180-2 
This peculiar order furnishes but few drugs, but, contrary to their general 
appearance, they have high medicinal qualities. The West Indian Lycopodium 
cernuunz, Linn., is diuretic, and recommended as a specific for certain forms of 
dysentery; the Peruvian ZL. catharticum, Hook., is a violent purgative, valued by 
the natives in leprosy and elephantiasis; the East Indian Z. phlegmaria, and L. 
hygrometricum, L., are considered aphrodisiac, especially the latter, which is noted 
for its qualities in this direction; and the European and American Z. Selago, Linn., 
an active, narcotic poison; emetic and cathartic in small doses, but dangerous in 
large, bringing on violent purgation and convulsions; it is also strongly counter- 
irritant when applied to the skin, being used to keep blisters open, and to kill lice 
upon animals. 
History and Habitat—The common Club Moss is indigenous to North 
America, Northern Europe and Asia, as well as like countries of the Southern 
Hemisphere. It occurs in this country in dry woods, where it is common north- 
ward, fruiting in July and August, 
Under the names Muscus terrestris, or Muscus clavatus, this plant was used as 
a whole, by ancient physicians, as a stomachic and diuretic, though the powder 
does not appear to be used alone, until about the 17th century. L. Se/ago was 
employed, by the Druids, as an active cathartic and deobstruent. 
The spores have been used as a diuretic in dropsy; a drastic in diarrhcea, 
dysentery, and suppressions; a nervine in spasms and hydrophobia; an aperient 
in gout and scurvy; anda corroborant in rheumatism. Externally they are largely 
used as a dusting powder for various skin diseases, and in excoriations of infants, 
to prevent chafing; and are considered the most efficacious application to pica 
polonica, In pharmacy, they form the best powder for keeping pills and lozenges 
from cohering with each other. They are very inflammable, so much so as to 
flash with a hissing noise when ignited, This property has determined their use in 
pyrotechnics, and for imitating the lightning’s flash in theatrical performances. 
The spores are officinal in the U. S. Ph.; in the Eclectic Dispensatory the 
plant is not mentioned, 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.— The spores, en masse, form a very 
fine, odorless, tasteless, mobile, light-yellow powder, adhering to the fingers, ee 
exhibiting a repulsive force for water. If shaken with water a portion sinks, with 
alcohol it is readily miscible ; it is tinged brown by iodine; and sulphuric acid, 
when hot, instantly penetrates the spores, rendering them transparent, but not 
rupturing their coat. Lndividually, under a strong lens, the spores are seen to be 
: bluntly tetrahedral, one surface (the base) being convex, the others triangularly 
pyramidal, their apices not fully meeting, but leaving a three-armed space. They 
Sos surface finely reticulated by minute ridges, that are more elevated at er see 
_ _~ junctions, and enclose pent- or hexagonal spaces, the floors of which are occupl€ 
___ by a transparent, but astonishingly tough membrane, which, when ruptured, _ | 
eo ~~ escape of globules of an oily nature. 
