GERANIUM^GERAN
   The rhizome of Geranium maculatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Geraniaceae). Common in the rich soils of woods and low grounds in the United States. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Cranesbill, Wild Cranesbill, Crowfoot, Spotted Geranium. Principal Constituents.—Tannin (10 to 28 per cent, according to season) and gallic acid (in dried root). Preparations.—1. Decoctum Geranii, Decoction of Geranium (1/2 ounce to Water, 16 fluidounces). Dose, 1 to 2 fluidounces. 2. Specific Medicine Geranium. Dose, 5 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.—Relaxed mucous tissues with profuse debilitating discharges; chronic mucous diarrheas; chronic dysentery; diarrhoea with constant desire to defecate; passive hemorrhages; gastric ulcer. Action and Therapy.—Geranium is one of the simple and much neglected of the early Eclectic medicines. It is an ideal astringent and for conditions requiring such an action it is preferable to many other constringing drugs. Geranium is indicated in subacute and chronic bowel disorders when the evacuations are abundant and debilitating. It is especially adapted to relaxation of the mucosa following inflammation. For the summer diarrheas of older children, and especially the cholera infantum of infants, it is splendidly effective after the bowels have been thoroughly cleansed of undigested and decomposed contents. For infantile use we prefer the decoction in milk. If that does not agree, small doses of the specific medicine in water may be employed. When dysentery tends to chronicity, the thorough use of magnesium sulphate followed by geranium will render good service. Geranium is of some value in passive hemorrhages, as haematuria, hemoptysis, and menorrhagia. It is only useful in the first two when the blood lost is small in amount, and in the latter when bleeding is prolonged, but merely oozing. Though a useful agent in relaxed conditions with catarrhal discharges other than those of the bowels, as chronic pharyngeal catarrh, relaxed uvula, leucorrhea, etc., it is no more valuable than other tannin-bearing drugs, and is often inferior to tannic acid itself. Geranium is of specific value where long saturation of the mucosa with unhealthy catarrhal secretions favor a tendency to destruction of tissue. We have found it to quickly cure aphthous ulceration of the mouth attended by gastric acidity and acid diarrhea. For gastric ulcer it is one of the best therapeutic means we possess. Geranium, hydrastis, mangifera, bismuth subnitrate and mangesium oxide, singly, or in indicated association, have proven the most effective agents in our experience for the medicinal relief of curable cases. They restrain hypersecretion, correct excessive acidity, check hemorrhage, and relieve pain; sometimes healing appears to progress rapidly under their influence.¹

MANGIFERA
   The inner bark of the root and tree of Mangifera indica, Linné (Nat. Ord. Anacardiaceae). A native East Indian fruit tree; naturalized in the West Indies. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Name: Mango. Principal Constituents.—Tannic acid (17 per cent) and an acrid oil. Preparation.—Specific Medicine Mangifera. Dose, 5 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.—Feeble, relaxed tissues; mucous discharges; chronic dysentery with muco-purulent discharges; red, congested or inflamed fauces. Action and Therapy.—External. Mangifera forms a soothing, astringent gargle for acute or chronic inflammation of the fauces, especially when full, red and congested and intensely painful. It may be used also to alleviate inflammatory conditions of the mucosa of any part of the body or upon excoriations of the skin. Especially is it effective in acute pharyngitis and the follicular and phlegmonous forms of tonsillitis. Too much has been claimed for it in diphtheria, though its use as an adjuvant is not inappropriate, especially if there is either much redness and pain, or relaxation of tissue. In acute rhinitis it may be used as a douche; and in acute inflammation of the uterine cervix it has been employed with advantage. For use upon the nose and throat about two drachms of specific medicine mangifera may be added to two ounces of water. Internal. Owing probably to its tannic acid, and somewhat to other inherent principles, mangifera is a useful drug in relaxation of mucous tissues, associated with catarrh and diarrhea and feeble capillary circulation. It appears to be best adapted to entero-colitis and watery diarrhoea. Many value it in passive hemorrhages from the nose, uterus, stomach, intestines, and lungs; and some good therapeutists have declared it of value in hemophilia. One should not, however, expect much in the latter disorder from a drug whose hemostatic properties are evidently mostly due to its tannin. Mangifera is one of the pleasantest forms of administering the latter, which may be of a special type, as there are many tannins. It agrees well with the stomach and seems to promote the appetite and digestion, and apparently is non- constipating. When not contraindicated syrup is a fairly good vehicle for mangifera in throat affections.¹