Bromus Ciliatus. Brome Grass.

Description: Natural Order, Gramineae. Genus BROMUS: I. " Spikelets many-flowered; glumes unequal; lower paleae round from below its two-cleft lip; upper paleae adhering to the groove of the linear grain; stamens three. Coarse grasses with large and drooping spikelets. B.CILIATUS: Culm three to four feet high, with large leaves, somewhat hairy. Panicle compound, very loose, long branches at length divergent and drooping; awn half to three-fourths the length of the flowers; lower paleae silky. Common along river banks and moist woodlands." (Gray.) The cheat or chess so troublesome to farmers, is in this genus.

Properties and Uses: The leaves are an efficient relaxant purgative, acting mildly, yet rather promptly, and securing the evacuation of the gall-ducts and mucous lubrication of the bowels. They are slightly stimulant, but not griping. They also influence the uterus and promote expectoration. The taste is that of a faint and rather pleasant bitter. Used by infusing an ounce in a pint of hot water, of which two fluid ounces may be given every two hours till they act, for cathartic purposes; or one fluid ounce every four hours for tardy menstruation.

The Physiomedical Dispensatory, 1869, was written by William Cook, M.D.
It was scanned by Paul Bergner at http://medherb.com