(seq. 627)

620

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