146 
«TYRAX BENZOIN, 
The colouring matter of raadder roots appear to differ from most 
other substances used for the purpose of dyeing, in having the pecu- 
liar property of tinging with a red colour the milk, urine and bones 
of those animals which have fed upon it; a circumstance which was 
^rst noticed by Antoninus Mizaldus, and subsequently by Mr. Bel- 
chier, who pubhshed au account of a pig and a cock, whose bones 
became red by eating madder mixed with their food ; * since which 
time (from various experiments that have been made) it has been 
ascertained, that the colouring matter of madder affects the bones 
in a very short time, and that the most solid part of the bones first 
receives the red colour, which gradually extends through the whole 
osseous substance. 
Medical Properties and Uses. Madder has been long 
regarded as a deobstruent, detergent, and diuretic, and more latterly 
as an emmefiagogue.f It has been chiefly used in jaundice, dropsy, 
and diseases proceeding from visceral obstructions, particularly 
those of the liver and kidneys ; but its efficacy in any disease 
scarcely warrants the encomiums that were formerly bestowed upon 
it. Its diuretic eflfects do not appear to be constant, and as an 
emmenagogue, its powers are neither uniform nor powerful. The 
roots of madder, when powdered, may be given in substance, in 
doses of from twenty to thirty grains three or four times a day ; or in 
decoction, two ounces to a pint and half of water, of which from 
one to three ounces may be taken three times a day. 
Ofl". The Roots. 
STYRAX BENZOIN. 
Benzoin StoraoCy or Benjamin Tree.'\, 
Class Decandri A. — Orc?er Monogynia. 
Nat. Ord. Bicornes, Linn. Guaiacinje, Juss. 
* Phil. Trans, vol. xxxix. pp. 287—299. 
t Vide Home's Clinical Exp. p. 388. 
% Figr. a. represents the corolla spread open. b. The germen and style, c. T-he 
anthers, d. The caljx. 
