller recom- 

 mends it in baths for nervous disorders, and for immersing the 

 feet in cases of deranged menstruation, which he says it power- 

 fully assists." f It may also be employed in this form for some 

 chronic diseases of the skin, scrofula, and rachitis. 



It is given in powder, to the amount of a drachm or more, 

 suspended in water or wine, or made into an electuary with 

 honey. A more preferable form is the infusion, which may be 

 made like common tea. The vinous infusion is a useful tonic 

 stomachic ; it may be combined with the root of Sweet Flag, 

 Tormentil, &c. Several of the continental pharmacopoeias 

 order a distilled spirit to be made from the flowering plant : 

 according to Lange J, this has been used with success in para- 

 lysis of the tongue. The distilled water is seldom used. The 

 volatile oil is sometimes efficacious in assuaging the pain of 

 carious teeth. The dried plant enters into the composition of the 

 herb- tobacco mentioned when speaking of Coltsfoot. — " Em- 

 ployed even in this form, it has been known to produce good 

 effects on the digestive organs, and relieve headache and 

 drowsiness." § 



* Murray, App. Med. torn. ii. p. 157- 

 f Waller, /. c. 



$ In Richter's Bibliothek, vol. viii. p. 508. 

 § Waller, /. c. 



