ory organs to remove matter which ought
to be eliminated. They facilitate the action of the secretory glands,
tone them up, and give a new impulse to their operations, so that they
can more expeditiously rid the system of worn-out and effete materials.
In this way they alter, correct, and purify the fluids, tone up the
organs, and re-establish their healthy functions. Alteratives may
possess tonic, laxative, stimulant, or diuretic properties all combined
in one agent. Or we may combine several alteratives, each having only
one of these properties in one remedy. We propose to enumerate only a
few alteratives, and give the doses which are usually prescribed; the
list which we employ in our practice is very extensive, but it cannot be
made available for domestic use.

MANDRAKE (_Podophyllum Peltatum_), also called May-apple, is a most
valuable alterative. The root is the part used. _Dose_--Of decoction,
one to two teaspoonfuls; of tincture, six to eight drops; of fluid
extract, three to five drops; of its active principle, Podophyllin,
one-twelfth to one-eighth of a grain.

POKE (_Phytolacca Decandra_), also called Skoke, Garget, or
Pigeon-berry, is a valuable alterative. The root is the part used.
_Dose_--Of decoction, one to three teaspoonfuls; of fluid extract, three
to ten drops; of concentrated principle, Phytolaccin, one-fourth to one
grain.

YELLOW DOCK (_Rumex Crispus_), The part used is the root. _Dose_--Of the
infusion, one to three fluid ounces three times daily; of fluid extract,
ten to thirty drops; of tincture twenty to forty drops.

[Illustration: Fig. 113.
Tag Alder. ]

TAG ALDER (_Alnus Rubra_), This is otherwise known as the Smooth,
Common, or Swamp Alder. The bark is the part used. It is excellent in
scrofula, syphilis, cutaneous and all blood diseases. _Dose_--Of
decoction, one or two tablespoonfuls from three to five times daily; of
tincture, one or two teaspoonfuls; of fluid extract, one-half to one
teaspoonful; of concentrated principle, Alnuin, one-half to one grain.

[Illustration: Fig. 114.
Black Cohosh. ]

BLACK COHOSH (_Macrotys or Cimicifuga Racemosa_) The part used is the
root. Its other common names are Black Snake-root, or Squaw-root. Black
Cohosh is an alterative stimulant, nervine, diaphoretic, tonic, and a
cerebro-spinal stimulant. It is a useful remedy. _Dose_--Of decoction,
one-fourth to one ounce; of tincture, ten to fifteen drops; of fluid
extract, five to ten drops; of the