822

ELEMENTS OF MATERIA ME DICA.

Ru'mex Aceto'sa, Linn. L. D.

-Common Sorrel.

astrio'

Sex, Sgst. Hexandria, Trigynia.

(Folia, L. D.)

Botany. Gen. Char. — Calyx six-parted; the three outer segn 1 ®^somewhat cohering at the base ; the three inner becoming enlargedflowering. Stamens six. Styles three, reflexed. Stigmas three,

Nut with three sharp angles. Embryo on one side. Radicle sup®(Bot. Gall, for the most part). p^.

Sp. Char. — Flowers dioecious. Leaves oblong, arrow-shaped.manent petals tuberculated (Smith). - a

Hab. — Indigenous. Woods and pastures common. PevenFlowers in June.

Description. —Sorrel leaves have an agreeable, acid, slightly asgent taste. _ _

Composition. —I am unacquainted with any analysis of this P‘‘The leaves are composed of binoxalate of potash, tartaric acid, w uCl sfecula, chlorophylle, tannic acid , and woody fibre.

Physiological Effects. —Slightly nutritive. Refrigerant andretie. Esteemed antiscorbutic. , jt,

Uses. —Employed as a pot-herb and salad: from the latter use 0 < e( jit has been termed green-sauce (Withering, Bot. vol. ii.) Rarely a ldj ie y,medicinally. A decoction of the leaves may be administered inas a cooling and pleasant drink in febrile and inflammatory diseIn some parts of Scandinavia , bread is made of it in times of scar , ia g(Clarke, Travels in Scandinavia , Part HI. S. 2, P. 90, 1823). Laug ie ^j eIsuggested that the use of aliments containing oxalic acid may? usome circumstances, dispose to the formation of mulberry calculi.

Ru'mex Hydrolap'athum, Hudson.— Great Water Dock■

Rumex aquaticus, D.

Sex, Sgst. Hexandria, Trigynia.

(Radix, D.)

Botany. Gen. Char. —See Rumex Acetosa. a jjy

Sp. Char. — Permanent petals ovate-oblong, nearly entire, uneq u ^tuberculated. Leaves lanceolate, acute at each end. Whorls racrowded, almost entirely leafless (Smith). , ef g

Hab. —Indigenous. Ditches and river sides. Perennial. Fl°' vin July and August.

Description. —The herb and root were formerly used under theof herba et radix britannicee. The root is inodorous, but has an abitter taste. 1

Composition. —I am unacquainted with any analysis of the PThe root contains tannic acid. ft.

Physiological Effects.— The root is astringent, and is reputed ascorbutic. fV y,

Uses. —Scarcely employed. Has been exhibited internally i n s ^ U aS askin diseases, and rheumatism. The powdered root has been use ^dentrifice ; the decoction of the root as an astringent gargle for ulc eor spongy gums.