COWHAGE. 



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WoRMSEED. (ChENOPODIUM, U. S.) 



Seed of the C. anthelminiicum^ or Jerusalem oak, and also of C. 

 ambrosioides, indigenous perennial plants, growing throughout the 

 United States. The seeds are about the size of a pin's head ; of a green- 

 ish-yellow colour; pungent taste; and a peculiar aromatic odour ; vir- 

 tues depend on a volatile oil. They are an excellent anthelmintic ; 

 peculiarly adapted to expel the lumbrici of children ; best given as 

 an electuary with molasses ; to be administered for several successive 

 days, and then followed by a cathartic. The oil is of a light yellow 

 colour, grows darker by time ; given in the dose of 4 to 8 drops. 



Pomegranate Bark. — (Granati Radicis Cortex, U. S.) 



The bark of the pomegranate root is powerfully anthelmintic; 

 useful in the expulsion of the tape-ivorm ; best given in decoction 

 made by boiling 3ij in Oij water, down to Oj ; dose, one third, to be 

 taken every half hour. 



Pride of China. — (Azederach, U. S.) 



Bark of the root of the Melia Azederach, a beautiful tree growing 

 in the Southern States. The bark is most powerful in the fresh 

 state ; taste, bitter and nauseous. In full doses, it is emeto-cathar- 

 tic ; overdoses are narcotic. Best given in decoction, repeated for 

 several days, and then followed by a cathartic. 



Male Fern.— (Filix Mas, U. S). 



Root of the Aspidium Filix Mas, growing in Europe and North 

 America. The root is long, cylindrical, and flexible, covered over 

 with the remains of the leafstalks. As found in the shops, it is 

 very apt to be deteriorated. Colour, externally, brown; odour, 

 feeble, but peculiar ; taste, astringent and nauseous. It is slightly 

 tonic and astringent, also anthelmintic ; used to expel the tape- 

 worm. Not much used at present. Dose of powder, 3j to 3iij ; of 

 the oil, 30 to 40 drops. 



Cowhage. — (Mucuna, U. S.) 



Legumes or pods of the M. pruriens,^ climbing West India 

 plant. The pod is about four inches long, shaped like an Italic/, 

 covered over with brown, bristly hairs, which easily separate when 

 handled, and produce intense itching. Used by steeping the pods in 

 molasses or honey, and then scraping off with a knife. It acts as 

 an anthelmintic in a mechanical manner; — the spiculae, adhering to 

 the worms, causing them to loose their hold on the intestine. Dose, 

 of the electuary, a teaspoonful to a tablespoonful, to be given for 

 several successive mornings, and then followed by a cathartic. 



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