254 Botanic Drugs 



severe griping. In post-operative paralytic distention 

 of the bowel it has been superseded by pituitrin and 

 similar hypophyseal extracts. The former uses in 

 tetanus, epilepsy, chorea, locomotor ataxia, etc., 

 while theoretically justified, do not work out well 

 clinically. 



Eserine, in the form of the salicylate and sulphate, 

 is used in ophthalmic practice (0.25 to 1% sol.) 

 after atropinisation and to reduce intraocular ten- 

 sion, as in glaucoma. The alkaloid in oil, as well as 

 LAMELLAE PHYSOSTIGMINAE (B. P.), are similarly 

 used. The lamellae contain 1-1000 grain each. 



DOSES. Physostigma, \y% grains; salts of the 

 alkaloids, 1-60 grain; extract, 1-8 grain; tincture, 

 15 minims. FL, 1 to 2 minims. 



PHYTOLACCA 



POKE ROOT, Phytolacca decandra, official in Mexico 

 and was official in the U. S. P. VIII. JAPANESE POKE 

 ROOT, P. acinosa, var. esculenta, official in Japan. 



An emeto-cathartic in doses of 15 minims fluid- 

 extract; alterative in doses of 1^ minims. Large 

 doses are depressing and somewhat narcotic, toxic 

 doses causing paralysis of respiration. 



THERAPEUTICS. Should never be used in large 

 doses, nor as an emetic. As is often noted, aero- 

 narcotic plants seem to be possessed of alterative 

 properties in small doses. While the vegetable 

 "alteratives" are, few of them, possessed of any 

 definite activity, this, I believe, may not be said 

 of phytolacca root. After large use of it in this 

 connection admittedly empiric use I believe it 

 promotes retrograde tissue metamorphosis and acts 

 upon the glandular tissues. This latter influence 



