VIOLA ODORATA, Medical Properties of. Though every part of the sweet-scented violet possesses some property which renders it useful, it is chiefly the qualities of the flower which entitle it to notice here. The petals possess a colour and an odour which •rencier them useful. The former serves as a chemical test, the latter recom mends the preparations to the sense of smell by its pleasantness. It is not always innocuous, as very sensitive persons have sunk under its influence. Violets should not be kept during the night in sleeping TOMS.
The petals may either be employed fresh to form a syrup, or pre served dry, and used when required. The drying must be carefully performed, to preserve the colour, and afterwards kept in the dark, either in bags of thick brown paper, or bottles lined with paper. The syrup is used more as a chemical test, to show by the action on its colour the presence or absence of acids or alkalies, than as a medicine. It ought, for either purpose, to be perfectly pure ; but few things are more sophisticated. Its medical properties are slight, if any. It is
reputed to be a mild, safe laxative, mixed with almond.oil, for even the youngest children.
The seeds are demulcent, and they, as well as the leaves, are emollient, from the mucilage they contain. They are both used for fomeutatious and eatapis.sins. The root is emetic and purgative. It contains an alkaloid termed Violina. This resembles Emetina, and can be used like it.
Viola tricolor, or Pansy, is recommended in the skin disease of children called Crustalactea, or Porrigo larralis. It communicates, as does a Spanish sweetmeat or preserve, a peculiar odour to the secretion from the kidneys. The occurrence of this odour is therefore no crite rion of a beneficial action over the disease. Viola primulafolia, Linu., V. orate, Itafinisque, is reputed good against the bite of the rattlesuake.
lonidium Ipeeacuanha is the emetic of Brazil, while Ionidium micro phyllum, of Quito, is most useful in Elephantiasis.