800 XREATMENT OF 



is said of it by the French physicians, who assure 

 US that they have used it with the greatest suc- 

 cess. (262) 



[ The Stizolohiiim, Volichos pruriens Linn.^ 

 or CowitcJi, is one of the most safe and effectual 

 anthelmintics, at present known. It destroys not 

 only taeniae, but also lumbricoides and ascarides ; 

 and as it acts mechanically by piercing and wound- 

 ing these animals, it will probably be found a val- 

 uable remedy for every species of worms which in- 

 habit the alimentary canal. 



** This exotic plant grows in warm climates, es- 

 pecially the West Indies. The pods are about 

 four inches long, round, and as thick as a man's fin- 

 ger. The outside of the pods is thickly beset with 

 stiff brown hairs, which, when applied to the skin, 

 occasion a most intolerable itching. The ripe pods 

 are dipped in syrup, which is again scraped off with 

 a knife. When the syrup is rendered by the hairs 

 as thick as honey, it is fit for use. It may be safe- 

 ly taken from a teaspoonful, to a tablespoonful, in 

 the morning, fasting. The worms are said to ap- 

 pear with the second or third dose, and by means 

 of a purge, in some cases the stools have consisted 

 entirely of worms.'' Mr. Kerr has given a botan- 

 ical description of this plant in the Medical Com- 

 mentaries, vol. ii. It is also described and figur- 

 ed by Dr. Woodville, in his Medical Botany. Mix- 

 ed with molasses or treacle, it is better preserved 

 and administered than in any other manner. Mr. 

 W. Chamberlainey in his Practical Treatise ou this 



