DAPHNE MEZEREUM. 
15 
deleterious effects on the animal economy ; giving rise to very 
powerful local inflammation, and sympathetic irritation of the nervous 
system, to which' cause the fatal symptoms ought to be attributed. 
The Daphne Gnidium, flax-leaved daphne, commonly called spurge- 
flax, appears (from the experiments of Orfila and others), to be more 
deleterious in its efi'ects than the mezereon; three drachms of the 
former, killed a middle-sized dog to whom it was given, exciting 
great inflammation throughout the whole alimentary canal. 
Medical Properties and Uses. This acrid stimulant 
operates chiefly by producing perspiration ; hence its use in chronic 
rheumatism, venereal nodes, and various cutaneous aff"ections. Dr, 
Cullen says it acts upon the urine, giving it a filamentous appear- 
ance, and excites perspiration, without remarkably diminishing the 
strength ; that it quickens the pulse in irritable habits, and increases 
xthe heat of the body. In the form of decoction it has been given 
with advantage in some cases of lepra and scrofula ; in venereal com- 
plaints resisting the use of mercury, it is usually giveri in the form 
of the Lisbon diet drink ; but Mr. Pearson, of the Lock Hospital^ 
says, that as a remedial agent in the cure of syphilis, or the sequelae 
of that disease, he has seldom found it possessed of any medicinal 
properties. It is sometimes given in powder, but as it is apt to oc- 
casion purging, or vomiting, the powder should be prescribed in 
very small doses, gradually increased. 
Off. The bark of the roots. L. E. D. 
Off. Pp. Decoct. Daphnes Mezerei. Ed. 
♦ 
MALVA SYLVESTRIS. 
Common Mallow.^ 
Class Monadelphia. — Order Polyandria. 
Nat. Ord. CoLUMNiFERiE, Linn. Malvaceje, Juss. 
Gen, Char. Calyx double, the exterior 3-Ieaved. Arih 
most numerous, 1-seeded. 
Spec. Char. Stem erect, herbaceous. Leaves seven-lobed, 
acute. Peduncles and Petioles hairy. 
* In the annexed specimen, Fig. a. represents a cutting of the natural size of the 
plant, i. The pistillav. c. Stamina, d, A magnified anther, e. Seeds. /. Caljx. 
