98 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
LITHONTRYPTICS 
are a class of remedies that dissolve gravel and stone, which 
sometimes form in the gall-bladder, the kidneys, and the 
bladder. None but those who have experienced it can realise 
how intense is the pain caused by the passage or the attempted 
passage of these sometimes sharp, angular concretions. We 
shall point out the different kinds, and how to cure them, under 
the proper name in the treatment of diseases. We will now 
describe one or two not yet put before our readers. As 
prevention is better than cure a timely use of some of these 
will do this, as well as dissolve and expel the particles if 
already formed. 
HEMP AGRIMONY ROOT (Evpatorrum CAnaBInuM),. 
This plant grows several feet high. 'Thestems are of a dark 
purple colour, with many branches growing apart. ‘The leaves 
are wing-shaped, and toothed at the edge. The flowers grow 
at the top of the branches, are of a brown-yellow colour with 
black spots, somewhat resembling a daisy, inthecentre. The 
seeds are long, and stick to clothing. It grows plentifully in 
‘Europe by ditches and damp cold ground, even in water. It is 
late in maturing. The root has most virtue in gravelly 
affections. The decoction of the usual strength, a wineglassful 
two to six times a day. It will be needful to regulate the dose, 
as it sometimes causes purging. Dr. Robinson says it heals 
and cleanses cancers. It has cured dropsy. It makes a good 
poultice for inflammation of the spleen, (or as the Americans, 
with whom this trouble is common, call it, ague cake.) The 
spleen lies on the left side of the backbone, and when it is 
inflamed or indurated, can be felt there. 
Hemp agrimony is also a vermifuge. The farmers used to 
give it to their cattle for cold on the lungs and broken- 
windedness. 
THE QUEEN OF THE MEADOW 
will be found described as a diuretic. It is very highly 
commended as a gravel remedy ; so is also slippery elm (one of 
