98 MATERIA MEDICA. 



GENTIAN, the root. A strong and very 

 pure bitter, well calculated to remove weak- 

 ness of the stomach and indigestion. It 

 generally requires to be joined with stimu- 

 lants, such as ginger, cassia, myrrh, cas- 

 carilla, &c. and, when any acidity is sus- 

 pected to exist in the stomach, a small 

 quantity of soda is an useful addition. Gen- 

 tian is the basis of that famous horse powder 

 termed diapente. Gentian root sometimes 

 becomes rotten and useless : the purchaser 

 should therefore, examine before he buys, 

 and choose such parts as are sound, rather 

 tough, and extremely bitter. It is to be 

 feared, that the powdered gentian of the 

 shops is not so good as it should be, and it is 

 to be lamented that druggists, in general, 

 think any thing good enough for horses. 



The dose of pure gentian is from three 

 drams to six. (See Pharm. article Tonics 

 and Stomachics.) 



GERlMAMDER. A low shrubby plant, 

 bitter, and somewhat astringent; but not 

 sufficiently strong for veterinary purposes. 



GINGER. A root brought from China, 

 and the East and West Indies. 



There are two sorts kept in the shops, the 



