220 SPECIAL THERAPEUTICS. 



will be observed, includes the principal anthelmintic 

 remedies ; in some instances, the general description 

 of one remedy may be considered as applicable to 

 the others belonging to the same class ; thus, Aloes 

 may be regarded as representative of the anthelmintic 

 action of purgatives. 



Absinth. 



The powder and infusion of the Artemisia 

 absinthium, or common wormwood, have been long 

 used in the treatment of intestinal entozoa. These 

 preparations appear not only to exercise a poisonous 

 influence upon the worms, but also to cause them to 

 relax their hold upon the mucous membrane so that 

 they are readily removed from the intestines by the 

 subsequent administration of some purgative. 



The species to which this plant belongs furnishes 

 several other plants, possessing reputed vermifuge 

 properties, of which the A. santonicum and A. abro- 

 tanum, are the chief. The natural order Compositse, 

 which comprises the Artemisise, also includes the 

 chamomile, tansy, and other bitter herbs, which act 

 similarly to, although not so eflS.caciously as, the 

 wormwood. 



The tonic properties of bitter preparations renders 

 their employment serviceable after the expulsion of 

 the entozoa by more powerful remedies, and their 

 occasional administration is sometimes beneficial in 

 keeping down the tendency to the development of 

 intestinal worms. 



Acids. 



Most of the mineral acids have, at various 

 times, been used in the diluted form, in the treat- 



