speedy death produced by it ; and from the following experiments made by M. Orfila on dogs, it would 
appear that it proves fatal when introduced into the stomach, and applied to wounds. 
1st. Three drachms of the watery extract of Celandine, were introduced into the stomach of a small, 
feeble dog, and the oesophagus was tied. At the end of six minutes the animal made violent efforts to vomit ; 
four hours after, he was lying on the side ; he made deep inspirations ; sensibility and mobility were dimi- 
nished to such a degree, that the organs of hearing and vision were no longer capable of receiving impres- 
sions ; he was not able to stand, and died a very short time after. The stomach contained a small quantity 
of a fluid excessively viscid, and of a brownish colour : the mucous membrane was of a bright red through- 
out its whole extent, and of a blackish red in its folds ; the intestinal canal was not altered ; the lungs were 
of a reddish colour, crepitating, and appeared not to be affected. 
2nd. At three o’clock, an incision was made in the inside of the thigh of a small dog, and a drachm and 
a half of the watery extract of Celandine' dissolved in a small quantity of water, was applied to the wound. 
At five, the animal experienced nothing remarkable. The next day, at nine in the morning, he was found 
dead. The digestive canal exhibited no sensible lesion ; the wound was inflamed, and the lungs somewhat 
livid. 
3rd. Four ounces of the juice of Celandine obtained from the leaves, were introduced into the stomach 
of a dog of middle size ; the oesophagus was tied. The animal made efforts 1o vomit, moaned, and became 
insensible. He died ten hours after. The mucous membrane of the stomach was inflamed, and the lungs 
presented, here and there, livid patches, somewhat distended with blood. 
From the preceding facts it results : 1st, that Celandine and its extract produce serious symptoms, 
followed by death ; 2nd, that their deleterious effects seem to depend on the local irritation they excite, as 
much as on their absorption and action on the nervous system ; 3rd, that they appear to act on the lungs. 
No remedy in the nature of an antidote has been proposed for this poison, beyond evacuation, diluents, 
and the usual antiphlogistic treatment. 
Medical Properties and Uses. — Notwithstanding the extravagant eulogiums that have been be- 
stowed upon this acrimonious plant by some of the modern, as well as ancient physicians, it is rarely admi- | ; 
nistered internally. The virtues attributed to it are those of a stimulating aperient, diuretic, and sudorific. 
It was formerly regarded as a powerful deobstruent, and supposed to be particularly efficacious in the 
removal of obstructions of the liver and other viscera, in promoting expectoration, in dropsies, and in the 
cure of intermittents, in herpetic eruptions, and even in pulmonary consumption. Tragus greatly extols its | 
virtues in plague ; boiled in vinegar, with the addition of theriaca, he affirms that it produced a profuse 
perspiration, and immediately removed the disease. It is said to have obtained a considerable reputation I 
during the “ sweating sickness ” in this country, in which disease it was esteemed a specific. It must, how- 
ever be observed, that some writers have considered it a dangerous internal remedy if too large a quantity 
be administered ; it will consequently require great caution in its use, beginning with small doses, and in- 
creasing them gradually. Some authors recommend an infusion of it in wine as the best preparation, which 
will take off a great deal of its acrimony. 
Joseph Miller, in his “ Botanicum Officinale, or Compendious Herbal,” published in London, 1/22, | 
speaking of Celandine, says, “ it is aperitive and cleansing, opening obstructions of the liver and spleen, and | 
of great use in curing the jaundice and scurvy. Some reckon it cordial, and a good antidote against the 
plague. Some quantity of it is put into aqua mirabilis. Outwardly it is used for sore eyes, to dry up the 
rheum, and take away specks and films, as also against tetters and ring-worms, and scurfy breakings-out.” 
Externally the juice has been long known as a popular remedy, to destroy warts ; and it is said to be 
very efficacious in stimulating and healing old and indolent ulcers, speedily removing fungous flesh, and re- 
storing a great degree of activity to the torpid and indolent granulations. For the removal of warts, the 
method of applying it is, simply to break the stalk, and to touch the part affected with the yellow juice that 
exudes. Fabricius Hildanus employed this juice successfully in opacities of the cornea ; while Ettmuller, 
Geoffroy, and all the writers of that day, attest its efficacy when diluted with milk or some other bland fluid, 
in the removal of specks from that membrane. A cataplasm formed of the bruised leaves, and stalks, was 
formerly supposed to be an infallible remedy in herpes, and has been extolled for curing the itch. 
Dose. — Of the dried root from 3ss to 3j is a dose ; of the fresh root infused in wine or in water the 
dose may be about § ss. 
