American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

the use of this remedy, and the conditions remaining in early
convalescence are quickly overcome. The agent is a tonic to the kidneys,
increasing their functional activity, relieving vesical and urethral
tenesmus. it will also overcome prostatic hypertrophy in some cases,
and is available in uterine congestion. It is of service in impaired
digestion, either gastric or intestinal, chronic diarrhoea, with general
debility. Other specific remedies may here be given in conjunction with
it. Dr. Alter says that it corrects errors of physiological metabolism,
induced by malarial toxemia. It is a most powerful antiperiodic. It will not
cause deafness. It will not cause abortion, but on the contrary will
prevent abortion, which is threatened by the presence of malarial
conditions. It shows its influence best where there is general debility,
very marked, with impairment of the nutritive functions of the body.
Dr. Fearn says, concerning populus, this remedy is a powerful stimulant,
tonic, and diuretic. And this statement fixes its place in treatment, in the
hands of the true specific medicationist. When we use this remedy as a
tonic or diuretic, we should never use it in cases accompanied with
irritation whether it be of the stomach, bowels, uterus, bladder, or
prostate. In atonic conditions of all these different organs where we
desire to stimulate and tone up the organ, populus is a grand remedy.
When first I began to use this Sampson among remedies of its class, I had
to use decoctions of the bark—it was a nasty, bitter dose. How much
better to use the specific medicine in from five to twenty drop doses.
Dr. Howe reported a case where a soldier had chronic diarrhea which may
have been caused by malaria. Howe put him on populus for a time and
made a complete cure. If a little of the poplar bark be put into a cup and
covered with boiling water, this will make a strong enough infusion for
many conditions, taking only a teaspoonful or two at a time.
Dr. Alter of Arkansas has given it for many years for swamp fever. He also
uses it in the irregularities of women. He thinks it acts somewhat as
hydrastis in promoting a physiological action of all organs, and
increasing the vital force within the system. It may be well given in
conjunction with hydrastis. Dr. Alter used it very widely whether it was
strictly indicated or not, and became convinced of its active therapeutic
property.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 363