akes an excellent anti-putrescent gargle.
There is also a yellow variety of the Wood Sorrel.

WORMWOOD.

The common Wormwood (_Artemisia absinthium_) has been partly
considered here together with Mugwort, to which it is closely allied.
It is a Composite herb of frequent growth on waste ground, being a
bushy plant with silky stems, and collections of numerous small
heads of dull yellow flowers. The name Wormwood is from
_wehren_, to keep off--_mought_, a maggot or moth; and
_absinthium_, from-a-negative--_psinthos_, delight, in allusion to
the very bitter taste.

The whole plant is of an aromatic smell and bitter flavour. The
flowers, when dried and powdered, destroy worms more effectually
than worm seed, whilst the leaves resist putrefaction and help to
make capital antiseptic fomentations.

Wormwood tea, or the powdered herb in small doses, mixed in a
little soup, will serve to relieve bilious melancholia, and will help
to disperse the yellow hue of jaundice from the skin.

This herb was formerly thought to possess the power of dispelling
demons, and was thus associated with the ceremonials of St. John's
Eve, owning the name, on the Continent, of St. John's Herb, or St.
John's Girdle. Both it, and the Mugwort were dedicated to Diana:
[613] and Venus gave thereof (Ambrose) to AEneas. It bears the
provincial name "old woman." The smell of common Wormwood is
very refreshing, and its reviving qualities in heated Courts are
almost equal to a change of air.

Dioscorides declared it a preventive of intoxication, and a remedy
for the ill-effects of any such excess; for which reason the _poculum
absinthiacum_ was a favourite beverage.

Gerard says: "The plant voideth away the worms, not only taken
inwardly, but applied outwardly; it withstandeth all putrefactions,
and is good against the stinking breath." It keepeth garments also
from the moths--_A tineis tutam reddit qua conditur arcam_
(Macer); and Dr. W. Bulleyne says "it keepeth clothes from
moths and wormes." This is the great preventive used by cloth
manufacturers. "Furthermore," adds Gerard, "taken in wine it is
good against the biting of the shrew mouse, and of the sea dragon. It
may be applied against the Squincie, or inflammation of the throat,
with honey and water: likewise, after the same manner, to dim eyes,
and mattery ears."

The characteristic odour of the plant is due to a volatile oil which
consists mainly of absinthol; and the intensely bitter