Nat. Ord., Salicaceæ.
Common Name, White Willow.
Preparation.—The fresh aments are macerated in twice their weight of alcohol.
(Dr. John Fearns writes of this remedy in Chicago Medical Times, 1896:)
At this writing I wish to speak not of the tonic and antiseptic properties of this species of Salix, but of its usefulness as a sedative to the generative system. As a sedative on these lines I have had very good results from its use.
In cases of acute gonorrhœa with much errotic trouble. Also in cases of chordee with great irritation; for these purposes I have given it in doses of thirty to sixty drops on retiring, and repeat at midnight or towards morning, if needed; in these cases nothing has given me more satisfaction than this remedy. It answers the purpose, it robs night of its terrors, and it leaves no unpleasant consequences in its train.
In cases of excessive venereal desire, amounting to satyriasis, from experience I would use this remedy first. I have seen it control the venereal appetite in a very satisfactory manner. It can be given in cases where the bromides have always been considered appropriate, and it can be given where the bromides would be very inappropriate and there is no reflex effect on the brain or nervous system.
SALVIA OFFICINALIS.
Nat. Ord., Labiatæ.
Common Name, Common sage.
Preparation.—The fresh leaves are macerated in twice their weight of alcohol.
(Although scarcely used in the present day sage runs back in medical history to the Greeks, and, according to Fernie, is still held in the highest esteem by country people in many parts of Europe. Quoting Gerard: "Sage is singularly good for the head and brain; it quickeneth the senses and memory; strengtheneth the sinews; restoreth health to those that have palsy; and takes away shaky trembling of the members." The following appeared in Echo Med. du Nord, 1897, concerning this remedy:)
This remedy (in English, Sage) has been almost forgotten in modern medical art, but still remains in high repute as a domestic medicine. Lately, French physicians have called attention to it, and not only for gargling in cases of inflammation of the throat and for washing the mouth in affections of the gums, but more especially as an unfailing remedy for night-sweats in persons suffering from affections of the respiratory organs. In the numerous experiments made with it, there were never any disagreeable concomitant effects. On the contrary, it was found that Salvia acts even more favorably on the tickling coughs with consumptives than Belladonna, Rumex crispus, etc., so that preparations of Morphine and Codeine could be dispensed with.