190 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS. 



also a fluid extract of bark ; it appears to have first attracted 

 attention from being used by the female negroes to produce 

 abortion. It acts like ergot upon the uterus, and is useful in 

 dysmenorrhoea and suppression of the menses when produced 

 by cold. A decoction of 4 ozs of the bark in 2 pints of water, 

 boiled down to one pint, may be used in doses of 2 ounces every 

 20 or 30 minutes, or the fluid extract may be prescribed in 

 doses of from 30 to 60 minims. Cotton-seed tea is given in 

 dysentery in America ; the seeds are also reputed to be galac- 

 tagogue (Dymock). 



Compared with ergot, the root of the cotton-plant causes a 

 more natural contraction of the uterus ; but the former drug 

 appears to be the more active during parturition. Gossypium 

 can be given with impunity. In gynaecological practice ergot 

 cannot compare with gossypium, the rapidity of action is not 

 so necessary, and the remedy can be given without any un- 

 pleasant secondary or after-effects, as is frequently complained 

 of during a prolonged course of ergot subcutaneously or per- 

 os" (I. M. G., November, 1884. pp. 334-5). 



The herbaceous part of G-ossypium herbaccum contains 

 much mucilage, and is used as a demulcent. 



Cotton-seeds have been employed in the Southern States 

 of America with great asserted success in the treatment of 

 intermittents. A pint of the seeds is boiled in a quart of water 

 to a pint, and a teacupful of the decoction is given to the 

 patient in bed, an hour or two before the expected return of 

 the chill. (U. S. Dispensatory). 



The seeds are considered a nervine tonic and are given 

 in headache, etc. 



Cotton-seed is said to increase the secretion of milk, and 

 cotton-seed oil is largely utilized for this reason in the feeding of 

 cows. The reason of this physiological action, and the constituent 

 of the seed which produces it, are not known. In order to apply 

 this to women, attempts have been made to purify the seeds, and 

 a preparation, bearing the name of lactagol, has been the outcome 

 of these investigations. It is a fine white powder, having a not 



