384 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



on the system is as an emmenagogue ; and even this is denied by many 

 writers of high standing, among others by Cullen. On the other hand, 

 Home {Chir. Exper.) speaks highly of it, in large doses; and Dr. B. S. 

 Barton states it exercises considerable effects on the uterus, and that it is 

 worthy the attention of practitioners. Herz [Jour, de Med.) also eulogizes 

 it, but considers that it is rather suited to cases of retention than of suppres- 

 sion of the menses. To this may be added the testimony of the late Dr. 

 Dewees, who says, that if given near the period at which the flow should 

 take place, it is more decidedly useful than any other of the emmenagogue 

 medicines; and also, that it may be given more safely than others, as it has 

 no exciting power on the system generally (Dis. Females, 74-81). 



It is given in powder, in doses of half a drachm to two drachms, several 

 times a clay, or, as advised by Dr. Dewees, in a decoction made with a pint 

 of boiling water, poured on an ounce of the powdered root and a scruple of 

 bruised cloves, and gently simmered for a quarter of an hour; when cool, 

 strained off. The dose is a wineglassful every three hours. 



Several other species of Rubia are used, especially in the arts ; and one of 

 .the R. cordifolia, a native of Nepaul, is employed by the Hindoo practitioners 

 as an aperitive and emmenagogue, and also as a deobstruent in cases of scanty 

 lochial discharge after childbirth (Ainslie, Mat. hid., ii. 182). 



Group XXIV. — Valerianates. 



Order 60.— VALERIANACE^E.— Lindley. 



Limb of the calyx 2 — 4-toothed, obsolete, or else forming a kind of pappus. Corolla 

 tubular or funnel-formed, sometimes with a spur at base, 4 — 5-lobed. Stamens distinct, 

 usually fewer than the lobes of the corolla. Ovary with one perfect cell, and two abor- 

 tive ones. Seeds suspended. 



k small but widely diffused order of mostly extra-tropical plants, com- 

 posed of annual or perennial herbs, with opposite exstipulate leaves. Flowers 

 generally in cymes or panicles. The roots of the perennial species generally 

 odorous, and are antispasmodic and anthelmintic. 



Valeriana. — Linn. 



Limb of the calyx involute during flowering, then unrolled into a deciduous pappus, 

 of many plumose setae. Tube of the corolla ob-conical or cylindrical, equal at base, or gib- 

 bous, without a spur, limb 3 — 5-cleft. Stamens 3. Fruit indehiscent, 1-celled, 1-seeded. 



This is an extensive genus of herbaceous species found in almost every 

 part of the world, but principally in temperate climates, or if in tropical re- 

 gions, usually on mountains at some considerable elevation. The leaves 

 differ exceedingly in form, even varying on the same plant. The flowers 

 are usually white, sometimes rose-coloured, bluish or yellow. 



V. officinalis, Linn. — Smoothish, erect. Stem furrowed. Leaves all pinnate, leaflets 

 lanceolate, serrate, nearly equal. Fruit smooth. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 45; Woodville, i. 77; Stokes, Mat. Med. i. 96 ; Stephenson 

 and Churchill, i. 54 ; Lindley, Fl. Med. 471. 



Common Names. — Wild Valerian ; Capon's tail, &c. 



Foreign Names. — Valeriane sauvage, Fr.; Amantilla; Nardo salvatico, 

 It.; Wilde Valdrianwurzel, Ger. 



