This has been treated of among the expectorants. (See page 619.) It is there stated that it is somewhat stimulating to the secretory functions generally. With other more special tendencies, it has been thought by some to have a peculiar influence in promoting the menstrual function. The late Professor Chapman had considerable confidence in its emmenagogue powers. in his work on Therapeutics (2d ed., II. 1), it is stated that Dr. Joseph Hartshorne, of Philadelphia, was the first to suggest this use of the remedy; and that Dr. Chapman, having derived the idea from him, had used it with such success as to warrant him "in recommending it as one of the most active, certain, and valuable of the emmenagogues." He gave daily four fluidounces of the decoction, in divided doses, and, towards the period when the menstrual effort was expected, increased the dose as far as the stomach would bear it, "having sometimes given as much as two ounces every hour." in the intervals of the menstrual period, he omitted the medicine for a week or two, lest it might become too offensive to the patient. He considered it peculiarly appropriate to those cases in which a deciduous membrane was formed. The decoction used by him was made by slowly boiling an ounce of the bruised root with a pint of water, till reduced one-third. I have given a somewhat particular account of the plan of Dr. Chapman, in order that, if tried, failure may not take place from inattention to minute, but often important details. I have occasionally employed the remedy, but not with equal success. its nauseating property, and tendency to disturb the bowels have interfered with its continued use.