Alchohol- (spirit of wine)-- The result of the fermentation of many vegetables. A wonderful preservative agent. Used in the preparation of tinctures of substances containing a large proportion of resinous properties. Good whiskey, which contains 50% alchohol, is often used instead of diluted alchohol.
Ailanthus-- Chinese Tree of Heaven- Prepared in decoction, infusion or tincture. Useful in atonic dyspepsia, loss of apetite, etc.
Allspice (Eugenia Pementa)-- Aromatic, stimulating, often used to relieve flatulence.
Almond, sweet (Amygdala Dulcis)-- The pulp is sometimes used in place of wheat flour, in the preparation of bread for persons suffering from diabetes. Bitter almonds are very poisonous.
Aloes (Aloe Vulgaris) An excellent purgative, does not produce watery stools, nor create wind in the bowels, rarely disagrees with the stomache. In small doses, assists in digestion. Often used in cases of habitual costiveness in connection with indigestion. Aloes act principally on the lower intestines and will irritate if given too frequently or in too large doses.
Should not be used in cases of piles, except in very small doses, nor when there is inflamation in the bowels and should be carefully avoided by females who are subject to immoderate flowing of the menses, and carefully avoided during pregnancy.
Alum. Astringent. Useful in checking the flow of blood from the nose, gums, after extraction of teeth, slight wounds and sometimes in cases of piles. In nose bleed, powder and blow into the nostrils through a quill. A solution of alum is useful in chronic discharges from the nose, ear and female genital organs. In these cases use a teaspoonful of alum to a pint of water. A gargle of alum water is beneficial in many cases of sore throat, especially when the parts are relaxed and "palate down".
Burnt alum will remove proud flesh. Alum is sometimes used internally for diarrhoea and dysentery. Two or three grains dissolved in aromatic syrup taken 3 or 4 times daily will often do much good in the later stages of whooping cough.
Alum is also a splendid emetic in spasmodic croup. Dose, teaspoonful of powdered alum mixed with the same amount of molasses and water, give one -third of this quantity every three to five minutes until the desired result is produced.
Anise- (Pimpinella anisum)-- Very stimulating to the stomache and relieves pain in the bowels. Much used in flavoring liquids and making cordial. A decoction is very useful, relieving colic pains in young children. Dose: in powder, 20 grains, Oil: two to four drops.
Areca Nut (Areca Catechu) Betel-nut. Astringent. Principally used to expel tapeworms.
Arnica (Arnica Montana) Leopards's Bane. A European plant, the flowers alone are used in this country. Useful in cuts, bruises and internal injuries. An infusion or decoction of half ounce of the flower in a pint of water is the best preparation for external use. For internal injuries the tincture may be given in five or ten drop doses every two hours.
Arrowroot (Maranta Arundinacea). Often used as an article of diet for invalids. Take a tablespoonful, add water enough to form a paste then grandually add a pint of boiling milk.
Arsenic (Arsenius Acid) This is a powerful and poisonous substance and should be used only by the skilled physician.
Atropine ( Atropia) Prepared from the root of the Belladonna: yellowish white crystals.
Balm (Melissa Officinalis) Belongs to the mint family. Has a pleasant odor but possesses no decided medicinal qualities.
Balm of Gilead -- A common shade tree. The buds in the spring are covered with a resinous substance from which an ointment is prepared, useful for burns, bruises, etc.
Balmony (Chelone Glabra) Snake Head. Grows freely in swampy places. Leaves are bitter and said to be tonic and to act upon the liver.
Balsam of Peru -- Applied externally as a stimulant for ulcers, etc.
Balsam of Tolu-- A stimulating expectorant, agreeable flavor and much used in cough mixtures.
Baneberry-- (Actoea Spicata) Medicinal properties very similar to black cohosh.
Barberry - Native of Europe but now grows in the United States. The bark of the root is generally used. In small doses it acts as a tonic, in large cathartic.
