Kalmia Latifolia. (Sheep Laurel.)

Botanical name: 

Preparation.—Prepare a tincture from the recent leaves, in the proportion of ℥viij. to Alcohol 76° Oj. Dose from a fraction of a drop to five drops.

This is a favorite remedy of Prof. King, and he describes its use as follows : "It is an efficient remedy in primary or secondary syphilis, and will likewise he found invaluable in febrile and inflammatory diseases, and hypertrophy of the heart, allaying all febrile and inflammatory action, and lessening the action of the heart. In active hemorrhages, diarrhoea, and dysentery, it has been employed with excellent effect. I have extensively used this agent, and regard it as one of the most efficient agents in syphilis; and have, likewise, found it very valuable in inflammatory fevers, jaundice, and ophthalmia, neuralgia and inflammation."

I have employed it in secondary syphilis and atonic chronic inflammation s with marked advantage, but have not used it for other purposes. Will some of our readers test it in the treatment of fever and inflammation to determine its analogy to the sedatives?


Specific Medication and Specific Medicines, 1870, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.