392 WATER DOCK. 



putrid ulcers of the mouth and tonsils, in which affections, the 

 plant before mentioned was extolled by Dioscorides * and Pliny f. 

 He also contends that the term Britannica is not derived from 

 the name of our island, but from the Teutonic words brit, to 

 consolidate; tan, a tooth; and ica signifying ejection, expressing 

 its power of fastening loose teeth, or of curing the disease 

 which makes them loose. More recently the celebrated Lin- 

 naeus J pronounced his favourable opinion of its effects in 

 scorbutic diseases, both internally administered and externally 

 applied. But notwithstanding these commendations, it has 

 almost relapsed into oblivion, and is scarcely ever employed in 

 the present day. It is certainly possessed of considerable 

 powers as a remedial agent, and might be employed in various 

 cutaneous diseases ; also in that depraved habit of body which 

 in many of its symptoms resembles scurvy ; in obstructions of 

 the viscera, haemorrhages, hypochondriasis, dyspepsia, and a 

 weakened relaxed state of the bowels. It has also those pro- 

 perties which would warrant its exhibition in intermittents. 



Externally, as an epithema, it has'been applied to scorbutic, 

 gangrenous, and phagedaenic ulcers, and the powder sprinkled 

 over ulcers is reputed to assist their granulation and healing. 

 Lotions or gargles of this root have also been used with success 

 in ulcerations of the tongue and mouth §, relaxation of the 

 uvula, sore throat, a spongy state of the gums, and looseness of 

 the teeth. The root finely powdered is an excellent dentrifice, 

 strengthening the gums, removing sordes, and obviating pu- 

 tridity; for this purpose, according to Murray ||, it is a common 

 article of the toilet with the Swedish ladies. The green leaves 

 are likewise applied externally, with the same intention as the 

 root. 



The root may be given in substance, powdered, in the quantity 

 of ten grains to half a drachm. If its purgative effects are 

 required, from a scruple to half a drachm is the proper dose. 

 When thus exhibited, it evacuates in the first instance any of- 



* Mat. Med. lib. iv. cap. 2. 

 f Hist. Nat. lib. xxv. c. 3. 



+ See his letter in Lind's Treatise on Scurvy, p. 264. — Amcen. Acad, 

 vol. iv. p. 38 — Flor. Suec. p. 118. 



§ Act. med. Berol. Dec. 2. vol. Hi . p. 12. 

 || App. Med. torn. iv. p. 345. 



