248 EUPnOBBIA CE/F.. 



of it killing serpents ; its efficacy in venereal complaints and 

 dry bellyache ; and its being an antidote to poisons." 



Bfecent investigation ias, however, thrown more light upon 

 the properties of the plant, Marsset has discovered that it kills 

 small animals by paralysing the respiration and the heart, 

 through its direct action on the respiratory and cardiac centres. 

 The active principle is eliminated by the liver, for in all the 

 animals which died during the experiments the gall-bladder 

 was found to be distended with bile. He has published 

 excellent results obtained with it in the dyspnea of asthma, 

 emphysema and bronchitis, these good results depending upon 

 a particular modification of the functions of the pneumogastric. 

 (Coiiinb. a Vetmle hot. phjs. ei therap. de rEuphorh. pH 

 Paris, 1884.) Tison and Beaumetz obtained very satisfactory 

 results from it in dyspnaja of cardiac origin. It appears to act 

 beneficially upon spasmodic dyspna^a, from whatever cause 

 arising, and it unquestionably is a remedy of great power and 

 promise. {WMtia.) Its action is not cumulative. The active 

 principle being soluble in water and dilute alcohol, an abundant 

 watery vehicle should therefore be ejnployed. An extract n^ade 

 with water or weak spirit keeps well. In decoction, 1 oz. of the 

 fresh plant or -^ oz. of the dried plant may be used with 2 quarts 

 of water, and be reduced by simmering to one quart ; the addition 

 ofl| to2ozs. of alcohol will prevent it from spoiling in a cold 

 climate, but in India the decoction should bo made fresh every 

 2 days. The extract may be given in 1 gram doses, dissolved in 

 syrup or water ; it should not be prescribed in pill, on account of 

 its HTitant action on the gastric mucous membrane. The decoc- 

 tion is given in doses of a wine-glassful three or four times a 

 day ; both preparations are best given after meals or immediately 

 before them. Attention has been redirected to this drug, as of 

 value in the treatment of hay asthma and coryza, by Dr. Rose- 

 crans Workman (r/,^r«^,. Gaz., July 15, 1890), who states that 

 m thirteen cases of hay asthma, prompt relief was obtained In 

 ume m one of the other eases partial relief was obtained, and 

 in the remamiug three cases the results were negative. The 

 fluid extract was administered in doses of 30 to 60 minims every 



