30 BITTERSWEET. 



dropsy in doses of 5-15 grains; as a general tonic in 

 dyspepsia in powders of 4 grains three times a day. It 

 is said to be useful in cases of chronic Bright's disease. 



Preparations Powdered root : Dose, 4-30 grains. 

 Fluid extract : Dose, 10 to 30 drops. 



Distinctive character Root -J inch thick, with 

 pale brown transversely wrinkled and cracked bark, 

 half as thick as the white woody centre, and readily 

 separating from it, with groups of stone cells in the 

 outer bark. Taste, bitter and astringent. 



The bark of Apocynum cannabinum is often sold for it, 

 but has a yellowish wood, is longitudinally wrinkled, 

 and has no groups of stone cells in the outer bark. 



BITTERSWEET. Solatium Dulcamara, Linn. 



N.O. Solanacea. 



Syn. Woody Nightshade, Violet Bloom, Scarlet 

 Berry, Felonwood, Felonwort. 



Part used Twigs. 



Action Narcotic, resolvent, diuretic. Promotes all 

 secretions and is used in rheumatism, obstinate cutaneous 

 eruptions, scrofula, &c. A decoction is made of 10 

 drachms in 2 pints of boiling water, boiled down to 

 i pint, and taken in doses of \ to 2 ounces with an equal 

 quantity of milk. 



Preparation Fluid extract : Dose, -2 drachms. 



Distinctive character The year-old greenish-brown 

 shoots, which are the part used, are nearly cylindrical 

 or indistinctly angular, about inch thick, slightly 

 furrowed longitudinally, or sometimes warty, and usually 

 cut into short pieces, internally hollow or partially 

 filled with pith. The transverse section shows a green 

 layer in the bark and a radiate ring of wood, or more 

 than one ring in older stems. Taste, at first bitter 



