Solomon's seal — sorrel — sourwood. 145 



2 ounces boiled in a pint of water is taken in doses of 

 1-2 tablespoonfuls 3-4 times a day. The root is used 

 for producing a head on beers. 



Preparation — Fluid extract : Dose, J-i drachm. 



SOLOMON'S SEAL. Polygonatum multiflorum. 



Part used — Root. 



Action — Astringent, demulcent, tonic. Useful in 

 female weakness, fluor albus, &c. Combined with other 

 remedies it may be given in pulmonary complaints, 

 consumption and bleeding of lungs. The powdered root 

 also makes an excellent poultice for bruises, piles, 

 inflammations and tumours. The infusion of 1 ounce to 

 a pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses. 

 Also used externally as an injection. 



SORREL. Rumex Acetosa. 



Part used — Leaves. 



Action — Refrigerant, diuretic. May be used as a 

 cooling drink in all febrile diseases. The leaves are 

 occasionally eaten as a salad or boiled as spinach. In 

 cutaneous tumours the following preparation has been 

 used : Burnt Alum 1 drachm, Citric Acid 2 drachms, 

 inspissated juice of Sorrel 1 ounce, water to 10 ounces ; 

 applied as a paint. 



SOURWOOD. Oxydendron arboreum. 



Synonym — Sorrel Tree, Andromeda arborea. 

 Part used — Leaves. 



Action — Tonic, refrigerant, diuretic. In Kentucky 

 this is a popular remedy in all urinary complaints, 

 kidney and bladder diseases, enlargement of prostate 

 glands, dropsy and pleuritic affections. In old men it 

 seems to act most favourably where there is painful and 

 scanty micturition. The decoction will be found useful 

 in fevers as a cooling diuretic drink. 



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