139-2 
Five other species of Phytolacca are more or less used and have properties 
similar to ours, viz.: the Mexican and West Indian P. octandra, the berries of which 
are used in lieu of soap; the African P. Adbyssinica ; the recurved leaved P. dode- 
candra ,; the East Indian P. zcosandra ; and the South American tree-like P. dzozca. 
History and Habitat.—The poke is indigenous to North America, where it 
is common in light, rich soils, and flowers throughout the summer months. It has 
become a common weed in all the countries bordering upon the Mediterranean 
sea, both north and south, undoubtedly introduced from America. 
The medical uses of poke-root were handed down to domestic and botanic 
practice by the aborigines, who valued the plant not only as an emetic, but also 
as an efficient remedy in gonorrheeal and syphilitic rheumatism. 
Phytolacca, among the earlier American writers upon medicinal plants, was 
considered fully equal to Ipecacuanha as an emetic; its use, however, often caused 
narcotic effects, very injurious to the system. Its emetic action usually followed 
doses of 10 grains of the powdered root; both emesis and catharsis were effected 
by from 20 to 30 grains. The serious difficulties, however, in its employment 
were a slowness to begin its operation, and also to suspend its catharsis when 
once begun; it became often necessary to check its action upon the bowels with 
some preparation of opium. It was considered, however, to be the proper cathar- 
tic to use in partial paralysis of the bowels. 
The root with lard was found to be an excellent ointment for the cure of 
many forms of skin diseases, notably: psoriasis, eczema capitis, and tinea cir- 
cinata ; also as a stimulant vulnerary in syphilitic ulcers, and a softening applica- 
tion in mastitis, as well as scrofulous swellings of glands in general. It was also 
considered an excellent poultice to cause rapid suppuration in felons. 
A tincture of the berries was found to be often curative, or at least in some 
cases palliative, of syphilitic and gonorrhceal rheumatism, as well as non-specific 
chronic forms of that disease. 
As an inevitable result of its uses as above, it was experimented with as a 
cure for cancer and malignant tumors, but its success in the cure of these terrible 
maladies never became notable. 
; I noted in my readings several years ago that the berries had been used, for 
pies by frugal housewives, and often since have half determined to try poke-berry 
pastry; discretion has, however, always overruled valor, and the much-thought-of 
pie is still unmade and uneaten. The young shoots, however, make an excellent sub- 
stitute for asparagus, and I much prefer them, if gathered early and discriminately. 
The officinal forms of Phytolacca in the U. S. Ph. are: Phyltolacce Bacca and 
Phytolacce Radix. \n the Eclectic Materia Medica we find Ca‘aplasma Phyto- 
lacce ; Decoctum Phytolacce ; Extractum Phytolacce; Pilule Phytolacce Com- 
posite ;* Syrupus Phytolacce Compositus + Tinctura Phytolacce; Tinctura Cimict- 
Juge Composita; Unguentum Phytolacce; and Vinum Phytolacce Compositum.t 
* Ph illingia. a: i ; 
rytolacca, Stillingia, and Stramonium. t Phytolacca, Ampelopsis, Cimicifuga, and Kalmia. 
ees, t Phytolacca and White turpentine. 
