PHYTOLACCA 241 



would be to name the publications of all the represent- 

 ative authors since the middle of the last century con- 

 nected with American medicine. The first edition, 

 1852, of the American Dispensatory (356) is the best 

 published authority for the use of phytolacca at that 

 date. Let us quote from this: 



"PROPERTIES AND USES. Emetic, cathartic, alter- 

 ative, antiherpetic, and somewhat narcotic. The leaves 

 are somewhat purgative, and are used, in some parts of 

 the country, as a dressing to ulcers. A strong decoction 

 of the leaves is of much benefit in hemorrhoids; injected 

 into the rectum two or three times a day, and a fomen- 

 tation of the leaves applied to the part, it will almost 

 always give relief, and eventually effect a cure. Three 

 or four drachms of the decoction may also be taken 

 internally. Should it produce any narcotic effects, 

 oniit its use for a day or two, and commence again 

 with smaller doses. The root excites the whole glan- 

 dular system, and has been highly extolled in syphilitic, 

 scrofulous, rheumatic, and cutaneous diseases. The 

 extract of the root is an excellent remedy for the re- 

 moval of those severe pains attending mercurio-syphi- 

 litic affections, (osteocopus). Roasted in hot ashes 

 until soft, and then mashed and applied as a poultice, 

 the root is unrivalled in felons and tumors of various 

 kinds. It discusses them rapidly, or, if too far ad- 

 vanced, hastens their suppuration. A saturated tinc- 

 ture of the berries has been successfully employed in 

 chronic rheumatism. It is also recommended in the 

 same diseases as the root. Dose of the powdered root, 

 as an alterative, one to five grains; of the tincture, one 

 drachm, three or four times a day; as an emetic, twenty 

 to thirty grains of the powder." 



