120 GOUTWORT. 



the botanic practice. The name was given to this plant 

 by Thomsonians, who employed the root. The demand 

 for "concentrations" was the means of discovering 

 the two alkaloids contained in this drug Hydrastine, 

 the white, and Berberine, the yellow besides others of 

 less value. For many years these and the powdered 

 root were the chief forms administered. Latterly, how- 

 ever, the drug in the form of a fluid extract is the most 

 used and popular. It is a very valuable remedy in dis- 

 ordered states of the digestive apparatus. As a general 

 bitter tonic it is applicable to debilitated conditions of 

 mucuous tissues. As a remedy for various gastric dis- 

 orders it takes a leading place, acting very beneficially 

 in acute inflammatory conditions. It will be found of 

 value in all cases of dyspepsia, biliousness and debility 

 of the system. It is especially indicated in catarrhal 

 states of the mucous membranes, gastric irritability, and 

 passive haemorrhages from the pelvic tissues. In the 

 second stage of gonorrhoea it should be used as an 

 addition to other injections. Externally it is used as a 

 lotion in treatment of eye affections and as a general 

 cleansing application. 



Preparations Powdered root : Dose, 10 grains or 

 more. Fluid extract : Dose, J-i drachm. Hydrastine, 

 Berberine. Tincture B.P. and U.S. P. : Dose, -1 

 drachm. Solid extract : Dose, 5-8 grains. 



Distinctive character The rhizome is short, about 

 i inch in length, knotty with the bases of stems, and 

 about -J inch in diameter, often furnished with abun- 

 dance of rootlets. Fracture greenish yellow, showing a 

 radiate woody centre, with broad medullary rays. 

 Taste, very bitter. Odour, strong and disagreeable. 



QOUTWORT. ^Egopodlum Podagraria, Linn. 



N.O. Umbellifercs. 



Syn. Goutweed, Ashweed, Ground Ash, Herb- 

 Gerarde. 



Part used Herb. 



