220 
ANCHUSA TINCTORIA. 
came on, which appeared to save the chila ; it was pretty weli 
restored in a short space of time, but always preserved a very great 
degree of leanness."* 
Medical Properties and Uses. Arum root in its recent 
state is a very powerful stimulant, and when taken internally it is 
expectorant, diaphoretic, and cathartic. By Bergius it is extolled as 
a never faiUng remedy for cephalaea sympathica. It has been 
recommended in intermittents, which are said to have yielded to its 
use ; and also in rheumatic cases, chlorotic and cachetic disorders ; 
but the active property of Arum being of a very perishable quality, 
it is difficult to procure it in a state to be depended upon, from which 
cause it is now seldom employed. 
The dose of the recent root is from ten to twenty grains, given 
three or four times a day ; to sheath its acrimony it should b3 com- 
bined with milk or some mucilaginous drink, as linseed tea, barley 
water, or mucilage of gum acacia. 
Off. The recent Root. 
ANCHUSA TINCTORIA. 
Dyer's Bur gloss ^ or Alkanet.f 
Class Pentandria. — Order Monogynia. 
Nat. Ord. Asperifoli^, Linn, Boragine^, Juss. 
GeK. Char. Corolla funnel-shaped, the throat closed with 
arches. Seed engraved at the base. 
Spec. Char. Stem and Leaves hairy. Leaves lance-shaped, 
obtuse. Stamens shorter than the corolla. 
The ancients believed that this tribe of plants had the power of 
choking and destroying serpents, from whence originated the Greek 
* Histoire des Plantes Ven6neuses de la France, p. 84. 
t Fig. a. the calyx, b. Represents the corolla, cut open to shew the situation ©f 
the stamina, c. The pistillnm. 
