BUTTERFLY WEED. 65 
As far as my own observation with this plant 
extends, I am persuaded of its usefulness in  va- 
rious complaints. It appears to exert a mild ton- 
ic effect, as well as a stimulant power on the ex- 
cretories. Like other vegetable bitters, if given 
in large quantities, especially in infusion and de- 
coction, it operates on the alimentary canal, 
though its efficacy in this respect is not suffi- 
cient to entitle it to rank among active eathartics. 
I am satisfied of its utility as an expectorant med- 
icine, and have seen no inconsiderable benefit 
arise from its use as a palliative in phthisis pul- 
monalis. Among other instances may be cited 
that of a young physician in this town, who died 
two years since of pulmonary consumption. He 
made great use of the decoction of this root, and 
persevered in it along time from choice, finding 
that it facilitated expectoration and relieved the 
dyspnea and pain in the _—* more than any 
other medicine. 
The best mode of ndminddterng the Asclepias 
is in decoction or in substance. A teacup full 
of the strong decoction, or from twenty to thirty 
grains of the powder, may be given in pulmonary 
complaints several times in aday. In most cases 
after the inflammatory diathesis is in some degree 
subsided, it may be freely repeated as long as it 
agrees with the stomach and bowels. 
9 
