EMMENAGOGUES. 4 97 
taken its place. This we doubt, for experience has convinced us 
that the ancients as well as the mothers and grandmothers of 
the past and present generations were right in their good 
opinion of rue. Dr. Robinson speaks of it so highly, and 
gives other authors’ testimony, that we think our readers may 
find it interesting and usefulto read. ‘‘It acts as astimulantand 
tonic, but in large doses it is narcotic. It is very useful in 
hysterics and flatulent colic. It has been found useful im 
infantile convulsions, and as a destroyer of worms, especially 
thread-worms, used as an injection. In accumulations of 
flatulence in the bowels (tympanitis), a strong infusion of rue 
given as an injection, is of great use. In suppression of 
menstruation, when stimulants are required, the rue clyster 
is of great use. Boerhaave says that mixed with wine and 
salt it stops gangrene, restores vitality to the part, prevents 
suppuration and healsthe wound. Medical men sadly neglect 
rue as a medicinal agent. Why goto foreign lands when we 
have medicines at our door ? A decoction of it relieves colic and 
allinward pains. The leaves bruised and well rubbed on the 
parts relieves pain, sciatica, and inflammation of the chest. 
Some of the ancients believed that it arrested generation. 
They regarded it too asanti-pestilential, and the judges had their 
noses regaled with this fetid plant. Mithridate, in which 
rue had a principal share, repelled all poison. Rue, honey, 
and the gall of a cock, they said, cured dimness of sight; and 
ointment made of the juice, lard, oil of roses, and a little 
vinegar, cures erysipelas, running sores on the head, and 
ulcers. A decoction of the herb in wine used as a gargle is 
good for scurvy of the gums.”’ Yesterday we received an order 
for ‘‘maiden rue.” Itis sometimes called by this name, which 
suggests its use for the stoppage to which young women are 
sometimes subject. There are other herbs which can be used as 
emmenagogues ; some of them we have already described under 
other headings, some we shall notice further on. What we 
have given will, if used discreetly, prove a blessing. 
