MYRICA^MYMA2
   The bark and wax of Myrica cerifera, Linné (Nat. Ord. Myricaceae). Dry woods and open fields from Canada to Florida. Dose, 5 to 60 grains. Common Names: Bayberry, Waxberry, Candle Berry, Wax-Myrtle. Principal Constituents.—Tannic and gallic acids, resins, bayberry tallow (from fruit), 32 per cent; myricinic and lauric acids. Preparation.—Specific Medicine Myrica. Dose, 1 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.—Profuse mucous discharges, with atony of the circulation; sore mouth and sore throat. Action and Therapy.—External. Bayberry, in powder, decoction, or specific medicine, may be applied for the relief of spongy, flabby, and bleeding gums, the sore throat of scarlatina with enfeebled and swollen tissues, and to aphthous and indolent ulcerations. As an injection it is valued by some in atonic leucorrhea. Internal. Bayberry is a stimulating astringent. In full doses it is emetic. It is a remedy of considerable value in relaxed and flabby conditions of tissues with hypersecretion. In small doses (2 to 5 drops of specific medicine) it stimulates the gastro-intestinal glands, favors digestion and imparts tone, thereby increasing blood-making and nutrition. In doses of 5 to 20 drops it is a decided gastric stimulant, and as such may be used in chronic gastritis. It is also of value in chronic catarrhal diarrhea, mucoenteritis, and typhoid dysentery, though the latter is not encountered as much as in former years. It may be given internally, as well as used locally upon the throat, in scarlet fever, in the latter stages, when a flabby and enfeebled rather than highly inflammatory condition exists. As a rule bayberry should not be employed in active conditions, but rather in debility of the mucosa, with feeble venous flow and full, oppressed pulse. MYRISTICA. The ripe seeds of Myristica fragrans, Houttuyn, deprived of their testa (Nat. Ord. Myristicaceae). Molucca Island; and cultivated in the tropics. Dose, 5 to 15 grains. Common Name: Nutmeg. Principal Constituents.—A fixed (25 to 30 per cent) and a volatile oil (Oleum Myristicae, 2 to 8 per cent). Dose of volatile oil, 1 to 5 drops. Preparation.—Specific Medicine Nutmeg. Dose, 1 to 15 drops. Action and Toxicology.—An aromatic stimulant and carminative in small doses; larger doses produce nervous sedation and are soporific. Death has resulted from large doses (more than three drachms), the chief symptoms being headache, coldness, and collapse, drowsiness and indisposition to muscular movements. Diuresis is apt to be increased, though in one case it was entirely suppressed. Therapy.—External. An ointment containing the finely powdered nut, or the volatile oil sometimes proves obtundant to painful piles. Grated upon a larded cloth and applied warm we have found it to give prompt and grateful relief in soreness of the chest attending an acute cold or the beginning of acute respiratory inflammation. It may also be used as a spice poultice to the abdomen in painful bowel affections from cold. A liniment of oil of nutmeg (1) and olive oil (3) is regarded by some as an efficient parasiticide for mild types of ringworm. Internal. Both the powdered nut and the oil are good carminatives and may be used to allay nausea, vomiting, and gastric pain, and to check flatulent colic and serous diarrhea. The grated nut is in frequent domestic use to flavor foods for the sick, and it and the oil in prescription pharmacy to aromatize sleeping mixtures.¹