320 Botanic Drugs 



having an action and uses similar to asafetida, q. v. 

 As carminatives, both act similarly; as nervines, 

 both are inferior to valerian. Sumbul is given in 

 30-grain doses; fl. 30 minims, and the extract 4 

 grains. 



TANACETUM 



COSTMARY, Tanacetum balsamita, is official in 

 Spain, and is used as an aromatic bitter. Our 

 common TANSY, Tanacetum vulgare, is official only 

 in Belgium. In small doses tansy is an aromatic 

 bitter; in large doses it is an irritant narcotic. Its 

 common use to stimulate menstruation, and the 

 use of the oil to produce abortion, is to be unquali- 

 fiedly condemned. Numerous fatal cases are on 

 record. See "Helonias" for a discussion of the 

 alleged abortifacient and emmenagogue oils. Tansy 

 is also used as a vermifuge, but is dangerous ; it should 

 never be employed in this direction, as we have 

 better and safer agents. See "Gentian" for a dis- 

 cussion of the bitters. Tansy is a drug very properly 

 going out of use, even as a bitter. If one cares to 

 use a similar agent that is safe, and yet is a tonic 

 and mild emmenagogue, let him use a related mem- 

 ber of the Compositae, YARROW, Achillea mille- 

 folium, in warm infusion. Also see "Artemesia," 

 another one of the Compositae with a dangerous 

 oil. Gentlemen who condemn the Compositae gen- 

 erally as inert, should remember tansy and worm- 

 wood, and then revise their theories. 



TARAXACUM 



DANDELION, Taraxacum qfficinale. The root is 

 official in the IT. S. and numerous other countries, 



