222 PLEURISY ROOT POISON OAK. 



PLEURISY ROOT. Asclepias tuberose, Linn. 



N.O. Asdepiadacea. 



Syn. Butterfly Weed, Swallowwort, Wind Root, 

 Tuber Root. 



Part used Root. 



Action Antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, 

 tonic. Is also mildly cathartic and carminative. As its 

 name implies, it is of great use in pleurisy, in which 

 disease it mitigates the pain and relieves the difficulty 

 of breathing. It is valuable in all chest complaints and 

 possesses a specific action on the lungs, assisting 

 expectoration, subduing inflammation, and exerting a 

 general mild tonic effect on the system. Recommended 

 especially in pulmonic catarrh. A very useful medicine 

 may be made as follows : Essence of Composition 

 Powder, i ounce ; Fluid extract Pleurisy Root, i ounce ; 

 mix and take a teaspoonful three or four times daily in 

 warm sweetened water. 



Preparations Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. 

 Asclepin : Dose, 1-4 grains. The diaphoretic action 

 may be obtained by taking a teacupful of warm infusion 

 (i in 30) every hour. 



Distinctive character Rootstock with a knotty 

 crown, slightly annulate. Root longitudinally wrinkled, 

 buff brown externally, whitish internally. Fracture 

 uneven, tough, that of the bark short, brittle. Taste, 

 bitterish, somewhat acrid. 



POISON OAK (Poison). Rhus Toxicodendron, Linn. 



N.O. Anacardiacea. 

 Syn. Poison Ivy, Poison Vine. 



Part used Leaves. 



Action Stimulant, narcotic, irritant. Has been used 

 with success in treatment of obstinate skin diseases, 



