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Show HORSE-RADISH. 613 be infused in aclose vessel for two hours, and made into a syrup, with double its weight in sugar. A tea-spoonful or two of this syrup, swallowedleisurely, and occasionally repeated, we have often found very suddenly effectual in curing of hoarseness. It may be used in rheumatic affections as a rubefacient. Employed as condiment it stimulates the stomach, and, where muchis eaten at a time, promotes digestion. We chiefly use it with roast beef, which is occasionally very tough. Bergius relates that palsy and scurvy have been cured by swallowing large pieces cut in the form of pills, as mustard-seed is used for the same purpose. [ have knowna strong decoction of this root drunk as an emetic, and relieve pituitous asthma more than any other means. This plant should be much used with all phlegmatic habits in diet, especially snch as are afflicted with the dropsy. OFFICINAL PREPARATION. HORSE-RADISH. COCHLEARIA ARMORACEA. Class XV. Tetradynamia. Order I. Siliculosa. Essent. Gen. Cuar. Thesame asthe last. SPEc. CHAR, C to Leaves large, lanceolate, : SPec. Radical crenate: Stem Leaves cut, and entire, eee DESCRIPTION. ryN Puss plant rises two or three feet in height. Radical leaves stand on strong footstalks, those on the stem onscarcely any. Flowers white, terminating the branches in thick clusters, and arising fromthe axille of the leaf. HISTORY. Found wild in several parts of England, especially about rubs bish andthe sides of ditches, commonly cultivated in kitchen- gardens, thriving greatlybyits roots, and flowering in May. MEDICAL VIRTUE. Dr. Cullen says, I have found that one drachm of the root, fresh, scraped down, was enough for four ounces of water, Comrounp Spirit or Horse-Ravisu. (Spiritus Raphani Compositus. L. D.) Take of fresh horse-radish root, —— dried outer rind of Seville oranges, of each, two pounds ; ——— fresh herbof garden scurvy-grass, four pounds; —— bruised nutmegs, one ounce; -—— proof spirit, two gallons; ——— water, sufficient to prevent empyreuma: Drawoff two gallons. This is an aromatic acrid spirituous liquor, and was formerly thought to have high antiscorbutic properties. |