324 THE KOSSO, OR BRAYERA ANTHELMINTIC At 
Kosso appears to be an effective anthelmintic in both kinds 
of tape worm, viz : Tcenia solium and Bothriocephalus lotus. 
The dealers in kosso assert, that one dose will effectually 
cure a radical case of tape worm, which is obviously an 
error, because, admitting it destroys all the worms in the 
alimentary canal, they may reoccur, provided the patient re- 
tains his predisposition. It certainly does not radically cure 
the Abyssinians, since, as several writers tell us, they resort 
to this remedy monthly. Schimper, the governor of Adoa, 
says it does not completely expel the taenia, or at least rarely 
does. But he adds, that in Europeans, who are less disposed 
to worms, it may act in a more complete manner. In the 
Abyssinians this verminous disposition is innate, and is depen- 
dent on the regimen they adopt. 
Hitherto the great drawback to the use of kosso has been 
its enormous cost. M. Rochet d'Hericourt is the sole holder, 
and is said to have 1400 pounds, valued by him at a guinea 
per ounce, equal to 112,000 dollars !!! As it can be procured 
in Egypt from caravans coming down the valley of the Nile, 
its price, which in Abyssinia is moderate, should be greatly 
reduced. 
Administration. Both Bruce and Schimper state that the 
Abyssinians take a handful of the dried flowers as a dose. 
In Paris the dose has varied from four to six drachms. In 
general, however, half an ounce (troy) is considered a dose 
for an adult. The dose for children is as follows : — From 7 
to 12 years 160 grains, — from 3 to 7 years, 120 grains ; not 
exceeding three years, SO grains. 
The kosso should be taken in the morning fasting. The 
only preparation necessary is, that the last meal of the pre- 
vious evening should be slight. The evacuation of the 
bowels by a mild purgative or a clyster, is desirable. 
The mode of administering the remedy is as follows : 
The powdered flowers are to be mixed with lukewarm water, 
(for an adult, about ten ounces,) and allowed to infuse for 
about a quarter of an hour. A little lemon juice is then to 
