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tion of from three to six grains of Podophyllum peltatum given every 
night, is frequently followed by a great flow of urine at the same time 
that the salivary glands are effected. 
I have myself uniformly obtained more advantage in this disease 
by these two articles in union with nitre, than from any other diuretic 
I have ever employed. Such a combination is particularly efficacious 
when it produces inflammation of the gums and the glands about the 
throat. The reason why the union of the above-mentioned articles are 
more apt to afford relief in hydrothorax than in any other varieties of 
dropsy, may be owing to a three-fold operation ; it promotes absorp- 
tion, excites the urinary discharge, and, by determining the circulation 
particularly to the glands of the mouth and throat, it causes a deriva- 
tion from the exhalants of the pleura, and thereby lessens the dropsical 
exhalation. The exhalants of the cavity of the thorax would be more 
likely to be influenced by such an afflux to the glands of the mouth 
and throat, than those situated more remotely, and hence, perhaps, 
arises the more speedy relief which is commonly procured in hydro- 
thorax by such a combination of remedies, than in ascites and anasarca. 
The expectorant operation of Squill, is also a circumstance which 
would seem to render it more suitable in dropsies of the chest than the 
other diuretics. 
Dr. Ferias observes, that " in some habits the combination of tinc- 
ture of Squills, with sirup of buckthorn, proves very powerfully diure- 
tic." Its expectorant qualities are very obvious in asthmatic patients, 
and chronic affections of the chest, connected with a secretion of thick 
tough mucus, which is with great difficulty expectorated without the 
aid of an expectorant. As an emetic, it was once in general use, but 
is now much less frequently employed than formerly, and indeed where 
we simply wish to evacuate the contents of the stomach, it is too violent 
in its operation to be a desirable one ; but in some affections of the 
chest and throat, especially in croup, it is certainly a desirable emetic, 
as it renders the expectoration of the mucus more easy. It is never 
administered as a purgative, and we only know that it possesses this 
