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ATHYRIUM — MALE FERN.

ATHYRIUM FILIX MAS, Roth. — MALEMALE SHIELD-FERN.

FERN, POLYPODY,

Synonimeb :— Fougère mâle, Fr.; Band-wurmwaldfarren, Moennleinwurmtüpfel-farren, Mœnlisches Farrenkraut, Farren-krautmœnlein, Johanniswurzel, Germ. ;Kaprodj, Bohem.; Bregne, Needbregne,Molfoor-blom, Klojeske, Dan. ; Heléchomasculino, Span. ; Mannetjes varen,Dut. ; Felce mascolino, Ital. ; Paproc,Pol.; Feto macho, Port. ; Traejon, Orm-bunke, Swed.

This plant is common throughout Eu-rope. (Cryptoyamia, Linn. ; Filices, Juss.;Fig. Zorn, Ic.pl. t. 497.)

The part which is improperly called theroot (Radix scu Filicis Maris seu Filicis nonramosa! dentatœ) is employed. It is of thelength of about six or eight inches, and of thethickness of the thumb, knotty and scaly.It is of a brown colour, of a disagreeablesmell, and of a bitter and somewhat acridtaste.

It contains, according to Gebbard, afixed oil, resin, sugar, starch, and an astrin-gent principle.

Peschier employs the oil with successin the treatment of tamia. He prescribesfrom thirty to thirty-six drops, to be takenin syrup or castor oil, or in pills ; one halfat night, and the other on the followingmorning ; and two hours after the morningdose, he administers two ounces of castoroil. This quantity is usually sufficient toexpel the worm. It is seldom required tobe repeated.

VERMIFUGE POWDER. (FuLD. ; PaLAT. ;

Wirtf.m. ; Piersuin)

R. Male Fern, one scruple.

Gamboge, two grains,

Mix. — For one dose. (Fuld.)R. Male Fern,

from twenty to thirty grains.Gamboge, from one to five grains.

Gratiola, from five to twelve grains.Subcarbonate of Potass,

from fifteen to twenty grains.Mix. (Piero.uin)

R. Male Fern,Rhubarb,

Worm Seed ( Semen contra)Corsican Sea-moss,Mix. (Palat. ; Wirtem.)

of each,

oneounce.

vermifuge boluses. (Bories ; Pier-auiN ; Spielmann)

R. Male Fern, "1 of each,

Bark of Mulberry Tree, J two drams.Leaves of Scordium, one scruple.

Syrup of Wormwood,

a sufficient quantity.

Make six boluses. (Bories; Pierquin)

R. Male Fern, half an ounce.

Rhubarb, two drams.

Worm Seed (Semen contra) ,

half an ounce.Proto-chloruret of Mercury, one dram.Syrup of Wormwood,

a sufficient quantity.Make twelve boluses. (Spielmann)

DECOCTION OF MALE FERN. (RatIEr)

R. Male Fern,Water,Boil.

one ounce,two pounds.

vermifuge ptisan. (Bories ; Cadetde Gassicourt ; Pierquin)

R. Male Fern, four ounces.

Water, three pounds.

Boil down to two thirds, and addSyrup of Corsican Sea-moss,

two ounces.Mix. (Cadet de Gassicourt; Pier-auiN)

R. Male Fern, half an ounce.

Root of Elicampane, two drams.

Leaves of Wormwood, one handful.Worm Seed (Semen contra) , one dram.Water, a sufficient quantity,

to obtain a pound of decoction. Add

Vermifuge Syrup, one ounce

Mix. (Bories)