21 COCHLEARIA ARMORACIA 



mustard, being stimulant, diuretic, and diaphoretic, when given 

 internally ; and rubefacient or even vesicant, when externally ap- 

 plied. When chewed it acts as a sialagogue ; and when used in this 

 way, or in the form of a syrup, slowly swallowed, it has been 

 found useful in cases of hoarseness. As a general stimulant, 

 diaphoretic, and diuretic, it has been employed in chronic 

 rheumatism, scurvy, atonic dyspepsia, and dropsy. In the form 

 of the official compound spirit of horseradish it is commonly 

 used as a stimulating adjunct to other medicines, more 

 especially to diuretic infusions. An infusion of horseradish has 

 also been employed to excite vomiting ; or to promote the operation 

 of other emetics, as in poisoning by narcotic substances. 

 Externally applied, it has been found useful in chronic rheuma- 

 tism, paralysis, and other affections. As a medicine, however, 

 it is but little employed ; its chief use being as a condiment, and 

 when partaken of in moderation, it increases the appetite, and 

 promotes digestion. Its employment as a condiment in Northern 

 and Central Europe has been known for centuries. Thus 

 Gerarde, at about the end of the sixteenth century, speaks of its 

 common use " among the Germanes to eat fish with, and such 

 like meats, as we do mustard ;" but it was not till about the 

 middle of the seventeenth century that it began to be employed for 

 similar purposes in this country. 



Per. Mat. Med., by B. & R., p. 933; Pharm acographia, p. 66; 

 Gerarde's Herbal!., by Johnson (1636), p. 240; U. S. Disp., by 

 W. & B., p. 146 ; Hubatka, in Journ. de Pharm., 3rd ser., vol. 

 xlii; Bentley, in Pharm. Journ., vol. xv, 1st ser., p. 449. 



DESCRIPTION OP PLATE. 



Drawn from a specimen collected by the Thames, near Kew Bridge, Surrey, 

 flowering in June; the root from a plant in Kew Gardens; the fruit (not 

 mature) from a Spanish specimen in the British Museum. 1. The inflor- 

 escence and upper part of flowering stem. 2. A flower. 3. Stamens and 

 pistil. 4. A sepal. 5. A petal. 6. Immature fruit, natural size and enlarged. 

 7. A root-leaf. 8. Portion of the root. (2-5 enlarged.) 



