M. Orfila concludes from numerous experiments : — 
44 1st. That an extract of Hedge-Hyssop produces a local irritation extremely violent. 
44 2nd. That it appears to be absorbed, and that its effects depend on the sympathetic lesion of the 
nervous system. 
44 3rd. That it is much more active when injected into the veins.” 
The Gratiola Officinalis is commonly known, says Professor Taylor, under the name of Hedge-Hyssop, j 
Observations made on animals and on man, show that it is a strong local irritant when given in decoc- 
tion or infusion. A series of cases observed by M. Bouvier are reported by Orfila, in four of which this 
plant was used, under the form of decoction, as an enema. In this state it had been prescribed for four 
females by some herb doctors. The result was, that in one instance violent vomiting and purging, with 
syncope, were induced. In another case there was constriction of the throat, with hydrophobic symptoms 
and convulsions. The patient died in two days (Toxicologie. ii. 128). The leaves of this plant might be in 
some instances identified botanically, but in the state of decoction or infusion there are no tests which would 
determine its nature. 
Medical, Properties and Uses. — This medicine was formerly prescribed on the continent as a 
hydragogue purgative and diuretic ; and Heurnius, Ettmuller, Hartmann, Joel, and others, have adminis- 
tered it successfully for dropsy of the cellular tissue ; likewise of the peritoneum when unaccompanied by 
inflammatory action, and unallied with flaccidity of the muscular fibre or with paleness. It has likewise 
been given in some other affections, as hypochondriasis, atonic gout, rheumatism, &c. which were accom- 
panied or appeared to be produced by inactivity or torpor of the intestinal canal, while others have admi- 
nistered its resinous part in small doses, to promote vomiting, or as a substitute for ipecacuanha in dysentery. 
Dr. Kostrzewski, of Warsaw, has offered some remarkable instances of its powerful influence in soothing 
and suspending irritation, and asserts that three maniacs in the hospital at Vienna, were recovered by 
its use. 
Dr. Perkins, of Coventry, states that it forms the basis of the Eau Medicinale, and that the recipe 
was given to him by the Count of Leiningen, who paid five hundred ducats for it. This nobleman was a 
person of extensive reading, and a munificent patron of the arts, and had been in early life a martyr to the 
gout ; an exemption from which for several years, he attributed to the use of this medicine. The following 
is the form : — 
R “ Herbse gratiolae officinalis siccatse unciam 
Radicis ejusdem Herbse semunciam incisse, et contusse : adde 
Vini Hispanici uncias sedecim. 
Digere leni calore per dies octo, et cola.” 
44 Of this vinous tincture, a tea-spoonful is to be taken at bed-time, drinking after it half-a-pint of beef 
tea ; and if after the lapse of twenty-four hours all pain has not vanished, half a tea-spoonful more of the 
Gratiola wine is to be taken in a similar manner. Dr. Reece, who has paid particular attention to the pre- 
paration of this drug, and to its administration, very properly observes that, 4 a tea-spoonful is at all times a 
very definite measure, and liable to vary with fashion/ and therefore recommends forty-five drops as the 
dose to begin with. This gentleman also remarks, 4 that in producing its effect of allaying irritation in gout 
and rheumatism, it was done without disturbing the system, or producing those effects on the general health 
which attend the use of opium/ he has therefore, with a laudable zeal, extended its use to allay morbid 
irritation of the intestines and of the lungs, and has found that an oxymel made with the herb, is very effica- 
cious in asthma, constitutional or winter cough, St c. He adds that, 4 in the use of the Gratiola, it must 
always be exhibited in the first instance so as to nauseate the stomach, or to produce an aperient effect on 
the bowels, and then kept as near to this dose without producing any further unpleasant effect. 5 According 
to Bergius, the dose of the herb in substance is from fifteen to thirty grains, but he states that a scruple 
often acts on the bowels, and produces nausea and vomiting. He also affirms that ten grains united with 
five of powdered gentian, administered twice a-day, has been useful in autumnal quartan agues. Of an infu- 
sion, made with 5ij of the dried herb, to half-a-pint of boiling water, from f 3iv to f gi may be given three 
times a-day. Gratiola is not admitted into the list of Materia Medica of the London College. The German 
physicians have long thought much more highly of the medicinal powers of Gratiola than their brethren of 
the British schools. Hufeland Commends it for being 4 extremely efficacious in jaundice, for example and 
in ascarides ; a circumstance which, as Thompson adds, is like to be the case, from its operating on the 
rectum. In France, Gratiola is a favourite medicine among the peasantry, who use it both as an emetic 
and purgative ; and its provincial synonyme is 4 Herbe a pauvre homme. 5 55 
