Dioscorea Villosa. (Wild Yam.)

An infusion of the recent Dioscorea will undoubtedly give the best results. A tincture may be prepared from the recent root in the proportion of oz viij. to Alcohol 76° Oj. Dose gtts. x. to ʒj.

The article that has been sold for Dioscorea by most of our druggists for the past ten years, and from which the Dioscorein has been prepared, is a species of smilax. A very good joke on Dioscorein! but unpleasant to those who have expected it to relieve pain in the bowels.

True Dioscorea, when recent, is a specific in bilious colic, when given in infusion, or even in tincture. In any case it allays gastro-intestinal irritation and favorably influences the vegetative processes. It is a feeble but certain diaphoretic, and allays irritation of the nervous system.

Specific Medication and Specific Medicines, 1870, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.