ATHAMANTA.

307

UTERINE ELIXIR.

R.

Elixir uterinum.

Assafœtida,Opium,

Subcarbonate of Ammonia,

(Niemann)

two drams.

of each,half a dram.

Tincture of Castor, three ounces.

Digest, and strain. (Niemann)

This, besides being anti-spasmodic andanti-hysteric, is also extolled in nervous af-fections arising from debility. — Dose, fromthirty to forty drops in wine.

ASTRAGALUS EXSCAPUS, Linn.— HAIRY-PODDED MILK-VETCH

Synonimes: — Astragale à gousses velues,Fr. ; Schaffloser Traganstrauch, Zwerg-bœlsdorn, Germ.

Bavar. ; Gall.; Ferr. ; Lipp. ; Ross.;Wibtem. ; Ph. Syph. ; Murray and

Gmelin.

This plant grows in varions parts of Eu-rope. (Diadelphia Decandria, Linn. ; Le-gummosa, Juss. ; Fig. Jac. le. rar. II. 1. 17.)

The root (Radix Astragali exseapï) isemployed. It is simple, round, of thethickness of the little finger. The epidermis,which is of a deep brown colour, covers awhite, porous, and fibrous bark, underwhich is found a yellowish woody heart{axe). It is without smell ; and its taste isvery slightly styptic, bitterish, and mucila-ginous.

For some years this root was regarded asanti-syphilitic ; but it is now nearly for-

gotten. It is evidently stimulant ; and itoften excites, according to idiosyncrasv,either diarrhoea, profuse diuresis, or dia-phoresis.

infusion of astragalus. (Niemann)

R. Root of Astragalus, one ounce.

Spring Water, twelve ounces.

Infuse, and strain.

It is said to be anti-syphilitic. — Dose,half a glassful, frequently in the day.

DECOCTION OF ASTRAGALUS. (Ph. SypH.)

R. Root of Astragalus, half an ounce.

Spring Water, one pound and a half.Boil down to one pound.

This is recommended by Crichton, as acertain specific against syphilitic diseases. —Dose, half a glassful frequently in the day.

ASTRANTIA MAJOR, Linn.— GREAT BLACK MASTER-WORT.

Synonimes :— Astranée à larges feuilles.Fr. ; Schwarze Meisterwurz, Germ. ;Groot Sterrekruid, Dut.

Gall.; Spielmann.

A plant of the Alps and Pyrenees. (Pen-tandriaDigynia, Linn. ; Umbelliferœ, Juss. ;Fig. Blacw., Herb. t. 470.)

The root [Radix Astrantien majoris) isemployed. It is articulated, branching, andfibrous ; it is of a blackish yellow colourexternally, and white internally ; it has apeculiar smell and taste.

This root is often confounded with thatof black hellebore ; but although it is acrid,it is much weaker in its action.

ATHAMANTA CRETENSIS, Linn.

Synonimes :— Athamante de Crete, Fr. ;

CretischerMohrenkümmel, Germ. ; Kan-

dische Beerwortel, Dut.Bruns. ; Gall. ; Hisp. ; Wirtem. ; Ber-

gius ; Brugnatelli ; Murray and

Gmelin ; Spielmann.

A plant of the middle of Europe. (Pen-tandriaDiffi/nia, Linn.; Uml/elh/erce,Jvss.;Fig. Jacq. Fl. Austr. t. 62.)

The seeds (Semina Dauci Cretici seuCandiani seu Myrrhidis annua) are em-ployed. They are long, cylindrical, rough,and" almost hairy. They have a yellowishgrey colour, an agreeable smell, and anacrid and aromatic taste.

They are stimulant, and are reputed anti-hysteric and diuretic.