Aletris.

The root of Aletris farinosa.—U. S.

Preparation.—Tincture of Aletris.

Dose.—From five drops to half a drachm.

Therapeutic Action.—The Aletris is tonic, stomachic, narcotic, discutient, emetic, cathartic, and expectorant. In small doses it is tonic and stomachic. In large doses it is said to produce nausea, vomiting, purging, dizziness and other unpleasant effects, which would seem to indicate that it is possessed of acro-narcotic properties.

Small doses promote the appetite and assist digestion. It is similar to quassia in its properties, so far as a tonic and stomachic are concerned. It is used in cases of flatulency, colic, hysteria, and chronic rheumatism.

Aletris is recommended in diseases peculiar to females as an article of great value. In cases of frequent abortions, or where a disposition to abort exists, in nervous weakness, pain in the breast or side, cold, coughs, consumption, and uterine derangements in general, it has been recommended as a highly important agent.

The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.