The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1920-02-14

dorsement to the remedy until 1t has
had further trial . We merely present
the facts as stated by DR.. Krebs, with
the idea Of giving the matter public
ity and encouraging others to give 1t
a trial.
During the Fall of 1918 when the
Influenza epidemic visited this section
of Nevada, the Washoe Indian used a
loot in the treatment of their sick
which was gathered along the foot
hills of this slope of the Sierra. The
plant proved to be a rare species OF
the parsley family (Leptotemia dis
secta), according to a report from the
University of California.
The Indians gather this root in the
late Fall, November being considered
the proper month for gathering. The
root is used in the fresh or dry state.
Il is cut up and a decoction is made
by boiling the root in water, skim
ming off the top and giving large
doses of the broth. A pound of root
is considered about the proper dose
to treat a case of fever for three days,
which is the longest time needed to
break up a fever due to influenza or
a pulmonary disease, although the
Washoes use it as a panacea. Wheth-
er a coincidence or not, there was not
a single death in the Washoe tribe
from influenza or its complications,
although Indians living in other
parts of the State where the root did
moi grow died in numbers. : 1t was
such a remarkable coincidence that
the root was Investigated by a prac-
ticing physician who saw apparently
hopeless cases without any
medication or care of any kind. A
preparation was prepared and en-
ployed in a great many cases among
the whites. from the mildest to the
most virulent types of influenza, and
IT proved among other things, that 1t
is the nearest approach we have to-
day to a specific in epidemic influenza
and the accompanying pneumonia.
Where used early 1t proved itself to
be a reliable agent in preventing pull
monary complications. Other physi-
clans were induced to give 1t a trial,
with the same results. 1t is beyond
the experimental stage, as its thea
peutic action in this direction is es-
tablished and beyond doubt. The
cases in which it has been used run
into the hundreds. There is probably
no therapeutic agent so valuable in
the treatment of influenza pneumo-
mia, and as far as being tried, in or
binary lobar pneumonia IL started
early. 1t action on coughs Is more
certain than the opiate expectorants
and it's benefit is lasting. 1t acts as
a powerful tonic to the respiratory
mucous membranes. 1t is a bron-
chial, intestinal and urinary anti
septic and is excreted by these organs
1t seems to stimulate the pneogastrics
and causes a slow pulse with increased
volume and reduced tension. 1t is a
pronounced diaphoretic and some
what diuretic, and it is a stimulating
and sedative expectorant. In large
doses it is a laxative, and in extreme
doses emetic.
To make a therapeutically active
preparation, the proper variety of the
root must be selected in the late Fall
and properly cured out of the sun. Its
active principals must be extracted
with as little as possible of the OBJ
jectionable constituents. The active
principals of the root r decidedly
complex. 1t contains a glucoside (as
its solutions precipitate copper from
feelings solution). 1t contains one
or more alkaloids and an acid analo-
gous tt benzoic acid, one or more vol
atile and fixed oils, a resin. and a gum.
1t can be seer from this that 1t re-
sembles a balsam from the fact that
1t contains an oleogumresin and an
acid besides alkaloids and glucosides.
One can at once appreciate the fact
that a reliable pharmaceutical prepa-
ration representing the action of the
roo is not readily made. The volatile
oil, which is one Of the principal
therapeutic agents. is lost in making
a decoction.
This particular variety of Leptotoe-
mia is not as common as believed by
some. and 1t is this particular variety
that has medicinal or therapeutic vir-
tues. 1t grows in dry. sandy soil, as a
rule, under or between tall s~agebrush
or crossword. The plant grows
from two to four feet high and has a
blossom similar to wild parsnip and
leaves like a carrot. 1t is a perennial
and thu oldor roofu fraouautIv wafOh