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RHUS TOXICODENDRON. 
the flowers are produced in June, July and August, and the seed 
arrives at maturity in October or November.* 
Sensible Qualities, &c. The leaves of Toxicodendron have 
no smell, their taste is mawkish, and slightly acrid ; they give out 
their virtues completely to water and proof spirit, but only partially 
to alcohol. The watery infusion reddens litmus paper; it yields 
a precipitate with gelatine ; sulphate of iron produces a black pre- 
cipitate, and nitrate of silver a brown. 
Medical Properties and Uses. The leaves of this plant are 
narcotic, stimulant, and somewhat aperient. It was first introduced 
into practice in this country by Dr. Aldeison of Hull, as a remedy 
in paralysis; ^d under his direction it appears to have proved an 
efficacious remedy. Dr. Alderson relates several cases in which it 
perfected a cure, and others in which it proved of very consider- 
able benefit. The first symptom of amendment was always a feeling 
of pricking and irregular twitching in the paralytic limbs ; these 
effects were soon followed by a gradual return of voluntary motion, 
and feeling in the affected parts. t 
The good effects of this medicine however in paralysis, does not 
appear to be generally confirmed, for we are told by Dr. A. Dun- 
can, that he gave it in " larger doses without experiencing the same 
success ; but that it in general operated as a gentle laxative, notwith- 
standing the torpid state of the bowels in such patients." We are 
also told by Dr. Alderson, that this plant has been frequently em- 
ployed in cases of dyspepsia and atonic gout, and with more success 
than any other tonic ; and he further says, " I could easily adduce 
from my own practice, and that of several of my friends, a variety 
of cases in stomach complaints, where it has been deemed highly 
serviceable." 
The dried leaves of this plant J have been given in powder, begin- 
ning with half a grain for a dose, repeated three times a day, 
or every four hours, gradually increasing the dose to six or even 
more grains, according to the effects produced. *' From variety of 
* This plant may be distingaished from the Rhus Radioans, which somewhat resem- 
bles it, by the latter being a smaller shrub, with smooth and slender shoots, roots 
entire, leaflets somewhat smaller, and standing upon shorter and more slender foot- 
stalks, 
+ Vide Essay on the Rhus Toxicodendron, by J. Alderson, M.D. 4th edit. 
J We are told by Dr. Alderson, that in some instances Toxicodendron has lost five- 
sixths of its weight in drying, in others four-fifths. From this ciroumstanee the actire 
properties of the powder must vary very considerably. 
