136     THERAPEUTICAL  PROPERTIES  OF   S  ANGUINARINA,  ETC. 
In  consequence  of  its  local  action,  bloodroot  has  been  much 
employed  as  a  resolvent.  Thus,  Dr.  R.  G.  Jennings,  of  Va., 
asserts  that  a  weak  vinegar  J  macerated  for  a  few  hours  in  Oj. 
of  vinegar)  is  superior  to  any  gargle  he  has  ever  used  in  the  sore 
throat  of  scarlet  fever,  especially  when  the  larynx  appears  to  be 
seriously  implicated.  (Stethoscope,  vol.  ii.  p.  183,  Richmond, 
1852.) 
Dr.  Brice,  of  Newark,  Ohio,  reports  three  cases  of  nasal  poly- 
pus cured  by  the  direct  application  of  bloodroot  in  powder  and 
decoction.  (West.  Jour,  of  Med.  and  Surg.  vol.  ii.  p.  237,  Louis- 
ville, 1840). 
Dr.  Lewis  Shanks  also  reports  a  case  of  the  same  disease  cured 
by  similar  means.    (Amer.  Jour.  Med.  Sci.  p.  368,  Oct.,  1842.) 
As  an  emetic,  Dr.  Henry  West  thinks  the  bloodroot  ranks 
intermediately  between  ipecacuanha  and  tartar  emetic,  being 
more  nauseating  than  the  former  and  less  prostrating  than  the 
latter.  He  gives  ten  grains  of  the  powder,  or  two  fluidrachms  of 
the  tincture,  every  twenty  minutes,  until  vomiting  is  produced. 
He  considers  it  highly  beneficial  in  croup  and  laryngismus  stri- 
dulus.   (Western  Lancet,  vol.  xi.  p.  441,  1850.) 
Most  of  the  writers  already  quoted,  and  many  others  that 
might  be  named,  speak  in  terms  of  commendation  of  an  altera- 
tive or  deobstruent  property  of  bloodroot,  and  therefore  recom- 
mend its  employment  in  jaundice.  But  they  generally  use  it  as 
an  adjuvant  rather  than  as  the  principle  remedy.  Dr.  J.  L. 
Mothershead,  of  Indianapolis,  is  an  exception  to  this  remark. 
He  sums  up  ten  years'  experience  by  asserting  strongly  its  alter- 
ative properties.  In  jaundice,  after  giving  a  portion  or  two  of 
calomel,  he  exhibits  from  thirty  to  sixty  drops  of  the  tincture  three 
times  daily  in  compound  syrup  of  sarsaparilla.  In  a  few  days 
the  yellow  tint  leaves  the  skin.  (N.  West.  Med.  and  Surg.  Jour, 
p.  369,  1849.) 
Another  property  of  great  value  is  thus  described  by  Dr.  Isaac 
Thorn,  of  Yellow  Springs,  Ohio,  after  a  large  experience  with 
the  drug.  "  It  is  a  sedative  of  no  ordinary  powers.  For  re- 
ducing the  force  and  frequency  of  the  pulse  at  the  same  time 
without  prostrating  the  system,  it  is  one  of  our  most  efficient 
remedies.    Its  sedative  effects  are  exerted  slowly,  not  being  per- 
