Pichi.

This remedy was introduced from South America about twenty-five years ago, by Parke Davis and Co. It has an active influence in the treatment of diseases of the bladder. It should be more generally used. It belongs to the solanacea, and is terebinthinate, markedly resinous in character, and precipitates readily in water. It should be prescribed in glycerine, usually, and not in combination with earthy or saline constituents. Its influence seems to impart tone to the entire urinary tract. It relieves irritation and inflammation of the bladder, especially when due to mechanical causes.

This agent gives tone to the whole genito-urinary tract. It is especially valuable in cases where old people are troubled with inactivity of the kidneys with a tendency to feebleness of the muscular structure of the bladder. It acts in those cases of gravel where the irritation is marked. It is thought to assist in the disintegration of the stone until so reduced that it may be passed through the urethra. The urine will assume the characteristic odor of the drug, especially if it be given in overdoses. It may be given with other common remedies of this character. Its best field is in those cases of chronic inflammation of the kidneys or bladder, where there is a persistent discharge of large quantities of blood, pus, mucous and calculi in the urine. It should be given in full doses, from twenty to forty-five minims of a strong fluid extract.

It is also useful where there is biliary calculi, as well as in the renal and vesicle forms. It allays urinary tenesmus, in those cases of cystitis which are of mechanical or traumatic origin. In acute urethritis it has accomplished some good results. In some cases of protracted Bright's disease, however, the albumen has been increased by the use of this remedy.

Fifteen minims of the fluid extract every three hours has proved serviceable in the treatment of acute prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, and in the subsidiary stage of orchitis, and epididymitis. In some cases the remedy is best given with an alkali. In those cases where the urine smells foully and is alkaline in its reaction, it may be given in conjunction with borax and benzoic acid, with excellent results, Some forms of painful disease of the pelvic organs have been relieved by it. It is useful in dysmenorrhea, and acts in harmony with virburnum.

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