Dioscorea Villosa.

Properties: Antispasmodic, cholagogue, slightly diaphoretic.

Use: In spasmodic griping pain in stomach and bowels, especially if from malarial cause or from wrongs of the hepatic functions. A specific in bilious colic. We think of it in pain and muscular spasms of the intestines; pain resulting from the passing of gall stones and in spasmodic colic generally. If no relief is obtained in a few hours no results can be expected in spasmodic conditions. It is especially indicated in pains in the gastrointestinal tract that are relieved by bending backward. It is of use in neuralgic dysmenorrhea, ovarian neuralgia, spasmodic pains in cholera morbus, dysentery, cholera infantum and colicky pains in general, being sedative to the muscular structures of the intestinal tract. Can be used to advantage in the tympanitis of typhoid fever. In dysmenorrhea it appears to work best where the irritation of the cervix of the uterus is of a spasmodic nature. For colic and spasmodic griping pain it should be given in doses of even 15 to 20 drops and repeated when necessary, while in ordinary cases to act on the hepatic functions or to correct a tendency to flatulence, 1 or 2 drachms to 4 ounces of water; a teaspoonful after meals and before retiring answer the purpose well. For colic it may be given in hot water to advantage. It is not a powerful remedy, but where indicated is very good.

The Materia Medica and Clinical Therapeutics, 1905, was written by Fred J. Petersen, M.D.