?2 SECT. VII.----PLANTS USEFUL IN MEDICINE.

effects are, to moderately warm and strengthen the vessels; andhence, in cold phlegmatic habits, it excites appetite, and proves ser-viceable in debilities of the nervous system.

The red sage, mixed with honey and vinegar, is used for a gargle insore throats. Aqueous infusions of the leaves, with the addition of alittle lemon juice, prove an useful diluting drink in febrile disorders)Of an elegant colour, and sufficiently acceptable to the palate.

2fi8. SAMBUCUS -nigra. Common Elder. Flowers and Berries. Z.E. ]). —The parts of the Sambucus which are proposed for medicinaluse in the Pharmacopoeias, are the inner bark, the flowers, and theberries. The flowers have an agreeable flavour, which they give overin distillation with water, and impart by infusion, both to water andrectified spirit: on distilling a large quantity of them with water, aSmall portion of a butyraceous essential oil separates. Infusions madefrom the fresh flowers are gently laxatu e and aperient; when dry, theyare said to promote chiefly the cuticidar excretion, and to be particu-larly serviceable in erysipetaious and eruptive disorders.— ffoodvillerSMed. Hot. 598.

269. SCILLA maritima. Squill. Roof. L.B.D. —This root is tothe taste very nauseous, intensely bitter and acrimonious; much han-dled, it exulcerates the skin. With regard to its medical virtues, itpowerfully stimulates the solids, and attenuates viscid juices; and bythese qualities promotes expectoration, urine, and perspiiation : uthe dose is considerable, it proves emetic, and sometimes purgative.The principal use of this medicine is where the prima; via? abound withmucous matter, and the lungs are oppressed by tenacious phlegm.

270. SCROPHULAWA nodosa. Ksotty Ficwort. Herb. D.—TWroots are of a white colour, full of little knobs or protuberances on thesurface : this appearance gained it formerly some repute against scro-phulous disorders and the piles; and from hence it received its name*but modern practitioners expect no such virtues from it. It has a fain'unpleasant smell, and a somewhat bitter disagreeable taste.

271. SINAPIS nigra. Biack Mustard. Seeds. L.F..D. — Wwriters on the Materia Medica, mustard is considered to promote ap-petite, assist digestion, attenuate viscid juices, and, by stimulating thefibres, to prove a general remedy in paraKtie and rheumatic affections-Joined to its stimulant qualities, it frequently, if taken in considerablequantity, opens the body, and increases the urinary discharge; an«hence has been found useful in dropsical complaints.— Wood-vill? 1Med. Bot. p. 404.

2T2. SINAPIS alia. White Mustard. Seeds. L. E. D. — Thesehave been recommended to be taken whole in cases of rheuffiatistthand have been known to produce considerable relief.