SAPONARIA.—SOAPWORT. Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage

Soapwort is tonic, diaphoretic, and alterative; and forms a remedy in the treatment of syphilitic, scrofulous and cutaneous diseases, also in jaundice, liver affections, rheumatism, and gonorrhœa. It is generally used in decoction; although an extract or the inspissated juice will be found equally efficient. Saponin has been advised as á substitute for the root, but this is not satisfactorily established; it will likewise be found a powerful sternutatory. Dose, from 2 to 6 grains. E. Pelikan believes that saponin is destined to play a different part from that which is now given to it, and that it should be submitted to further investigations. According to his experiments he finds that saponin and identical substances produce a local paralysis followed by rigidity of the muscles and paralysis of the nerves of sensation; and also that between saponin and agents that act upon the pupil, as atropine and physostigmine, there exists considerable analogy (Gaz. Méd. de Paris, 1867). Decided emmenagogue properties are attributed to saponaria. Dose of the decoction (℥i to Oj), from 2 to 4 fluid ounces, 3 or 4 times a day; of the extract or inspissated juice, from 10 to 20 grains.