195.  Crocus sativus.  True saffron.  The Stigmata.  L. E. D.—­There are three sorts of saffron met with in the shops, two of which are brought from abroad, the other is the produce of our own country.  This last is greatly superior to the two former.

This medicine is particularly serviceable in hysteric depressions proceeding from a cold cause, or obstruction of the uterine secretions, where other aromatics, even those of the more generous kind, have little effect.  Saffron imparts the whole of its virtue and colour to rectified spirit, proof spirit, wine, vinegar, and water:  a tincture used to be drawn with vinegar, but it looses greatly its colour in keeping.  There can be little use for preparations of saffron, as the drug itself will keep good for any length of time.

196.  CUMINUM Cymini.  Cummin.  The Seeds.  L.—­Cummin seeds have a bitterish warm taste, accompanied with an aromatic flavour, not of the most agreeable kind.  They are accounted good carminatives, but not very often made use of.  An essential oil of them used to be kept in the shops, and they gave name to a plaster and cataplasm.—­Lewis’s Mat.  Med.

197.  Cynara Scolymus.  Artichoke.  The Leaves.  E.—­The bitter juice of the leaf, mixed with an equal part of Madeira wine, is recommended in an ounce dose night and morning, as a powerful diuretic in dropsy.  An infusion of the leaf may likewise be used.

198.  Daphne Mezereum.  The mezereon.  The Roots.  L. E. D.—­This plant is extremely acrid, especially when fresh, and, if retained in the mouth, excites great and long continued heat and inflammation, particularly of the throat and fauces.  The bark and berries of Mezereon in different forms have been long externally used to obstinate ulcers and ill conditioned sores.  In France, the former is strongly recommended as an application to the skin, which, under certain management, produces a continued serious discharge without blistering, and is thus rendered useful in many chronic diseases of a local nature answering the purpose of what has been called a perpetual blister, while it occasions less pain and inconvenience.

In this country Mezereon is principally employed for the cure of some siphylitic complaints; and in this way Dr. Donald Monro was the first who gave testimony of its efficacy in the successful use of the Lisbon Diet Drink.

The considerable and long-continued heat and irritation that is produced in the throat when Mezereon is chewed, induced Dr. Withering to think of giving it in a case of difficulty of swallowing, seemingly occasioned by a paralytic affection.  The patient was directed to chew a thin slice of the root as often as she could bear it, and in about a month recovered her power of swallowing.  This woman had suffered the complaint three years, and was greatly reduced, being totally unable to swallow solids, and liquids but very imperfectly.—­Woodville’s Med.  Bot. p. 720.