I^^BBHHHH

FAMILY HERBAL.

•120

Currant, Black: The fruit of a native shrub that grows wild in England,and is cultivated for the sake of its acid, cooling, antiseptic juice, ofwhich a syrup and a rob are prepared, which is employed in recentcatarrhs, attended with sore throat or fever.

Currant, Red: This, like the former, is cultivated for the sake of itspleasant subacid fruit: of this a jelly is formed, by boiling the juicewith a sufficient quantity of sugar, which is often used as an antisepticdemulcent in sore throats, and, dissolved in water, forms a pleasantcooling drink in bilious and feverish complaints. Mr. F. S. Stuart, ofBilleriacy in Essex, has informed the public, that he was brought tothe verge of the grave by a consumption of the lungs, and restored toperfect health by eating three or four pints per day of ripe currants,white and red; and he mentions other persons who have been re-covered from the same disease by the same means.

Dandelion: A plant with compound flowers, growing common—partused, The herb and root—sens. prop. Abounding in a milky bitterish,sub-acrid juice—med. virt. Aperient, diuretic, resolvent—mode ofexhib. Expressed juice of the herb; decoction and infusion of theroot. The root, with sorrel-leaves, in broths, taken daily for somemonths, interposing, now and then, a laxative dose of cream of tartar,has removed hardness of the liver, ascites, and gall-stones.

Dill: An umbelliferous plant growing in warm climates--part used, Theseeds--sens. prop. Mildly aromatic—med. virt. Stimulant—mode ofexhib. A simple distilled water, and an essential oil.

Dragon's Blood: A resin obtained from a large plum-like tree in the EastIndies—sens. prop. In substance inodorous and insipid; in solution,somewhat warm and pungent—med. virt. Tonic—mode of exhib.Powder. It now gives place to a more efficacious gum-resin, calledKino.

Egg, Hen's:—part used, The yolk, white, and shell—sens. prop. Yolk,sapid and mucilaginous; white, insipid and mucilaginous. They areboth unwholesome and delicate articles of food—med. virt. The yolkis often used in pharmacy, for suspending oily and resinous substancesin water; the white is used to clarify liquids; the shells, freed fromthe membrane lining them, and finely levigated, are an absorbent.Two raw new-laid eggs, beaten up in a glass of water, taken in themorning fasting, and repeatedly given every four hours throughout theday, have proved very beneficial in obstinate jaundices occasioned byviscid bile, or gluten obstructing the biliary ducts.—The yolk of twonew-laid eggs, beaten up with an ounce and a half (i. e. three table-spoonfuls) of rose-water, seasoned by three or four grains of nutmeg,and mixed with half a pint of milk, fresh from the cow, sweetenedwith powdered sugar-candy, or syrup of capillaire, if taken early (i. e.before rising) in a morning, is a safe palliative medicine in pulmonaryconsumption. The use of it should be persisted in some weeks •malt and spirituous liquors should be avoided, and, to restrain theprofuse perspirations tc which hectic patients are liable, one to threeor four tea-spoonfuls of the following electuary may be taken in themorning, when the heats come on; at noon, and also at bed-time:Conserve of roses, two ounces, diluted vitriolic acid, three drachms;

I

<