ASPIDIUM 433 



be removed, and only such portions used as have retained their internal green 

 color. Powdered aspidium should be freshly prepared and have a bright green 

 color. 



Constituents. — Aspidium contains: (1) filicic acid (CsbHuOis), a white, 

 amorphous or crystalline substance, and a series of bodies, as aspidin, aspidinin, 

 flavaspadic acid, albaspidin, aspidol, fllmaron and flavaspidinin. It is not known 

 to which of the bodies the action of aspidium may be attributed. There are also: 

 (2) a fixed oil, 6 per cent.; (8) resin, 4 per cent.; (4) filicin (CsbHwOiz), a crys- 

 talline principle soluble in chloroform, benzol, fixed and volatile oils; (6) filix-red, 

 a coloring matter; (6) a small quantity of a volatile oil. 



Doge.— H. & C, gv-vi, (150-180); Sh., gii-iv, (60-120); Lambs, 5i-ii, (4-8); 

 D. & C, 3ss-i, (15-80). 



PBEPABATION. 



■ Oleoresina Aspidii. Oleoresin of Aspidium. (U. S. P.) 

 Made by percolation with ether, distillation and evaporation of the ether. 

 Dose (also of the extractum filicls liquidum, B. P.).— H. & C, 31ii-vi, (12-24) ; 

 Sh. & Sw., 3i-il, (4-8) ; D. & C, TII.xv-31, (1-4). 



Action and Uses. — Aspidium is chiefly of value in veterinary medi- 

 cine as a taeniacide or agent destroying tape-worms, particularly those 

 inhabiting dogs. Large quantities of the drug cause hemorrhagic, gastro- 

 enteritis, tremors, weakness, stupor, coma, acute nephritis and cystitis. 

 Six drams of the oleoresin have proved fatal in man and sheep; five 

 drams in a medium-sized dog; and three ounces in the case of a cow. 

 Aspidium must never be given with oil, which aids its absorption. Dogs 

 should be fasted 24 hours or fed on a little milk; then the oleoresin 

 should be administered, and the dose repeated in 3 hours. After the 

 expiration of 12 hours from the administration of the first dose, a purga- 

 tive quantity of castor oil is to be exhibited. An injection of salt and 

 water assists the expulsion of segments of taenia from the rectum. If 

 the head of the taenia is not expelled the treatment may be repeated in 

 three days or a week. The oleoresin may be flavored with a few drops 

 of oil of peppermint, and is often combined with a small dose of areca 

 nut (gr.i to the lb. live weight) in emulsion with mucilage of tragacanth, 

 or with fluid extract of kousso, 3i to 3ii. The oleoresin may also be ex- 

 hibited in pills or capsules. 



For setter dog with tapeworm. 



Oleoresinse aspldil 31. 



Fluldextracti arecae semlnls 3ili. 



Mucllaglnis acaclae §11. 



Olei menthse piperltae TTl,v. 



M. 



Slg. Give one-half in one dose. 



It is on the whole the best agent against the tapeworms of dogs, 

 including Taenia serrata, T. marginata, T. coenurus and T. echinococcus. 

 Male fern is not efiicient against round worms in dogs and is dangerous 

 except for strong cats and then not more than a mil should be given. 

 Oleo-resin of male fern has a decided action in destroying the flukes in 

 the liver, gall bladder, and bile passages of sheep in distomiasis. 



Four doses of 5 grams each should be given 24 to 48 hours apart and, 

 if liver cirrhosis has not set in, recovery may ensue. Two ounces each of 



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