STAVES ACRE. 323 



used internally, and from its energetic properties, the employ- 

 ment of it is better confined to' merely external application; 

 nevertheless, after chemists shall have determined the exact 

 properties of the new principle (delphinid), and practitioners of 

 known ability and experience shall have determined its medical 

 virtues, we trust to see it become a valuable remedy for chronic 

 diseases. 



The external use of the seeds is principally as a masticatory, 

 to induce a plentiful secretion of saliva, and as an excitant or de- 

 tergent, in lotions, gargles, epithems, &c, for the tooth-ache, and 

 to paralytic and other chronic affections. For the itch, scald- 

 head, and other diseases of the skin, they have not lost the 

 character handed down to us by our forefathers, neither are 

 they less deservedly praised for the faculty of destroying 

 human vermin, a reputation which gave rise to the specific 

 synonyme Pedicularia. 



The dose of the powdered seeds, when taken as a cathartic 

 in dropsical disorders, should not exceed at first three grains, 

 which must be repeated and gradually increased according to 

 the effects produced. 



DECOCTION OF STAVESACRE. 



Take of Stavesacre seeds, bruised .... one ounce. 



Spring water one pound and a half. 



Boil down to one pound, and then add to the strained decoction thirty 

 drops of laudanum. 



This remedy is particularly efficacious in itch. It should be 

 applied by means of linen rag twice a day, and if it irritates 

 too much, it must be diluted with water. The disease usually 

 yields to this application in about ten or twelve days. 



TINCTURE OF STAVESACRE. 



Take of Stavesacre seeds, bruised one ounce. 



Alcohol one pint. 



Macerate for fourteen days, and strain. 



Dr. Blanchard, of America, has proposed this as a remedy for 

 asthma, but of its utility in that disease we have no experience. 

 He directs it in doses of twenty drops, at first, to be gradually 

 increased to forty if necessary, and considers it even preferable 

 to Foxglove. 



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