American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

A tablespoonful, taken by an adult in summer when nausea, colic or
diarrhea declare a derangement of the organs of digestion, will usually
immediately restore the normal condition. It is palatable and pleasant to
children, especially if diluted. In fevers or headaches from gastric
acidity the treatment should be begun with this syrup, the indicated
remedies being given when excessive gastric acidity is in part
neutralized and the normal condition stimulated by the rhubarb. It may
be added to the vehicle in prescriptions for stomach and bowel troubles of
an atonic character.
If constipation be present a mild laxative may be added. If much diarrhea
is present an astringent, such as geranium or epilobium will increase its
value, and if there is extreme lack of tone, its value is enhanced by the
tincture of xanthoxylum or capsicum. If there are sharp colicky pains, a few
drops of the tincture of colocynth or the tincture of ginger, or even
paregoric, or deodorized opium in severe cases, will be found valuable. It
should be in constant use by every physician in stomach and intestinal
disorders common during the heated term.
FRAGRANT SUMACH. Rhus aromatica.
Synonym—Sweet Sumach.
CONTSTITUENTS—
Volatile oil, several resins, fat, tannin, gum.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Rhus Aromaticae fluidum, fluid extract of Rhus
Aromatica. Dose, from ten to thirty minims.
Specific Medicine Fragrant Sumach. Dose, from five to thirty
minims.
Therapy—The direct influence of this agent is exerted in certain cases of
polyuria. It is said to be specific also to nocturnal enuresis in children,
and yet our knowledge is not sufficient to define the exact cases,
consequently its use is more or less empirical. Benefit is claimed for its
use in full doses in all cases where there is much urine, without sugar.
This is the case in interstitial nephritis as well as in simple diabetes
insipidus. It is not contraindicated in diabetes mellitus, but is only
occasionally of service. Active astringent properties are claimed for it,
and yet in this exercise it is different, from ordinary astringents.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 375