98 
ARTEMISIA MARITIMA. 
14.8 resin, 15.4 of uncombined acid, 3.7 muriate of potass, the 
ashes being chiefly carbonate of lime. 
Medical Properties and Uses. The properties of worm- 
wood are chiefly derived from its bitter quality, hence its use as a 
stomachic and tonic ; formerly it was held in great esteem : Boer- 
haave, 'Linnaeus, Haller, and others, speak of its good effects in a 
variety of diseases, viz. intermittents, hypochondriasis, obstruction of 
the liver and spleen, gout,* calculi, scurvy, &c. In the words of 
Rergius, its virtues are " antiputredinosa, antacida, antlieiminthica, 
resolvens, tonica, stomachica;" but in modern practice chamomile 
and gentian have almost entirely supplanted the use of this plants, it 
being now seldom employed. A decoction of the leaves and tops is 
used as an antiseptic fomentation; the essential oil possesses the 
virtues of the plant, is stimulating, and has been used with success 
as an antispasmodic and anthelmintic ; the extract possesses the pro- 
perty of a simple bitter only, hence it may be prescribed where bitters 
are indicated. 
Off". The Leaves and Tops. 
Off". Pp. Ext. Absinthii, D. 
ARTEMISIA MARITIMA. 
Sea Wormwood. 
Procumbent before flowering. 
Spec. Char. Leaves pinnatifid, downy. Racemes drooping. 
Flowers oblong. Receptacle naked. 
This species of wormwood is a perennial native plant, growing 
plentifully in salt marshes and on the sea shore, and flowering in 
August and September. 
The root is spreading and fibrous ; the stems are procumbent, 
about a foot in height, branched, and leafy ; the leaves are numerous, 
irregularly divided into many narrow linear segments; both the leaves 
and stems are covered with a very soft cotton-like substance, com- 
municating to the whole plant a whitish appearance ; the flowers are 
* Wormwood formed one of the principal iiigredients in the Portland powder, once 
celebrated for the cure of gout. 
