150 NAT. ORDER. LILIACE^. 



obstinate diseases. Its effects, as stated by the most approved writers, 

 are expectorant in small doses, and emetic and purgative in larger, 

 and sometimes it acts as an emmenagogue. In dropsical cases it has 

 long been esteemed the most certain and effectual diuretic with which 

 we are acquainted ; and in the asthmatic affections, or dyspepsia, oc- 

 casioned by the lodgment of tenacious phlegm, it has been, and is still, 

 the expectorant usually employed. 



The Squill, especially in large doses, is apt to stimulate the 

 stomach, and prove emetic ; and it sometimes acts upon the intestines, 

 and becomes purgative : but when these operations take place, the 

 medicine is prevented from reaching the blood vessels and kidneys, 

 and the patient is deprived of its diuretic effects ; which are to be ob- 

 tained by giving the Squill in smaller doses, repeated at more distant 

 intervals, or by the joining of an opiate to this medicine, which was 

 found by Dr. CuUen to answer the same puipose. The Dr. further 

 observes, that from a continued repetition of the Squill, the dose may 

 be gradually increased, and the intei-vals of its exliibition shortened ; 

 and when in this way the doses come to be tolerably large, the opiate 

 may be most conveniently employed to direct the operation of the 

 Squill more certainly to the kidneys. In cases of dropsy, that is when 

 there is an infusion of water into the cavities, and but little terminating 

 to the kidneys, we are of opinion that a little neutral salt accompany- 

 ing the Squill may be of use. 



Like digitalis, this medicine is rendered much more active in its 

 operation, by combining it with some other articles of this class, and 

 particularly by giving it in union with Podophyllum 2idtatum. This 

 union I consider very important in cases where we wish to evacuate 

 dropsical effusions. The Squill seems to increase diuresis by stimulat- 

 ing the kidneys to invigorated action, and the Podophyllum has a 

 powerful tendency to promote absorption. By uniting these articles 

 together, therefore, we obtain a remedy which enables us at once to 

 excite the action of the absorbents and the kidneys, and thus, in the 

 most effectual manner, promote the removal of dropsical collections. 



