542 
THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
The quantity of ginger employed in this country may he 
gathered from the following record of its importation for six 
years, and it is probably still increasing : — 
Cvrts. 
In 1849 . . 27,767 
„ 1850 . . 33,996 
„ 1851 . . 35,399 
Cwts. 
In 1852 . . 19,919 
„ 1853 . . 21,852 
„ 1854 . . 24,616 
It would be useless here to dwell at any great length upon 
the qualities or uses of ginger. It is directed for use in the 
London Pharmacopoeia in various preparations, and Professor 
Tuson,in his useful f Veterinary Pharmacopoeia/ describes it 
as being employed in the following : — “ Massa Aloes, Syrupus 
Phamni, and Tinctura Zingiberis and according to the 
same authority its “ actions and uses are stimulant, stomachic, 
carminative, and tonic. Given in flatulent colic and debility 
of the stomach and intestines ; also combined with cathartics 
to increase their activity and prevent griping.” Ginger is 
also much used in domestic economy, and the dessert table 
is hardly complete without the addition of preserved ginger. 
It is to be regretted that a drug so comparatively cheap 
should get to be so extensively adulterated. Ginger, in the 
shape of powder, as supplied to the profession, is too often 
adulterated, either by grinding inferior qualities or mixing 
these with flour ; but in the mixtures called “ horse 
powders,” which are got by most carters and given by 
stealth to their horses, we are bold to say that genuine 
ginger seldom or never forms a part ; and happy indeed 
would it be if the want of pungency was not made up by 
still stronger stimulants. 
Turmeric, as known in the shops, is the brownish-yellow 
bulboid rhizome of Curcuma longa, and perhaps other species. 
Its name is said by Hoyle to be derived from kurkum , the 
Persian name for saffron. It seems to be connected with the 
gingers by the Zingiber Cassumunar, which at one time had 
a repute for efficacy in convulsive and cerebral affections, but 
now it would be difficult to get, which is of little consequence, 
as its reputation has long since departed. 
The common Turmeric of the shops grinds into a bright 
yellow powder, which is used for various colouring processes, 
mainly as a cheap substitute for saffron. This yellow is that 
of the curry powder, in which this powdered rhizome is 
always an ingredient. 
The cow-leech and the farrier find in Turmeric a constant 
friend, for besides imparting colour to drinks,” its yellow 
recommends it in all cases where discoloration results ; thus. 
