78 
NAT. ORDER. TRILLIACEiE. 
fails to open the bowels, or produce vomiting ; so that in common 
with the tonic properties of a bitter, it seems farther to possess a 
considerable share of medicinal activity ; we can, therefore, more 
easily credit the reports of its success in a great number 
of chronic diseases mentioned by various authors, such as scurvy, 
dropsy, jaundice, asthma, periodical headaches, intermittents, hy- 
pochondriasis, cachexia, obstructio mensium, rheumatism, scro- 
fula, worms, gout, &c. Dr. Boerhaave was relieved in the last 
mentioned complaint by drinking the juice mixed with whey ; and 
Dr. Alston tells us, that " this plant had remai'kable effects in the 
gout, in keeping off the paroxysms ;" but adds, " though not to the 
patient's advantage." In confirmation of the good effects of 
Treefoil in dropsies, we are told from undoubted sources, that 
sheep, when forced to eat it, are cured of the rot, oves tahidce ; yet, 
as we have but few and imperfect proofs of its diuretic powers, 
this fact will be considered of little weight. 
Bergius confines the uses of this plant to scorbutic and rheu- 
matic affections, and this specification is still farther contracted by 
later writers on the Materia Medica. In Lewis' Mat. Med., by 
Mr. Aikin, it is said that the leaves of Treefoil " have of late 
years come into common use as an alterative and aperient, in im- 
purities of the humors, and some hydropic and rheumatic cases ;" 
and as an active eccoprotic bitter, we should suppose them well 
adapted to supply the want of bile in primcB vice, and thus infer 
their use in protracted jaundice, and other biliary obstructions. 
Dr. Cullen has " had several instances of their good effects in some 
cutaneous diseases, of herpatic, and seemingly of the cancerous 
kind." 
The leaves may be given in powder, from five to ten grains 
for a dose, two or three times a day ; but a strong infusion of 
them is, perhaps, preferable ; and with delicate stomachs it may 
be necessary to conjoin a grateful aromatic. They impart their 
properties both to watery and spirituous menstrua. 
