APOCYNUM ANDROS MIFOLIUM. 
struggles. Hence one of the popular names of this plant, 
Catchfly. 
The disease in which this plant has been found to be most 
useful is dropsy; in this, from the concurrent testimony of 
several eminent physicians and practitioners, its remedial 
powers are decided, sometimes operating as a hydragogue 
purgative, and at others causing the most profuse discharges 
of urine, and thus relieving the tissues from their morbid bur- 
den. Dr. Knapp gives the details of some cases of intermit- 
tent fever and pneumonic affections, in which he derived 
much benefit from this remedy employed as a diaphoretic. 
When given as an emetic, the powder is to be preferred, in 
doses of fifteen to thirty grains; where its hydragogue or 
diuretic effects are desired, the best form is in decoction, 
made by boiling an ounce of the root in a pint of water; the 
dose is about a wineglass full two or three times a day. The 
watery extract will act on the bowels in doses of from three 
to five grains, but is not as efficient as the decoction. 
Professor A. Curtis, M. D., of Ohio, publishes the follow- 
ing as the medical properties of the ApocyNuM ANDROSEMI- 
FOLIUM. 
“ Bitter, antispasmodic, relaxant, aperient, stimulant, — in 
one word, Depuratine; hence, as it enables the system to 
clear itself and recover its tone, many have called it directly 
tonic. When given in large doses on a foul stomach, it 
vomits; in small doses, with lobelia seed, cayenne, nervine, 
and rolled into pills with boneset, butternut, or blackroot ex- 
tract, it is one of the best articles in our practice to produce a 
healthy action of the liver and bowels, to break the chills in 
intermittents, and as one ingredient in spice bitters, woman’s 
friend, conserve of hollyhock, &c., to be used after a course, 
it has few superiors. Combined with lobelia seed and cypri- 
pedium, rolled in boneset extract into a pill and given every 
hour, it makes an admirable compound to break up conges- 
tions, costiveness, &c., especially when aided by the bath. 
Used with polemonium, catnip, or sage and pennyroyal, it is 
_ an excellent hydragogue in dropsy. Even alone it has cured 
: ane cases that had defied the skill of the mineral school. 
_ Used alone, or with a little cayenne, it acts pretty thoroughly 
as a cathartic.” oie 
Besides the value of this plant as a therapeutic agent, it is 
entitled to notice for its use in the arts. The bark furnishes . 
a fibre resembling hemp, but of a white color, and superior 
in strength and durability, and a decoction of the plant af- 
___ fords a permanent brown or black dye, according to the mor- 
ose as an emetic forty grains ; as a diaphoretic, the same 
one grain of opium ; as a tonic or alterant, from 
