The Ceylon moss : communications read to the Royal Medico Botanical Society, by Geo. G. Sigmond.
- Date:
- [1840]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The Ceylon moss : communications read to the Royal Medico Botanical Society, by Geo. G. Sigmond. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
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![“ The infinite variety of sea weeds must afford sources of different medici- nal and dietetic agency, and that they are deeply prized amongst the eastern nations is fully proved from the experience of travellers ; and in proof of the high estimation in which they are held amongst the Asiatic nations, on whose shores the subject of my observations so much abounds, the following extract fr.im the voyage of the Observant and highly-gifted traveller, Barrow, satis- tactorilv proves:—‘All the gelatinous substances derived frora'the sea, whether animal or vegetable are considered by the Cochin Chinese amongst the most nutritious of all alimeati, and, on this principle, various kmds of algae or se.i weeds, particularly those genera which are known by the name of fuci ao>. til' ae, are included in the list of these edible plants. In the populous islands ot J-ipvtn, tile natives of t'le sea coast derive part oft their sustenance from va rious kinds of sea weeds, and from none more than that species of fucus which is called saccarinus. It would appear from Thnnberg’s account of its leaves being used to ornament and embellish packages of fruit, or other presents of- fered to strangers, that this plant is in high estimation.’ “ Not only in their ordinary form, or acted upon by the culinary art, are the mosses employed as food ; but one of the most admired luxuries of the table in China is the eatable bird’s nest formed from them. After undergoing many washings and preparations, they are made Into a soft, delicious jelly j they are I likewise served up in bioths and soups; they have the reputation of being nu- tritious, and gently stimulating. The extravagant prices given for these nests oy the Chinese render them a most expensive article of diet. Of the medicinal value of the Ceylon Mess we' learn from the following remarks:— “ The Ceylon moss iabounds in that gelatinous or amylaceous principle which forms the useful ingredient of the Iceland 'moss, and is perfectly free ^rorn the bitter and mischievous ingredient ; it must, therefore, supply most advantageously the place of the latter article, where’it was formerly recom • mended, aud where lt';was not only found ineffectual, but occasionally Inju. rious. Its efficacy at tl^e commencement of pulmonic disease, and its power of alleviation of the worst symptoms, and of supporting the constitution nnder the action of more decided remedies, are the claims that we can urge for its employment, without pretension]to an agency which it does nat possess. “ It is at that stage ©f the^nsidious commencement of a disease, whose gra- dual inroads overthrow the coastitutiou, ,andjwhose fatal advance is at first often unseen, that this remedial agent *is most serviceable. When there is a disposition to cough—when there i^is an almost imperceptible increase in the trequency of respiration upon^exerclse, when the digestive functions are dis- ordered, the’ stomach often nauseated or fastidious, the bowels constipated, the secretions altered in colour and consistency, there is a necessity for watch- fulness. Withouthetog ovam anxious, withimt too much tampering, there -.hould be great carefulness «s to diet, to clothing, and to exposure to heat or ro cold. There is> period at which youth first commences to bloom, and to be fitted for the important duties of life at which the maxims of health cannot be too sedulously enforced. In such instances the Ceylon Moss affords the most important relief, and effects a cure. It allays the irritation of the mucous sur- face by its demulcent power, it affords a nutriment to the system, perfectly devoid of stimulus, and it strengthens and gives tone to the digestive organs . Its demulcent' powers may be developed by forming it into troches or lo zenges which, slowly dissolved in the mouth, lubricate the mucous surface, an'^ allay the excitement which produces the convulsive effort of coughing. When fne windpipe audits branches have been irritated, and this irritation is often times a source of ulceration, and of compUcatioa with pulmonic disease, the moss, in such a form, is most valuable. Tubercles advance to their worst state of suppuration, from slight causes, and they may be arrested before they reach the fatal point by the moss—a remedy simple and mild. Asthma, during the intervals ot paroxysm, will be alleviated by means which not only assist in the production of an increased quantity of mucous, but also In restoring health to the digestive organs, which are so generally impaired, and are so often the exciting cause of each attack. “ There is a symptom which occurs not only in common catarrh, in acute bronchitis, or in thoracic disease, but is likewise to be observed in plethoric persons, more particularly females, as they advance In life ; it is a peculiar Mckling sensation, described as occurring in the windpipe, which causes a C9ugh, sometimes of a very harrassing nature. It frequently comes o.. the first thing in the morning, as soon as the individual lifts himself from the re- cumbent position, or begins to move about j sometimes it follows upon laving down or changing side; this cough lasts for some length of time, and ceases after some degree of expectoration. This sensation of tickling, or of itching, is constantly referred to the situation of the bifurcation of the trachea, or tba* portion of the windpipe immediately above it; ifseems dependant on slight causes generally, although there may be circumstances where it occurs with](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22394461_0004.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
