Water-cress

The scrofula to which the Water-cress and its allied plants are antidotal, got its name from _scrofa_, "a burrowing pig," signifying the radical destruction of important glands in the body by this undermining constitutional disease.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie

The Cuckoo flower, or "Ladies 'Smock" (Cardamine) from _Cardia damao_, "I strengthen the heart," is another wholesome Cress with the same sensible properties as the Water-cress, only in an inferior degree, while the strong pungency of its flavour prevents it from being equally popular.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie

A Water-cress cataplasm applied cold in a single layer, and with a pinch of salt sprinkled thereupon makes a most useful poultice to heal foul scrofulous ulcers; and will also help to resolve glandular swellings.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie

Like an oyster, the Water-cress is in proper season only when there is an "r" in the month.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie

The leaf of the unwholesome Water parsnep, or Fool's Cress, resembles that of the Water-cress, and grows near it not infrequently: but the leaves of the true Water-cress never embrace the stem of the plant as do the leaf stalks of its injurious imitators.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie

But these streams ought to be free from contamination by sewage matter, or any drainage which might convey the germs of fever, or other blood poison: for, as we are admonished, the Water-cress plant acts as a brush in impure running brooks to detain around its stalks and leaves any dirty disease-bringing flocculi.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie

_ -- The whole plant is used as a salad, in the same manner and for the same purposes as Water-cress.

The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Containing Full Descriptions of Nearly Eleven Hundred Species and Varietes; With Directions for Propagation, Culture and Use. Fearing Burr

Water-cress is a hardy, aquatic perennial; and is found growing naturally, in considerable abundance, about ponds, and in ditches and small running streams.

The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Containing Full Descriptions of Nearly Eleven Hundred Species and Varietes; With Directions for Propagation, Culture and Use. Fearing Burr

_ -- "Water-cress is of the best quality when grown in running streams and gravelly soil."

The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Containing Full Descriptions of Nearly Eleven Hundred Species and Varietes; With Directions for Propagation, Culture and Use. Fearing Burr

The _Water-cress_ is justly popular with persons who drink freely overnight, for its power of dissipating the fumes of the liquor, and of clearing away lethargic inaptitude for work in the morning: also for dispelling the tremors, and the foul taste induced by excessive tobacco smoking.

Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure William Thomas Fernie