CITRUS AURANTIUM. 
55 
is the variety retained by the BritisJ^ colleges as officinal ; the outer 
rind is a grateful bitter ; but differs from most other bitter sub- 
stances in containing a portion of aromatic volatile oil, and from the 
union of these qualities, it proves carminative, warms and strengthens 
the stomach, and promotes digestion, and hence is prescribed with 
advantage in weakness of the stomach and other viscera. Orange peel 
has also been celebrated as a remedy for intermittents,* but in 
modern practice it is seldom relied upon, a preference being given 
to more powerful and certain remedies. On the continent, the leaves 
and flowers have been held in great estimation as a remedy in con- 
vulsive diseases, particularly in epilepsy,t but experience (at least in 
this country) has not confirmed tlieir eflicacy. 
The juice of ripe oranges is a very agreeable acid liquor, and like 
otber vegetable acids quenches the thirst, allays febrile heat, promotes 
various excretions, and diminishes the action of the sanguiferous 
system ; hence in inflammatory and febrile diseases thejuice of oranges 
(more especially the China) may be taken ad libitum with much 
advantage ; it has also been prescribed with great success in pre- 
venting and curing scurvy. J We may observe that as the China 
orange combines more saccharine matter with the stcid than the 
Seville, it is more agreeable to the palate ; and as a remedial agent 
may be taken more freely, but like most other sub-acid fruits, if 
taken to excess, will produce great disorder of the stomach and 
bowels. 
Off. The fruit, juice and rind of the fruit, unripe 
fruit, and distilled water of the flowers. 
Off". Pp. Tinct. Corl. Aurant. L.D. 
Conf. Cort. Aurant. L.E.D. 
Syr. Cort. Aurant. L.E.D. 
Aq. Citri Aurant. E. 
Infus. Aurant. comp. L. 
* Dubens Medecin des pauvres, p. 285, 399. See also Mohringius Com. Norie 
1736, p. 20. 
+ Locher, Obs. Pract. p. 47, 
% See Lind on Scurvy, p. 168. 
