322 PHARMACOPEIAL DRUGS 



Pliny stating that the powdered seeds were used for 

 destroying vermin of the head and body, in which direc- 

 tion it is still popular. Throughout the Middle Ages 

 staphisagria continued hi use, according to Pietro 

 Crescenzio (172), of the 13th century. The seeds were 

 collected in Italy, where the plant is still cultivated, 

 and is in demand in domestic medicine as an insecticide. 

 Staphisagria is a remedy highly valued by the Eclectics 

 and by the Homeopathists, its use among the latter 

 physicians antedating that with the Eclectics. Dr. 

 Scudder (590), in the first edition of his Specific Medi- 

 cation, (1871), writes of it as follows: 



"Staphisagria has a specific action upon the reproduc- 

 tive organs of both male and female; but more marked 

 in the first. It quiets irritation of the testes, and 

 strengthens their function; it lessens irritation of the 

 prostate and vesiculse; arrests prostatorrhea, and cures 

 inflammation of these parts. It also exerts a marked 

 influence upon the urethra, quieting irritation and 

 checking mucous, or mucopurulent discharges; it in- 

 fluences the bladder and kidneys, but in less degree. 



"The action of Staphisagria upon the nervous system 

 is peculiar. It exerts a favorable influence where there 

 is depression of spirits and despondence, in cases of 

 hypochondriasis and hysteria, especially when attended 

 with moroseness and violent outbursts of passion." 



STILLINGIA (Queen's Root) 



Introduced by the New York edition of 1830 (Secondary List), 

 retaining this position in the 1840 edition. It was then trans- 

 ferred to the Primary List, and remained wholly official through 

 all later editions. 



Stillingia sylvatica is native to the pine barrens and 

 other sections of the Southern States of North America. 



