By virtue of its properties as a vulnerary it has also been called Consolida; but the daisy is the true Consolida minor.
Agrimony was at one time included in the London Materia Medica as a vulnerary herb.
It has derived these names from the consolidating and vulnerary qualities attributed to the plant, from confirmo, to strengthen together, or the French, comfrie.
He believed also in the vulnerary ointment, which could cure wounds, not by application to the wound itself but to the weapon.
The vulnerary ointment was composed of moss from the head of a dead person, preferably one who had been put to death for murder, mummy, human fat and human blood.
And the dressings may only consist of the layers of dry lint and vulnerary powder applied alternately.
After the first layer of lint is thus covered, fresh lint must be applied, and again sprinkled with the powder, till in this manner the cavity of the wound is quite filled up with alternate layers of lint, and this vulnerary powder.
In using the external vulnerary medicines, in which aloes is an ingredient, it must be remembered, what Mr. Bilguer remarks in another place, that they often prove purgative.
Tournefort thus dwells upon its medicinal properties:-- "It forms an ingredient in arquebusade water and vulnerary potions.
The Broth of Crabs may also be prescrib'd, which is an excellent Remedy, and may serve instead of a Vulnerary Potion.
What are the Vulnerary Plants, the Decoctions of which is to be taken inwardly?
If the Wounds are deep, Injections may be made with this Vulnerary Water, which is very good for all sorts of Contusions, as also for the Gangrene and Ulcers.
To tinge Vulnerary Water, put any quantity into a glass matrass, and infuse in it some bruised Cochineal; then filter the Vulnerary Water, and use it to gargle the mouth, after which the teeth are to be cleaned with Tooth Powder.
Another Water for the Teeth, called Spirituous Vulnerary Water.
It is available for the palsy and sciatica, and effectual for bruises inward and outward, and is therefore much used in vulnerary drinks.
The Balsams and vulnerary Plants, which have often been so highly celebrated for the Cure of Wounds, are very noxious, when taken inwardly; because the Introduction of them gives or heightens the Fever, which ought to have been abated.
In some of them indeed Recourse may be had to the sweet Vapours of some vulnerary Herbs in hot Water, with a little Oil of Turpentine, as directed No.
Many others may be made, of nearly the same Virtues, with all the vulnerary Herbs, and even with the Faltranc.
They are recommended as vulnerary medicines, and in all cases where mild astringents or corroborants are proper.
As to its virtues, practitioners do not now expect any considerable ones from it, and pay very little regard to the vulnerary qualities which it was formerly celebrated for.
Geoffroy relates that the herb, gathered before the flowers have come forth, and boiled in water, imparts an acrid taste, penetrating and subtile like pepper; and that this decoction is an excellent vulnerary and diuretic.
