224 POLYPODY ROOT POMEGRANATE. 



POLYPODY ROOT. Polypodlum vulgart, Linn. 



N.O. Filices. 



Syn. Rock Polypody, Brake Root, Rockbrake. 

 Parts used Root, leaves. 



Action Alterative, tonic, pectoral, expectorant. It 

 is much used in coughs, consumption, and chest diseases, 

 for which complaints it is considered highly valuable. 

 As a tonic in dyspepsia and loss of appetite, and as an 

 alterative in skin diseases it will be found certain and 

 safe. Its action is peculiar in that it occasionally pro- 

 duces a rash of red spots, but this disappears in a short 

 time and causes no inconvenience. The infusion of 

 ounce of crushed root to a pint of boiling water and 

 sweetened is taken in teacupful doses frequently. 



Preparation Fluid extract, root : Dose, i drachm. 



Distinctive character The slender rhizome, about 

 inch in diameter and 2-3 inches long, is dark brown 

 externally and striated longitudinally, knotty, with cup- 

 shaped leaf bases on the upper side at intervals of about 

 J inch, the rootlets of the under surface being usually 

 removed. Transverse section horny, greenish, or brown 

 if old, with an irregular circle of minute woody plates 

 near the circumference. Taste, very sweet, faintly acrid. 

 Odour, none. 



POMEGRANATE. Punica Granatum, Linn. 



N.O. Myrtoctce. 

 Parts used Root, rootbark, fruit. 



Action Taenifuge. This is one of the oldest of drugs, 

 and is considered a specific for removal of tapeworm. 

 It is mostly administered in a decoction prepared as 

 follows : 8 ounces of coarse bark of the root is put 

 into a vessel and 3 pints of cold water poured upon it. 

 Boil for i hour, strain, and boil down until it measures 



