Elements of pharmacy, materia medica, and therapeutics / by William Whitla.

  • Whitla, William, 1851-1933.
Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of pharmacy, materia medica, and therapeutics / by William Whitla. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    601/656
    Phytolacca Decandra (Poke Plant). U.S.P. This is one of the innumerable indigenous American plants lately vaunted as a remedy for very many diseases. Thus it is affirmed to be a specific in chronic rheumatism and syphilis, many shin affections, diphtheria and inflammations of the mammary gland. How it is supposed to act in these widely- different affections no one has attempted to explain. It is in full doses narcotic and emetic, and produces purging, and has been given in bronchial troubles. It appears at the best a rather dangerous remedy, and should not be given in doses of more than 5 mins. liquid extract (1 in 1). FicM (or Fabiana Imbricata). Eusby and Eamires have reported upon this new remedy. It consists of the young branches, which they have found to be powerfully diuretic and tonic. Its use is contra-indicated in advanced renal diseases. In chronic catarrh of the bladder and in cystitis, accompanied by calculi and gravel, this drug has been much prized in Chili, and Fenwick found it to pos- sess considerable power over the hasmaturia and pain in renal calculus. Dose of fluid extract (1 in 1), 1 dram ; of infusion (1 in 20), 2 oz. Picro-Adonidin. (See page 529.) Picrotoxin. (See page 551.) Pinus Pumilio. (Mugho or Mountain Pine.) P. James has recently drawn attention to the essential oil distilled from the young branches of this tree. Under the name of Pumiline, ol. templinum, or Kjummolzol, this remedy has been used as an inhalation in pulmonary complaints, and is the basis of the pine-cure practised at various health re- sorts. _ Inferior terebinthinate products from the same pine are used in baths for rheumatism, sciatica, and gout, at the same places. The pure essential oil may be taken internally 5 minims in Ironehitis and all wasting lung diseases ; it is excreted by the bronchial surface and acts as an astringent and expectorant. The oil may be used as a spray, or inhalation, or the vapour may be inhaled from the handkerchief, or it may be put into any of the various respirators or inhalers. By careful manage- ment the phthisical patient may be enabled to live in an atmosphere saturated with the oil, as it possesses only very slight irritating qualities. In this way at home the benefits of