testinal canal from the acrid effects of the poison. Should inflammatory symptoms supervene, the usual 
antiphlogistic treatment is to be practised. 
Medical Properties and Uses. — This root was formerly much extolled as a cathartic and diuretic. 
Its medical properties evidently depend upon its acrid juice, which is most powerful in the autumn and 
spring ; the root must therefore be procured at one of these periods, and to insure its uniform operation, 
the latter period should always be chosen. The root should be cut in thin slices and dried in the sun, or 
in a warm room ; by which means some of the acrid qualities are dissipated : and then it is a remedy of no 
little value in dropsical cases, as can be testified from extensive experience. The infusion is the best mode 
of administration, and this may be made with half an ounce of the dried root in a pint of boiling water ; to 
which may be added one ounce of spirit of Juniper. Of this mixture a wine-glassful should be taken every 
four hours. Like all other irritating purgatives, it occasionally acts too powerfully ; when its use must be 
suspended, and cordials or opiates resorted to. It has been much commended for its effects in mania, and 
amongst others by Sydenham. Dioscorides and Pliny, were in the habit of giving an ounce of the juice for 
epilepsy: some of the moderns have done the same; and to procure it, it is customary to cut off the top, 
and scoop a hole in the root ; which in the course of a few hours will be filled. Matthiolus recommends it 
for hysteria. Many accounts partaking of the marvellous, are extant of its virtues in expelling worms and 
some imaginary parasites of the abdomen ; and it was once much celebrated as an emmenagogue. Withering 
says, that a decoction made with a pound of the fresh root, is the best physic for horned cattle; and it is a 
common practice in Norfolk, to give small quantities to horses in their corn, to render their coats glossy 
and fine. The recent root is capable of blistering the skin, and has been found useful, if externally applied, 
to rheumatic affections, and also for removing extravasated blood. “ In hospitals,” says Dr. R. Pearson, 
“it would very well supply the place of jalap, and thus lead to considerable savings.” 
The dose of the powder is from half, to one dram. 
A gentleman of good estate could not contrive how to waste his hours agreeably. He had no relish 
for the proper w r orks of life, nor any taste for the improvements of the mind ; he spent generally ten hours 
of the four-and-twenty in bed ; he dozed away two or three more on his couch, and as many more were dis- 
solved in good liquor every evening, if he met with company of his own humor. Thus he made a shift to 
wear off ten years of his life since the paternal estate fell into his hands. One evening, as he was musing 
alone, his thoughts happened to take a most unusual turn, for they cast a glance backward, and he began to 
reflect on his manner of life. He set himself to compute what he had consumed since he came of age. 
“ About a dozen feathered creatures, small and great, have, one week with another,” said he, “given 
up their lives to prolong mine ; which, in ten years, amounts to at least six thousand. Fifty sheep have 
been sacrificed in a year, with half a hecatomb of black cattle, that I might have the choicest parts offered 
weekly upon my table. Thus a thousand beasts, out of the flock and herd, have been slain in ten years 
time to feed me, besides what the forest has supplied me with. Many hundreds of fishes have, in all their 
varieties, been robbed of life for my repast — and of the smallest fry some thousands. A measure of corn 
would hardly suffice me with fine flour for a month’s provision, and this arises to above six score bushels ; 
and many hogsheads of wine, and other liquors, have passed through this body of mine — this wretched 
strainer of meat and drink! And what have I done, all this time, for God or man ? What a vast profusion of 
good things upon a useless life and a worthless liver ! There is not the meanest creature among all those 
which I have devoured, but what hath answered the end of its creation better than I. It was made to sup- 
port human nature, and it hath done so. Every crab and oyster I have eaten, and every grain of corn I 
have devoured, hath filled up its place in the rank of beings, with more propriety than I have. Oh ! shame- 
ful waste of life and time.” He carried on his moral reflections with so just and severe a force of reason as 
constrained him to change his whole course of life, to break off his follies at once, and to apply himself to gain 
useful knowledge, when he was more than thirty years of age. The world were amazed at the mighty change, 
and beheld him as a wonder of reformation; while he himself confessed and adored the divine power and 
mercy that had transformed him from a brute to a man. He lived many following years with the character 
of a worthy man and an excellent Christian. He died with a peaceful conscience, and the tears of his country 
were dropped upon his tomb. But this was a single instance, and we may almost venture to write “miracle” 
upon it. Are there not numbers, in this degenerate age, whose lives have run to utter waste, without the 
least tendency to usefulness ? 
