Emmenagogues.

Manganum, Manganese (see page 56)—the Black Oxide (Dioxide), in doses of gr. ij, also Potassium Permanganate, gr. j thrice daily.

Tanacetum, Tansy,—the leaves and tops of Tanacetum vulgare.

*Oleum Tanaceti, Oil of Tansy,—Dose, ♏︎j-iij.

*Infusum Tanaceti, Tansy Tea,—℥j ad Oj. Dose, ℥j-ij.

Hedeoma, Pennyroyal,—leaves and tops of Hedeoma Pulegioides.

Oleum Hedeomae, Oil of Pennyroyal,—Dose, ♏︎ij-x.

Sabina, Savine,—the tops of Juniperus Sabina. (See page 217.)

Oleum Sabinae, Oil of Savine,—Dose, ♏︎j-v.

*Ruta, Rue,—the leaves of Ruta graveolens.

Oleum Rutae, ♏︎j-v.

Thuja,—the tops of Thuja occidentalis,—(See ante, page 217),—Dose, ♏︎j-v of the Oil, thrice daily.

Caulophyllum, Blue Cohosh,—is the rhizome and rootlets of Caulophyllum thalictroides, an indigenous plant, known to the Indians as "squaw-root." It is said to produce intermittent contractions of the gravid uterus, and to have diuretic, emmenagogue and antispasmodic powers. It is highly recommended in rheumatism of the hands and fingers, spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, and pain about the uterine region. Dose, gr. v-xx. Caulophyllin is an impure resin, precipitated by water from an alcoholic extract.

Ferrum, Iron (See page 54 et seq.),—is used as a tonic emmenagogue.

Cantharis, Cantharides, Spanish Flies,—the insect Cantharis vesicatoria. (See under next title, Rubefacients, etc.)

Quinine, has considerable emmenagogue power, by direct action as a stimulant upon the uterus itself. Dose, gr. xx-xxx, as ecbolic; smaller doses, (gr. v), frequently repeated, as an emmenagogue.

Acidum Boricum, Boric (Boracic) Acid,—also Sodium Borate (Borax), the latter in closes of ten grains thrice daily.

Strychnina, Strychnine,—as a spinal stimulant, and equalizer of the circulation. (See page 99.) Dose, of the sulphate, gr. 1/60-1/20.

Purgatives,—among which Aloës is the most efficient, determining the blood to the pelvic viscera. (See page 206.)

Sinapis, Mustard, (See under next title),—as poultices, hot baths, or hot stupes, to pelvic region, and thighs.

Baths,—Hot foot, thigh and hip-baths at time of the expected period, in connection with medicinal treatment.

Action and Uses of Emmenagogues. As explained on page 41, agents which promote menstruation may be arranged in two groups, according as they act by Direct stimulation of the uterine and ovarian apparatus,—or by Indirect means, as the correction of anaemia, of disturbed pelvic circulation, etc. The latter group is the one which should receive preference in the treatment of amenorrhoea, with occasional aid from the direct agents, which work by irritation, and must, therefore, be employed with great caution. The Essential Oils of Tansy, Pennyroyal, Rue, Thuja, Savine, etc., are much employed by the laity, for emmenagogue and abortifacient purposes; and with great danger, for they can only set up uterine contractions by reflex action from the irritation they produce in the gastro-intestinal tract. Sabina is believed to have more specific action on the uterus than the other agents named with it. It is supposed to congest the pelvic viscera in women, and is held by some authorities to be the most powerful, and at the same time the safest emmenagogue in the materia medica (Phillips). The Black Oxide of Manganese has been recently announced as an emmenagogue, as have also Potassium Permanganate, Indigo, the Biniodide of Mercury, and Oxalic Acid, each one being highly praised by its advocates.

A Compend of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Prescription Writing, 1902, by Sam'l O. L. Potter, M.D., M.R.C.P.L.