105-2 
the general bluish waxy appearance of the dead; then, too, it is cool and clammy 
to the touch, and rapidly decomposes and turns black even when carefully handled. 
The whole plant when wounded—especially, however, the floral envelope—emits 
a clear glutinous fluid. Attempts to preserve it in alcohol turn it a bluish-black, 
and tinge the preservative a deep reddish-violet hue, while the drying process 
turns it jet-black, leaving very little semblance to its natural appearance. The 
medical history of the plant begins with its use by the American Aborigines as an 
application in “sore eyes;” they valued a mixture of the juice with water highly 
as a soothing and often curative measure. Of this property Dr. Kunze* says in 
corroboration: “This is a drug very highly recommended} for overcoming ner- 
vous irritability, epilepsy, chorea, etc., when used in large doses—inwardly, of 
course—and for ophthalmic as well as other inflammations of delicate mucous sur- 
faces outwardly applied, either in its fresh state or the preserved juice. I have 
myself used it very much in ordinary cases of inflamed eyes, both chronic and 
acute, and have never seen, or even before heard any evil effects following the 
most indiscriminate use.{ Have applied it to the eyes of infants when only three 
days old, in Ophthalmia purulenta infantum, as well as in old age in every variety 
of so-called constitutions, and even where not successfully employed no ill effects 
have ever been observed thereafter.” He farther on describes an incidental cure 
which is of interest botanically and medically: “ Fourteen years ago—it was in the 
early part of July—I went woodcock-shooting with two friends, near Hackensack, 
N. J., and while taking some luncheon in a beech grove along the course of Saddle 
River, I found a large patch of ground literally covered with Monotropa uniflora 
in full bloom ; it covered a space some five feet wide by nine feet long, a beautiful 
sight of snow-white stems and nodding flowers. Being in need of some just then, 
I proceeded to fill my game-bag, and to the question, what it“was used for, 
answered: ‘Good for sore eyes;’ little thinking that the party addressed was 
suffering from a chronic inflammation of the eye-lids, the edges of which had a 
very fiery-red appearance. No sooner said than he proceeded to take in his 
game-bag a supply also, and he made very good use of it, as I ascertained after- 
wards. His inflamed lids were entirely cured in four weeks’ time, and he has had 
no further trouble since, by applying the fresh juice of the stems he obtained while 
it lasted.” Dr. King mentions the drug§ as “ tonic, nervine, sedative and antispas- 
modic.” The former uses of the herb in spasms of children, epileptiform and 
chorea-like, gave it the popular names so characterizing it. Dr. Stewart claimed 
that the dried herb was an excellent substitute for opium, “ easing pain, comforting 
the stomach, and causing sleep.” In spasmodic affections the usual dose is a tea-- 
_ spoonful of the dried root in powder; to this is often added the a 
of valerian. 
No mention is made of this drug in the U.S. Ph,, and no officinal preparation 
appears in the Eclectic Materia Medica. | 
ppropriate dose 
* Bot. Gaz., 1878, Vol, iii, No, 6, pp 53, 54. 
+ In King’s 4m. Disp., and Howard’s Botanic Medicine. 
} This clause he uses in discussing Mr, A, H. Young’s case of poisoning, which I shall oper 
are ‘ ote under th bri 
_— & American Dispensatory, 1880, p. 530. . ie : es feeiy 
