American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

increased mucous discharges.
As an astringent it acts like turpentine, but it is much less irritating. It is
chiefly composed of terpene, a hydrocarbon which constitutes pure oil of
turpentine. In chronic phthisis and in chronic bronchitis with profuse
secretion, it lessens the discharge, modifies the cough and gives tone to
the respiratory mucous membrane.
In the treatment of goiter, especially in the early stage, the application of
oil of erigeron has been very beneficial. One-half of an ounce of the oil is
dissolved in one and one-half ounces of alcohol and painted freely over
the enlarged glands. If an occasional application of iodine is made with
this and phytolacca given internally, satisfactory results should be
obtained.
An infusion, or dilution of the tincture in water, is effective as a local
application in ophthalmia after the acute stage, as an injection in gleet,
chronic gonorrhea, and locally in prolapsus uteri, prolapsus ani, and
indolent ulcers. In all these cases the remedy should be given internally
for its specific action.
In cystitis from calculous concretions in the bladder, it relieves the
irritation, it also acts favorably in chronic nephritis and albuminuria, in
chronic cystitis and in chronic urethritis.
In flatulent colic and in the tympanites of typhoid fever it should be
given internally and by enema.
The volatile oil, the tincture, or the infusion may be employed; and the
dose, to be efficient, need not be large.
ERIODICTYON. Eriodictyon californicum
Synonym—E. glutinosum, Yerba Santa.
CONSTITUENTS—
Volatile oil, fixed oil, ericolin, eriodictyonic acid, resin, gum,
tannin.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Eriodictyi Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Eriodictyon; dose,
from a half to one dram.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 204