SCROPHULARIACEiE. 519 



G. officinalis, Linn. — Leaves ovate-lanceolate, serrate, 5-ribbed, smooth. Flowers 

 solitary. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 24 ; Woodville, ii. 360 ; Lindley, Flor. Med. 507 ; Ste- 

 phenson and Churchill, i. 33. 



It is a native of the south of Europe, growing in meadows and moist places, 

 and flowering in June and July. In some spots, according to Haller, it occurs 

 in such abundance as to render the meadows useless as pasture grounds, from 

 the injury it does cattle. The whole plant is officinal; it is inodorous, but 

 has a bitter, nauseous taste. It gives out its properties to water and alcohol. 

 From an analysis by Vauquelin (Ann. de Chim. Ixxii. 191), it appears to 

 contain, a brown, gummy Extractive, a very bitter, Resinous matter, some salts, 

 &c. This resinous substance is the active portion, and has been called Gra- 

 tiolin by Alibert. Since this examination of it, Dr. Whiting has announced 

 the existence of Veratria in it, which accounts for its active properties. 



Medical Properties. — The Fledge hyssop is an energetic drastic cathartic 

 and emetic, and also often proves diuretic. Although seldom used in Eng- 

 land, and almost unknown in this country, it is much prescribed on the Con- 

 tinent of Europe as a hydragogue purgative in many complaints, especially 

 those of a dropsical character, and it is spoken of in high terms by some of the 

 best authorities. Dr. Kastizewski (Diss, de Gratiola) states that he has ob- 

 tained great success with it in syphilis, especially in the secondary forms, and 

 it has also been employed beneficially in several cutaneous affections. HufF- 

 land also speaks highly of it as a remedy against ascarides. Its principal repu- 

 tation, however, is founded on its forming the active ingredient in the cele- 

 brated gout medicine, the Eau medicinale, which is a strong vinous tincture 

 of it, and the presence of Veratria explains why the tinctures of Colchicum 

 and Veratrum are possessed of the same properties. 



When given in over-doses the Hedge hyssop causes violent vomiting arid 

 purging, with much pain in the bowels ; and M. Bouvier mentions (Jour. Gen. 

 de Med. liv. 259) four cases of severe nymphomania, caused by injections 

 of a strong infusion into the rectum. 



The dose of the powder is from fifteen to thirty grains ; of the infusion, 

 made with half an ounce of the dried plant to a pint of boiling water, half 

 an ounce to an ounce; of the vinous tincture, about forty to fifty drops. 



Several of the other species of Gratiola have the same properties, among 

 which the G. aurea^ a native of this country, is fully as powerful, and might 

 be advantageously used as a substitute for the G. officinalis. 



Chelone. — Linn, 



Calyx 5-parted, with 3 bracts. Corolla ringent, ventricose. Sterile filament shorter 

 than the others ; anthers woolly. Capsule 2-celled, 2-valved. Seeds many, with a mem- 

 branaceous border. 



A North American genus of a few species, all herbaceous plants, with op- 

 posite leaves, and sub-imbricately spiked, terminal flowers, having the lower 

 lip of the corolla bearded internally. 



C. glabra, Linn. — Smooth, leaves lanceolate, oblong, acuminate, serrate ; flowers in 

 dense spikes. 



Linn., Sp. PI. 748; Torrey, Comp. Flor. 243; Rafinesque, Med. Fl. 

 ii. 117. 



Common Names. — Snakehead ; Shell flower, &c. 



Description. — Root perennial. Stem erect, from two to four feet high, somewhat quad- 



