Bursa pastoris.

The plant of Capsella bursa pastoris.—Europe, U.S.

Preparation.—A tincture of the recent plant.

Dose.—The dose will vary from the fraction of a drop t thirty drops.

Therapeutic Action.—Shepherd's Purse has a special action upon the kidneys and urinary tract, relieving irritation and promoting functional activity. It has given good results in incontinence of urine, especially in aged people and in women. It may be employed in chronic nephritis when a prominent symptom is, frequent desire to pass urine and inability to retain it. It has also been used with advantage in irritation of the bladder and chronic cystitis, and in women in chronic metritis. In some cases it seeni6 to promote the menstrual function, and when this is tardy, scanty, or arrested, it may be used as an emmenagogue.

The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.