190 The Meadow Saffron. 



cause of this difficulty is the extreme affectation of simplicity in 

 the modern practice of pharmacy, and the dislike of practitioners 

 for what they consider complicated prescriptions. It is, how- 

 ever, a fact, that vegetable juices brought into contact with each 

 other, do undergo a chemical change, and a compound is pro- 

 duced very different from what might be expected from a mere 

 mixture of the two. This fact has long been known to wine 

 and cider makers, who are well aware that there is a very con- 

 siderable difference between the mixture of two different wines or 

 ciders, and that which results from the mixture of the two juices 

 previous to fermentation. In the former case the mixed liquor 

 will partake of the properties of each, but in the latter a distinct 

 variety will be formed, in which neither can be recognized. The 

 specific gravity of the juices is also changed, which proves that 

 a chemical action has taken place. The most eminent practi- 

 tioners of modern times have acknowledged the extraordinary 

 effects of the Colchicum in relieving that complicated form of 

 disease called rheumatic gout ; but they have at the same time 

 regretted the intractable nature of the medicine which is so un- 

 certain in its effects. Mr. Waller is of opinion that much of this 

 variety and uncertainty depends upon the season in which the roots 

 are dug up; he recommends the end of April or the beginning 

 of May as the most desirable time ; this is for England, and of 

 course would be somewhat later in our own climate. It now 

 appears that the medicinal virtues of the Colchicum are not con- 

 fined to the gout and the rheumatic affections of the joints 

 only, as Mr. Haden has lately published a treatise on the pro- 

 perties of this root as a remedy against the most decidedly inflam- 

 matory cases, such as pleurisy, pneumonia, and other equally 

 well ascertained cases of increased action ; he wrongly ranks 

 its action as being synonymous with that of bleeding. Mr. 

 Haden generally recommends the powdered root, five grains 

 three times a day to an adult, whilst Mr. Waller thinks the tinc- 

 ture to be more uniform and certain in its effects, and in this 

 latter opinion we fully concur. It is now much used in the 

 United States. The living bulb is generally imported, packed 

 in sand, and dried immediately after its reception. The sprout- 

 ing of the flower bud during transportation does not seem to 

 lessen its activity. As its sensible properties vary according to 

 the season of the year in which it is gathered ; highly acrid in 



