Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-07-24

The tlDcture of arnit=s, so extensively
employed as an outward application to
sores and bruises. is prepared from
plants nearly related TO tho common
wild asterS. There are numerous spe-
cies. mostly natives of Europe. with two
or three of North American origin.
The ono most valued is tho Arnica mon
tana, common throughout the greater
part of Northern Europe and Asia, from
tho sea level to tho region of perpetual
snow on the mountains. 1t is a peren-
NAL. hairy plant, with large entire OPP
pOsite leaves. the lower ones obovate-
Oblong. with fino nerves. The stems
arc branching. each bearing terminal
cluster of yellow flowers. 1t is viru-
lent plant. possessing powerful narcotic
properties. which are said by Lindley,
in bis Medical Flora" to be due to
the presence of an acid substance known
rs cytesine.
The active properties of arnica have
probably been greatly exaggerated. TO,
in some parts OF Europe, especially in
Germany, it is supposed t. euro fever
and ague, palsy and dysentcry. Some
of the German physicians are enthusiasts
tic in it's praise, considering it almost a
specific in many diseases. although the
proof of its curative powers has not On
ly been questioned, but cOntradicted.
1t doubtless possesses curative proper
ties that have their influence under
proper conditions. In Russia it is
popular remedy for myctalopia, dis
ease Of the eye, and is said TO cure it in
a few days. In the north of Europe
and in the United States tipct,Ire of ar
Mica is Il popular remedy for wounds,
bruises and sprains. kind of family
medicine or ''cure alp for ordinary ac-
cidents TO the flesh. 1t is a powerful
and somewhat poisonous preparation,
and should not he p;aI,ei within the
reach of children or persons ignorant of
its various properties.
For sores on horses or cattle, especially
sore shoulders and bruises on the legs,
it is used to advantage with suiphate of
zinc, in the proportion of two drachms
of the latter and one of the arnica tinct-
ure in ten ounces of water. This prep
aration is believed to be more efticacious
than the arnica alone, and every farmer
and owner of animals should keep it on
hand in case of need, or something of Il
similar nature. Arnica t;ncture is also
given internally. rs it is stimuIant and
auretic, a drachm being considered y
dose for a horse or OK, and about ton
drops for Il dog; but it is mostly used
for external applications, being cooling
and soothing. 1t is an excellent lotion
for applying to the udders of cows
affected with garget, rs well rs for other
ailments already named. FiLlay Dun,
a noted veterinary authority, says in his
great work on veterinary Medicines.
their Actions and Uses, that arnica is
irritant and stimulant, and for external
use on horses with sore shoulders,
bruises and wounds, he advises diluting
the tinctmre with cold water 1T the time
of application, one ounce of the tinct,re
in twenty Of water when applied TO Il
raw sore.
The peasants of the Pyrcnecs arc said
to smoke the leaves rs n subs. itute for
tobacco; hence one of the French names
is Tabac DIES vorges. Some of the North
American species of arnica are very
similar to the European-A. montana,
and the A. muilicade, or naked stemmed
arnica is common from Pennsylvania
and doubtless possesses sim
liar properties To the European species;
but rs The latter :hrives everywhere in
the Northern States, there is no neces-
sity of gathering the native plant. ~
y .Su,a