ALTERATIVES.
Alteratives are a class of medicines which in some inexplicable manner, gradually change certain morbid actions of the system, and establish a healthy condition instead. They stimulate the vital processes to renewed activity, and arouse the excretory organs to remove matter which ought to be eliminated. They facilitate the action of the secretory glands, tone them up, and give a new impulse to their operations, so that they can more expeditiously rid the system of worn-out and effete materials. In this way they alter, correct, and purify the fluids, tone up the organs, and re-establish their healthy functions. Alteratives may possess tonic, laxative, stimulant, or diuretic properties all combined in one agent. Or we may combine several alteratives, each having only one of these properties in one remedy. We propose to enumerate only a few alteratives, and give the doses which are usually prescribed; the list which we employ in our practice is very extensive, but it cannot be made available for domestic use.
Mandrake (Podophyllum Peltatum), also called May-apple, is a most valuable alterative. The root is the part used. Dose—Of decoction, one to two teaspoonfuls; of tincture, six to eight drops; of fluid extract, three to five drops; of its active principle, Podophyllin, one-twelfth to one-eighth of a grain.
Poke (Phytolacca Decandra), also called Skoke, Garget, or Pigeon-berry, is a valuable alterative. The root is the part used. Dose—Of decoction, one to three teaspoonfuls; of fluid extract, three to ten drops; of concentrated principle, Phytolaccin, one-fourth to one grain.
Yellow Dock (Rumex Crispus), The part used is the root. Dose—Of the infusion, one to three fluid ounces three times daily; of fluid extract, ten to thirty drops; of tincture twenty to forty drops.
Tag Alder (Alnus Rubra), This is otherwise known as the Smooth, Common, or Swamp Alder. The bark is the part used. It is excellent in scrofula, syphilis, cutaneous and all blood diseases. Dose—Of decoction, one or two tablespoonfuls from three to five times daily; of tincture, one or two teaspoonfuls; of fluid extract, one-half to one teaspoonful; of concentrated principle, Alnuin, one-half to one grain.
Black Cohosh (Macrotys or Cimicifuga Racemosa) The part used is the root. Its other common names are Black Snake-root, or Squaw-root. Black Cohosh is an alterative stimulant, nervine, diaphoretic, tonic, and a cerebro-spinal stimulant. It is a useful remedy. Dose—Of decoction, one-fourth to one ounce; of tincture, ten to fifteen drops; of fluid extract, five to ten drops; of the concentrated principle, Macrotin, one-eighth to one-half grain.
Blood-root (Sanguinaria Canadensis), is also known as Red Puccoon. The part used is the root. In minute doses Blood-root is a valuable alterative, acting upon the biliary secretion and improving the circulation and digestion. Dose—Of powdered root, one-fourth to one-half grain; of tincture, one to two drops; of the fluid extract, one-half to one drop. When given in a fluid form it should be well diluted.
Burdock (Arctium Lappa). The root is the part used. Burdock is a valuable alterative in diseases of the blood. Dose—Of tincture, from one teaspoonful to a tablespoonful twenty minutes before meals; of fluid extract, one to two teaspoonfuls.
Blue Flag (Iris Versicolor). The part used is the root. Dose—Of the tincture, five to ten drops; of fluid extract, three to ten drops; of concentrated principle, Iridin, one-half to two grains.
Sweet Elder (Sambucus Canadensis). Sweet Elder-flowers are a valuable alterative, diuretic, mucous and glandular stimulant, excellent in eruptive, cutaneous, and scrofulous diseases of children. An infusion, fluid extract, or syrup, may be used in connection with the "Golden Medical Discovery." Both will be found valuable for cleansing the blood and stimulating the functions to a healthy condition. Dose—Of the infusion of the flowers, from one-half to one ounce, if freely taken, will operate as a laxative; of fluid extract, one-fourth to one-half teaspoonful. The flowers, or inner bark of the root, simmered in fresh butter, make a good ointment for most cutaneous affections.
Iodine. This agent, in the several forms of Iodide of Potassium, Iodide of Ammonium, Iodide of Iron, and Iodide of Lime, is largely employed by physicians, and often with most happy results. But for domestic use we cannot advise its employment, as it is liable to injure the invalid, when its action is carried too far, which is apt to be the case, when not administered under the supervision of a competent physician.
Mercury. The various preparations of mercury have a profound, alterative effect upon the system. When taken for some time, they change the quality and composition of the blood; cause a diminution in the number of red blood-corpuscles, and an increase in the various effete materials. In the vast majority of cases we prefer the vegetable alteratives, but in rare instances they exert a beneficial influence, in small doses. None of the preparations of mercury should be taken internally without the advice of a skillful physician, therefore, we shall not give their doses.