252 Botanic Drugs 



esteem passiflora on an admittedly empiric basis, 

 as established by the Eclectics. My own use of 

 the drug has, as with mild remedies generally, been 

 marked by some successes, but many cases in which 

 I was unable to determine whether Nature or passi- 

 flora was to be credited. I never employed it in 

 serious cases of illness. Probably passiflora is worthy 

 of further study. 



PETROSELINUM 



PARSLEY, Petroselinum Sativum. The fruit is 

 official in the U. S. P. IX and in Sweden and Switzer- 

 land, the oil in Denmark and Norway, the root in 

 Austria, France, and Spain. 



The oleoresin of parsley seed (OLEORESINA APII 

 or OLEORESINA PETROSELINI) is used in doses of 

 5 to 15 minims (average, 8 minims) in soluble elastic 

 capsules. APIOL, PARSLEY CAMPHOR, produces 

 cerebral excitement, as does coffee, followed by a 

 similar intoxication, but vertigo may supervene, 

 with ringing in the ears and severe frontal head- 

 ache. The dose is 2 to 5 grains in capsules as an 

 emmenagogue in amenorrhea, scanty menstruation, 

 and dysmenorrhea. It should be given immediately 

 preceding the period, so it will stimulate ovarian 

 activity. As shown by Macht (Jour. Phar. and 

 Ex. Ther., July, 1913), apiol inhibits uterine contrac- 

 tions, being paralyzant in action; hence the com- 

 bination of ergot and apiol is illogical. Apiol is 

 also an inferior antiperiodic in 5-grain doses, and is 

 said to be antipyretic in doses of 5 to 15 grains. 

 These large doses produce cerebral irritation and 

 are not to be commended. Apiol is not an aborti- 

 facient. 



