162 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
hydragogue purgative, often causing vomiting and griping. 
It sometimes promotes the action of the kidneys. It is. 
seldom given alone, but combined with cream of tartar or 
some vegetable purgative, usually in pills. Dose, 1 to 4 
grains. Dangerous. 1s per oz. 
GELSEMINUM (Yellow Jasmine Root).—The active properties. 
of the root are due to an alkaloid, gelsemine. Gelseminum 
acts chiefly on the nervous system. It has been employed in 
various forms of neuralgia, rheumatism, and muscular spasm as. 
a sedative. Serious results have occurred from an overdose. 
Dose of the tincture, 5 to 20 drops. Dose of the alkaloid, 
1-16th to 1-30th grain. Use carefully. 1s 6d per drachm. 
Tincture of root, 9d per oz. 
Gentian Roor.—The dried root of Gentiana Lutea, 
growing chiefly in the European Alps and Pyrenees. Gentian 
is a simple bitter or stomachic tonic, improving the appetite 
and giving tone to the stomach, hence used in convalescence: 
from acute disease, andin cases of dyspepsia. Dose of extract, 
2to 10 grains. Tincture, 1 to 2 drachms. Of the infusion, 1 
to 2 ounces. Safe. 
Gincrr.—The dried root of the Zingiber Officinale, native 
of Hindostan and China, but cultivated in the West as well 
as in the Kast Indies. Ginger is an aromatic, stimulant, and. 
carminative. When taken internally it produces an agreeable 
feeling of warmth, and appears to aid digestion by giving 
a healthy tone to the stomach ; hence it is used in atonic 
forms of dyspepsia, especially if attended with much flatulence, 
and as an adjunct to various purgative medicines, to 
correct their griping tendency. Dosein powder 10 to 20 grains ; 
of the syrup 1 to 4 drachm; of the tincture 15 to 60 drops. 
Safe. Crude root, 2d per oz. Powder, 3d per oz. Strong 
tincture, 6d per oz. 
Guycertne.—A sweet principle, obtained from fats and 
viscid oils. Glycerine is used on account of its physical 
properties as an adjunct to lotions in skin diseases to prevent 
