Dioscorea.

The root of Dioscorea villosa.

Preparations.—An infusion. Tincture of Dioscorea. Dioscorin.

Dose.—The infusion may be taken in doses of ℥j., the tincture gtt. j. to gtt. xxx. Dioscorin gr. j.

Therapeutic Action.—The Dioscorea is diaphoretic, anodyne, antispasmodic, anti-emetic and expectorant. It seems to act as a very gentle diaphoretic, without exciting the action of the heart and arteries, or increasing the temperature of the body. It has been but little used, however, for this purpose, although it might undoubtedly be employed with much advantage. It appears to act as an anodyne and antispasmodic, and likewise as an antiemetic in the disease in which it has been principally employed. The only affection in which it has been used sufficiently to give a fair test to its virtues, is bilious colic. In many instances it has appeared to act with great promptitude in allaying nausea and vomiting, and relieving the pain and spasmodic action invariably present in that disease. In various cases of great severity, where other remedies had been faithfully and perseveringly employed, and when all had proved unavailing, the nausea and vomiting, severe pain and spasms continuing unabated, with a dry and husky state of the surface, the Dioscorea has afforded entire relief in every respect, in twenty or thirty minutes, and the patient has fallen into a comfortable state of repose, and slept quietly the first time since the attack.

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