(seq. 151)

142

Materia Medica

Tonics

this is considerably bitter and pretty pure, containing a
considerable quantity of mucilage and some astringency it has been
used in consumption. Bergius recommends it boiled in
milk, my own experiments of it amounts to nothing.

Humulas Lupulas. Or common hop, is a simple
and pure bitter, the flower is odorous its principal use is in
malt liquors preventing their becoming acessant. Ray informs
us that since the introduction of hop in bear there have been
four cases of calculi in London there must be some fallacy
in this opinion. Dr Sydenham mentions the ill effects of malt
liquors in generating calculi, the hop says Dr Darwin may
contribute to gravel in the kidneys as the intemperate ale
drinkers are the most subject to gravel. I am disposed to favor
this opinion from experience, I know it will bring on
paroxysms of fever of gravel &c. A single glass of Porter will bring on
Paroxysms of nephritis in myself. Dr Dobson ascribed this
effect to fixed air, it ought to be placed among the first of the
bitter tonics. Linneus ascribed a narcotic quality to the hops, I
am disposed to believe there is some foundation for this opinion.
Dr Wells has recommended the hop pillow in cases of mania