THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 

 PODOPHYLLIN PlLLS. 



Resin of podophyllin, half a grain. 

 Powdered rhubarb, three grains, 

 Extract of hyoscyamus, three grains. 

 Make two pills. To be taken every night at bed-time. 



In many cases very much smaller doses of podophyllin may be employed. The 

 podophyllin solution (Pr. 51) may be used with advantage. It is a small dose, but 

 it is of no use taking more than is really sufficient to do you good. Podophyllin 

 succeeds best when nausea and giddiness, bitter taste in the mouth, risings, tendency 

 to bilious vomiting, and purging, and dark urine, are the prominent symptoms. 

 "When there is dull pain over the liver, when the bowels are costive and the motions 

 pale, when there is loss of appetite and depression of spirits, it does not do so well. 

 Mercury, in either large or small doses, should then be tried. 



Colocynth, Aloes, Rhubarb, Jalap, and Senna are all useful aperients in deranged 

 liver resulting in constipation and deficient excretion of bile. Pr. 60 is a good 

 purgative pill. 



Dandelion has been in use for years as a popular remedy for liver. It is pro- 

 bable that most of the so-called dandelion pills that are so constantly advertised con- 

 tain either mercury or podophyllin. Dandelion itself has little if any action on the 

 liver, either in health or disease, and at the best it can but act as a mild aperient. 

 Colchicum may be given with advantage to gouty persons suffering from liver, but 

 in other cases it is not the best mode of treatment. 



Chloride of ammonium (sal ammoniac) has been found of service in congestion of 

 the liver, both in this country and in India. It should be given in water, in doses of 

 twenty grains, two or three times a day. It is not by any means nice, the solution in 

 water tasting uncommonly like brine, but it does good. If a difficulty is experienced 

 in taking it, it may be adminstered in milk. It often induces perspiration, increases 

 the flow of urine, diminishes the congestion of the liver, and removes the pain in that 

 organ. 



In many of the severer forms of congestion of the liver, especially such as occur 

 in tropical climates, ipecacuanha may be given. It should be administered in the 

 manner which will be recommended when speaking of its use in dysentery. This is 

 not a mode of treatment which is required in ordinary liver derangement in this 

 country. 



Nux vomica often proves useful in the simple case of liver derangement result- 

 ing from the use of intoxicating drinks, excessive or stimulating food, sedentary habit 

 or nervous exhaustion. It is also indicated when there is constipation with deep red 

 urine. It is best given in the form of the mix vomica mixture (Pr. 44). 



Bryony is indicated when there is enlargement and hardness of the liver, with 

 shooting, stinging, or burning pain, increased on pressure, and constipation without 

 inclination to go to stool. It should be given according to Pr. 49. It often acts 

 admirably when given alternately with mercury. 



Ghamomile is useful in bilious attacks occurring in women and children from 

 exposure to cold. It is indicated when there is nausea or vomiting of bile, yellow- 

 coated tongue, and bilious diarrhoea. 



