Populus Tremuloides.

JOHN FEARN, M. D., OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

I note the useful article by your correspondent J. M. French, M. D., in the THERAPEUTIST for December last on populus. I began to fear that this grand old remedy of the Botanic Fathers was falling into innocuous desuetude. But this good blast of Dr. French's I trust will help to resuscitate it. So far as I know the different species of poplar all possess valuable medicinal properties, and I remember forty years ago how we prized poplar bark, in infusions and extract, using it for its powerful tonic, restorative and diuretic properties. For these purposes and as an antimalarial remedy it should never be forgotten. The doctor asks for reports on the action of this remedy.

Let me say from experience this remedy is a powerful stimulant, tonic and diuretic. And this statement fixes its place in treatment in the hands of the true specific medicationist. When we use this remedy as a tonic or diuretic we should never use it in cases accompanied with irritation whether it be of the stomach, bowels, uterus, bladder or prostate. In atonic conditions of all these different organs, where we desire to stimulate and tone up the organ, populus is a grand remedy. When first I began to use this Sampson amongst remedies of its class I had to use decoctions of the bark--it was a nasty, bitter dose. How much better to use the specific medicine in from five to twenty drops at a dose.

I would like to have Dr. French go after more of the good old remedies.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.