468 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



Dr. Eberle gives a very full account of its narcotic effects in a child of six 

 years of age (Treat. Mat. Med.) These symptoms, following the adminis- 

 tration of Spigelia, have been thought by some to depend either on the roots 

 of some other plant gathered with the Pink root, or on some parasitic vine 

 that had attached itself to it. Mr. Elliot has shown that both these sugges- 

 tions are erroneous, and that the root itself is narcotic. 



Its use has not been confined to the expulsion of worms. As early as 

 1763, Dr. Garden, in a letter to Dr. Hope, states that he had given it with 

 great success in febrile attacks, apparently arising from a disordered condi- 

 tion of the stomach and bowels; this is confirmed by Dr. Ives, and in fact al- 

 most every practitioner must have met with proofs of its efficacy in those 

 febrile complaints in children, arising from irritation of the bowels, from any 

 cause. Of this character was the protracted remittent with hydrocephalic 

 symptoms, in which Dr. B. S. Barton found the Pink root of so much service. 

 Rafinesque states that it is used among the Osages, as a sudorific and seda- 

 tive in acute diseases. As an anthelmintic it is more generally prescribed 

 than any other article in this country, and in most cases with unequivocal 

 success, and without the production of any unpleasant symptoms. It may be 

 given in powder or infusion ; the dose of the first of which for children is 

 from ten to twenty grains. The infusion, however, is by far the best mode 

 of administration; this is made with an ounce of the root to a pint of water, 

 the dose of which is from an ounce to two ounces for a child. One of the 

 best methods is to give a full dose at bed-time, and to exhibit an active pur- 

 gative in the morning, as in this way any narcotic symptoms it may display 

 do not cause uneasiness. 



The most general plan is to give it in combination, especially with Senna ; 

 this forms a very well known and efficacious nostrum called Worm tea, for 

 which there are several recipes, differing somewhat in the quantities of the 

 ingredients. One of them much used, is, Spigelia, 3ss. ; Senna, 3ij. ; Savin, 

 3ss. ; and Manna, 3ij., to be infused in a pint of water and strained ; the 

 dose is the same as of the simple infusion ; it usually purges actively, and 

 does not excite narcotic symptoms. The syrup is also said to be an effica- 

 cious form of preparation. 



Many other species possess the same anthelmintic powers as the above, 

 especially the <S. anthelmia or Brinvilliers, as it is called in the French 

 West Indies, where it grows in abundance. From the accounts given of it 

 by Ricord Madiana (7V.de la Brinvilliers) , it appears to be far more active 

 than the S. marilandica, as he states that it is used by the negroes as a poison. 

 It is employed both in the West Indies and in South America as an anthel- 

 mintic, but in much smaller doses than above indicated for the other species, 

 two drachms only being used to the pint of water. Martius speaks of S. 

 glabrata as a poison. 



Sub-order 2. Strychneje. — Fruit a bilocular berry or capsule, many-seeded, sometimes 

 by abortion 1-celled, and many-seeded. Seeds peltate, not winged. 



Strychnos. — Linn. 



Calyx 4 — 5-partcd. Corolla tubular, with a spreading limb, 4 — 5-parted, and a valvate 

 aestivation. Stamens 4 — 5, inserted on the throat of the corolla, which is either naked or 

 bearded. Ovary 2-celled, with a single style, having a capitate stigma. Berry corticated, 

 1 -celled, many-seeded, or by abortion one-seeded. Seeds nidulant, discoidal. Albumen 

 cartilaginous, almost divided into two plates. Embryo with leafy cotyledons. 



A large genus of trees or shrubs, often scandent and principally peculiar 

 to warm countries, with opposite, entire leaves on short petioles, and white or 



