Ampelopsis quinquefolia

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

{American Ivy.)

Botanical Description— This is a woody vine, with a rooting, climbing stem, and leaves pointed out; leaflets oblong, having a long, projecting and tapering point, having five leaflets on a petal or foot stalk; the edge uneven or dented, smooth, turning crimson in autumn ; flowers inconspicuous, greenish, or white, in clusters, regularly divided by pairs, from top to bottom; calyx entire; petals five, distinct, spreading; ovary two-celled, cells two-ovuled; style very short; berries dark blue, acid, smaller than peas, and two-celled; cells one or two-seeded. The American Ivy is a common and familiar shrubby vine, climbing extensively, and, by means

of its radicating tendrils, supporting itself firmly upon trees, ascending to the height of fifty feet. In the same manner it ascends and overspreads walls and buildings, its large leaves constituting a luxuriant foliage of dark glossy green. It is found in wild woods and thickets throughout the United States, and blossoms in July, ripening its small blackish berries in October. In various sections it has different names, as Woodbine, Virginia Creeper, Five Leaves, False Grape, Wild Wood Vine, etc.

Officinal Preparations. — The tincture prepared from the fresh bark and young twigs. [Or a permnnent decoction, using one part by weight to four parts by fluid measure of water, and adding six parts absolute alcohol.]

Sphere of Action. — Antipsoric; affects the skin, mucous membrane and glandular system.

Analogues. — Alnus, Apocynum, Arsenicum, Calcarea, Dulcamara, Graphites, Iodine, Chimaphilla, Phytolacca, Bumex, Stillingia, Sulphur, Rhus.

Generalities. 0 Chronic cutaneous eruptions, (?) scrofula. 0 Chronic and mercurial rheumatism, (?) indolent ulcers, (?) chronic bronchitis and laryngitis, (?) dropsy. (?) (No provings.)

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

which is said by eclectics to affect the skin, mucous membranes, and glandular system, in nearly the same manner as the Alnus. Its continued use for a long time is said to cure obstinate cases of dropsy. Dr. Lee asserts that it is a stimulant to the glands, and it is said to have cured enlargements of the lymphatics. I have had no personal experience with it, but Dr. P. H. Hale believes that it restored the secretion of milk in a lying-in woman who was very weak, tearful, and despondent. He gave it as a dernier ressort after Calcarea, Pulsatilla, and other remedies had failed to affect the secretion.