FUCUS VESICULOSUS.—BLADDER-WRACK. Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage

M. Duchesne Duparc recommended an infusion of this plant or the extract in pill form for the purpose of lessening obesity. It requires to be used 3 or 4 weeks before this effect will be observed, which is preceded with an augmented secretion of urine, presenting a black pellicle upon its surface upon standing for a short time. Others have confirmed this statement regarding it. Later experiments by numerous good observers do not seem to indicate that sea-wrack has any power as a fat-reducer, but that the reduction which takes place in some instances is undoubtedly due to the dietary measures which are a part of the treatment. It is thought, however, to have some power of toning muscular fiber, and has been suggested to prevent fatty degeneration of the heart. It influences the kidneys, lessening renal congestion and resultant irritation, and is therefore of service in acute desquamative nephritis; it also relieves cystic irritation and chronic inflammation of the bladder. Take of specific fucus from 5 to 20 drops, every 3 hours. It was at one time recommended to remove deposits and tissue hypertrophies, as well as benign and malignant tumors. It is a remedy which deserves a careful investigation, especially in regard to its influence over waste and nutrition. It acts quite powerfully upon the glandular system as an alterative, and is recommended for menstrual derangements with weak, flabby uterine walls. Dose, of specific fucus, 5 to 30 drops.