This section is from the book "Recent Materia Medica: Notes On Their Origin And Therapeutics", by F. Harwood Lescher. Also available from Amazon: Recent materia medica.
An oily alkaloid, is a powerful diuretic and sudorific, aids assimilation and increases the appetite; it may be regarded as the active constituent of cod liver oil.
Madar. Calotropis Gigantea (a common weed) C. procera. India. N. 0. Asclepiadacea.
Pale bark, with starchy interior and well-developed suberous layer. Against paralysis, bites of snakes, epilepsy, and some skin diseases. [Active principle Mudarine.] Effects resemble Ipecacuanha. Dose of powdered bark, 5 to 6 grains twice daily.
The non-crystallizable narcotic alkaloid found in the poisonous mushrooms. N. 0. Fungi.
It causes perspiration, salivation, and purging. Stimulates the intra-cardiac inhibitory centres; the Nitrate and Sulphate are the salts used. (Seepage 20.)
Act as Pilocarpine. Dose, 1/10 grain, hypodermically, or 1/100 grain internally.
From Myrica Cerifera, Wax Myrtle. Myrica Gals is indigenous. If. 0. Myricacece. (Amentifera, Babington.)
Powdered extractive. Stimulant astringent in hepatic diseases. Dose, 2 to 4 grains in pill.
Bay Myrtle. West Indies. N. 0. Myrtacece.
The volatile oil from the leaves makes the spirit, or Bay Rum, and is in the U. S. A. Pharm., 1880.
Mertol, a colourless aromatic liquid, from the essential oil of Myrtus communis, for consumption. Dose, 5 drops.
(See Betol)
Small hard white prisms, not narcotic. Possesses anti-periodic powers in intermittent fevers and ague. Dose, 1 to 3 grains. The deodorized Tinct. of Opium of the U.S.A. Pharm. (an excellent preparation, about the strength of the B.P. Tinct.), is freed by ether from Narcotine, fat, resin, and from the sickening odourous principle, which dissolves them without affecting the Morphia.
Spikenard N. 0. Valerianacece.
Aromatic roots, with the properties of Valerian. Nardus Indica, is probably from Valeriana Jatamensi of Bengal, or Nardostachys Jatamansi, an Indian perfume and antispasmodic; believed to be the true Sumbul. Nardus Celtica is from Valeriana Celtica, of Alps and Apennines.
 
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