Part II.

cannot think the internal ufe ofthis metal commendable, or evenfafe. Phyficians in general feemto be agreed, that it has really avirulent quality; and too many ex-amples are met with of fatal con-fequences enfuing upon eating foodthat had been dreft in copper vef-fels not well cleaned from the ruftwhich they had contra&ed by lyingin the air.

Great care ought to be had thatacid liquors, or even water de-figned for internal ufe, be not fuf-fered to Hand long in veifels madeof copper ; otherwife they will dif-folve fo much of the metal as willgive them difagreeable qualities.Hence in the diftillation of fimplewaters with copper Hills, the laftrunnings, which are manifeftlyacid, have frequently proved eme-tic. It is remarkable, that whilftweak acid liquors are kept boilingin copper veflels, they do not feemto diAolve any of the metal ; butif fufFered to remain in them forthe fame length of time withoutboiling, they become notably im-pregnated with the copper. Hencethe cpnfettioners, by fkilful ma-nagement, prepare the moft acidfyrups in copper veflels withoutgiving them any ill tafte from themetal.

CURCUMA [E.] Turmeric.

Turmeric is a root brought fromthe Eaft Indies. It is internally ofa deep lively yellow, or faflron-co-lour, which it readily imparts towatery liquors. It has an agree-able, weak fmell, and a bitterilhfomewhat warm talle. Turmericis efteemed aperient aud emme-riagogue, and of lingular efficacy inthe jaundice. It is an ingredientin the i&eric decoftion of the Edin-burgh pharmacopoeia. It tingesthe urine of a faffron colour.

CUSCUTA. Dodder.

The Materia Med'tca. 133

This is of the clafs of plants

called parafitical, or which grow outfrom the body of others: it has noleaves, confifting only of a numberof juice filaments matted together.There are two forts of it, cufaitamajor C. B. which grows common-ly in heaths on furies, nettles, See.and likewife in fields of flax, andother manured plants; and the cuf-cuta minor , or cpithymum of thefame author, fo called from itsbeing found only upon thyme.This laft is preferred for medici-nal ufe, and is ufually brought fromLeghorn and Turkey, with topsand ftalks of thyme amongft it.Epithymum has a pretty ftrongfmell, and roughifh fomewhat pun-gent fubtile tafte. Its virtues re-main as yet to be determined ; theancients ranked it among cathartics;but thofe who have given it in thatintention have been generally dif-appointed.

CY AN I jlores; Cyani fcgetumC.B.Bluebottle; the flowers.

This is a common weed amongcorn. The flowers are of an elegantblue colour, which, if carefully andhaftily dried, they retain for a confi-derable time. As to their virtues,the prefent pra£tice expefts not anyfrom them ; notwithftanding theyhave been formerly celebratedagainft the bites of poifonous ani-mals, contagious difeafes, palpita-tions of the heart, and many otherdiftempers.

CYCLAMEN,

nit a.

vide A rtha-

CYDONIA MALA, eorumquefetnina: FrtiElus Cotonca mail J. B.The quince-tree j the fruit and itsfeeds [L. E.]

Quinces have a very auftere acidtafte : taken in fmall quantity, theyare fuppoled to icllrain vomiting,K 3 and