MATERIA MEDICA 
Mawenuam. Adiantum Pedatum. The herb, __ 
7s 
This plant is found in deep woods and rich soil, throughout the 
United States. The. root is large, fibrous and brown. Stalk about 
a foot high before it branches, of a chesnut color, shining and smooth ; 
branching into two, each branch bearing several long leaves resem- 
bling brake or fern. 
Maidenhair is expectorant, mucilaginous, and sub-astringent. It 
is used in decoction, or syrup. It is much esteemed throughout 
Europe, although little known in America. It is found useful in all 
coughs and hoarseness, also in asthma, and tickling of the throat, and 
even in pleurisy and all disorders of the breast, It es the 
secretions, strengthens the fibres, and helps the cure of jaundice. It 
is a very good vehicle and auxiliary for pectoral remedies, and even 
cathartics. Liquorice may be added to the decoction, to render it 
more efficient. Influenza is often cured by using this syrup; and 
it has the advantage, that it may be taken in an unlimited dose. 
Manprake, orn May Arrte. Podophyllum Peltatum. The root. 
* Ss”. 
This well known plant rises from one to two feet ary hing 
into two stems, each bearing on its top two large umbrella-like leaves ; 
flowers yellowish, producing a large fruit, something like a lime, and 
from whence it derives its name of yellow May-apple. The roots 
are sometimes as large as the little finger, very long, and milky, It 
grows on up!ands, in meadows and woods. 
Mandrake root, pulverized, is one of the best native emetics and 
purgatives which this country affords. It purges thoroughly and ef- 
ficiently in average doses of twenty grains. A common dose will 
often vomit, but in the gentlest manner; and in a larger dose it vo- 
mits pretty certainly, and effectually. Its cathartic operation is 
generally slow, often remaining twenty-four hours, and sometimes it 
produces considerable distress, particularly if the stomach is very 
foul ; but this is more than compensated by the thorough and clean- 
sing manner in which it performs its work, It is usually given in a 
little cold water, on going to bed. It may be combined with aroma- 
tics to render its action milder, or with more active cathartics to 
quicken its operation. 3 
As an anthelmintic, it often destroys worms, and is used by the 
southern Indians for that purpose. ae 
‘The best time for gathering mandrake root is in autumn, after the 
tops have withered. 
Manroor, or Binpweev. Convolulus Panduratus. The root. 
» Also called man-in-the-ground, wild potatoes, wild rhubarb, me- 
'. chameck, potatoe vine, &c. : sandy soils, 
_ Is common all over the United States, in poor, loose, cbse: 
‘Upon glades and thickets Its top is weak and trailing, running 
ithe 
