SENECA SNAKE ROOT. “403 
retic effects. The following case occurred to me 
some time since in practice. A man labouring 
under severe rheumatism was ordered to take at 
intervals a wine glass full of a strong decoction 
of the Senega made from an ounce of the root in 
a pint of water. The patient, from a desire to 
expedite the cure, thought proper to drink the 
whole quantity at once. The consequence was 
the most violent vomiting and purging, which 
lasted the whole night, accompanied with profuse 
diaphoresis. The patient, as “might have been 
hoped from the violence of the operation, was rad- 
ically relieved of his disorder. | . 
In uterine complaints, particularly amenorrhea, | 
the Polygala senega has been found of decided 
efficacy. Dr. Chapman of Philadelphia is one of 
the authorities for its use. in these cases. It must 
be given largely, and continued for some time. | 
The most common mode of exhibition of this 
root is in decoction, as already mentioned. It is 
also given in powder i in doses of twenty or ‘thirty | 
‘grains. Dr. Tennent likewise employed a wine 
of Senega made by digesting four. ounces of the 
root in a pound of wine, of which three spoonfuls 2 
were given at a dose. 
