American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Therapy—A diuretic useful in suppression of urine from any cause.
Useful in dropsy and in lithemic conditions, where the urine is scanty,
of high specific gravity, and dark-colored. It is advised in hematuria, and
is of much service. in both gonorrhea and gleet. In cases of irritable
bladder with much tenesmus, it is soothing in its influence. It is valuable
in the treatment of nocturnal incontinence of urine in children, and in
incontinence induced by cystic irritation.
An infusion made from the green stalks of the plant, is sometimes of more
service than other forms, a fact which is true of a large number of
diuretics.
Some authorities have advised the powdered ashes of this agent in the
treatment of certain forms of acid dyspepsia. This influence is probably
due to the presence of the potassium or sodium hydrate, or their
compounds, in these, ashes, and these substances are readily supplied
from more available sources.
Equisetum is used where there is suppression of urine or scanty urine, or
where there is irritability of the mucous surface of the urinary tract.
Boskowitz' Review says that it has been found of value in prostatitis. It
should be given where there is stinging pain in the glands. There is pain
at the base of bladder and in the prostate, and there is irritability of the
nervous system. The dose is from five to ten drops.
Dr. Jedlicka of Wisconsin thinks that it influences morbid enlargements
within the urinary apparatus. It is primarily astringent, and tonic. He
used it in prostatic enlargements combined with salix nigra. He finds it to
act favorably also in gastric ulcer.
ERGOT. Secale cornutum (Claviceps purpurea)
Synonym—Spurred Rye.
CONSTITUENTS—
Ergotine, Ecbolene, Ergotic acid, fixed oil.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Ergotae Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Ergot. Dose, from onehalf
to one dram.
Specific Ergot. Dose, five to sixty minims.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 196