ASPIDIUM
   The rhizome of Dryopteris Filix-mas and of Dryopteris marginalis, Asa Gray (Nat. Ord. Filices). World-wide ferns of the Northern Hemispheres. Dose, 1 to 4 drachms. Common Names: (1) Male Fern; (2) Marginal Shield Fern. Principal Constituents.—Oils, resins, filicin, and filicic acid, the poisonous principle. Preparation.—Oleoresina Aspidii, Oleoresin of Aspidium (Oleoresin of Male Fern). Dose, 30 grains but once a day. Do not give with oils. Action and Toxicology.—When freely absorbed the oleoresin causes nausea, vomiting, purging, severe abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, muscular prostration, tremors, cramps, dyspnea, cold perspiration, cyanosis, collapse, and death. In some cases amblyopia results, and permanent visual and aural disturbances have resulted from its toxic action. Unless the doses are excessive or frequently given, or given with oil, as castor oil, such accidents are less likely to occur. The treatment consists in stimulation by ammonia and purging by Epsom salt. Therapy.—A most certain taenicide, effectually removing tapeworm, especially the Bothriocephalus latus and the Taenia solium, and said to be less effective upon the Taenia medio-canellata. Prepare the patient in the usual manner over night for the administration of taenicides by purging and fasting. In the morning administer 30 grains of the oleoresin in capsules or flavored emulsion, follow at midday with a full meal without fats, and in the evening give a brisk saline cathartic. Under no circumstances must oils, especially castor oil, be given with it during the treatment. They favor absorption of the filicic acid, thought to be the toxic principle. Aspidium is seldom used; the oleoresin being preferred. The latter is also effectual against the hookworm ( Uncinaria americana).¹

CUBEBA
   The unripe, full-grown fruits of Piper Cubeba, Linné, fil. (Nat. Ord. Piperaceae.) Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Prince of Wales Island, and other isles of the Indian Ocean. Dose, 5 to 30 grains. Common Names: Cubeb, Cubebs. Principal Constituents.—A volatile oil (Oleum Cubebae), cubebin (inactive), cubebic acid, and cubeb resin, the latter two forming a soft resin with diuretic properties. The irritant, stimulant, and carminative properties are possessed by the volatile oil. Preparations.—1. Specific Medicine Cubeba. Dose, 1 to 30 drops. 2. Oleoresina Cubebaq, Oleoresin of Cubeb. Dose, I to 15 grains. 3. Oleum Cubebae, Oil of Cubeb. Dose, 1 to 15 minims. Specific Indications.—Gonorrhea after discharges have almost ceased; enfeebled conditions of the large intestine and rectum; subacute inflammation of the urinary passages; urethral burning and scalding of urine in women; debility with profuse mucous discharges. Action and Therapy.—Cubeba is mildly stimulant, expectorant, stomachic and carminative. It arrests excessive mucous discharges, particularly those of the urethra. Large doses quicken the pulse and increase its volume, and sometimes elevate the temperature; occasionally it causes nausea, vomiting, burning pain, griping and purging. Not uncommonly it produces a rash-like cutaneous eruption. It is eliminated by the urine and by the bronchial membranes, increasing normal and restraining abnormal secretions. It imparts its peculiar aromatic odor to the urine and to the breath. Cubeb is employed to restrain mucous discharges after the subsidence of active inflammation, and usually after active discharge has nearly ceased. In late stages of intractable gonorrhea in which there persists a small amount of flow, and in gleet, 30 grains of the powdered berries may be administered to awaken activity—to produce a substitutive inflammation—after which the case appears to improve. The drug should be pushed until urination is painful, and then lessened from day to day until a cure is effected. While contraindicated in acute inflammation, cubeba is often of service in so-called chronic inflammations, especially in cystitis, and in chronic inflammatory states of the urethra in women. It first aggravates and then cures. The greater the debility the more it is indicated, and urethral burning is the chief indication for it. The urethral scalding sensations frequently experienced by women upon urinating, especially at the menstrual period, is greatly relieved by it, as is irritation and burning of the vulva. In these cases there is usually constant urging to pass urine, the effort being attended with much pain. Five (5) drops of Specific Medicine Cubeba should be given every 3 or 4 hours. The same dosage will often remedy nocturnal incontinence of urine in children. Cubeba is useful in chronic sluggish sore throat, with relaxed membranes and over-secretion. From 5 to 10 drops of the specific medicine should be given suspended in syrup, and the same dose upon sugar is useful in chronic atonic respiratory catarrhs, with profuse expectoration, and for nasal catarrh. Smoking cubebs is a popular method of treating nasal catarrh and hay fever. Care must be had not to blister the roof of the mouth, an untoward effect that is produced by the oil in a good quality of cubeba.¹

JALAPA (Ipomea jalapa)
   The dried tuberous root of Ipomoea jalapa, Nuttall; (Ipomoea purga, Hayne; Exogonium jalapa, Baillon; Exogonium purga, Bentham). Nat. Ord.Convolvulaceae. A vine of Eastern Mexico. Dose, 10 to 30 grains. Common Name: jalap. Principal Constituents.—A resin (Resina Jalapae) composed chiefly of Jalapurgin (C62H100O32) (convolvulin or jalapin) and a soft acrid resin. Preparations.—1. Resina Jalapae, Resin of jalap. Yellowish-brown or brown masses or fragments, or a yellowish-gray or yellowish-brown powder, permanent, of a faint but peculiar odor, and somewhat acrid to the taste. Soluble in alcohol. Dose, 2 grains. 2. Pulvis Jalapae Compositus (U. S. P.), Compound Powder of jalap. (jalap, 35; Potassium Bitartrate, 65.) Dose, 20 to 60 grains. (Locke advises Ginger, 3 drachms, in 8 ounces of this preparation to prevent griping.) 3. Pulvis Jalapae Compositus (Eclectic), Compound Powder of jalap (Eclectic), or Antibilious Physic. (Senna, 2 ounces; Jalap, 1 ounce; Cloves or Ginger, 1 drachm.) Dose, 60 grains (in hot water allowed to cool and then sweetened). 4. Specific Medicine Jalap. Dose, 5 to 20 drops. Specific Indications.—Intestinal torpor and constipation from deficient secretion of the intestinal glands; pain and griping in the lower bowel. Action and Therapy.—Jalap is an irritant cathartic operating energetically and producing large liquid stools. It gripes considerably and sometimes causes nausea and vomiting. Large doses produce violent hypercatharsis, sometimes resulting in death. It is a safe and thorough cathartic when no inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract exists, and may be used where a derivative action, with full stools, is indicated. In small doses (5 grains daily) it may be employed to relieve constipation due to inactivity of the intestinal glands or where hard fecal masses are impacted in the rectum. Movements are facilitated by the secretion induced. It is a useful revulsive in cerebral congestion, and may be used in hemorrhoidal conditions with constipation when a stimulating cathartic cannot be employed. The chief use of jalap is for the relief of dropsy from any cause. It is commonly used with cream of tartar, which increases both the cathartic and diuretic effects. It should not be given for any great length of time, for the depletion finally has a depressing effect upon the heart. Though contraindicated in inflammation of the intestinal tube, it may be used when there is inflammation of the biliary apparatus, and when a cathartic is needed at the onset of fevers. The Antibilious Physic and that modification of the compound powder as advised by Locke are desirable forms in which to use jalap. Jalap alone purges in about 3 to 4 hours.¹

KINO
   The self-dried juice of Pterocarpus Marsupium, Roxburgh (Nat. Ord. Leguminosae). A tree of the mountains of the Malabar coast of Hindustan. Dose, 10 to 30 grains. Common Names: Kino, Gum Kino. Synonym: Resina Kino. Principal Constituents.—Kinotannic acid (75 per cent), kinoin, Pyrocatechin, kinored, and gum. Preparation.—Tinctura Kino, Tincture of Kino. Dose, 1 to 2 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.—External. Sometimes used as an astringent wash in soreness and relaxation of the uvula and the pharynx, and as an injection in leucorrhea and gonorrhea also as a stimulating application to indolent ulcers. Internal. A good astringent for pyrosis and chronic serous diarrhoea and that occurring in opium habitues, and in the diarrhoea of phthisis.¹

PETROSELINUM
   The dried, ripe fruit and root of Petroselinum sativum, Hoffman (Nat. Ord. Umbelliferae). Native of Europe; cultivated in all moderate climes. Common Names: (1) Parsley Fruit, Parsley Seed; (2) Parsley Root. Principal Constituents.—(Root.) An essential oil containing Apiol; (Fruit) Fatty oil (22 per cent), volatile oil (oil of parsley) containing apiol and laevo-pinene. Preparation.—Decoctum Petroselini, Decoction of Parsley. Dose, 1 to 4 fluidounces. Action and Therapy.—Decoction of parsley root is an active diuretic, as is also the oil (three or four drops). Both relieve urinary irritation, and have been extensively employed to relieve dropsical effusions when the kidneys are in a condition to respond, especially when the edema follows scarlet fever. Apiol is an active emmenagogue. When of good quality, doses of seven to fifteen grains are capable of producing effects similar to those of coffee—cerebral excitement with feeling of vigor and composure, and warmth in the stomach. Large doses (thirty to sixty grains) occasion intoxication, giddiness, flashes of light, ringing in ears, and headache similar to that resulting from cinchona. It is used almost entirely for the treatment of amenorrhea, due to ovarian inactivity. It should be administered in doses of seven to ten grains, three times a day for a week or so previous to the expected time of menstruation, and given oftener when the menses appear. It relieves pain by increasing the flow when menstruation is scanty. Owing to the uncertain quality of apiol preparations they frequently fail to produce any emmenagogue effects. A liquid apiol (Oleoresina Petroselini) is to be preferred, given in doses of eight to twelve minims.¹

PODOPHYLLUM
   The dried rhizome and roots of Podophyllum peltatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Berberidaceae). Rich woods and thickets of North America. Dose, 5 to 30 grains. Common Names: May Apple, Mandrake, Lemon Apple, Wild Lemon, Raccoon Berry. Principal Constituents.—Resin of podophyllum (see below) and podophyllic acid, a coloring substance; podophyllotoxin, the purgative principle of the resin exists free in the rhizome. Preparations.—1. Specific Medicine Podophyllum. Dose, 1/10 to 30 drops; fractional doses preferred. 2. Elixir Podophylli, Elixir of Podophyllum. Dose, 1/2 to 1 fluidrachm. Derivative.—Resina Podophylli, Resin of Podophyllum (Podophyllin). A light brown to greenish-yellow, amorphous powder turning darker when heated above 77° F, or when exposed to light. It has a faint peculiar odor and feebly bitter taste. It is very irritating to the conjunctivae and to other mucous membranes. Soluble in alcohol, chloroform and ether. It consists chiefly of the purgative principle podophyllotoxin mixed with podophyllic acid (80 per cent), other minor resins, and a yellow, coloring body, podophylloquercitin. Resin of podophyllum was first isolated and used by Dr. John King. Dose, 1/30 to 1/2 grain. Preparation.—Trituratio Podophylli, Trituration of Podopohyllin (1 to 100). Dose, 5 to 10 grains. Specific Indications.—I. Podophyllum. Podophyllum is specifically indicated by fullness of tissues, and particularly by fullness of superficial veins; oppressed full pulse; dirty yellowish coating of tongue and dizziness. It is contraindicated by pinched features and tissues, contracted skin and tongue. II. Resin of Podophyllum (Podophyllin). Podophyllin is specifically indicated by fullness of tissues, fullness of veins, sodden, expressionless countenance, dizziness, tongue coated dirty yellowish-white, heavy headaches, indisposition to bodily exertion, intestinal atony, with sense of weight and fullness, full open pulse; “pain deep in ischiatic notches;” and as an ideal cholagogue; clay-colored stools, floating upon water; stools, hard, dry, and accompanied by distended abdomen and colicky pain. It is contraindicated by pinched features, and small, wiry pulse, or when the pulse has a sharp stroke. Action and Toxicology.—Applied continuously podophyllum and its resin cause irritation and suppuration of the skin and subcutaneous tissues; inhaled they provoke sneezing and violent coryza, and drug workers handling either are sometimes affected with conjunctival inflammation. The green rhizome or large doses of the dried drug (30 to 60 grains), or its resin, produces vioIent emeto-catharsis and gastroenteritis. Smaller doses are cathartic; and doses short of catharsis induce ptyalism. Hence the names once applied—”vegetable mercury” and “vegetable calomel”. Both undoubtedly increase the secretion of bile, notwithstanding the many state ments to the contrary. This is most apt to occur from the small dose which stimulates, and less likely from a drastic dose which hurries the drug through the intestinal canal. Even the latter is said to cause a flow of biliary secretion, probably by emptying the duodenum and producing a derivative effect. All the intestinal glands are stimulated by podophyllum; and the catharsis, like that from jalap, is slow, sometimes from ten to twelve hours (podophyllin, four to ten), and even a day elapsing before purgation takes place. Then it is likely to persist several days and if the dose be large to occasion debilitating hydro-catharsis. Very little tormina is caused by them compared with the thoroughness of their action. This may be prevented, in a measure, by administration with leptandra, hyoscyamus or belladonna and aromatic carminatives, such as ginger, cloves, etc. When the resin is precipitated by alum in its preparation, it is more apt to gripe; common salt intensifies its action and cream of tartar increases the hydragogue effect; alkalies favorably modify or check its activity. Podophyllin (resin of podophyllum) is correspondingly more energetic than the parent drug. The evacuations of podophyllum purgation are copious, prolonged, and dark or bilestained in color. Overdoses of podophyllum, or its resin, produce hyper-emesis, drastic hyper-catharsis, with griping and tormina, and large doses have caused death by gastro-enteritis. Even moderate doses, when contraindicated, occasion painful and griping irritation and inflammation. Therapy.—I. Podophyllum. Podophyllum is a certain but slow cathartic; it is also. alterative. Unlike most strong cathartics the effects are quite permanent and the tone of the intestines improved. It may be used in nearly all cases in which podophyllin is useful, though there are some conditions where the former gives better results than the latter. (Compare to Resina Podophylli). These conditions we will briefly notice. It is conceded that as an alterative it is infinitely more decided in its action than the resin. It exerts a strong influence upon the glandular system. Associated with proper hygienic measures and the indicated tonics and other alterative drugs, it will give good results as an aid to elimination of broken-down products in the secondary phase of syphilis, in so-called chronic rheumatism and in scrofula. The dose should be small, not sufficient to produce any marked intestinal activity. In stomach troubles, podophyllum is often superior to podophyllin. It acts as a gentle stimulant tonic, improves the appetite, and is particularly valuable in atonic dyspepsia, gastric and intestinal catarrh, and atonic forms of indigestion, when the patient complains of dizziness, loss of appetite, and heavy headache. There is indisposition to exertion, the movements being heavy and sluggish, the tongue is dirty and flabby, and the superficial veins, abdomen, and tissues in general are characterized by fullness. Its action on the liver renders it particularly serviceable where gastric disturbances are due to hepatic torpor. In stomach disorders, ¹

RESINA
   Rosin, Colophony. The residue left after distilling the volatile oil from the concrete oleoresin derived from Pinus palustris, Miller, and other species of Pinus (Nat. Ord. Pinaceae). United States and Europe. Description.—Amber-colored, brittle, sharp, angular, translucent fragments, usually covered with a yellow dust, and having a slight terebinthinate taste and odor. Freely soluble in alcohol, ether, benzene, glacial acetic acid and oils, both fixed and volatile; also by the dilute solutions of the hydroxides of the alkalies. Preparations.—1. Ceratum Resinae, Rosin Cerate (Basilicon Ointment). (Rosin, Yellow Wax, and Lard.) 2. Emplastrum Resinae, Rosin Plaster (Rosin Adhesive Plaster). (Rosin, Lead Plaster, and Yellow Wax.) 3. Emplastrum Elasticum, (Rubber Plaster, Rubber Adhesive Plaster). Rubber, resins, and waxes with a farinaceous absorbent filler, mixed and spread upon cloth or other fabric. Therapy.—External. Rosin is used chiefly in ointment or plaster, and seldom internally. Rosin cerate is a useful application in sluggish ulcers, promoting granulation and healing.¹

ZINGIBER
   The dried rhizome of Zingiber officinale, Roscoe (Nat. Ord. Zingiberaceae). Southern Asia; cultivated in tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America. Dose, 10 to 30 grains. Common Names: Ginger. (There are many kinds and grades: Jamaica Ginger, African Ginger, Calcutta Ginger, Calicut Ginger, Cochin Ginger, and Japanese Ginger. Principal Constituents.—An aromatic volatile oil (Oil of Ginger), 2 to 3 per cent giving to ginger its flavor; resin, and gingerol, the pungent principle. Preparations.—1. Specific Medicine Zingiber. Dose, I to 30 drops. 2. Oleoresina Zingiberis, Oleoresin of Ginger. Dose, 1/2 to I grain. 3. Tinctura Zingiberis, Tincture of Ginger. Dose 5 to 60 minims. 4. Syrupus Zingiberis, Syrup of Ginger. Dose, 1 to 4 fluidrachms. Specific Indications.—Anorexia; flatulence; borborygmus; gastric and intestinal spasms; acute colds; painful menstruation; cold extremities; cool surface in children's diseases. Action.—Ginger is a local irritant and rubefacient. It causes an increased flow of saliva and gastric juice and increases muscular activity of the stomach and intestines. It is much used to conceal the taste of nauseous medicines and to prevent tormina. Ginger is sometimes used as an ingredient of so-called “spice poultices”. Therapy.—Ginger is an admirable local stimulant, sialagogue, diaphoretic and carminative. Powdered ginger in a large quantity of cold water, taken upon retiring, will frequently “break up” a severe cold, and a hot infusion or ginger tea is a popular remedy for similar use and to establish sluggish menstruation or mitigate the pains of dysmenorrhea. Ginger is an excellent agent in gastric atony, and good results may be had from it in atonic states of the digestive tube, with loss of appetite, rolling of gases in the bowels, and painful spasmodic contractions of the stomach and intestines. In acute dysentery and diarrhoea, and in cholera morbus and sometimes in cholera infantum with atony and nausea, vomiting and cold extremities and surface, small doses of ginger preparations are extremely valuable. Cramps in the stomach and bowels due to undigested food or to cold are speedily relieved by small doses of ginger. Ginger combined with magnesium oxide or sodium bicarbonate is a good gastric stimulant and corrective in persistent flatulency with sour stomach, and given alone is useful for old people with feeble digestive powers and enfeebled and lax habit. Rarely, tincture of ginger or specific medicine zingiber is serviceable in fevers, when the salivary secretions are scanty and there is pain and movement of gases in the intestines. It relieves by stimulating secretion, the ultimate effect being sedative. In such states it acts much like capsicum, but is not so efficient. Oleoresin of ginger may be added to pills to prevent griping and tormina; and the syrup is an agreeable vehicle for stomachic and sometimes for expectorant mixtures.¹