MOMORDICA ELATERIUM. 
27 
" silica in potasse is poured into it." * The roots are long and 
fibrous, seldom exceeding the thickness of a finger ; and when 
peeled, nearly white ; and the whiter they are when dried, the more 
estimation they are held in. The leaves yield about one-fourth their 
weight of mucilage, and the flowers and seeds a much smaller pro- 
portion. 
Medical Properties and Uses. The medical properties of 
this plant, reside entirely in the mucilaginous, matter, hence it is 
commonly employed for its emollient and demulcent qualities, and 
few of our indigenous plants possess those qualities in so high a 
degree ; a decoction of the roots, or leaves, forms an excellent drink, 
for lubricating and relaxing the passages, in nephritic and calculous 
complaints, strangury, &c.; also as a demulcent, in pulmonary affec- 
tions, coughs, and hoarseness, and where the natural mucus of the 
membranes become sharp and acrid. As a topical remedy, the 
leaves or roots are used for fomentations, gargles, and enemas. An 
unguentum is sold under the name of marsh-mallow ointment, much 
esteemed by the vulgar, for its emollient and cooling qualities, and 
hence it is in great request, A very favourite and fashionable 
lozenge, called P^te de Guimauve, vel pasta Althaeae, is also prepared 
from the roots. f 
Off. The Roots and Leaves. ^ 
Off. Pp. Syr. Ahhx2e. L. Ed. 
Decoct. Althaeae Officinal. Ed. 
♦ 
MOMORDICA ELATERIUM. 
Wild Cucumber.'^ 
Class MoNCECiA — Order Syngenesia. 
Nat. Ord. Cucurbitaceje, Linn. Juss. 
Gen. Char. Male Flower. Calyx, 5-cleft. Corolla 
5-parted. Filaments 3. 
* Gray's Elements of Pharmacy. 
+ Pate de Guimauve, Rad. Althasa, decort. jiij. water i. gall.; boil to four pints, 
strain, add gum arab, fb^'s : saccli. alb. Ifeij. ; evaporate to an extract ; then take from 
the fire, stir it quickly, with the whites of 12 eggs previously beaten to a froth; add, 
while stirring, aq. flo. aurant. ^ss. Gray's Supplement, p. 399. 
% In the annexed drawing, Fig. a, represents a female flower, shewing its sitaation 
