much weaker in their action. They are used in decoction, emulsion, syrup or extract to calm irritation, relieve pain and promote rest. The decoction forms a common fomentation, which is applied to burns, inflamed or excoriated parts. Over ordinary opiates the syrup has the positive advantage of a less disagreeable taste.

Emetic, cathartic, alterative, antiherpetic, and somewhat nar cotic. In doses of from one to five grains it acts as an alterative. The extract is an excellent remedy for the removal of those severe pains attending mercurio-syphilitic affections, in which it is more beneficial than opium. It is said to have been successfully employed in chronic rheumatism and in hemorrhoids.

Its emetic action is characterized by slowness, not producing any special effect till some time after it has been taken, and then continuing to act for a considerable time upon the stomach and bowels, This action is not attended with much pain or spasm, but narcotic effects have been observed, such as drowsiness, vertigo, and dimness of vision. In small doses it partakes of alterative powers, exciting the whole glandular system, and producing highly beneficial results in syphilitic, scrofulous, rheumatic, and cutaneous diseases.

The root roasted in hot ashes until soft, and then mashed and applied as a poultice, is unrivaled in felons and humors of various kinds. It discusses them rapidly, or if too far advanced, hastens their suppuration.

It is said to have been used with good effect in paralysis of the intestines. The ointment has been employed to a considerable extent in the treatment of felons, sanious ulcers, cutaneous eruptions, itch, hemorrhoids, and cancer. In this last disease, Dr. Bone combined it with gunpowder. It is asserted that poke is a sure cure for syphilis in all its stages, without the use of mercury. The phytolaccin of Tilden's, which seems to be the chief active principle, is now used successfully as an alterative tonic in doses of from one-fourth to one grain.

Pills of Phytolacca, 1 grain.

66

Phytolaccin,"

Pinus Canadensis.
(Hemlock.)

Dose, 1 to 4.
1 to 2.

This is a common forest tree, found in great abundance in the British Provinces, in North America, and in most of the New England States, and also in the mountainous regions of the Middle States. The bark contains a large amount of tannin, and is extensively used in the manufacture of leather. The whole plant contains an oleo-resinous substance, which is manifest by its fragrant exhalations. The extract, furnished from the bark, is a valuable remedy in the treatment of chronic diarrhea, in the last stages of dysentery, and cholera infantum. The valuable astringent properties have suggested its employment in hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, &c., as well as in many other cases, in which matico, tannin, and rhatany have been ably defended.

Fluid Extract.

PREPARATION.

.Dose, to 1 dram

Piper Angustifolium.

(Matico.)

Aromatic, tonic, stimulant, and styptic. Its therapeutical agency is highly recommended in hemoptysis, hematemesis, dysentery and hematuria, in doses of one dram of the powdered leaves, or one fluid dram of the fluid extract four times a day. Hemorrhage from the nose or uterus has been arrested by the internal administration of matico, after other remedies had completely failed to control the bleeding. As an internal remedy it has also been successfully employed in diseases of the mucous membrane, as gonorrhea, leucorrhea, menorrhagia, catarrh of the bladder, hemorhoids and epistaxis.

The leaves form a superior medicinal orrhage from wounds, leech-bites, &c. leaf is said to be the most active part. Its essential oil is recommended in the See Journal of Materia Medica, vol. 5.

styptic for arresting hemThe downy part of the Also applied to ulcers. treatment of gonorrhea.

Fluid Extract....

PREPARATION.

.Dose, to 2 drams.

Piper Cubebæ.
(Cubebs.)

Cubebs is a well tried remedy in the treatment of gonorrhea.

It is aromatic, pungent, stimulant, and purgative, and acts as a specific in arresting gonorrheal discharges. It has also been given in leucorrhea, cystirrhea, abscess of the prostate gland, piles, and chronic bronchial inflammation. The use of cubebs is contra-indicated during a high inflammatory condition, and is advised to be used in gonorrhea only when the inflammation is confined to the mucous membrane of the urethra. Dr. Dieters extols the use of cubebs in involuntary micturition, or incontinence of urine, given in tolerably large doses twice a day, for from three to eight weeks. It is highly valued by many practitioners in the blennorrhea of females, as well as in leucorrhea. It has the power of arresting excessive discharges from the urethra.

In

Black Pepper is a warm carminative stimulant. It appears, in common with cubebs, to exercise a specific influence on the mucous membranes of the rectum and genito-urinary organs. large doses, it produces inflammation of the stomach, and acts as an irritant poison. Its chief medicinal application is to excite the languid stomach and correct flatulence. In intermittent fever, when the stomach is not duly susceptible to the action of quinia, as sometimes in drunkards, pepper may be found a useful adjuvant to the more powerful febrifuge.

Dyspeptic persons have been greatly benefited, and sometimes cured by the use of pepper alone. Cases of gonorrhea are mentioned, in which this remedy proved effectual.

Dr. Brodie advises the persistent use of this drug in chronio cases of hemorrhoids occurring in old persons, or proceeding from debility. An aperient should occasionally be given.

Contra-indications.-Inflammation of the rectum and intestines Incompatibles.-Vegetable astringents.

Fluid Extract.

Pills of Piperin, grain.

PREPARATIONS.

.Dose, 10 to 20 drops.

44

2 to 4.

Podophyllum Peltatum.

(Mandrake.)

Mandrake is cathartic, emetic, alterative, anthelmintic, hydragogue and sialagogue.

The root of podophyllum is a sure and active cathartic, in which character it deserves a high rank among our indigenous productions. We have no native plant that answers better the common purpose of jalap, aloes and rhubarb, and which is more safe and mild in its operation. It acts principally as a cathartic; drastic, also as an emetic, if taken in quantity; laxative, if the doses administered are moderate. It promotes glandular action, exerting also a powerful influence on the condition of the cutaneous tissue, and regulates the circulatory system.

As a deobstruent, it is one of the most valuable in our materia medica, acting through and upon all the tissues of the system, and its action continues for a long time. In bilious and typhoid febrile diseases, it is very valuable as a cathartic, or emeticocathartic, often breaking up the disease at once.

A moderate use of the podophyllum is effectual in chronic hepatitis; and, indeed, all cases of hepatic derangement, whether of short or long standing, are overcome by this treatment.

There is not its superior in the whole range of medicines, arousing the liver to a more healthy action, increasing the flow of bile, and keeping up these actions longer than any other agent with which we are acquainted. In alterative doses, it has been found exceedingly valuable in scrofula, syphilitic diseases, rheumatism, &c. In constipation, it acts upon the bowels, without disposing them to subsequent costiveness. It has likewise been found very beneficial in dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, incontinence of urine, worms, and some affections of the bladder.

It promotes free action of the kidneys, arousing the absorbents, being a regulator of all secretions, so far as any one medicine can be, and exerts a complete influence over the pathologic condition of the blood, preventing its strong determination to any part where congestion or incipient inflammation would be produced-as, for instance, in the brain. In intermittent fevers, in inflammation of the brain, and in dropsical affections, it has been used with marked success, acting as a powerful cholagogue and deobstruent, at the same time restoring and equalizing the circulation. It has been deemed advisable by some physicians, to give in connection with the podophyllum some slight cathartic, as the bitartrate of potassa, if speedy action is desirable.

PODOPHYLLIN, the active principle of Mandrake.-This is an alterative and cathartic, and acts in many respects like mercurial preparations. It rouses the liver to vigorous action, stimulates

the kidneys, promotes expectoration, augments the glandular functions, and cleanses the canal of all irritating substances. Its range. of application is, perhaps, more extensive than any other cathartic medicine. Very much might be said in regard to its merits and mode of application.

It exerts a favorable influence on the cutaneous functions, producing and maintaining a constant moisture of the skin. It produces ptyalism in some persons, and is said to produce a powerful and lasting impression upon the glandular system and secretory organs, unequalled by any other article.

It is useful in scrofulous diseases, hepatic affections, dysmenorrhea, gonorrhea; also administered beneficially in jaundice, dropsy, dysentery, diarrhea, bilious, remittent, and intermittent fevers, typhoid fever, and all glandular enlargements. When in combination with leptandrin, it forms an exceedingly valuable and effective alterative and cholagogue. There is not a better cholagogue preparation known in medicine than the combination of podophyllin and leptandrin. For further illustration of the properties of podophyllum and leptandra, see Journal of Materia Medica, March, June, July, 1858.

Podophyllum Compound.

The constituents of this compound are mandrake, senna and jalap.. It acts as an antibilious purgative; and may be used in cases where the object is to produce prompt and copious evacuation, where an active impression is required to remove from the intestinal tube irritating substances.

This plant is an active stimulant, increasing the force of the circulation, especially that of the pulmonary vessels; it has been found very useful in typhoid inflammation of the lungs. Dr. Brandreth, of Liverpool, has derived great service from its employment, in cases of lethargy, in the form of an extract, combined with carbonate of ammonia. It has been given in hydropic and as it sometimes promotes plentiful discharges by urine,

cases;