242 PHARMACOPEIAL DRUGS 



Buchan's Every Man His Own Doctor, 1816, indicates 

 that phytolacca was then in high repute as a domestic 

 remedy. From this we extract as follows (110) : 



"The young stems of phytolacca, when boiled, are as 

 good as asparagus, but when old they are to be used 

 with caution, being a plant of great activity, operating 

 both as an emetic and cathartic. A tincture of the ripe 

 berries in brandy or wine, is a popular remedy for rheu- 

 matism and similar affections; and it may be given with 

 safety and advantage in all cases where guaiacum is 

 proper. The extract of the juice of the ripe berries has' 

 been employed in some cases of scrofula; and cancerous 

 ulcers have been greatly benefited by its application. 

 The juice of the leaves, however, is said to be more 

 effectual." 



The amount of potassium nitrate in phytolacca 

 root is exceptionally great. This may crystallize 

 from alchoholic tincture in quantities. Possibly this 

 fact accounts for the superiority of fresh root prepara- 

 tions in which natural water-sap serves as a diluent. 

 In this connection we might refer to the fact that the 

 Writer of this historical review of drugs does not con- 

 fine his opinion of therapeutic values to laboratory 

 products and educts that are of an exclusively "organic" 

 origin. Just what form many of the so-called "inor- 

 ganic" materials take in natural plant structures is a 

 question. See the author's contributions to the Eclec- 

 tic Medical Journal, Cincinnati, on various phases 

 of "the inorganic side of organic life." 



