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Show 244 YELLOW GENTIAN. YELLOW GENTIAN. The roots are long, thick, externally of a brown colour, and wrinkled: internally spongy, and of a yellow colour, without any remarkable smell, but surpassing in bitterness all other Eu. ropean vegetables. Alcohol dissolves only the bitter extractive, water both the extractive and mucilage. Neumanngot from 960 grains 390 alcoholic, and afterwards 210 insipid watery extract ; and inversely, 540 watery, and only 20 alcoholic. MEDICAL USE. Gentian possesses the general virtues of bitters in an eminent degree, and it is totally devoid of astringency. On dead animal matter it acts as an antiseptic. ‘Taken into the stomachit proves a powerful tonic, and in large doses it evacuates theintestines sees It is useful in debility of the stomach, in general debility, gout. Combined with astringents it cures intermittents. Externally it is applied to patrid ulcers. The root, which is the only medicinal part in use, has jie or no smell, andto the taste manifests great bitterness, a quality which is extracted by aqueous and spirituous menstrua, though not in so great a degree by water as by spirit. As an intense stomachic, bitter it is admitted to be not only a tonic, but a fine drophobia specifice laudatur.” Against the bites of venomous animals: ‘* Morsibus venenatorum animaliumsuccurrit.” Against gangrene: ‘¢ Gangreneresistit.”” Sordid ulcers: ‘ Chirargi radicem lente siccatam et in scrobem rasam ulceribus sordidis aspergunt et depurant.” In the fistula: ‘ Vel sub specie turunda fistulis intrudunt adfistulas dilatandas, quodfit, quia laxior radicis substantia & susceptis ex fistula humoribus intumescens eam sensim dilatat, et quia sal acreulceris fistulosi callum exedit vel absumit.”” So far the great Boerhaave ; and the famous Haller recommends it also in asthma. It is more antiseptic than bark, or keeps meat longer from corruption, yet it does not turnof a black colour with iron. As far as regards my own experience I have foundit a most useful remedy, and until the time arrives that we shall have found out a specific for each disease, or specifics, we must follow what has been denominated the Brunonianpractice, namely, acting on the constitution, which of herself removes a long catalogue of disease, thus acting on disease through her powers, which often require to be assisted. The nicety in physic is to know the nature of each disease, attend to the constitution, and not to do too muchor too little. and when joined with equal parts of tormentil root, or galls, with says Cullen, it never fails curing an intermittent equally the Peruvian bark. It was given before the discovery of this bark in that disease. ‘¢ Hc cortice Peruviana nondum inventa habebatur pro ultimo remedio in quartana.”’—Boerhaave. Again: ‘¢ Radix ad unciam semes in vino decocta vase clauso conductt ad omnes febres intermittentes.” It is strongly recommended in the green sickness :—‘* Infusum hujus plante in chlorosi vilginibus pallidis, et stomacho confortando conducit.” In hysterics; ‘‘ In passionibus hystericis est planta optima.” Sia page of the months: “ In mensibus obstructis est optima planes sIn obstructions of every kind: ‘ In obstructionibus pertinaci ia aay simis conducit, uti lienis et hepatis.” A want of bile: amara alia ulla et in hac planta est amarior quam absynthio, bam herba, hinc bilis defectui supplet.” Against worms: * virtutls ratione et sunt adversa bricos necat, quibus amarore suo alcaline, contrariantur acidis putridisque, in quibus ania ii _ dulantur.” In dropsy: ‘‘ Optima in hydrope.”’ In gout: . * planta primaria contra podagram.” +: 6¢ In hy- In hydrophobia: 945 PREPARATIONS. Exrracr or Gentian. (Extractum Gentiane Lutez. E.) Take of gentian root, any quantity : Having cut and bruised it, pour uponit eight times its quantity of distilled water. Boil to the consumption of one half of the liquor, and strain it by strong expression. Evaporate the deCoction immediately, to the consistence of thick honey, in a bath of water saturated with muriate of soda. from ten grains to two scruples are given. Of the extract . Compounn Inrusion oF Gentian, on Brrrer Inruston. (In- fusum Gentiane compositum, vulgo Infusum Amarum, E.) Take of gentian root, cut into pieces, half an ounce; dried peel of Seville oranges, bruised, one drachm ; coriander seeds, bruised, half a drachm; diluted alcohol, four ounces ; water, one pound: First pour on the alcohol, and three hours thereafter add the Water ; then macerate without heat for twelve hours, and straia. |