N. 0. SCROPHULARINE/E. 923 



sometimes used to adulterate rhubarb (Dr. Stewart). Digitalis 

 leaves are occasionally found mixed with those of Verbascum 

 Thapsus and of other plants (Garrod. ) 



The seeds are supposed to be narcotic and are used for 

 poisoning fish (O'Shaughnessy). Mr. Duthie's Trans-Indus 

 collector states that the herb is much employed by the natives 

 of that region for the treatment of asthma and other pulmonary 

 complaints, that it possesses narcotic properties similar to those 

 of tobacco, and that the seeds are considered aphrodisiac. The 

 leaves warmed, and rubbed with oil, are employed as an appli- 

 cation to inflamed parts. In Europe and the United States 

 of America, the thick woolly leaves were at one time much 

 valued as demulcents and emollients, not only in domestic 

 medicine, but by practitioners. They were used in the treat- 

 ment of catarrh and diarrhoea, and as an external application 

 for haemorrhoids (Watt). 



It was formerly used in medicine on account of its emol- 

 lient properties. A decoction of the leaves was recommended 

 by the physicians of the last century for diarrhoeas. Sir James 

 Smith says : — 



1 That a pint of cow's milk, with a handful of the leaves of 

 this Mullein boiled in it to half a pint, sweetened, strained, and 

 taken at bed time, is a pleasant, emollient, and nutritious 

 medicine for allaying a cough, or removing pain and irritation.' 



It is one of the many herbs said to poison, or rather to 

 stupefy fish. According to Alexander Trallianus, its ashes made 

 into a soap will restore hair which has become grey, to its ori- 

 ginal color. — (JSowerby's Eng. Bot., Vol. vi, pp. 111-112). 



The British Medical Journal of 27th January 1883, published an interesting 

 paper from the pen of Dr. F. J. B. Quinlan of Dublin on the use of this plant 

 in the treatment of pulmonary consumption. According to him, this plant 

 which is a wild one in Ireland is a trusted popular remedy for that malady. 

 After describing several cases in which this plant proved useful, he says : — 

 " That it eases phthisical cough there can be no doubt.** Its power of 

 checking phthisical looseness of the bowels was very marked.** It also 

 gave great relief to the dyspnoea. For phthisical night sweats it is utterly 

 useless." 



In another note (B. M. J. Feb. 9, 1884 p. 294), he writes " The quantity 

 of mullein is three ounces of the green leaves, which should be boiled for 



