Viola.

The root of Viola odorata.—U.S.

Preparations.—The powdered root. A tincture of the entire plant.

Dose.—Of the powder, ʒss. to ʒj. as an emetic; of the tincture, from the fraction of a drop to ʒss.

Therapeutic Action.—The root of this species of Viola is bitter and acrid, and possesses emetic properties. As an emetic it may be used in croup, whooping-cough, asthma, etc. Its action, however, is somewhat uncertain. Dr. Eberle remarks that it may be used in the cure of the crusa lactea,—℥j. boiled in Oj. of milk to one-third, and the whole taken in the course of twenty hours, to be continued for several weeks.

The leaves and flowers are demulcent, emollient, and laxative, and may be used with advantage in affections of the respiratory and urinary organs.

The Viola tricolor, or Pansy, the Viola pedata, and others of the violet species, are possessed of similar properties; all are mucilaginous, emollient, and laxative, and are useful in diseases of children.

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