70 
OLEA EUROPCEA. 
periments of this kind were repeated, with various success, and 
pubHshed in the Mem. de I'Acad. de Sc. 1737. It is to be re- 
gretted that the particular species of serpent by which the bites 
were given has not .been mentioned in any of the cases alluded to. 
Linnaeus was much disappointed in the use of the oil, and says that 
a woman bitten by the Coluber Chersea, died in great agony, though 
the oil was liberally administered both internally and externally. 
We know by experience that the immediate application of oil re- 
Moves the pain and inflammation occasioned by the sting of wasps 
and bees. Banniken * has mentioned the successful use of oil in 
rabies canina, and a further account of its efficacy in that disease 
was read before the Medical Society of London. f We have seen the 
best effects produced by the application of equal parts of olive Oil 
and lime water to burns. Oil rubbed over the body has been found 
by many of great service in dropsy, particularly in ascites j and used 
in this way, it has been said to be an antidote against contagious 
fevers, particularly the plague. At Malta it has been remarked that 
butchers, and others whose vocations lead them to the constant hand- 
ling of fatty substances, are seldom carried off by the plague. 
With regard to the general effects of olive oil, taken internally, 
we may remark, that although its operation extends over the primae 
viae, yet it may reasonably be doubted, that it produces any me- 
dicinal effects after it has entered into the sanguiferous system. As 
all the mild expressed oils of vegetables aie nearly of the same 
nature, Dr. Cullen is of opinion that a preference should be given to 
the most fluid ; hence the oils of olives and almonds are most 
commonly directed for use. 
The officinal preparations of olive oil are very numerous, as it 
enters into the composition of many liniments, ointments, plasters, &c. 
— 
CROCUS SATIVUS. 
Saffron Crocus. X 
Cto Triandria. Or£?gr Monogynia. 
Nat. Ord. Ensat^, Linn. Iride^, Juss. 
* Frank, Journal, T. B. 590, 899. 
t Phil. Trans, vol. xHx. p. 46. 
t Fig. a. The pistillum. 6. A stamen, c. Capsule^, d. A section of the capsules. 
