l6o VERNAL GRASS — VERVAIN — VIOLET. 



also in hysterical affections. It allays pain and pro- 

 motes sleep. Is strongly nervine without any narcotic 

 effects, and enters into various herbal nervine and anti- 

 spasmodic compounds. The infusion of i ounce to a 

 pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses. 



Preparations — Fluid extract: Dose, £-1 drachm. 

 Solid extract : Dose, 5-10 grains. Tincture B.P. 1885 : 

 Dose, 1-2 drachms. Ammoniated Tincture B.P. 1898 : 

 Dose, £-1 drachm. 



VERNAL GRASS, SWEET. Anthoxanthum 



odoratum. 

 Part used — Flowers. 



Action — It has been used in hay fever, internally in 

 the form of a tincture, and externally as a snuff. 



Preparation — Tincture: Dose, 5-10 drops. 



VERVAIN. Verbena hastata. 



Synonym — Verbena officinalis. 



Part used — Herb. 



Action — Nervine, tonic, emetic, sudorific. May be 

 employed with advantage in the early stages of fevers, 

 colds, &c, and in the treatment of fits, convulsions, and 

 nervous disorders. The sweetened infusion of 1 ounce 

 to a pint of boiling water, is a good remedy for coughs, 

 colds, &c, when taken frequently in wineglassful doses. 



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



VIOLET. Viola odorata. 



Synonym — Blue Violet, Sweet Violet. 



Part used — Leaves, flowers. 



Action — Antiseptic, expectorant. Violet leaves con- 

 tain certain glucosideal principles, not yet fully investi- 

 gated, but of distinct antiseptic properties. It has 

 lately been recommended and used with benefit to allay 

 pain in cancerous growths — some even say to cure 

 cancer. The fresh leaves are put in boiling water — a 



