24 
NEW AMERICAN REMEDIES. 
Eberle, and other practitioners of repute in North America, also speak highly 
of its \irtues in cholera infantum, and as a gargle in cynanche tonsillaris, ulcers 
of the tongue and fauces, etc. Dr. Bigelow says, “ It is particularly suited to 
the treatment of such diseases as continue from debility after the removal of 
their exciting cause.” 
Dr. Lee remarks,*—“Dr. Thatcher recommends it as almost a specific in cases 
of haemoptysis,” and adds, “ it has long been regarded by the American Indians as 
a specific in the venereal affections.” The author of ‘ Positive Medical Agents ’f 
says that, as an astringent, it is as good as kino or rhatany. The powder has 
been used with success as an application in epistaxis, bleeding after extraction of 
teeth, etc. 
Speaking of the so-called active principle termed German , Dr. Grover CoeJ 
says that it possesses astringent, styptic, and antiseptic properties, and that it may 
be employed in dysentery, diarrhoea, haemoptysis, hsematuria, passive haemor¬ 
rhages, aphthous sore mouth, leucorrhoea, gleet, diabetes, and all affections of the 
mucous surfaces. He adds,—“ Geranin is justly considered one of the most valu¬ 
able of the vegetable astringents. In its action it differs somewhat from astrin¬ 
gents generally, in promoting, instead of suppressing, the secretive power of the 
mucous surfaces, and leaving them moist and invigorated in their functions. 
This remedy has been largely employed in the treatment of dysentery, and with 
more general success than any other astringent. Its use is admissible in all the 
different stages, although success will be more certain if the bowels are first re¬ 
lieved of their morbid contents, and the functions of the liver corrected.” So 
strong and so universal is the evidence of American medical practitioners in 
favour of the use of Geranium in all cases where astringents are required, that its 
value as a remedial agent may be regarded as quite established. 
Administration, Preparations, and Doses. —Geranium has been admi¬ 
nistered internally in powder, decoction, infusion, tincture, extract, resinoid ex¬ 
tract (geranin), etc. ; and externally, in powder, and in the form of the resinoid 
extract. Water and alcohol are said to extract its virtues.§ The best prepara¬ 
tion for internal use we should regard as the hydro-alcoholic extract, as such 
would contain all its more important properties. 
Resinoid Extract of Geranium .—This preparation, under the name of 
Geranin, is one of the so-called concentrated preparations now so extensively 
employed in America and elsewhere. It is said to be prepared by making a con¬ 
centrated tincture of geranium rhizome, as in the case of the other resinoid ex¬ 
tracts, and proceeding afterwards in the manner already described when treating 
of them. || It contains all the principles which can be extracted by the action of 
water and alcohol. As generally found, it is in the state of a reddish-brown 
powder, with an astringent and very slightly bitter and acrid taste, and a 
pleasant and somewhat aromatic odour. 
Decoction of Geranium .—Take of Geranium rhizome and rootlets mixed 
and bruised, one ounce; boiling water, one pint; reduce by moderate ebullition 
to sixteen fluid ounces. When given to children, the decoction is sometimes 
made with milk instead of water. 
Inf usion of Geranium .—Take of the bruised rhizome and rootlets of Geranium 
maculatum, one ounce; boiling water, one pint. Macerate for four hours, and 
strain. 
Tincture of Geranium .—Take of Geranium rhizome and rootlets, bruised, 
# Lee on Medicinal Plants, in ‘ American Journal of Materia Medica/ July, 1S59, p. 199. 
f ‘ Positive Medical Agents,' p. 95. 
j Grover Coe’s £ Concentrated Organic Medicines,’ pp. 158-163. 
§ Wood and Bache’s ‘ United States Dispensatory,’ lltli edit. p. 382. 
[j See papers by the author, on Actcearacemosa, Pharm. Journ.vol. ii. 2nd ser. p. 462; on 
Podophyllumpeltatum, vol. iii. p. 461: and on Sanguinaria canadensis, vol. iv. p. 267. 
