[ 75 ] 
account of tricks being played with it, by infilling 
the quantity of a fcruple of the root in wine, and* 
intoxicating people therewith. The former of thefe 
authors relates, that the diftilled water from this 
plant, in a dofe of about two or three fpoonfuls, was 
exhibited by fome people in inflammations of the vif- 
cera ; and, he obferves, with good fuccefs. Parkin- 
fon feems to have tranfcribed this account, refpefting 
this ufe of it ; but neither of them fpeak of it from 
their own knowlege. It may be questioned, how- 
ever, whether this could aft otherwife than as mere 
water ; fince the principles with which this plant is 
endued, do not feem capable (if one may judge from 
its fenfible qualities and effedts upon thofe who have 
taken it) of rifing in a ftill. 
Mr. Ray (22), from the German Ephemerides, 
an. 13. obf. 64. prefents us with the relation of a 
fhepherd in Denmark, who adminiftered an infufion 
of the berries in wine in the dyfentery, which was 
there very common, and very obftinate ; adding, 
that it was attended with great fuccefs, not only re- 
straining the flux, but carrying oft the diforder by 
fweat. Mr. Ray obferves further, that, correfpondent 
with this practice, Conrade Gefner adtually prepared 
a fyrop from the berries, and gave it in dyfenteric 
cafes with great fuccefs. This account is found in 
Gefner’ s Epiftles, and is quoted alfo by Dr. Haller, 
(23) when treating of this plant. Poflibly its effi- 
cacy in thefe cafes may be accounted for, from con- 
fidering it merely in the quality of an opiate ; and 
(22) Raii Hift. Plant. I. p. 68 r. 
(23) Enumerat. Stirp. Helvet. p. 507. 
L 1 
there- 
