Uses—The inspissated expressed juice of the fresh plant is reputed narcotic and diuretic, but is probably nearly inert.
LACTUCARIUM.
Lactucarium, Lettuce Opium, Thridace;[1453] F. and G. Lactucarium.
Botanical Origin—The species of Lactuca from which lactucarium is obtained, are three or four in number, namely—
1. Lactuca virosa L., described in the foregoing article.
2. L. Scariola L., a plant very nearly allied to the preceding and perhaps a variety of it, but having the foliage less abundant, more glaucous, leaves more sharply lobed, much more erect and almost parallel with the stem. It has the same geographical range as L. virosa.
3. L. altissima Bieb., a native of the Caucasus, now cultivated in Auvergne in France for yielding lactucarium. It is a gigantic herb, having when cultivated a height of 9 feet and a stem 1½ inches in diameter. Prof. G. Planchon believes it to be a mere variety of L. Scariola L.
4. L. sativa L., the common Garden Lettuce.[1454]
History—Dr. Coxe of Philadelphia was the first to suggest that the juice of the lettuce, collected in the same manner as opium is collected from the poppy, might be usefully employed in medicine. The result of his experiments on the juice which he thus obtained from the garden lettuce (L. sativa L.), and called Lettuce Opium, was published in 1799.[1455]
The experiments of Coxe were continued some years later by Duncan, Young, Anderson, Scudamore and others in Scotland, and by Bidault de Villiers and numerous observers in France. The production of lactucarium in Auvergne was commenced[1456] by Aubergier, pharmacien of Clermont-Ferrand, about 1841.