We have testimony of its great use in scurvy, not only from physicians, but navigators; as Anson, Linschoten, Maartens, Egede, and others.  And it has been justly noticed, that this plant grows plentifully in those high latitudes where the scurvy is most obnoxious.  Forster found it in great abundance in the islands of the South Seas.—­Woodville, p. 395.

191.  Cochlearia Armoracia.  Horse-radish.  The Root.  E.-The medical effects of this root are, to stimulate the solids, attenuate the juices, and promote the fluid secretions:  it seems to extend its action through the whole habit, and affect the minutest glands.  It has frequently done great service in some kinds of scurvies and other chronic disorders proceeding from a viscidity of the juices, or obstructions of the excretory ducts.  Sydenham recommends it likewise in dropsies, particularly those which sometimes follow intermittent fevers.  Both water and rectified spirit extract the virtues of this root by infusion, and elevate them in distillation:  along with the aqueous fluid an essential oil arises, possessing the whole taste and pungency of the horse-radish.  The College have given us a very elegant compound water, which takes its name from this root.

192.  Colchicum autumnale.  Meadow-saffron.  The Roots.  L. E. D.—­The roots, freed from the outer blackish coat and fibres below, are white, and full of a white juice.  In drying they become wrinkled and dark coloured.  Applied to the skin, it shows some signs of acrimony; and taken internally, it is said sometimes to excite a sense of burning heat, bloody stools, and other violent symptoms.  In the form of syrup, however, it has been given to the extent of two ounces a-day without any bad consequence.  It is sometimes employed as a diuretic in dropsy.  It is now supposed to be a principal ingredient in the celebrated French gout medicine L’Eau Medicinale.

193.  Conium maculatum.  Hemlock.  The Leaves.  L. E. D.—­Physicians seem somewhat in dispute about the best mode of exhibiting this medicine; some recommending the extract, as being most easily taken in the form of pills; others the powder, as not being subject to that variation which the extract is liable to, from being made in different ways.  With respect to the period, likewise, at which the plant should be gathered, they seem not perfectly agreed; some recommending it when in its full vigour, and just coming into bloom, and others, when the flowers are going off.  An extract of the green plant is ordered by the College in their last list.  Dr. Cullen has for many years commended the making it from the unripe seeds; and this mode the College of Physicians at Edinburgh have thought proper to adopt in their late Pharmacopoeia.

Similar Plants.—­Aethusa Cynapium; Apium Petroselium; Oenanthe crocata; Oe. fistulosa; Phellandrium aquaticum.

194.  CORIANDRUM sativum.  Coriander.  The Seeds.  L. E. D.-These, when fresh, have a strong disagreeable smell, which improves by drying, and becomes sufficiently grateful.  They are recommmended as carminative and stomachic.