RUM EX — DOCK. 



237 



Iftticeolftfo or pordato, 5 to inchcH loiiff ; Htem Icnves muph Rinallrr niul on 

 hliortcr prtiolcs. 



Ildhiliif. — III tlio Hocky Mouutiiiu region and uortliwurd; conuuon ulao 

 in Nortlurii Kiiropo and Aniii. 



J'artH i'»(nl—i)i V. Ijistortii tho root ; of tho otlitr species, tlic horb — 

 nono arc ofHciid. 



Consliliiciils. IJistort contaitiH a ]nr>^o ]iorcontap;o of tannic and ^'allic 

 acids, ^\lltor ix'ppcr and water Kinartweod |)ossc'S!i an acrid principle 

 termed pdhjf/onir arid, to wliicli 

 tlioy owe tlicir iuedi(;inal virtncs. 

 This acid is also present in many 

 otlu;r species of the genus, in a 

 greater or less percentage. 



J'n'pai'dtioiis. — liistort is ad- 

 ministered in powder, decoction, or 

 extract. Water pepper and water 

 smartweed are (lonimonly a<lminis- 

 tered in decoction, l)iit as their ac- 

 tive princii)l(! is dissipated by heat 

 or long keeping, an alc<)holic tinc- 

 ture, made from the fresh plant, 

 is the best form in which to pre- 

 serve them for any grciit lengtli 

 of time. In the country th(!y are 

 gathei'ed and dried annually ivv 

 domestic use, and do not seem to 

 lose much of thcdr elTiciency dui*- 

 iug tho few months that they are 

 kept. 



Mcdicul I'i'opniicx and L'sca. — 

 Bistort is used both tojiically and 

 internally as an astringent, in tho same manner as many other drugs rich in 

 tannin. Water smartweed and water pepper have a burning, biting taste, 

 inflame the skin when rubbed ujjou it, and possess somewhat acrid stinui- 

 latiug properties. Tliey are employed in domestic jjiactice, externally as 

 counter-irritants, and internally to promote the menstrual flow, to induce 

 diaphoresis in acute inliannnatory affections, ettr.riu the same manner as 

 other acrid and stimulating drugs are used. • 



RUMEX.— Dock. 



Character of the Genus. — Calyx of G sepals in two series of 3 each ; the 

 outer series herbaceous, the inner larger, somewhat colored, increasing in 

 size after flowering, and converging over the triangular achenium. Stamens 

 6, styles 3 ; stigmas tufted. Herbaceous plants, many of them pestiferous 



Fio. 151 .—Polygonum Bistorta. 



