TORMENTIL. 365 



older physicians considered it to act in a peculiar manner upon 

 the acidities of the stomach and bowels, and to cleanse them 

 from the slimy mucus and sordes with which they were loaded. 

 " There was formerly an extract made of this root, by the ordi- 

 nary method, which Ettmuller greatly extols in affections of the 

 stomach and bowels, in the dose of half a drachm to a drachm. 

 This root may also be very usefully combined with the sto- 

 machic bitters and aromatics, as bistort, wormwood, sweet flag, 

 avens-root, &c. ; an excellent remedy will be formed by these 

 combinations for the most obstinate stomach complaints. Infu- 

 sions of the same kind with good beer, instead of water, will 

 also be found of great service in restoring lost appetite."* 



Externally it is useful as a gargle in relaxation of the uvula, 

 ulcers of the mouth, and to loose and spongy gums. It may 

 also be employed for consolidating old ulcers f , and as an ap- 

 plication to foetid sores. A strong decoction is a useful appli- 

 cation to warts, which should be kept covered with a piece of 

 lint constantly moistened with the liquid. Neither as an ex- 

 ternal or internal remedy, however, has Tormentil obtained that 

 attention to which it is entitled ; and like some other valuable 

 plants it appears to be neglected chiefly because it is common 

 and indigenous. 



The powdered root may be given in substance in the dose of 

 half a drachm to a drachm. It is generally administered in the 

 form of decoction, by boiling an ounce of the root in two pints 

 of water till one-fourth is consumed, the dose of which is from 

 two to four drachms. The dose of the extract is from a scru- 

 ple to half a drachm. 



* Walter, Brit. Dom. Herb. p. 347- 

 f Murray, App. Med. torn. iii. p. 141. 



