KAT. ORDER. IRIDACEiE. 19 
From the foregoing autliority it would appear that Saffron, as a 
medicine, was of very I idle consequence ; but modern authors have 
given us new light on this plant; and it is now considered as one 
of our most valuable domestic medicines ; it is in common use all 
over tlie country ; raised in almost every farmer's garden, in small 
beds or patches, and when in blossom makes a very gay appearance. 
Although the odorous part of Saffron arises in distillation with either 
menstruum, yet a great portion of fixed matter is obtained in the 
extract; but the extract from water is very much changed from the 
nature of the entire Saffron. That made from the spirit of wine 
retains the sensible qualities of the Saffron more entirely ; but as 
there has been some dissipation of the odorous and volatile parts, 
we can hardly suppose that the concentrated tincture, or extract, 
can obtain the whole of the medicinal substance of the entire Saffron. 
We deem it proper to give here as well as we can, the chem- 
ical history of this famous drug ; but would remark, that frojn 
this chemical history we learn nothing towards pointing out or ex- 
plaining the medicinal powers ; nor, indeed, more from these than 
may be learned from its sensible qualities. By these, being of some 
acrimony both in smell and taste, it would seem that Saffron might 
be very active with respect to the human body. Some writers on 
the Materia Medica have spoken of it in the highest terms as an ac- 
tive medicine. But their reports, in some instances of its effects, 
appear somewhat extravagant, though often repeated. Frequent 
experiments in practice do not always support the opinions that have 
generally been entertained of it. I have frequently administered this 
medicine in large doses, without perceiving the least sensible effects, 
and in many instances without increasing the frequency of the pulse. 
As an anodyne, or antispasmodic, I have considered it to possess 
very limited powers, scarcely ever observing any such effects in its 
operation ; but as a diaphoretic, it is now universally acknowledged 
to possess highly valuable properties, and as such it is brought into 
general use by practitioners throughout the country. In all eruptive 
