HELICIDjE. SNAIL. 5 



all the while ; this quantity is ordered to be drank every 

 morning, and is a noble restorative in consumptions, es- 

 pecially for young people." 



" Decoctum Antiphthisicum, a Decoction against con- 

 sumptions. — Take ox-eye daisy flowers, dried, a handful; 

 snails, washed clean, numb. 3 ; candied eryngo-root, half 

 an ounce ; pearl-barley, 3 ounces : boil in spring-water 

 from a pound to half a pound, and then strain for use. 



" This brings a supply of such soft and inoffensive 

 nourishment, as gives no trouble to a weak constitution, 

 and therefore is of service in consumptions, hectic fevers, 

 etc. etc. The patient must drink 4 ounces of this 

 warm, with an equal quantity of milk, twice a day." 



In Ireland the snail or " shellimidy " was recom- 

 mended for many diseases, and " a water distilled from 

 shell-snails in canary wine, in the month of May, is a 

 great restorative in consumptions ; also strengthens the 

 liver ; outwardly applied it is a cosmetic ; it beautifies 

 the face, and the volatile pil and spirit extracted from 

 snails resist poison, open all manner of obstructions, 

 cure the pleurisy, asthma, most disorders of the lu 'gs, 

 and, after a wonderful manner, the consumption. Dose 

 of the volatile salt, from grains 6 to 12 ; of the spirit " 

 from 30 to 40 drops."* 



The following recipes are from an old manuscript 

 book; but though snails might be tolerated, I doubt 

 any person having sufficient courage to try them with 

 the addition of earthworms ! 



"For a Consumption.— ^1:8X1.6 12 snails, better house 

 snails, and 12 earthworms, clean washed ; boil them in a 

 pint of new milk to half a pint, then pour it on 1 ounce 

 of eryngo-root. Take some every night and morning." 



* ' Zoologia Medicinalis Hibernica,' by John Keogli. 



