263.  Rubia tinctorum.  Madder.  Roots.  L. E. D.—­It has little or no smell; a sweetish taste, mixed with a little bitterness.  The virtues attributed to it are those of a detergent and aperient; whence it has been usually ranked among the opening roots, and recommended in obstructions of the viscera, particularly of the kidneys, in coagulations of the blood from falls or bruises, in the jaundice, and beginning dropsies.

It is observable, that this root, taken internally, tinges the urine of a deep red colour; and in the Philosophical Transactions we have an account of its producing a like effect upon the bones of animals which had it mixed with their food:  all the bones, particularly the more solid ones, were changed, both externally and internally, to a deep red, but neither the fleshy nor cartilaginous parts suffered any alteration:  some of these bones macerated in water for many weeks together, and afterwards steeped and boiled in spirit of wine, lost none of their colour, nor communicated any tinge to the liquors.

264.  Rumex Acetosa.  Sorrel.  Leaves.  L.—­These have an agreeable acid taste.  They have the same medicinal qualities as the Oxalis Acetosella, and are employed for the same purposes.

Sorrel taken in considerable quantities, or used prepared for food, will be found of great advantage when a refrigerant and antiscorbutic regimen is required.—­Woodville’s Med.  Bot.

265.  Ruta graveolens.  Rue.  Leaves.  L. E. D.—­These are powerfully stimulating, attenuating, and detergent:  and hence, in cold phlegmatic habits, they quicken the circulation, dissolve tenacious juices, open obstructions of the excretory glands, and promote the fluid secretions.  The writers on the Materia Medica in general have entertained a very high opinion of the virtues of this pant.  Boerhaave is full of its praises; particularly of the essential oil, and the distilled water cohobated or redistilled several times from fresh parcels of the herb:  after somewhat extravagantly commending other waters prepared in this manner, he adds, with regard to that of rue, that the greatest commendations he can bestow upon it fall short of its merit:  “What medicine (says he) can be more efficacious for promoting perspiration, in cases of epilepsies, and for expelling poison?” Whatever service rue may be of generally, it undoubtedly has its use in the two last cases:  the cohobated water, however, is not the most efficacious preparation.

266.  Salix fragilis.  Crack willow.  Bark.  L. D.-The bark of the branches of this tree manifests a considerable degree of bitterness to the taste, and is also astringent; hence it has been thought a good substitute for the Peruvian bark, and, upon trial, was found to stop the paroxysms of intermittents:  it is likewise recommended in other cases requiring tonic or astringent remedies.  Not only the bark of this species of Salix, but that of several others, possess similar qualities, particularly of the Salix alba pentandria, and capraea, all of which are recommended in foreign Pharmacopoeias.  But, in our opinion, the bark of the Salix triandria is more effectual than that of any other of this genus; at least, its sensible qualities give it a decided preference.—­Woodville’s Med Bot.