The elements of materia medica and therapeutics (Volume 2).

  • Jonathan Pereira
Date:
1852-1854
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The elements of materia medica and therapeutics (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    other agents (especially oil of turpentine) have been found more effectual. It is an excellent remedy, says Bremser,1 against Bothriocephalus latus [the tape-worm of the Swiss], but not against Taenia Solium [the tape-worm of this country]; for though it evacuates some pieces of the latter, it does not all of it. Administration.—It may be administered in the form of powder, of oil or ethereal extract, or of aqueous decoction. The dose of the recently prepared powder is from one to three drachms. Madame Nouffer's specific was two or three drachms of the powder taken in from four to six ounces of water in the morning fasting, and two hours afterwards a purgative bolus, composed of calomel ten grains, scammony ten grains, and gamboge six or seven grains. The bolus was exhibited to expel the worm which the fern rhizome was supposed to have destroyed. The Ethcrial Tincture of Male Fern Buds (prepared by digesting 1 part of the buds in 8 parts of ether) has been used with success by Dr. Peschier (brother of the chemist of that name), and by Dr. Fosbroke2 as a vermifuge. OLEUM FILICIS MARIS; Oil of Male Fern.—The impure oil of fern (called olium filicis Feschieri, extractum filicis sethereum, seu balsamum filicis), recommended by Peschier/ is an ethereal extract, and is composed, according to its proposer, of a fatty matter, resin, volatile oil, colouring matter, extractive, chloride of potassium, and acetic acid. A pound of the rhizome yielded Soubeiran4 an ounce and a half of thick black oil, having the odour of fern. It may also be prepared from the buds as above stated. The dose is from half a drachm to a drachm, in the form of electuary, emulsion, or pills: an hour afterwards, an ounce or an ounce and a half of castor oil should be exhibited. Numerous testimonies of its efficacy have been pub- lished.5 I have tried it in several cases of tape-worm, but without success. By substituting alcohol for ether, twelve or thirteen drachms of oil can be obtained from 2| lbs. of the rhizome.6 30. Adiantum, Linn.—Maidenhair. History.—The term Maidenhair or Capillary (Capillaris, Apuleius; Capillaire,¥r.) has been applied to several species of fern which have been used in medicine. Dioscorides (lib. iv. cap. 136 and 137) and Pliny (lib. xxii. cap. 30) notice two kinds, one termed Adianton, Polyti-ichon, or Callitrichon (aiiavrov, TroXuTpi^ov, xaXXi'-rfi^ov), the other called Trichomanes (rpi^ofxaiic). The former is supposed by Sibthorp' to be the Adiantum Capillus Veneris, Linn., or True Maidenhair, the latter the Asplenium Trichomanes, Linn. Common Maidenhair Spleenwort of modern botanists. In later times, other ferns have been also employed under the name of Maidenhair; especially Asplenium Adiantum nigrum, Linn, or Black Maidenhair Spleenwort; Asplenium Rula muraria, Linn. Wall-rue or White Maidenhair, formerly called Salvia Vita; Ceterach officinarum, DC, or Rough Spleenwort; and Scolopendrium vulgare, Smith, or Common Hart's-tongue. To these must be added, Miantum pedatum, Linn, or Canadian Maidenhair, and jldiantum trapeziforme, Linn, or Mexican Maidenhair. The only species which it will be necessary here to notice are, Jldiantum Capillus Veneris and A. pedatum. Botany. Gen. Char.—Sporangia placed on the distinct points of the veins in a linear or point-like receptacle, arranged in marginal sori. Indusia continuous with the edge of the frond, united to the receptacle, opening inward (Endlicher). 1. A. Capillus Veneris, Linn.; Frond bipinnate, pinnules thin, membranaceous, obovate-cuneate inciso-Bublobate, segments of the fertile pinnules terminated by a linear oblong sorus, sterile ones serrated (Hooker).—Indigenous. Perennial. May—September. 2. A. pedatum, Linn. Frond pedate, divisions pinnate, pinrne halved,oblong lunate,incised at the upper edge, the sterile segments toothed ; sori linear; petiole smooth.—North America. Description.—The officinal part of Maidenhair is the frond, or rather the whole plant without the root. The herb of True Maidenhair (herba capillorum veneris) is sold a* herb-shops in the dried state. When rubbed, it has a feeble odour, and its taste is sweetish and bitterish. The herb of Canadian Maidenhair (herba capillorum veneris canadensis vel adianthi pedati) is more aromatic than the preceding. 1 Op. cit. p. 422. a Lancet for ia34-35, vol. ii. p. 597. * Journ. ginir. de Med. 1825, p. 375. * A\0uv. Traitt de Pkarm. ii. 161, 2nde ed * Dierlmch, NeuesUn Entd. in d. Mat. Med. Band 1, 1S37. * Journ. de Chim. Mid. t. v. 2ade Ser. p. 68. ' Prodr. Fl. Greece, vol. ii.
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