EXPECTORANTS. | ) 87 
to Dr. Bigelow its action does not readily extend through its 
skin, asthe bruised root may lie upon the skin till 1t becomes 
dry without producing pain or redness. The acrid principle 
is extremely volatile, and is entirely driven off by heat. It is 
not imparted to water, alcohol, or olive oil, but it is probably 
soluble in ether. The root loses nearly all its acrimony by 
drying, and in a short time becomes quite inert. It is a 
powerful local irritant, possessing the properties of stimulating 
the secretions either from the skin or lungs. It has been 
advantageously given in asthma, hooping-cough, chronic 
catarrh, chronic rheumatism, and various affections connected 
with the eachectic state of the system. As immediately taken 
from the ground it is too acrid to use. The recently dried 
root, which retains a portion of the acrimony, but not sufficient 
to prevent its convenient administration, is usually preferred. 
It may be given in. the dose of ten grains, mixed with gum 
arabic, sugar, and water, in the form of an emulsion, repeated 
two or three times a day, and gradually increased to half a 
drachm or more. The powder, made into a paste with honey 
or syrup, and placed in smali quantities upon the tongue so as 
to be gradually diffused over the mouth and throat, is said to 
have proved useful in the aphthous sore mouths of children. 
ELECAMPANE ROOT (Invuza HELENIUM). 
This is a very useful expectorant; grows wild in some 
parts, but it is generally cultivated in gardens for its medicinal 
value. Ithasaresemblancetothe sunflower, about five feet high. 
The leaves are large, long, and pointed; the flowers grow on 
the end of the branches, are a beautiful yellow, in pairs 
about two inches wide; the stem is round, thick, and ofa 
reddish tint. It is highly recommended in chest affections and 
other troubles, as the following description from Dr. Robinson’s 
‘Family Herbal” willshow: ‘‘ The fresh roots of elecampane, 
preserved with sugar or made into a syrup or conserve, are 
very effectual to warm a cold windy stomach, or the pricking 
therein, and stitches in the side caused by thespleen; and to 
relieve cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing in the lungs. 
