Medical Properties and Uses. — Squill, according to its dose, is expectorant, diuretic, emetic, 
and purgative. As an expectorant, it is most generally used when there is an increased secretion of pul- 
monary mucus, and is supposed by Dr. Murray to operate by promoting absorption, diminishing the 
quantity of fluid effused, and thus facilitating the expectoration of the remainder. This, like most of the 
theories that have been broached on the action of medicines, appears to us to be very fanciful, and perhaps 
we may be thought just as visionary, when we state that squills seem to promote expectoration simply by 
increasing the action of the mucous membrane, whereby its secretion is greater ; consequently less viscid, 
and more readily ejected by coughing. In inflammatory attacks, previously to the abstraction of blood, 
and the use of other evacuants, squill is generally considered as too stimulant, which effect may be con- 
trolled by a judicious combination with nitre, or tartarized antimony. As an expectorant it is particularly 
useful in hooping-cough ; and although its effects as an emetic are truly distressing, it is the one usually 
employed in this obstinate disease. To produce expectoration, the syrup or vinegar of squill are generally 
employed, the dose of the former being a drachm ; of the latter, half that quantity, repeated every four or 
five hours. When vomiting is required, larger doses, oftener repeated, are necessary. 
As a diuretic, squill is a valuable medicine, and is given in its recent or dried state. The dose of the 
former is from five to fifteen grains; of the latter, from one to three: the smaller dose should be commenced 
with, morning and evening, in the form of a pill, and gradually increased in quantity until the diuretic effect 
is obtained. By some it has been recommended to give it so as to induce some degree of nausea ; but it is 
very distressing to the patient, and often obliges us to discontinue a medicine of undoubted utility; for if the 
stomach once rebels against it, it is seldom that it can be given in such doses again. Combined with mercury 
its diuretic effects are materially increased, the former appearing to rouse the absorbents, while the latter 
stimulates the kidnies. This combination is particularly adapted to those cases in which dropsy depends 
on, or is connected with enlargement, torpor, or chronic inflammation of the liver. Of the mercurial 
preparations, the Mercurial pill, and calomel, are generally preferred, though Cullen recommends the 
oxymuriate. 
