150 NAT. ORDER. LILIACE.E. 
obstinate diseases. Its effects, as stated by the most approved writers, 
are expectorant in small doses, and emetic and purgative in larger, 
and sometimes it acts as an emmenagogue. In dropsical cases it has 
long been esteemed the most certain and effectual diuretic with which 
we are acquainted ; and in the asthmatic affections, or dyspepsia, oc- 
casioned by the lodgment of tenacious phlegm, it has been, and is still, 
the expectorant usually employed. 
The Squill, especially in large doses, is apt to stimulate the 
stomach, and prove emetic ; and it sometimes acts upon the intestines, 
and becomes purgative : but when these operations take place, the 
medicine is prevented from reaching the blood vessels and kidneys, 
and the patient is deprived of its diuretic effects; which are to be ob- 
tained by giving the Squill in smaller doses, repeated at more distant 
intervals, or by the joining of an opiate to this medicine, which was 
found by Dr. Cullen to answer the same purpose. The Dr. further 
observes, that from a continued repetition of the Squill, the dose may 
be gradually increased, and the intervals of its exhibition shortened ; 
and when in this way the doses come to be tolerably large, the opiate 
may be most conveniently employed to direct the operation of the 
Squill more certainly to the kidneys. In cases of dropsy, that is when 
there is an infusion of water into the cavities, and but little terminating 
to the kidneys, we are of opinion that a little neutral salt accompany- 
ing the Squill may be of use. 
Like digitalis, this medicine is rendered much more active in its 
operation, by combining it with some other articles of this class, and 
particularly by giving it in union with Podophyllum pellatum. This 
union I consider very important in cases where we wish to evacuate 
dropsical effusions. The Squill seems to increase diuresis by stimulat- 
ing the kidneys to invigorated action, and the Podophyllum has a 
powerful tendency to promote absorption. By uniting these articles 
together, therefore, we obtain a remedy which enables us at once to 
excite the action of the absorbents and the kidneys, and thus, in the 
most effectual manner, promote the removal of dropsical collections. 
