The dried rhizome, with the bases of the footstalks and portions of the root fibres, of Aspidium Filix mas. Collected in summer.

Characters.-Tufted, scaly, greenish brown; powder greenish-yellow, with a disagreeable odour, and a nauseous, bitter, somewhat astringent taste.

Preparation.

Extractum Filicis Liquidum - "Oil of Male Fern." Male Fern, 1; Ether, 2 1/2. Percolate, and distil off the ether. Dose, 30 to 60 min.

Composition.-Male fern contains a colourless crystalline body, filicie acid, fixed and volatile oils, tannin, resins, and the ordinary constituents of plants. Which may be the active principle is uncertain.

Action And Uses

Male fern is an active anthelmintic, peculiarly destructive to the tapft-worm. It is less irritant to the stomach and bowels than cusso and kamala, and should be preceded and followed by a purgative. It is, on the whole, the most successful of anthelmintics when properly employed.