Colonial North America: Countway Library of Medicine

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Materia Medica

Anthelmintic

Melia Azederac. Or Pride of China it is also known by the name of Tallow Tree, poison berry Tree, &c it grows in all parts of the Southern States and as far north as the State of Delaware, it is not indigenous being imported from China, Japan &c, the part used is the bark of the root, this is prepared in two ways first the Saturated Decoction the dose of which is a teacup full several mornings in succession. It has also been given in powder, in either way it is verry usefull, and Dr Barton thinks it the best anthelmintic we have, it is now used more than the Spigilia in the Southern States. Its exhibition should be watched with caution as when given in large doses it produces verry alarming nervous effections which are not easily obviated.

Chenopodium. Or Jerusalem Oak, being a verry hardy plant will grow in any situation, it is used in the form of the juice of the recent leaves, powder’d leaves, & decoction, it is I think the most certain and powerfull medicine we have. An oil has lately been prepared from the seed and used with advantage by many, the dose for a child is 5 or 6 gtt. [drops] twice a day for 2 or 3 days, then give a cathartic of calomel to remove the dead worms, at which time repeat the oil, the failure of its operation is owing to the dose