VIOLET. 379 



been long known as a purgative. Bergius* found that the 

 aqueous infusion of the recent root proved first emetic and 

 then purgative; but the dried root was merely purgative. 

 Coste and Willemetf, after various experiments, found that 

 from two scruples to a drachm of the powdered root oc- 

 casioned vomiting and several alvine dejections. As the pow- 

 der in substance was nauseous, they made a decoction with 

 two drachms of the root boiled in six ounces of water until 

 one-third was consumed, which, with the addition of a little 

 syrup, had a modified effect, and was given with success as 

 an evacuant in some cases of dysentery. The active princi- 

 ple, Violine, may be extracted from the root, in the same man- 

 ner as Emetine from Ipecacuanha J. 



SYRUP OF VIOLET. 



Take of fresh petals of Violet one pound. 



Boiling water two pints. 



Macerate for twenty-four hours in a covered glass vessel, pour off the fluid, 

 then strain through fine linen, and with twice the weight of refined sugar 

 make a syrup, without boiling. 



The dose is from one to two drachms. Half a drachm, with 

 the addition of a little almond oil, is a useful laxative for 

 children. Acidulated with a small quantity of lemon juice, 

 it may also be given in coughs and sore throat § . 



A conserve || made with one part of the flowers and two of 

 refined sugar, has a grateful flavour, and may be used in fla- 

 vouring nauseous or insipid drinks for the sick. 



We may here observe that the Heart's Ease (V. tricolor) ap- 

 pears to be deserving of some attention. It was highly praised 

 by the ancients in cutaneous diseases, and it is remarkable that 

 the bruised plant, especially the root, has an odour approach- 

 ing to that of peach kernels or prussic acid. It has the pur- 

 gative and sub-emetic properties of the Sweet Violet. Murray 

 considers the Dog Violet (V. canina) entitled to the character 

 of a mild evacuant. 



* Linn. Diss, de Ipecac. 1774. 



•j- Essais bot. sur quelques plantes indigenes, p. 6. 



$ See Magendie's Formulary by Gregory, p. 46. 



§ The syrup as sold in shops is frequently adulterated, and injured by 

 long keeping. 



[| It is said that the sherbet most esteemed by the Turks, and which is 

 drunk by the Grand Signior himself, is made of violets and sugar. 



