the use of either of the simple extracts in cases where a simple cathartic is required. By the union of these drugs in the concentrated form of a fluid extract, and in due proportion, a cathartic is obtained which is safe, unattended by unpleasant symptoms, and not followed by constipation. The cases where a simple cathartic is needed are so numerous, that the preparation will be found useful to physicians, and a good family medicine for travellers and others who resort to this kind of purgative habitually. Rhubarb Aromatic. An agreeable, warming, digestive purgative. Its use is attended with the happiest results, strengthening and exciting the action of the stomach, and imparting tone to the digestive functions generally. Rhubarb alone is inadvisable in cases of habitual constipation, on account of its subsequent astringent effect.-Pereira. Incompatibles. Strong acids, lime-water, sulphates of iron and zinc, tartar emetic, bichloride of mercury, vegetable astringents. Astringent and refrigerant, and, to an extent, febrifuge. It has been found valuable in gonorrhea, leuchorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, hectic fever and scrofula. The infusion, as a gargle, is considered almost a specific in the sore throat attending mercurial salivation; and is much used internally in mercurial diseases. Syphilitic af fections are said to be much benefited by a free use of sumac in combination with the barks of slippery elm and white pine. A poultice of the bark applied to ulcers and gangrenous conditions, claims attention for its antiseptic properties. The infusion, sweetened with honey, is serviceable in the same way, for cleansing the mouth in putrid fevers. It is a cooling drink in ulceration of the throat. See Journal of Materia Medica, vol. 1. Fluid Extract... PREPARATIONS. 14 .Dose, 1 to 2 drams. 1 to 2 grains. Rubus Villosus. (Blackberry.) This is a tonic, aromatic stimulant, and strong astringent, has been long a favorite domestic remedy in bowel affections, and may be employed with great advantage in cases of diarrhea from relaxation of the bowels, whether in children or adults. Bigelow considers it a powerful astringent, and is satisfied of its efficacy in cases in which the vegetable astringents are found serviceable. Dr. Chapman speaks highly of it in the declining stage of dysentery, after the symptoms of active inflammation are removed; he asserts that nothing in his hands had done so much to check the inordinate discharges in cholera infantum-two or three doses sufficing to bind up the bowels. Southern Medical and Surgical Journal, also the Journal of Rational Medicine, also Journal of Materia Medica, &c., have published accounts of this agent, as producing extraordinary cures in chronic diarrhea and dysentery, in cases where all other remedies had failed, and in the shortest possible time. It is well adapted to relaxed conditions generally of the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, to passive hemorrhage from the stomach, bowels, and to atonic dyspepsia. In atonic diarrheas of children, especially is it worthy of notice. Blackberry is said to exert an influence over the uterus during parturition, exciting its contraction when other remedies have failed. The compound syrup with aromatics, recommended by Surg. Gen'l. Finlay, for use in the atony in chronic diarrhea, is an excellent form for its use. See Journal of Materia Medica, vol. 1. Astringent and gently tonic, and is supposed to possess an alterative property. It is said to have proved useful in scrofula and syphilis. The extract is astringent, alterative, and tonic, uniting a laxative power with these, and resembling rhubarb in its mode of operation. It is considered eminently useful in scorbutic, scrofulous, scirrhous, and syphilitic affections, leprosy, elephantiasis, &c. Dr. Salsbury speaks of its employment in cutaneous eruptions, and as having attracted considerable attention in the treatment of itch. An ointment of rumex crispus and root-bark of celastrus scandens is confidently affirmed by others, to form an infallible remedy for this disorder. Induration of Liver. The fluid extract of rumex crispus, in combination with a small quantity of the fluid extract of belladonna, is useful in such indications, when complicated with jaundice, and causing dyspepsia or palpitation of the heart. IMMEDIATE effects must not be expected to follow the use of this agent. Recently it has been used quite extensively, in syrups and extracts. Emmenagogue, ecbolic, anthelmintic, and anti-spasmodic. This agent has been successfully employed in flatulency, colic, hysteria, epilepsy, many nervous disorders, and nervous disturbances caused by worms. Dr. Thompson found an enema of the strong infusion of service in convulsions of children, arising from flatulency. It should be administered, in every form, with caution. In large quantities, it operates as a narcotico-acrid poison. If administered during pregnancy, it is very liable to produce abortion, accompanied with gastro-enteritis and cerebral disturbances. In moderate doses, this agent proves an emmenagogue, while in large doses, it determines irritation of the uterus. Sabbatia Angularis. An excellent, pure, bitter tonic, without astringency. Bigelow readily attests its utility; and Eberle considers it one of the most reliable of the tonic remedies. Employed in fall periodic febrile diseases, both as a prophylactic and a remedy; useful in dyspepsia and convalescence from fevers; but principally to invigorate the stomach and alimentary canal. The fluid extract made into a warm infusion has received considerable notoriety for discussing worms, and for restoring the menstrual secretions. See Journal of Materia Medica, vol. 2. Fluid Extract PREPARATION. ...Dose, to 1 dram. Sambucus Canadensis. (Elder Flowers.) The fluid extract of the flowers when made into a warm infusion is diaphoretic and gently stimulant; in cold infusion, diuretic, alterative and cooling. Elder flowers may be used in all diseases requiring such action, as in hepatic derangements of children, erysipelatous diseases, &c. In erysipelas, elder flowers both as a laxative and cooling medicine, are exceedingly valuable. PREPARATION. Fluid Extract.. Sanguinaria Canadensis. (Bloodroot.) to 1 dram Acrid emetic, with narcotic and stimulant properties, expectorant, sudorific, alterative, emmenagogue, tonic, antiseptic, detergent, escharotic and errhine, according to the mode in which it is employed. It is actively stimulant in its primary operations. In small doses, it excites the stomach, and accelerates the circulation; more largely given, produces nausea and consequent depression of the pulse; and in the full dose occasions active vomiting. The effects of an over-dose are violent emesis, faintness, a burning sensation in the stomach, vertigo, tormenting thirst, dimness of vision, and alarming prostration. The powder, applied to fungus growths, and indolent ulcers, proves of utility, removing the former by its escharotic action, and creating in the latter a new and healthy energy. The fluid extract made into an infusion with vinegar has been found valuable in removing ringworms, warts, &c. "Bloodroot has been given in typhoid pneumonia, catarrh, pertussis, croup, phthisis, pneumonitis, scarlatina, rheumatism, jaundice, dyspepsia, hydrothorax, and some other affections, either as an emetic, nauseant or alterative, and its virtues are highly praised by many judicious practitioners. Dr. Mothershead, of Indianapolis, speaks in the strongest terms of its efficacy as an excitant to the liver, given in alterative doses." Dr. R. G. Jennings has found it more efficient as a gargle in scarlatina than any other that he has employed. Of the sanguinarin, Dr. Chas. A. Lee says, "It acts very beneficially in chronic bronchial and hepatic affections. It seems to stimulate all the secretions, and will doubtless, prove a useful general alterative." Dr. Branch, of S. C., has employed bloodroot in croup, and prefers it to any other single remedy: and, by persisting in it till emesis is produced, he is of opinion that it prevents the formation of the diptheritic membranes. See Journal of Materia Medica, vols. 5 and 6. Contra-indications.-All states of high general excitement or Squill is expectorant, diuretic, and in large doses, emetic and purgative. It is seldom used as an emetic or cathartic, on account of its uncertainty in producing these effects. It is used as a diuretic in dropsies, and in chronic pulmonary affections, such as chronic catarrh, humid asthma, winter cough, &c.; it is also employed as an expectorant. As an expectorant it is used both in cases of deficient and superabundant secretion from the bronchial mucous membrane. Troublesome vomiting or purging caused by squill is best corrected by opium. It is contra-indicated, where there is much inflammation or vascular excitement. It will be found useful in chronic bronchitis complicating emphysema, and in all the forms of chronic and subacute catarrh. Under these circumstances, it is most usually combined with senega. It is also much employed as an ingredient in the compound syrup of squill. which is so popular a remedy in spasmodic croup. In the decline of spasmodic and even membranous croup, squill may be of service in promoting secretions from laryngeal mucous membrane. As a diuretic, few medicines excel it, and hence it is in universal use for all forms of dropsy. Sometimes it produces a rapid evacuation of the water by vomiting and purging; this is particularly the case when it is associated with tartar emetic, or with saline cathartics. As a general rule, it is given in combination with digitalis and blue mass, (of each, one grain three or four times a day.) The calomel is supposed to excite absorption, while the squill increases the secretory action of the kidneys. In order to lessen its injurious action on the stomach, it may be conjoined with the aromatic spirit of ammonia. In the hydrocele of young subjects, says Dr. Waring, a radical cure has occasionally been effected by the local external application of acetum scillæ. It causes desquamation and subsequent absorption of the fluid. A salve |