226.  Leontodon Taraxicum.  N EBION.  Root.  L.—­The roots contain a bitter milky juice; they promise to be of use as asperient and detergent medicines; and have sometimes been directed in this intention with good success.  Boerhaave esteems them capable, if duly continued, of resolving almost all kinds of coagulations, and opening very obstinate obstructions of the viscera.

227.  Linum usitatissimum.  Flax.  The Seeds.  L. E.—­Linseed yields to the press a considerable quantity of oil; and boiled in water, a strong mucilage:  these are occasionally made use of for the same purposes as other substances of that class; and sometimes the seeds themselves in emollient and maturating cataplasms.  They have also been employed in Asia, and, in times of scarcity, in Europe, as food:  but are not agreeable, or in general wholesome.

228.  Linum catharticum.  Purging-flax.  The Herb.  L. D.-This is a very small plant, not above four or five inches high, found wild upon chalky hills, and in dry pasture-grounds.  Its virtue is expressed in its title:  an infusion in water or whey of a handful of the fresh leaves, or a dram of them in substance when dried, is said to purge without inconvenience.

229.  Lobelia siphylitica.  Blue Cardinal flower.  The Root.  E.—­Every part of the plant abounds with a milky juice, and has a rank smell.  The root, which is the part directed for medicinal use, in taste resembles tobacco, and is apt to excite vomiting.  It derived its name, Siphylitica, from its efficacy in the cure of Siphylis, as experienced by the North American Indians, who considered it a specific to that disease.

A decoction was made of a handful of the roots in three measures of water.  Of this, half a measure is taken in the morning fasting, and repeated in the evening; and the dose is gradually increased till its purgative effects become too violent, when the decoction is to be intermitted for a day or two, and then renewed till a perfect cure is effected.  But it does not appear that the antisiphylitic powers of Lobelia have been confirmed by any instances of European practice.—­ Woodville’s Med.  Bot. p. 251.

230.  Lythrum Salicaria.  Willow herb.  The Herb.  D.—­This is used internally in dropsies, obstinate gleets, and leucorrhoea.

Similar Plants.—­Epilobium palustre; Epilob. angustifolium; Epilob. hirsutum.

231.  Malva sylvestris.  Common mallow.  Herb.  L. E.—­The leaves are ranked the first of the four emollient herbs:  they were formerly of some esteem, in food, for loosening the belly; at present, decoctions of them are sometimes employed in dysenteries, heat and sharpness of urine, and in general for obtunding acrimonious humours:  their principal use is in emollient glysters, cataplasms, and fomentations.

232.  Marrubium vulgare.  HORFHOUND.  Herb.  E. D.—­It is greatly extolled for its efficacy in removing obstructions of the lungs and other viscera.  It has chiefly been employed in humoural asthmas.  Mention is made of its successful use in scirrhous affections of the liver, jaundice, cachexies, and menstrual suppressions.—­Woodville’s Med.  Bot. p. 333.