(Chironia Centaurium[457] _Cacumina._)
_The flowering tops of the common Centaury._
QUALITIES. _Odour_, none; _Taste_, intensely bitter. CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION. Mucilage, resin, and bitter matter. SOLUBILITY. Alcohol and
water dissolve all its active matter. MEDICINAL USES. All its value
depends upon its bitterness. It entered into the composition of the once
celebrated _Portland Powder_ for the gout, for an account of which see
page 32. DOSE, of an infusion, made in the proportion of ℥j to oj of
boiling water, f℥ij; of the dry powder ʒi.