WOOD-SORREL. 425 



used For taking ink-stains or iron-mould out of linen. It crys- 

 tallizes in small white opaque rhomboids *. 



Medicinal Properties and Uses, — Wood-Sorrel is refriger- 

 ant, attenuating, and antiseptic. It appeases thirst, diminishes 

 febrile heat, and favours the secretion of urine ; hence it is 

 given with advantage in putrid, inflammatory, and bilious 

 fevers. Francus -f, who employed it against a petechial ma- 

 lignant fever, states that he found it restore the appetite, allay 

 vomiting, constringe the bowels, allay thirst, and disperse the 

 bitterness of mouth and sore-throat. It has also been recom- 

 mended in diarrhoeas and bilious dysenteries, and especially in 

 acute inflammatory states of the kidneys, bladder, and urethral 

 canal, and obstructions of the urinary passages in general. It 

 is, moreover, equally useful with the Common Sorrel in scorbu- 

 tic affections, in which it may be at the same time eaten as a 

 salad. After having been eaten for several days, according to 

 Rosenstein t, it gently relaxes- the bowels. 



Externally, the herb wrapped in a cabbage leaf and mace- 

 rated in warm ashes until reduced to a pulp, has been success- 

 fully applied to scrofulous ulcers. This poultice should remain 

 on the sore for twenty-four hours, and be repeated four times. 

 Afterwards the ulcer is to be dressed with a poultice made of 

 the roots of Meadow-sweet, bruised and mixed up with the 

 scum of sour butter-milk §. The juice with the addition of a 

 little alum is said to be a useful application to erysipelas and 

 other inflammations, in their incipient stage. 



An infusion of the leaves is a pleasant drink in ardent fevers ; 

 the addition of a little nitre will increase its refrigerating and 

 diuretic effects. The herb boiled in milk forms an agreeable 



* It is thus obtained: — The expressed juice, after being allowed to sub- 

 side, is slightly inspissated by a very gentle heat, and is then clarified by 

 adding to it water in which a small portion of fine clay is suspended. This 

 clarified juice is next boiled till a pellicle forms on its surface, and is then 

 put aside for a month in a cool place to crystallize ; the operation being 

 repeated till the whole of the salt is obtained. As the first crystals are 

 usually coated with mucilage, they are dissolved in water and re-crystal- 

 lized until pure. 



f De Acetosella ejusdemque virtute contra febres malignas petechials, 

 et ipsam pestem. Aug. Vindel. 1717* 



X Hus-och Rese-Apot. p. 02. 



§ Beddoes on Fact. Airs. 



