SPIGELIA MARILANDICA. 
rise. These are dimness of sight, giddiness, dilated pupil, 
spasmodic motions of the muscles of the eyes, and even con- 
vulsions. These symptoms, following the administration of 
Spricenta, have been thought to depend either on the roots of 
some other plant gathered with the Pink-root, or on some 
parasitic vine that had attached itself to it. These sugges- 
tions, however, have both been proved to be erroneous, and 
that the root itself is narcotic. 
The use of Spicetia has not been confined to the expul- 
sion of worms. As early as 1763, Dr. Garden, in correspond- 
ence with Dr. Hope, states that he had given it with great 
success in febrile attacks, apparently arising from a disordered 
condition of the stomach and bowels; this is also confirmed 
by Dr. Ives, and, in fact, almost every practitioner must have 
met with proofs of its efficacy in those febrile complaints in 
children, arising from irritation of the bowels from any cause. 
Rafinesque mentions that it is used among the Osage Indians 
as a sudorific and sedative in acute diseases. 
As an anthelmintic, however, it is more generally prescribed 
than any other article in this country, and in most cases with 
unequivocal success, and without the production of any un- 
pleasant symptoms. It may be given in powder or infusion, 
the dose of the first of which for children is from ten to twenty 
grains. The infusion is by far the best mode of administra- 
tion; this is made with an ounce of the root to a pint of 
water, the dose of which is from an ounce to two ounces for 
a child. One of the best methods is to give a full dose at 
bed-time, and an active purgative in the morning, as in this 
way any narcotic symptoms it may display do not cause un- 
easiness. 
The most general plan is to give it in combination, espe- 
cially with Senna; this forms a well-known nostrum called 
Worm-tea, for which there are several recipes, differing only 
in the quantities of the ingredients. It usually purges actively, 
and does not excite narcotic symptoms. ‘The syrup is also an 
efficacious form of preparation. 
In the ordinary dose (one or two drachms for adults), Spi- 
cELIa has very little sensible effect on the system, though it 
may act efficaciously as an anthelmintic. In larger doses it 
appears to operate as an irritant to the gastro-intestinal canal, 
and gives rise to purging, and sometimes to vomiting, though 
its effects in this way are very uncertain. In poisonous doses 
ee. 
Tent nareotic symptoms already noticed. The narcotic effects 
are said to be less apt to occur when the medicine purges, and 
to be altogether obviated by combining it with cathartics. 
‘he danger from its e ‘ment cannot be great, as it is In 
‘it operates as a cerebro-spinant or narcotic, giving rise to vio- 
