American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

serum. Then in order to cause the liquid to enter every crevice of the sac
of the hydrocele, pinch and knead the scrotum with the fingers quite
vigorously. The needle is then withdrawn. The pain induced is quite
considerable for at least half an hour, then the patient goes about his
business and usually no additional treatment is required.” The above
method, with some unimportant variations, has been in general use
among our physicians since suggested by Professor Howe, and the result
as reported by very many has been satisfactory.
This agent has been used successfully in the treatment of trachoma. The
non-alcoholic preparation is combined with vaseline or other unctuous
substance and applied once or twice daily.
Dr. Barber uses thuja in conjunctivitis. However severe the case, he had
no case especially where there was severe granulation of the lids that
was so stubborn but that he could benefit it with a mild solution of thuja.
He occasionally used Long's thuja with vaseline with equally good
results. The use of thuja in pterygium, is spoken of by a number of our
writers. It is applied directly to the growth as often as possible without
inducing inflammation. Cures have been effected in many cases.
Dr. Walker for many years has injected small tumors with thuja full
strength, twenty drops for the first injection, increasing the subsequent
injection every day or two until in some cases he has used as high as half
an ounce. An abscess forms and the tumor slowly disappears.
The agent is especially advised in the treatment of urinary disorders of
the aged and young. It gives satisfaction in the treatment of nocturnal
eneuresis when the difficulty is of functional origin. It is also valuable
when there is dribbling of urine, loss of control from paralysis of the
sphincter, perhaps, in the aged, where urinary incontinence is present,
with severe coughs, lack of control when coughing or sneezing.
Sometimes in severe cases of nocturnal eneuresis, it is accompanied
with belladonna or rhus aromatica with good results. In old men with
chronic prostatitis, with constant dribbling of the urine, this agent is
valuable. It relieves the weakness at the neck of the bladder. It tones the
muscular structure of the bladder and exercises a desirable influence
over the mucous structures of the entire urinary apparatus. It also
stimulates secretion within the tubules of the kidneys by its direct
influence. upon the epithelial cells.
Where there is irritability of the bladder from the presence of uric acid, or
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 436