Chap. 58.] 
THE EADICIJLA. 
in Latin, ^'rubia," is quite a different plant. It is used for 
dyeing wool, and skins for leather are prepared with it. Used 
medicinally, it is a diuretic, and, employed with hydromel, it 
is curative of jaundice. Employed topically with vinegar, 
it heals lichens ; and a potion is prepared from it for sciatica 
and paralysis, the patient while using it taking a bath daily. 
The root of it and the seed are effectual as an emmenagogue ; 
they act astringently upon the bowels, and disperse gatherings. 
The branches, together with the leaves, are applied to wounds 
inflicted by serpents ; the leaves too have the property of 
staining the hair.^^ I find it stated by some writers that this 
shrub is curative of jaundice, even if worn as an amulet only, 
and looked at every now and then. 
CHAP. 57. THE ALYSSON : TWO KEMEDIES. 
The plant known as the alysson'*^^ differs only from the 
preceding one in the leaves and branches, which are more di- 
minutive. It receives its name from the fact, that, taken in 
vinegar and worn as an amulet, it prevents persons bitten by 
dogs from becoming rabid. It is a marvellous fact too, that is 
added, to the effect that the person bitten has only to look 
at this shrub, and the flow of corrupt matter from the wound 
will be staunched immediately. 
CHAP. 58. THE RADICULA OK STKTJTHION I THIKTEEIST EEMEDIES. 
THE APOCYNUM : TWO OBSERVATIONS UPON IT. 
The radicula, which we have already^^ mentioned as being 
called '^struthion" by the Greeks, is used by dyers for pre- 
paring wool. A decoction of it, taken internally, is curative 
of jaundice and diseases of the chest. It is diuretic also, and 
laxative, and acts as a detergent upon the uterus, for which 
reasons medical men have given it the name of the '^golden 
opinion that the " sandix" of B. xxxv. c. 12, is our madder, and identical 
with the Eubia. It is not improbable, however, that in reality it was a 
mineral. See Beckmann's Sist. Inv, Vol. II. p. 110, Bohn's Ed, 
Fee says that it does not possess this property. 
2^ Madder has no colouring matter which can produce any effect upon 
the hair. 
3' Or " anti-frantic " plant. C. Bauhin identifies it with the Rubia 
silvestris laevis, or wild madder ; Fee is at a loss for its identification, but 
is inclined to think that it was a species of cultivated madder. 
2^ In B. xix. c. 18. The Gypsophila struthium, or soap-plant, possibly. 
Its identity is discussed at great length by Beckmann, Rist, Inv, Vol. 1I» 
p. 98—102, Bohn's Ed. 
