Botanic Remedies 223 



laxative largely on account of the bulk of non- 

 absorbable matter: the sugar content is not the 

 only factor. Bran bread, prepared brans, and many 

 other bulky foods serve much the same purpose. 

 The mineral hydrocarbon oils are also mechanical 

 laxatives. These simple agents should be more 

 largely used instead of so many laxative pills. 



MARRUBIUM 



HOREHOUND (hoarhound), Marrubium vulgar e. 

 Official in Japan and the U. S. P. VIII. 



Stimulant, tonic, and slightly laxative. Warm 

 infusions produce diaphoresis. The cold infusion 

 is a bitter tonic. In the form of a syrup it is regarded 

 as a tonic expectorant. The fl. may be given in 

 doses of 20 to 30 minims. 



MATICO 



Piper angustifolium. Official in Mexico and the 

 U. S. P. VIII. Its activity is dependent upon a 

 volatile oil which influences the genito-urinary 

 passages in much the same way as does cubeb. 

 Matico is used principally in the treatment of 

 gonorrhea. See "Cubeb" for further discussion. 

 The fl. is given in doses of 30 to 60 minims, the oil 

 in doses of 5 to 20 minims. 



MECHANICALLY USED DRUGS, COLORS AND 

 FLAVORS 



Under "Agar," "Manna" and in several incidental 

 references, as under "Gossypium," this class of 

 remedies are discussed. A few remain, however, 

 which will be grouped together here. 



Vegetable suspending agents are ACACIA, TRAGA- 



