22 
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 
have speedily acquired the healthy tinge of bile, and also the 
muscular activity of the bowels has been increased, for the 
peristaltic action becomes more regular, and performed with 
more decided periodicity.'' " Its beneficial effects are gene- 
rally more permanent than the greater number of bitters, nor 
does it, as most of the barks, woods, and roots which we em- 
ploy for dyspeptic states, and for all that host of morbid 
affections which depend upon disordered function of the sto- 
mach and bowels, ever constipate the bowels, or interfere 
with the healthy function of the liver; on the contrary, it cor- 
rects the secretion of the bile, and gently operates on the 
bowels." And again, " I have often found chirayita very much 
to be preferred to sarsaparilla, when large quantities of mer- 
cury have been taken, and often, after salivation has been pro- 
duced, the system more quickly recovers its lost equilibrium 
than from the use of any other drug with which I am ac- 
quainted. It has likewise been strongly recommended in 
leucorrhoea, dependant upon a general relaxed condition of 
the female frame; it has even been called a specific remedy. 
At that period of life in which the menstrual secretion is 
about to disappear, and in which there is great carefulness to be 
remembered, lest the employment of medicines injudicious- 
ly may lay the foundation for disease of the uterus, or in the 
mammae, this tonic is very effectual; it produces no determi- 
nation to any of the organs, but combines the power of invi- 
gorating, with that of removing obstructions." Whether 
this is a high wrought picture of the effects to be derived 
from the therapeutic application of this new remedy we leave 
to be determined by future observations. 
Chirayita yields its virtues to water and alcohol. A con- 
centrated infusion is productive of nauseating and irritating 
effects upon the stomach; that made of the strength of half 
an ounce of the plant to the pint of water, is sufficient for all 
purposes. 
A formula is given by Dr. Sigmond for the preparation of 
the tincture, which is, to macerate five ounces of the chirayita 
for fourteen days in two pints of proof spirit. " This contains 
