76 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
that we know; for dropsy it is unrivalled. Many cases where 
it was thought the patient would have been drowned, so to 
speak, have been cured with this. We have given it to 
consumptive patients whose legs were swollen, with the 
satisfaction of seeing the water disappear. We do not say it 
will cure in all cases, but where the disease is not'the result 
of serious organic derangement it is seldom known to fail. 
It is also said to be good in shortness of breath and wheezing 
of the chest. The decoction made in the usual way and 
sweetened with honey makes an excellent gargle for sore 
throats. The juice of the herb injected into fistulas is also 
mentioned as a cure for them. A poultice of the leaves, 
mixed with bran and linseed meal, applied warm will mitigate 
the pain and cure bruises. This valuable herb will be found 
in our list of pictures. (See illustration index.) 
HYDRANGEA ROOT. 
This root is a very good diuretic in gravelly complaints: 
two ounces of the root simmered in a pint of water; the dose 
is from a tablespoonful to a wineglassful three or four times 
aday. Inthe Chicago Medical Times, for December 1888, is 
an article upon a common trouble that has grown out of the 
fast life of the people of America, nervous prostration, 
accompanied by symptoms of diabetes. The patients lose 
flesh and are unfit for business. When the urine is examined 
it is found loaded with phosphates, showing a great waste of 
nerve material. For this condition, the writer, an M.D. in 
good standing, recommended rest, change of habit, and a 
decoction of Hydrangea, one tablespoonful, and five grains of 
citrate of lithia. We have tried it, and can recommend it to 
anyone suffering with the above symptoms. 
HAIR CUP MOSS 
Is another mild and good diuretic; dose and directions are 
one ounce to pint infusion, of which a wineglassful three times 
a day may be taken. 
