Lactucarium.

The inspissated juice of Lactuca virosa.—U. S.

Dose.—One to five grains.

Therapeutic Action.—Lactucarium is narcotic, anodyne, sedative, diaphoretic, diuretic, hypnotic and antispasmodic. It is a valuable anodyne and palliative in many affections attended with nervous irritation and vascular excitement, when opium is not an appropriate remedy. While opium accelerates the pulse and produces either stupor or delirium, the lactucarium alleviates pain, diminishes the rapidity of the pulse, reduces the animal heat, and disposes to sleep. It is, however, to be regarded as an anodyne and sedative, rather than hypnotic. In these respects its action or effects upon the system resemble those of Hyoscyamus.

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