70 CYTISUS SCOPARIUS 



Medical Properties and Uses. In large doses broom tops are 

 emetic and purgative ; and in small doses diuretic and laxative. 

 Broom tops have long had a popular reputation in this country as 

 a diuretic in dropsical affections j and are also regarded by the 

 regular medical practitioner as one of the most serviceable reme- 

 dies in such cases, more especially in dropsies depending on heart 

 disease. The use of broom is contra-indicated in acute disease of 

 the kidneys. 



The seeds have similar properties to broom tops, and may be 

 used in like cases. Scoparin has also been given as a diuretic in 

 repeated doses of five grains; it is said not to produce any 

 injurious effects. 



The seeds of an allied plant Spartium junceum, the Spanish 

 Broom have similar properties to the Common Broom. Its 

 fibres have also been used from an early period in some parts 

 of Southern Europe for cordage, and in the manufacture of a 

 coarse kind of cloth for home use ; and it has lately been much 

 talked of in Italy, and a patent has been taken out for preparing 

 the fibre. 



Per. Mat. Med., by B. & R., p. 833 ; Pharmacographia, p. 149 ; 

 U. S. Disp., by W. & B., p. 793; Gmelin's Chem., vol. xvi 

 (1864), p. 282; Stenhouse, in Phil. Trans., 1851, pp. 422 

 431 ; Pharm. Journ., vol. ii, ser. 1, p. 36. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE. 



Drawn from specimens collected in the Isle of Wight by Mr. Stratton, and 

 at Batter sea, Surrey. 



1. A flowering branch. 



2. The standard. 



3. Wing. 



4. Keel. 



5. Flower with the petals removed. 



6. Pistil. 



7. Diagram of flower. 



8. Apod. 



9. The same with the valves separated. 



10. Seed. 



11. Section of the same. 



(10, 11, enlarged.) 



