364 TORMENTIL. 



by its pinnated leaves, white and silky beneath, is common 

 by road sides ; it has in a less degree the astringent proper- 

 ties of Tormentil. 



General Uses. — The roots of this plant are highly useful in tanning, 

 and for this purpose are superior to oak-bark. In the Orkneys and the 

 western isles of Scotland they are boiled in water, and the leather is 

 steeped in the cold liquor. Leyser observes that the inspissated red juice 

 of the root may be conveniently substituted as a dye for dragon's blood. 

 The roots also, with the addition of alum and the berries of the Common 

 Guelder Rose, ( Viburnum Opulus,) will dye leather of a red colour *. Mr. 

 Young informs us, that swine are fed on the roots in Killarney. The fo- 

 liage is sometimes eaten by cows, goats, sheep, and swine, but is refused by 

 horses. 



Qualities. — The root, except in its recent state, when it is faintly aro- 

 matic, is inodorous ; it has a slightly bitter, and very astringent styptic 

 taste. It yields its active matter both to boiling water and rectified spi- 

 rit. The aqueous infusion is of a reddish colour, quickly becoming black 

 on the addition of sulphate of iron, and a copious precipitate is formed by 

 solution of isinglass. The extracts are intensely styptic, particularly the 

 spirituous. Tormentil root affords more tannin or tannate of gelatine than 

 any other substance except galls and catechu. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses. — The root of this plant 

 has been celebrated from the most remote periods as a power- 

 ful astringent ; and has consequently been much employed in 

 diarrhoeas and haemorrhages "j~. Some of the ancients consi- 

 dered it sudorific and alexipharmic, and beneficial in the plague 

 and other malignant diseases. Vesalius J considered it equal to 

 Guaiacum and Sarsaparilla in the cure of syphilis. It has also 

 been highly commended in fevers, small-pox, measles, &c, espe- 

 cially when accompanied with great relaxation. It contains but 

 little resinous matter, and is therefore not of a stimulating or 

 heating nature ; it is consequently useful in the diarrhoeas at- 

 tendant upon phthisis, and in diarrhoea cruenta. Dr. Cullen§ 

 found it, both by itself or combined with gentian, cure inter- 

 mittent fevers. It is praised as a tonic and stomachic, in loss 

 of appetite, or a depraved state of the digestive organs. The 



* " By masticating the root and rubbing in the saliva with their fingers, 

 the Laplanders dye of a red colour the skins which they use as a part of their 

 clothing." Lin. Fl. Lap. ed. Smith, p. 180. 



f Schroder, 693. Rutty, Mat. Med. 521. 



\ De rad China, p. 84. 



§ Mat. Med. vol. ii. p. 36. 



