50Q MEDICAL BOTANY. 



toria furnishes a red dye, which is much used under the name of Alkanet ; 

 tjiis colouring matter is thought to be a peculiar principle, and has been 

 named Pseud- Alkannin by John. Chevreul has discovered phocenic acid 

 in the root {Bull. Pharm. vi. 445). Dr. Hare has proposed an infusion of 

 this root as a substitute for Litmus in testing the presence of acids or alka- 

 lies ; the phenomena are in a reversed order to those occurring with that 

 substance ; the liquid is turned blue by an alkali, and the red colour restored 

 by an acid (Sill. Jour. v. 348). 



The Myosotis scorpioides is stated by Gmelin (Flor. Sib. iv. 73), to be 

 used in syphilitic affections in* Siberia, and also as a cataplasm in ophthalmia. 

 Lemery (Diet. 516) speaks of the roots as astringent and detersive, and effi- 

 cacious in fistula lachrymalis. It is one of the species of this genus, that is 

 so generally known by the poetic appellation of" Forget me not? Symphy- 

 tum officinale, or Comfrey, is a very popular remedy in diseases of the lungs 

 and bowels ; the large succulent roots, which are the parts employed, abound 

 in a tenacious mucilage, with a slight astringency, and hence has been found 

 useful in diarrhoea, dysentery, &c, as a demulcent ; and also to replace with 

 advantage the other mild pectorals, in catarrh and pulmonary affections, 

 but possesses no peculiar virtues ; at one time it was thought to have great 

 vulnerary powers, and to be capable of arresting hemorrhages, even where a 

 large vessel had been divided, and to cure wounds without leaving any cica- 

 trix. From an analysis by Blondeau and Plisson, its composition appears to 

 resemble very closely that of the Mallow, both containing an acid malate of 

 Altheine (Jour, de Pharm. xiii. 635). 



The Borago officinalis \s another plant formerly considered to be endow- 

 ed with eminent virtues, but now seldom or never used in regular practice, 

 though still maintaining some reputation as a domestic medicine. It was 

 reckoned among the four cordial flowers, hence the old adage, " Ego borago 

 gaudia semper ago," which old Gerarde renders "I borage bring always 

 courage ;" the same writer adds, " Those of our time do use the flowers in 

 salads, to exhilarate and make the minde glad. There be also many things 

 made of them, used for the comfort of the heart, to drive away sorrow, and 

 increase the joy of the minde." It is a sudorific and demulcent of very feeble 

 powers, and is very justly forgotten.' 



Cynoglossum officinale, a native of Europe, and naturalized in some parts 

 of the United States, appears to have more activity than any other plant of 

 the order. It is stated by Vogel and Murray that it is narcotic, and Morison 

 (Hist. Oxon. iii. 456), relates a case of poisoning from eating the leaves, and 

 M. Chamberet (Flor. Med. iii. 146), declares that he has been affected whilst 

 gathering it ; on the other hand, most writers deny that this quality exists, in 

 it. The fresh plant is much more active than the dried, and hence some 

 active volatile principle may exist, which is partly destroyed by desiccation. 

 It is considered as anodyne, demulcent and astringent, and has been pre- 

 scribed in coughs, dysenteries, &c. It is also used as a cataplasm to scro- 

 fulous tumours, burns, and even to goitres. Among other virtues attributed 

 to it, are those of an alexipharmic, and of curing hydrophobia. According to an 

 analysis by Cenedilla (Jour. Pharm. Milan. 1828), it contains an odorous 

 principle, to which it owes its powers, to tannin and several salts. It is not 

 used in this country, but is probably unjustly neglected, as there is much 

 evidence of its good properties in several diseases. C. omphalodes has much 

 the same qualities, and our native C. amplexicaule is stated to afford a root 

 which may be used as a substitute for Comfrey. 



