NAT. ORDER. COMPOSITE. 
175 
taste, but no remarkable smell. The leaves have always been of 
great fame, as possessing demulcent and pectoral virtues ; of course 
it is esteemed useful in pulmonary consumption, coughs, asthmas, 
and in various catarrhal affections. Fuller recommends Colts-foot 
as a valuable medicine in scrofula ; and Dr. Cullen, who does not 
allow it any powers as a demulcent and expectorant, found it ser- 
viceable in some strumous affections. It may be used as tea, or 
given in the way of infusion, to which liquorice root or honey may 
be added. 
We might, without exception, cite every writer of the Materia 
Medica, as speaking in favor, except Dr. Cullen, who suspects that 
this plant has little virtue, as he has often employed it, but never 
found it either eminently demulcent or expectorant. Some ounces 
of the expressed juice of the fresh leaves were taken every day, and 
seemed to assist the heahng of scrofulous sores ; even a strong de- 
coction of the dried leaves, employed as Fuller proposes, has seemed 
to answer the same purpose ; but both have occasionally failed. 
The leaves and flowers were smoked by the ancients for pulmo- 
nary complaints, and in some parts of Germany, this habit is still 
kept up, and by some used as a substitute for tobacco. The usual 
form of administration is that of decoction. An ounce or two of 
dried leaves may be boiled in two pints of water to a pint, of which 
a teacup-full may be given several times a day. The root of this 
plant is used for many other purposes ; on account of its agreeable 
odor and spicy taste, many people have been in the habit of carry- 
ing small pieces of the roots in their pockets for the purpose of 
chewing ; and it is reported by numbers who have used it in this 
way, that they have been relieved of dyspepsia, and weaknesses of 
the stomach. It has also been found useful, (after being reduced to 
powder,) as an addition to the catarrh snuff, rendering it more plea- 
sant, active, and agreeable to take. 
