WATER DOCK WATER DROPWORT. 2Q5 



Distinctive character Stem and leafstalks winged, 

 leaves cordate-oblong, obtuse, crenate-serrate, bracts 

 linear, blunt. Flowers greenish purple, small, with two 

 long and two short stamens, and a roundish, kidney- 

 shaped staminode ; ovary two-celled, with numerous 

 seeds. Taste, bitterish. Odour, none. 



WATER DOCK. Rumex aquatlcus, Linn. 



N.O. Polygonacea. 

 Syn. Red Dock. 



Part used Root. 



Action Alterative, deobstruent, detergent. Used for 

 cleansing ulcers in affections of the mouth, &c. As a 

 powder it has cleansing and detergent effects upon the 

 teeth. Internally the dose of the infusion is a wine- 

 glassful. 



Preparation Fluid extract: Dose, -1 drachm. 



Distinctive character In vertical slices, taken 

 through the top-shaped rootstock, the outer surface 

 blackish or dark brown, with the remains of a few 

 branches, and transverse rings of scars of rootlets. 

 The transverse section shows a porous bark, and a large 

 pith, with honeycomb-like cells, and a short zone of 

 woody bundles, with porous medullary rays between 

 them. Taste, astringent and somewhat sweet. Odour, 

 none. 



WATER DROPWORT. Oenanthe crocata, Linn. 



N.O. Umbellifera. 



Syn. Hemlock Water Dropwort, Water Lovage, 

 Hemlock Dropwort, Dead Tongue. 



Part used Root. 



Action Narcotic, poisonous. This is an exceedingly 

 poisonous plant, producing severe gastro-intestinal dis- 

 turbances and convulsions. A tincture made with 2 

 ounces in a pint of diluted alcohol has been used with 



