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Gllustrations and Descriptions

OF THE *
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MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AS HOMQOPATHIC REMEDIES.
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EDWARD HAMILTON, M.D. PLS, F.LS.,
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VOL. IL” opt Tp ]
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LEAMINGTON
LEATH AND WOOLCOTT, 31, UPPER PARADE,
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PRINTED BY THE LONDON PRINTING AND PUBLISHING COMPANY, LIMITED,

26, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON, E.c.

CONTENTS OF VOL. IL.

Tonatra AMARA

IPECACUANHA . : ; : , : ‘ i ; 8
LAUROCERASUS : : ; ‘ : ; ; j ee |
LEDUM PALUSTRE ‘ ‘ ; ‘ ; : ; 23
Lycoropium : : ; : ( : : ree ae
MEZEREUM p ; : : ; ; ; : 5 33
Nvux Moscwatra . : : ; ; : ; ; ore.
Nvux Vomica . ; q : : ; : : é 45
OLEANDER . : f 60
PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM ; ; : ; : ; ; 65
Paris QUADRIFOLIA 98
PULSATILLA NIGRICANS 102
RANUNCULUS 109
RHEUM PALMATUM 124
Ruvs Toxtcopenpron 180
RvutTA GRAVEOLENS . : , : ; i 143
SapBtna (JUNIPERUS) ’ 148
SAMBUCUS NIGRA : 154
SARSAPARILLA (Saas) 159
SCILLA MARITIMA 163
SECALE CORNUTUM 168
Senzea (Ponyeaa) ; Sih te the ee 176
Svieitis aeebintls 6 ko Ss eee
‘STAPHYSAGRIA . ; ; ; ‘ I ae a ae
pr Re nee Aa . 188
TARAXACUM ge) x sR eaieeggct gta ae 198
Tusa cacti : ; ; re ee
Vaterawa OVPIGINALIS. © 0-61 8 # se
VERATRUM ALBUM e ; ‘ : ae Pah

Versascum Tarsus ; : ; : : ie

FLORA HOM@OPATHICA.

XXXVII.
IGNATIA AMARA.
St. Ignatius’s Bean.

Synonyms.—-Faba Sancti Ignatii. Cucurbitifera malabathri foliis scandens,
eujus nuclei faba Sancti Ignatii nuncupati, Plukenet. Ignatiana philippina, Lour.
Cochinch., 126. Ignatia, Faba Sancti Ignatii, Linn. Suppl., 129; Willd. Sp.
Plant., vol. i. p. 1053; Mart. Mill. Dict., vol. ii. Igasur seu Nux Vomica legi-
tima Serapionis, Camill. Nux pepita seu Faba St. Ignatii, Act. Phil. Strychnos
Ignatii, Berg. Mat. Med., p. 89. aba febrifuga, Geoff, vol. ii. p. 459. Faba
Indica, Lew., vol. ii. p. 153.

Forrien Namus.—Fr,: Féve St. Ignace. Germ.: Bittere Fiebernuss, Bittere
Ignatia. Jtal:: Faba St. Ignatii.

Nat, Order, Arocynem, Juss. —PENTANDRIA, MoNoGYNIA.

Gen, Cuar.— Calyx : perianth inferior, of one leaf, short, bell-shaped, with
five upright, ovate, blunt teeth. Corolla of one petal, funnel-shaped ;
tube thread-shaped, a span long, smooth, erect; limb flat, in five deep,
oblong, obtuse, entire segments. Stamens : filaments five, inserted into
the receptacle, as long as the tube, thread-shaped, very smooth ; anthers
cohering, in the form of an oblong, acute, hispid, five-sided tube.
Pistil : germen minute, superior, ovate, smooth; style thread-shaped,
the length of the stamens; stigma in two deep, awl-shaped divisions.
Pericarp : berry large, pear-shaped, smooth, of one cell, with a thick,
woody coat. Seeds , smooth, crowded, hard, oblong, somewhat

ed.
Spec. Cuar.—Calyzx inferior, five-toothed. Corolla with a very long
tube. Berry coated, of one cell, with many seeds.

Fig 1. A magnified view of an anther. 2. A seed. 3. A section of the same,
showing the position of the embryo. The drawing of this plant is made from the
dried specimen in the Herbarium of F, Linneus, and coloured after Don’s

VOR, Tio. B

2 FLORA HOM(EOPATHICA.

Hisrory.—The seeds of the Ignatia amara (Strychnos Ignatia)
are, in all probability, identical with the Igasur or Nuces
vomice mentioned by Serapion. Alston (Lectures on the Mat.
Med., vol. ii. p. 38) states that the seed came into the Dutch
shops about the latter end of the seventeenth century. Lemery
says that a Spanish Jesuit first brought it to the notice of the
Portuguese merchants, and called it Faba St. Ignatii from Igna-
tius Loyola. The seeds are worn as amulets by the natives of
the Philippine Islands, for the cure of all kinds of diseases.
Dale (Pharmacol., p. 330) says it resists poison, cures quartan
agues; “urinam et menses provocat, vertiginem inducet et
yomitiones ciet.’ As a medicine, it has been employed in
periodical diseases, atonic gout, chronic cramp, epilepsy,
paralysis ; as an anthelmintic; in dropsy, intermittent fevers,
cholera, cardialgia, amenorrhea, periodical spasmodic asthma,
paralysis of the lower extremities, etc., etc.

Descriprion.—Ignatia amara is a beautiful tree, with long,
twining, copious, smooth, branches. The Jeaves are opposite,
stalked, ovate, and entire, a span long, and very smooth.
Panicles axillary, small. Flowers very long, drooping, white,
and scented like jasmine. Fruit the size and shape of a
middling pear. Seeds scarcely an inch long, and very bitter.
The fruit was first described by Father Camilli, under the
name of Catalongay and Cantara.

GroGRAPHIcaL Disrrinution.—A native of the East Indies
and Philippine Islands.

Parts useD IN MepictngE, AND Mong or PREPARATION.—
The Seeds, which are reduced to powder in a mortar, placed
in hot water during the pulverization. ‘The first three attenu-
ations are made by trituration. The seeds, as found in the
shops, are about the size of olives, round and convex on one
side, and somewhat angular on the other; externally, they are
brownish.

PuystoLocicaL Errrecrs.—On Animals. Orfila (op. cit.)
gave a dog half an ounce of the powder of Ignatia. In about

IGNATIA AMARA, 3

five minutes he commenced to pant; fifteen minutes afterwards
symptoms of convulsions appeared ; and in about half an hour
he fell down in an attack of tetanus, the intellectual faculties
being unimpaired. The animal died asphyxiated in about
twenty minutes after the tetanic symptoms came on.

In another experiment, six grains sufficed to kill a large-
sized dog.

Orfila mentions that the extract of Ignatia injected into the
veins, or applied externally, acts in the same manner as the
upas and the nux vomica.

On Man.—Camilli (Phil. Trans., vol. xxi. p. 1699) reports
that a man suffering from dyspepsia, being attacked with vomit-
ing and diarrhea, took a scruple of the powder of Ignatia. He
was soon seized with excessive irritation and severe convulsive
movements ; his jaws were closed ; the muscles of the face were
drawn in different directions, as if the person was convulsed
with laughter.

A paralytic stiffmess in the lower limbs, with involuntary
twitchings in them, great anxiety, coldness of the whole body,
with dilatability of the pupil, etc., were the symptoms produced
in a youth of twenty years by an over-dose of Ignatia; his
head was free, his consciousness perfect, but on account of the
anxiety he could not express himself properly. He was com-
pletely restored by drinking eight ounces of vinegar in the
course of half an hour (Hahnem. Less. Writ., p. 379).

Loureiro (Flor. Cochinch., vol. i.) states that giddiness and
violent cramps were produced by the use of this drug, which
were relieved with lemon-juice and cold water.

A man, forty years old, took, after tertian fever, half of a
bean of Ignatia in brandy. He had numbness of his ex-
tremities, violent, general, convulsive cramps, with great per-
spiration.

Jorg (Mat. zu einer Neuen Arzneim., 1624) made the following
experiments with Ignatia; one ounce of the powder mixed with
one ounce of wine :—

B2

4 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

Fr— took nine drops in an ounce of water ; bitter taste, and
tearing pain in the sternum and shoulders in the evening ; four-
teen drops produced confusion and throbbings ; thirty to eighty
drops had no further effect.

G— took ten drops; in an hour, sense of oppression and
weariness, of half an hour’s duration; eighteen drops produced
symptoms analogous to drunkenness.

In others, the symptoms produced from different doses, vary-
ing from nine to sixty drops, were: pain in the head on right
side, giddiness, confusion, diarrhea, great pain in the chest,
violent pain in the hypochondria, nausea, vomiting, cramps,
convulsions, weariness and inclination to sleep, loss of appetite,
secretion of saliva.

Given in powder, there was bitter taste, increased secretion
of saliva, pain in the region of the spleen and stomach; violent
pain in the head; borborygmi in the bowels; loss of appetite ;
frightful dreams; diarrhoea, with pain and cutting in the lower
bowels ; pain in the eyes, with dull pressure on the brain;
oppression at the chest; cutting pain in the region of the
umbilicus; bloody stools; burning and lachrymation of the
eyes, etc.

Mepican Uses (Homa@orarnic)—Hahnemann’s observa-
tions ( Mat. Med. Pur.) : “ The rapid succession of the alter-
nate effects of Ignatia adapts it chiefly to numerous acute dis-
orders, and it may justly be considered a polychrest remedy.

“ Usually Ignatia completes its action in a few days; there
are, however, certain constitutions and conditions of disease
in which it fails to excite any evacuation, and I have then seen
it prolonged to nine days. It agrees with but few chronic
cases, and then can only be given as an intermediate remedy,
after some other more appropriate and of longer action. When
Ignatia is given, it sometimes happens (which is seldom the
case with other drugs) that the first dose fails to answer its
end, because, for some unknown reason, it acts primarily by
symptoms opposite to the disease, whence, after the reaction,

IGNATIA AMARA, 5

an aggravation takes place, the same as with all palliatives. In
this case, we may, without recurring to any intermediate
medicine, immediately give a second dose of the same dilution,
without which the cure cannot be attained; and we must
positively trust entirely to the contrasting effects of this medi-
cine. However, this seldom happens; for in a disorder that
comes on rapidly, the first dose usually produces all the effect
of which Ignatia is capable, when correctly chosen. When, in
a very excitable person, or from too powerful a dose, excessive
sensibility or anxiety occurs, the antidote is coffee; but if the
Ignatia has been injudiciously given, and its symptoms do not
resemble those of the disease, the effects may be allayed,
according to their nature, with Pulsatilla or Chamomilla, or, in
rarer instances, with Cocculus, Arnica, Camphor, or Vinegar.

“Whatever analogy may be perceived between the positive
effects of Ignatia and Nux Vomica, there is also a great difference,
since the state of mind to which one is adapted would be
very unsuitable to the other. Ignatia should not be given on
occasions of passion, eagerness, or violence; but in those in
which are displayed sudden changes from high to low spirits,
or other conditions denoting Ignatia, supposing that the accom-
panying symptoms are such as it would produce.

“ Even in a high state of development, Ignatia is an excellent
remedy in the case of persons deeply offended, who have no
disposition to violent anger or revenge, but who brood over
their vexation and distress, and are continually tormented with
the annoying recollection of the offence or injury they have
received ; consequently, it is applicable to all morbid states of
mind resulting from these causes.

“Thus epileptic fits, even when chronic, which are ex-
cited by disappointment or displeasure, and never appear
under other circumstances, may often be prevented by a timely
dose of Ignatia. Epilepsy, brought on in young people by
terror, may also, if not often repeated, be cured by this medi-
cine. But it is highly improbable that chronic epilepsy should

6 FLORA HOMC@OPATHICA.

ever be cured by it, at least there are no such instances recorded,
for almost always other powerful remedies have been used
simultaneously, and there is no proof of the cure being per-
manent. When a person has had for the first time an attack
of epilepsy, caused by some distressing event, and this attack
is formidable from its duration or frequent recurrence, one
small dose of tincture of Ignatia often effects a certain and
final cure. But it is otherwise in chronic epilepsy, where
it cannot produce lasting benefit, for the same reason as
in other chronic diseases. For its peculiar primitive effects,
which are commonly opposed to each other, follow, even in
disease, this character of opposition, so that when the first dose
has put a stop to the morbid condition, we ought not hastily to
give a second, because it would reproduce the malady, and the
contrary alternative would ensue, which brings with it all the
inconvenient consequences of palliatives. It is therefore argued
that Ignatia should be given only in sudden attacks and acute
diseases.

“This medicine should be taken in the morning, unless there
is danger in losing time; for when it is taken a short time
before going to bed, it causes agitation during the night.”

“St. Ignatius’s Bean (Ignatia amara) has been observed to
produce trembling of several hours’ duration, twitchings,
cramps, irascibility, sardonic laughter, giddiness, cold per-
spiration. In similar cases it will show its efficacy, as ex-
perience has partly demonstrated. It produces febrile rigor,
and (in its secondary action *) stiffness of the limbs; and thus
it has cured, by similarity of action, intermittent fever which
would not yield to Bark: probably it was that less simple form
of intermittent in which the complication consisted of excessive
sensitiveness and increased irritability (especially of the prime
vie)” (Hahnem. Less, Writ., p. 327),

Crinican OBsERVATIONS.—Ignatia, under certain circum.
stances, is particularly serviceable in derangement of the ner-
vous system in women and children. In violent screams from

~

IGNATIA AMARA. ‘

anger in children. In nervous affections of young girls at the
time of puberty; and in women at the critical period. In
violent spasms and convulsive movements in children at the time
of teething. In hysterical spasms. Epilepsy in young persons
after violent fright or anger. Soreness (chafing) of children
from abuse of chamomile. Intermittent fevers. Shivering, with
thirst. Heat, without thirst, etc. Consequences of deep-
rooted mental affections, especially of grief. Melancholia and
fixed mania, occasioned by fright or other mental emotions in
females. Hemicrania and clavus hystericus. Headache, as if
a nail were driven into the head. Violent neuralgia of the
head (after Bell. and Hyos.) Throbbing toothache in coffee-
drinkers. Globus hystericus. Burning pain in the stomach.
Painless diarrhoea. Prolapsus recti. Uterine spasms. Cata-
menia, premature and profuse, in a nursing female, etc. ete.
(Noack and Trinks, op. cit.)

Awntipotrs.—l'o over-doses, Vinegar. To small doses,
Arnica, Camphor, Chamomilla, Cocculus, Coffea, Nux Vom.,
Puls. Ignatia is an antidote to Chamomilla, Coffea, and Nux
Vomica.

XXXVIII.
IPECACUANHIA.
(CEPHAELIS IPECACUANIA.)
Ipecacuan.
ayaroe, —Callicoeca Ipecacuanha, Brotero, Linn. Trans., vol. vi. p. 137.
Tpecacuanha fusea, Piso, Bras., p. 101. Yerba Paris Brasiliana, Polycoccos, Rai

Hist. Psychotria Ipecacuanha, Stokes, Bot. Mat. Med., vol. vi. p. 364. Cephaélis
Ipecacuanha, Rich. Hist. Ipec., t. ii. p. 21, ete.

Forrten Names.—Fyr.: Ipecacuana. Jtal.: Ipecaquana. Span. and Port. :
Ipecacuanha, Germ.: Brechwurzel, Ipecacuanha, Dut.: Ipecacuanna. Swed.:
Krikrot. Dan.: Americansk, Brikrod. Russ.; Rvotnoi koren.

Nat. Order, Accrecatm, Linn.; Rusiacem, Juss.; Cincno-
NACER, Lindl.—Prntranpria, MonoGynia.

Gen. Cuan.—Tube of the calyx obovate. Limb very short, five-toothed.
Corolla somewhat funnel-shaped ; its lobes fine, small, rather obtuse.
Anthers inclosed. Stigma bifid, usually exserted. Berry, obovate,
oblong, crowned with the remains of the calyx, two-celled, two-seeded

Spec. Cuar.—Stem ascending, at length erect, somewhat pubescent at the
apex, — Leaves oblong-ovate, rough above, finely pubescent beneath.
Stipules cleft into setaceous segments. Heads terminal, erect, at length,
pendulous. Bracts four, somewhat cordate (D. C0.)

History.—Guillaume Pison, in 1648, was the first person who
mentions Ipecacuanha as a remedy commonly employed in
Brazil against dysentery. In Europe, however, it was not used

OO a ey

Fig. 1. A floret. 2. The same cut open, showing position of the anthers.

3. Stigma. 4. Berry. 5. Section of the same. 6. The root. The drawing is
taken from Brotero’s figure in the Linnwan Transactions.

Plate XXXVII

, (Ipecacuanha.)

HE Sowerby, ith. iy
som Cephaelis Ipecacuanha. er

IPECACUANHA. 9

until much later, although in 1672 a certain physician of the
name of Legras brought a large quantity from Brazil into
France. It was only in 1686 that its effects were first
made known in Paris by Jean Adrien Helvetius, who
visited, with the celebrated physician Afforty, a merchant
of the name of Grenier or Garnier. This gentleman, when he
recovered his health, wishing to show some mark of gratitude
to his physician, presented him with a portion of a new and
precious remedy imported from Brazil for the cure of dysentery.
Afforty did not attach any importance to this gift, and gave it
to his pupil, Helvetius. The young man experimented with it
on several persons affected with dysentery, and believed that
he had discovered a specific against this disease. Fortunately
for him, many gentlemen of the court, and the Dauphin him-
self, son of Louis XIV., were at that time suffering under this
malady. The king, informed by his minister Colbert of the
secret that Helvetius possessed, charged his physician D’Aquin,
and his confessor Pére de la Chaise, to enter into an arrangement
with him for the publication of his remedy. After various trials,
at the Hétel Dieu, in Paris, which were crowned with the most
brilliant success, one thousand louis d’ors were given him,
and he was elevated to the first medical honours in France.
He wrote a tract to describe the mode of its employment in
diarrheeas and dysenteries ; and it seems that he was in the habit
of giving very large doses, to the amount of two drachms,
both as a decoction and an enema. J. B. Alliot wrote with
great violence against Helvetius, but his theoretical arguments
could not shake or overturn the experience of his antagonist.
Sir Hans Sloane and Leibnitz contributed most powerfully
to establish the employment of this drug in these diseases. The
latter assures us, that in his time they continued to administer
it in large doses, but in powder instead of decoction. In this
country, about the first half of the eighteenth century, it was
supposed that a poisonous root was sold instead of the Ipecacu-
anha. Jean Daniel Gohl was the first to employ Tpecacuanha in

10 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

smaller doses; he refused to agree as to its specific virtues in
diarrhceas and dysenteries, and attributed its salutary virtues
to the vomiting it occasioned. These ideas were followed by
Geoffrey, Trew, and Gianella, who employed very small doses
of it in intermittent fevers, Nicolas Dalberg had recourse to
still smaller doses in hemorrhages and affections of the chest ;
and in England, Dover combined Ipecacuanha and Opium, and
obtained in this manner an excellent antispasmodic, which
favoured at the same time perspiration from the skin. Richard
Brocklesby, in 1760, was the first to praise this remedy, which
became afterwards so celebrated. Mark Akenside attributed to
Ipecacuanha a tranquilizing virtue, and recommends the root
in convulsive asthma; and Thomas Reed in phthisis (Sprengel,
Hist. de la Méd., t. y.)

Dr. Pye, 1786 (Med. Obs. and Ing., vol. i. p. 290), says
of Ipecacuanha: “ A medicine which has so justly gained the
reputation not only of the mildest and safest, but almost a
specific remedy for many disorders of the stomach and bowels ;
as efficacious to root out every offending humour as the most
humane physician could devise ; nay, of so great use, that hardly
any disease, which takes its origin from the stomach, can be
cured without it.” As a medicine it was, as mentioned above,
first used in dysentery; afterwards it became a very general
remedy in various diseases.

In full doses, as an emetic; in
smaller doses,

as a nauseant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, and
In affections of the respiratory organs. In
mucous catarrh. Bronchial hemorrhage. Hemorrhages from
the lungs, ete. Croup, and other catarrhal affections. Asthma.
In affections-of the alimentary canal. Indigestion. Dysentery.
Diarrhoea of different kinds. In various other diseases. In
hysterical and hypochondriacal spasms. Epilepsy. Catarrhal
and rheumatic affections. Rheumatic fever. Intermittent
fever. Palpitation of the heart. Ischuria. Strangury. Dy-
suria, etc,
Duscriprion,

expectorant.

—The Cephaélis Ipecacuanha is a perennial

IPECACUANHA. 11

plant. The root is simple, or somewhat branched, and furnished
with a few short radicles ; it is roundish, three or four inches
in length, and two or three lines in thickness, irregularly bent,
externally of a brown colour, and annulated with numerous,
prominent, unequal rings. ‘The stem is procumbent at the base,
rising from five to nine inches in height, round, the thickness
of a hen’s quill, smooth, leafless, of a brownish colour, knotted
at the lower part, and leafy towards the upper; after the first
year it throws out a few knotty runners, from which, about six
inches apart, new stems arise. The inferior leaves are caducous,
so that not more than eight generally remain at the summit of
each stem when it flowers; they are nearly sessile, opposite,
spreading, ovate, pointed at both ends, three or four inches
long, and less than two broad ; of a bright green on the upper
surface, beneath of a whitish-green colour; pubescent, veined ;
at the base of each pair of leaves is a pair of short, fimbriated,
withering stipules embracing the stem. The flowers are aggre-
gated in a solitary head, on a round, downy fooéstalk terminating
the stem, somewhat drooping, and encompassed by a four-leaved
involucre. The florets are sessile, from fifteen to twenty-four
in number, interspersed with little bracteas. The calyx very
small, five-toothed, superior, and persistent. The corolla mono-
petalous, the border shorter than the tube, woolly about the
throat, swelling upwards, and divided into five ovate, acute,
spreading segments. The filaments are short, capillary, in-
serted into the upper part of the tube, and bearing oblong,
linear, erect anthers. ‘The germen is ovate, surmounted by a
thread-shaped style, as long as the tube, surrounded at the base
with a short, nectariferous rim, and terminated by two obtuse
stigmas the length of the anthers. The fruit is a one-celled
berry, of a reddish-purple colour, becoming wrinkled and black,
and containing two smooth, oval seeds. Pereira (op. cit.) gives
the following description of the root: “ The root of this plant
is the Ipecacuanha (Radix Ipecacuanha) of the shops. No
other root is known in English commerce by this name. By

12 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

continental writers it is denominated Annulated Ipecacuanha
(Radix Ipecacuanha annulate), to distinguish it from the roots
of the Psychotria emetica and Richardsonia scabra; the first of
which is termed Striated Ipecacuanha, the second Undulated
Ipecacuanha. The root of Cephaélis Ipecacuanha occurs in
pieces of three or four inches long, and about the size of a
small writing-quill, variously bent and contorted, simple and
branched. It has a knotty appearance, in consequence of a
number of deep, circular fissures about a line in depth, and
which extend inwardly to a central ligneous cord, so as to give
the idea of a number of rings strung upon a thread (hence the
name annulated). These rings are unequal in size, both with
respect to each other and to different parts of the same ring.
This root has a resinous fracture. Its substance consists of two
parts; one called the cortical portion, which is brittle and
resinous, of a horny appearance, with a greyish or brownish-
grey colour, sometimes whitish ; and a second called meditullium,
and which consists of a thin, yellowish-white, woody, vascular
cord, running through the centre of each piece. In one hundred
parts of good Ipecacuanha, there are about eighty of cortex and
twenty of meditullium. Ipecacuanha root has an acrid, aromatic,
somewhat bitter taste, and a slightly nauseous but peculiar
odour. The colour of the root varies somewhat, being brownish,
reddish-brown, greyish-brown, or grey.” Richard (Dict. des
Se. Méd., t. xvi.) mentions three varieties: 1. Brown annulated
Ipecacuanha. 2. Red annulated Ipecacuanha, 3. Grey an-
nulated Ipecacuanha. According to Pelletier’s analysis, every
hundred parts of the cortex contain from fourteen to sixteen
per cent. of emetina.
GEOGRAPHICAL Disrrisvtion.—Brazil; in moist, shady
places, from eight to twenty degrees of south latitude. Abun-
dant in the valleys of the granitic mountains which run (more or
less distant from the sea) through the provinces of Rio Janeiro,
Esperito Santo, and Bahia. It is also met with in Pernambuco,

Humboldt and Bonpland found it on the St. Lucar Mountains

IPECACUANHA. 13

of New Granada. The roots are gathered at all seasons of the
year, but more frequently from January to March.

Parts usep in Mepictnz, AND Mopr oF Preparation.—
The Roots. The dark roots should be chosen; the spongy,
and those which have no rings should be rejected. The medi-
cine is to be prepared either by trituration with sugar of milk,
or else the tincture formed by digestion in twenty parts of
alcohol.

Puysiotocica Errects.-—If the powder or dust of Ipe-
cacuanha be applied to the eyes or face, it acts as an irritant,
and causes redness and swelling of these parts. Inhaled, it
irritates the respiratory passages, and in some persons brings on
difficulty of breathing, similar to an attack of spasmodic asthma
(Scott, Phil. Trans., p. 1776). Mr. Roberts, surgeon, of
Dudley, is affected in this way, and I have received from him
the following account of his case: “ If I remain in a room
where the preparation of Ipecacuanha is going on—for instance,
making the pulv. ipecac. comp.—I am sure to have a regular
attack of asthma. In a few seconds dyspnea comes on in a
violent degree, attended with wheezing and great weight and
anxiety about the precordia. The attack generally remains
about an hour, but I obtain no relief until a copious expec-
toration takes place, which is invariably the case; after the
attack is over I suffer no further inconvenience. I have always
considered that the attack proceeds from the minute particles
of the Ipecacuanha floating in the atmosphere, acting as an
irritant on the mucous membrane lining the trachea and bron-
chial tubes. In some cases, the mere odour of the root seems
sufficient to excite difficulty of breathing, with a feeling of
suffocation” (Pereira, op. cit.)

Dr. Prieger (Rust, Mag., b. xxxii. h. 1, 3, 182) mentions a
case of poisoning produced by the incautious inhalation of
Ipecacuanha. A druggist’s assistant, who was suffering from
catarrh, inhaled, whilst powdering the root, the dust for three
hours. Vomiting came on, which was followed by a sense of

14 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

constriction of the chest; an hour after this, he complained of a
sense of suffocation and feeling of tightness in the throat ; there
was great pallor of the countenance, with anxiety. He was
bled, and had Assafctida and Belladonna given him, which
seemed to aggravate rather than relieve; for in five hours a
fresh attack came on, with very severe symptoms of suffocation.
Rhatany and Uva-ursi relieved him, and he was able to leave
the house in two days.

Mr. Vardy, of Stamford Street, has kindly communicated to
the author two instances of the peculiar effects of Ipecacuanha
in minute quantities: one, that of a late general practitioner in
the Borough, who was unable even to allow any preparation of
Ipecacuanha to be made up in his shop, from the distressing
asthmatic symptoms it produced; the other, that of a lady,
whose susceptibility to this drug was so great that she could
detect, by the alteration in her breathing, the smallest quantity
of Ipecacuanha in a room.

Pereira (op. cit.) says, “ the most remarkable of the effects
of Ipecacuanha seem to be produced by the agency of the eighth
pair of nerves.”

“ How singular it is,” says Dr. M. Hall, “ that Ipecacuanha
taken into the bronchia should excite asthma, and taken into
the stomach, should induce another affection of the respiratory
system—vomiting.” Sundelin (Hand. d. Sp. Heilmittell, ii. 5)
ascribes the red condition of the bronchial membrane and the
congestion of the lungs of animals killed by emetine not to the
specific stimulus exerted by this substance over the pulmonary
mucous membrane, but to an exhausting stimulus over the
eighth pair of nerves, by which a condition similar to suffo-
cative catarrh is brought on; for he has observed the same
appearances in the bodies of persons who have died of this
disease, where there was certainly no inflammatory condition of
the bronchial membrane, but a paralytic condition of its small
blood-vessels (Id.)

Mepicat Usgs (Homaorarutc).— Hahnemann’s. observa-

IPECACUANHA. 1S

tions: “ Although the following table of symptoms is not
complete, it suffices to prove that this powerful plant was not
created solely as an emetic, but that it serves much higher and
more important purposes. It was originally brought into
Europe as a remedy for autumnal dysenteries. A hundred and
thirty years since, Leibnitz recommended it in those affections,
and it was improperly used, according to the fallacious notion
that ‘because it will cure certain cases of diarrhea, it is there-
fore adapted to dysentery, although these diseases are widely
opposite to each other.

““ However, this usage has somewhat declined, experience
having so repeatedly shown that it is wholly unsuited to dysen-
tery. The multitude of unfortunate attempts which have cost
so many lives, might have been avoided by studying the pure
and peculiar effects of Ipecacuanha; what morbid conditions it
has the power of inducing in persons in health, and, by analogy,
what cases it is able to cure. It would then have appeared
that it is only of use in diminishing the excess of blood and
some kinds of abdominal pains, but does not affect the other
symptoms.

* On the other hand, the study of Ipecacuanha shows that,
as it cures the disposition to vomiting analogous to that which
it excites, it has also a specific efficacy, principally in hemor-
rhages, in spasmodic asthma that comes on in paroxysms, in
suffocating spasms, and in some kinds of tetanus, always sup-
posing that the other symptoms of disease coincide with it.
Ipecacuanha is also the proper remedy for certain kinds of
intermittent fevers, provided it has greater homeeopathic affinity
with them than any other medicine. If it is not perfectly
analogous, it usually leaves the fever in a condition in which
Arnica, China, Ignatia, or Cocculus should be given.

«« Effects occasioned by giving Arsenic improperly, or by an
excess of China, also yield to Ipecacuanha. In all cases in
which it is administered homeopathically, it should be in very
small doses. Hitherto I have given one drop of tincture, con-

16 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

taining the millionth part of a grain of the essence of the root,
and its effects have appeared too powerful.

“It is only in cases of poisoning by too large a dose of
opium, that it is necessary to give a large dose of Ipecacuanha;
that is to say, thirty, forty, or sixty drops of the strong tincture,
unless circumstances indicate strong coffee or Camphor in pre-
ference” (Mat. Med. Pur.)

“ Tpecacuanha is used with advantage in affections against
which Nature herself makes some efforts, but is too powerless
to effect the desired object. In these, Tpecacuanha presents to
the nerves of the upper orifice of the stomach, the most sensitive
part of the organ of vitality, a substance that produces a most
uncongenial disgust, nausea, anxiety ; thus acting in a similar
manner to the morbid material that is to be removed. Against
this double attack Nature exerts antagonistically her powers
with still greater energy, and thus, by means of this increased
exertion, the morbid matter is the more easily removed. Thus
fevers are brought to the crisis ; stoppages in the viscera of the
abdomen and of the chest, and in the womb, put in motion ;
miasmata of contagious diseases expelled by the skin ; cramp
relieved by the cramp that Tpecacuanha itself produces ; their
tension and freedom restored to vessels disposed to hemorrhage
from relaxation, or from the irritation of an acrid substance
deposited in them, etc. But most distinctly does it act as a
similarly acting remedy to the disease sought to be cured; in
cases of chronic disposition to vomit without bringing anything
away. Here it should be given in very small doses, in order
to excite frequent nausea; and the tendency to vomit goes off
more and more permanently with cach dose than it would with
any palliative remedy” (Hahnem. Suggestions for ascert. the
Curative Powers of Drugs, trans, by R. E. Dudgeon, M.D.)

x But as the diseased organism is altogether much more sen-
pfize me the dynamic power of all medicines, so also is the
skin of diseased persons, A moderate quantity of the tincture

of Ipecacuanha applied to the bend of the arm effectually

IPECACUANHA. 17

removes the tendency to vomit in very sick individuals (by
means of its primary power to excite vomiting)” (Zd., the
Med. of Experience).

Crinicat Osservations.—Noack and Trinks (op. cit.) : The
special action of Ipecacuanha is upon the abdominal nerves and
the solar plexus. It is especially serviceable where there is a sen-
sible predisposition to a spasmodic condition of the abdominal
and respiratory organs. In persons of thin habit of body, with
light hair, nervous, irritable temperament. In women and
children. In hysterical and hypochondriacal persons. (Rum-
mell states that Ipecacuanha is as useful in Synochus as Aconite
is in Synocha.) Intermittent fevers, with gastric complications.
Relapse of ague after the use of Quinine. Muco-gastric fevers,
etc. Palpitation of the heart, with constant desire to vomit.
Febris lenta. Cholera Asiatica. Cholerine. Chronic dis-
position to vomit. Vomiting of pregnant women. Habitual
and nightly diarrhea. Watery diarrhoea in children. Dy-
sentery, with gastric symptoms. Dysentery in the first stage.
Spasmodic dysuria in hypochondriacal patients. Hematuria,
with violent burning pain in the umbilical region. Uterine
hemorrhage. Hemorrhage after parturition. Dry, spasmodic,
shaking cough, with loss of breath. Dry, irritating cough.
Violent spasmodic cough. Hooping-cough, especially with
stiffness of the limbs and bleeding from the nose. Asthmatic
sufferings, especially when the paroxysms are increased at
night. Spasmodic asthma, ete. etc.

Antiporrs.—To large doses, Tincture of Galls: to small
doses, Arnica. Arsenicum. China. Nux Vomica. Ipeca-

cuanha antidotes Opium.

XXXIX.
LAUROCERASUS.
(PRUNUS LAUROCERASUS.)

Common Cherry-Laurel.

SynonyMs.—Prunus Laurocerasus, Linn. Padus Laurocerasus, Mill. Dict.,
n. 4. Cerasus Laurocerasus, Lindl.; Loisel. Cerasus trapezuntina, Belon.
Lauro cerasus, Ger. Em., 1603; Tourn. Inst., 627, Cerasus folio laurino, Banh.
Thw., 450.

Foreign Names.—Fr.: Laurier-cérise. T¢al.: Lauro regio. Span.: Laurel
real. Port.: Loirocerego. Germ.: Kirsh-lorbeerbaum, Dut.: Laurierkers.
Swed. : Lagenbin-kérsbirs-trid. Dan.: Lorben-kirseboerstroee. Russ.: Lavyro-
vishnevoe-dereyzo,

Nat. Order, Pomacex, Linn. ; Rosacem, Decand.; Amya-
DALE, Lindl—Icosanpria, Monocynta.

Gen. Cuar.—Drupe globose or umbilicate at the base, fleshy, quite
smooth, not covered with a pruinose powder. Nucleus e) some-
what globose, smooth. Young leaves conduplicate. Pedicles one-
flowered or ramose (D. C.)

Spec. Cuar.—Racemes shorter than the leaves. Leaves ovate-lanceolate,
remotely serrate, with two to four glands beneath. Fruit ovate, acute
(D. C.)

suinerecreenerormemetateacanssmisaee ne

Fig. 1. The fruit. 2. A section of a drupe.

Ta x v Y T
AAALL

Sus.

auro - GeTa

:
‘e

4
al

La
AO,
5

AW. del _H Sowerby, lith,

LAUROCERASUS. 19

Hisrory.—This plant was first introduced into this country in
1576, from Trebisonde, and from its vulgar names (Common
Bay Laurel, Cherry Laurel) has been sometimes mistaken for
the Bay tree (Laurus nobilis). Pereira (op. cit.) states, on the
authority of Sprengel, that this plant is the Cerasus trapezuntina
of Belonius. It has been but little employed in medicine.
Browne Langrish made the first experiments with water dis-
tilled from the leaves, and found that in small doses it acts as
a dissolvent in animals. Baylis first administered it to man
in doses of from thirty to sixty drops in inflammatory diseases
and obstruction of the lower bowel. Gerard Thilenus pre-
scribed it with advantage in herpetic ulcers, to thin, as he says,
the black blood.

It has also been used by others as a sedative narcotic in tic
douloureux, phthisis pulmonalis, spasmodic cough, palpitation of
the heart, intermittent fevers, cardialgia, strangury, amenorrhea,
hemoptysis, pleurisy, angina pectoris, etc. As an external
application in chronic inflammation of the eyes, incipient
cataract, chronic inflammation of the mamme, and in painful
tumefaction of the uterus, nervous toothache, etc.

It is a vulgar remedy among the Dutch for inflammation and
other affections of the lungs.

Description.—This evergreen perennial shrub grows from
fifteen to twenty feet in height; has become completely natu-
ralized in this country, generally resisting the winters, but a very
severe frost will destroy it. Mérat states that a cold of 14°
Fahrenheit will injure it, and the severe frost of 1837-8 destroyed
vast numbers in this country. It is a very general inhabitant
of our pleasure-grounds. Its flowers are white, slightly tinged
with yellow; long and clustering. Its berries are deep purplish
- black, larger than the common cherry, and have a sweetish not
unpleasant taste. The leaves are of a beautiful glossy shining
green; elliptic, oblong; four to eight inches in length;
slightly serrated on the edge; stiff and leathery, and provided
with a gland on each side of the midrib, half an inch above the

D

20 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

insertion of the leaf-stalk. They have no fragrance until
bruised, and they then emit a strongish odour, like ratifia,
which is strongest in the young undeveloped leaves during the
months of May and June. The leaves have been confounded
sometimes with the Portugal Laurel (Prunus Lusitanica).
These may be easily distinguished by their darker green tint,
the want of the serrated edge, and the absence of glands. ‘The
leaves of the Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis) are not half the size
of those of the Cherry Laurel, and are well known from their
peculiar odour.

GrocraPHicaAL Distrisution.—Asia Minor and Persia.
Introduced into this country by Clusius, and now become
naturalized. Common in gardens everywhere.

PaRTs USED IN MeEpIcINE, AND Mone or PrREPARATION.—
The Leaves, which are gathered in April and May. ‘They are
to be reduced to a fine paste in an iron mortar, mixed with
equal parts of alcohol; express the juice, and then mix again
with equal parts of alcohol. The mother tincture thus pre-
pared serves to make the attenuations. Christison (Disp., 592)
states that the hydrocyanated oil does not exist in the leaves
ready formed, but seems to be produced by some mutual
reaction of principles brought in contact with one another, when
the cells of the plant are crushed and broken up.

PuysiotocicaL Errrcrs.—On Vegetables. The distilled
water of the Cherry Laurel has a poisonous effect on almost all
vegetables. Gdppert states that its poisonous effect is owing to
some quality peculiar to it, and not to the hydrocyanic acid
it contains, as its activity is greater than that of water con-
taining the same quantity of the acid (Decandolle, Végéet. Phys.,
1358-9).

On Animals.— When applied to wounds in animals it
induced vomiting, convulsions, great prostration of strength,
diminished sensibility, and death. Injected into the stomach
and rectum, it excited a similar train of symptoms, except that,
in the latter, the convulsions were more violent, and tetanus of

LAUROCERASUS. 4k

the extremities was present. Its action was most rapid and
intense when injected into the jugular vein.

On Man.—Several cases are recorded of its effects on the
human subject. One of the earliest happened in Dublin in
1728. Martha Boyce, servant to a person who sold large
quantities of the water, gave to her mother a bottle of it, and
by the latter it was given to Frances Eaton, her sister. Mrs,
Eaton was a shopkeeper, and thinking it a compliment to her
customers, offered them some, among others, one Mary Whaley
drank of it, went to another shop, and in about a quarter of an
hour complained of violent disorder in her stomach; she was
carried home, and from that time lost her speech and died in
about an hour, without vomiting or purging or any convulsions.
Mrs. Ann Boyce was informed of this, and came immediately
to her sister; she affirmed it could not be the cordial that
caused death, and to convince her of it, she filled out three
spoonfuls and drank it, and shortly after two more; in a few
minutes she died, without a groan or convulsions (Madden, in
Phil. Trans., vol. xxxvii.)

Fodéré says that, when he was attending his studies at Turin,
in 1784, the chambermaid and man-servant of a noble family of
that town stole (from their master), for the purpose of regaling
themselves, a bottle of distilled laurel-water, which they took
for an excellent cordial. Fearful of being surprised, they
hastily swallowed, one after the other, several mouthfuls of it,
but they soon paid the price of their dishonesty, for they ex-
pired almost instantly in convulsions. The dead bodies were
carried to the University for examination; the stomach was
found highly inflamed, but the rest of the organs were in a
sound state (Orfila, op. cit.)

The leaves have proved fatal to children, from being too
freely used for seasoning puddings and sweatmeats.

Dr. Paris (Med. Juris., ii. 402) mentions an instance of
several children, at an English boarding-school, having been
dangerously affected by a custard flavoured with the leaves.

D2

22 FLORA HOMGUPATHICA.

An instance has occurred to the author, where a patient was
severely affected after taking soup flavoured with these leaves,
great prostration and violent tetanic spasms being the chief
symptoms,

The well-known and remarkable murder of Sir Theodosius
Boughton, by Captain Donellan, is an example of the effect of
the distilled laurel-water producing convulsions ; and notwith-
standing the evidence of Hunter, all writers on medical juris-
prudence are now of opinion that the verdict was a just one.

Mepicat Uses (Homa@orartutic).—This remedy exerts its
chief action on the brain, spinal marrow, great nervous trunks,
and ganglionic system; therefore on the nerves of circulation
and respiration. It produces in the head cramp; torpor, para-
lytic exhaustion, or annihilation of nervous power, particularly
in the nerves of sensation and motion, and in the ganglionic
system. Laurocerasus has been employed with success in many
of the following conditions. Clonic and tonic cramp. Fainting.
Tetanus. Opisthotonos. Trismus. Epilepsy. Apoplexia
nervosa. Sopor. Typhus cerebralis et abdominalis, with in-
cipient paralysis of the brain. Melancholia. Hypochondria.
Hysteria. Acute and chronic inflammation of the liver.
Tearing, drawing, shooting pain in the hard and soft parts of
the face. Spasmodic contractions of the muscles of the face.
As a palliative in cancer of the uterus (Rau). Catarrhal
hoarseness and rawness of the voice. Catarrhal and nervous
aphonia. Angina pectoris. Cyanosis from hereditary or or-
ganic defect in the heart, ete. etc. (Noack and Trinks, op. cit.)

Antivorrs.—To large doses, Ammonia. Strong Coffee.
According to Mench and Orfila, Mucilaginous substances.
Oil of Turpentine. Bergongi gives as an antidote a solution
of Tartar emetic, as Laurocerasus neutralizes the excessive
action of that drug. Chlorine, internally and externally. Cold

affusions. To small doses, Camphor. Coffea. Tpecacuanha,
and Opium.

WW, oo WH sh WER [n
“A ae We

eae iy 2

pant Aieaee
LY as (

a= Sowerky, kth

a

aA

i Ci)

oe
Ledum palus tre.

TD) *, a ats &
fr LaULe AL

F. Reeve, mm

B.S Fr
LEDUM PALUSTRE.
Marsh Ledum, Marsh Tea.

Synonrms.—Ledum palustre, Zinn. Rorismarinum sylvestre, Camer. Epit.,
546. Led. Silesiacum, Clus. Pann., 69. Cistus Ledon foliis rorismarini ferrugi-
neis, Bauh. Tv., p. 467. Cistus Ledum Silesiacum, Johns. Gerarde, p. 1288,
f. n.

Forrien Names.—Fy.: Ledon des Marais, Romarin sauvage. Germ. : Sumpf-
horst, Porsch, Wilder Rosmarin. Dut.: Wylde Rosmaryn. Jtal.: Ledo. Span:
do. Russ.: Bagulnik. Pol.: Rozmarin. Dan.: Vild Rosmarin.

Nat. Order, Bicornes, Linn. Ericem, Brown, Prod.; Lindl.
Syn. Ericx, Juss., Gen. Plant.—Ducanpria, Monocynta.

Gen. Cuar.—Calyz inferior, very small, of one sepal, in five egg-shaped
spreading segments, permanent. Corolla of five spreading, egg-shaped,
concave, rounded petals. Filaments from five to ten, thread-shaped,
spreading the length of the corolla. Anthers oblong, roundish at the
base, opening by two terminal pores. Germen egg-shaped. Style
thread-shaped, as long as the stamens. Stigma blunt. Capsule roundish
or somewhat egg-shaped, of five cells and five valves, the dissepi-
ments formed by the inflexed margins of the valves, opening from the
base and between the dissepiments. Seeds numerous, flat, strap-shaped,
roughish,

The minute, five-toothed calyx, the five-petalled corolla, the anthers
opening by two terminal pores, the five-celled, five-valved, many-seeded
capsule, opening at the base, and the flat, strap-shaped seeds, covered
with a pellucid membrane or arillus, will distinguish from other genera
in the same class and order (Baxter).

Spec. Cuar.—Leaves strap-shaped, revolute at the margin, downy be-
neath. Stamens ten.

Hisrory.—Linneus states that Ledum palustre has been used

Fig. 1. The stamens, style, and stigma. 2. Capsule. 3. A magnified yiew of
an anther, front and back. 4. Germen and stigma.

24 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

by the inhabitants of the northern parts of Europe, more par-
ticularly of Sweden, as a popular remedy against hooping-
cough, bilious attacks, ete. LL. Odhelius also recommended its
employment in lepra, pemphigus, and other skin affections ;
and by others in dysentery and diarrhea. Hahnemann (in
Hufeland’s Journal, bd. ii. p. 207) recommended its use in a
peculiar form of epidemic grippe, putting on the form of ague,
and accompanied with rheumatic pains. The Swedes wash their
oxen and swine with a decoction of it to kill lice ; and in Lapland
the branches are placed among the grain, from the reputed power
of the plant to keep off mice. It was formerly used in Swit-
zerland to supply the place of hops in the manufacture of beer;
but it is apt to cause a most pernicious kind of intoxication and
obstinate headache. The leaves are used by the Canadians in
their hunting excursions as a substitute for tea; and by the
Norwegians it is called Finne thé, or tea of the Laplanders.

Description.—Ledum palustre is a shrub, flowering from
April to July. Stems shrubby, erect, slender, much branched,
from one to three feet high, the young branches covered with a
close, rusty-coloured down. Leaves, principally in the younger
branches, scattered, horizontal, or reflexed, on short petioles,
strap-shaped, quite entire, with revolute margins, channelled,
smooth, of a dark green on the upper surface, paler on the
under, the midrib clothed with close, rust-coloured down; the
younger leaves upright, very downy. Flowers numerous, in
dense, simple, terminal, bracteated corymbs. The whole plant,
especially when bruised, has a strong aromatic, oppressive
scent, somewhat like hops.

GrocrapuicaL Derscription.—North of Europe: very plen-
tiful in Lapland, Silesia, Bohemia, Denmark, Norway, and
Sweden. North America: in the mountain lakes round New
York; Canada; and amongst the Vosges mountains in France.
Treland (?).

Locatirres.—In marshy places and spongy bogs. In Ireland,
detected by Sir Charles Gieseche on the north-west coast of

LEDUM PALUSTRE, 25

Ireland, where it seems to be a denizen , along with Papaver nudi-
caule. The fact of the plant growing among the wild islands
of that coast cannot be doubted. In the more northern regions,
too, of Europe and America these two plants are almost always
found together (Sir W. J. Hooker, in Fl. Lond.) Notwith-
standing these remarks of Hooker’s, the plant has been admitted
into the British Flora, on the solitary specimen found by Pro-
fessor Gieseche in a fresh state, and taken from the hat of a
fisherman in the neighbourhood of Archilhead.

Parts useD 1In Mepicrinz, AND MopgE or PREPARATION.—
The whole Plant, dried, and reduced to powder, and then mixed
with twenty parts (by weight) of alcohol; let it remain for eight
days, decant the clear liquor, and dilute to the fifteenth (v)
attenuation.

PuysiotogicaL Errsecrs.—On Man. Ledum palustre, as
observed by some, produces violent headache and symptoms of
intoxication. Hahnemann remarks,* “the Marsh tea (Ledum
palustre) causes, as I have ascertained, among other effects,
difficult, painful respiration; this accounts for its efficacy in
hooping-cough, probably also in morbid asthma. Will it not
be useful in pleurisy, as its power of so greatly diminishing
the temperature of the blood (in its secondary action) will
hasten the recovery? It causes a painful, shooting sensation in
all parts of the throat, as I have observed, and hence its un-
common virtues in malignant and inflammatory sore throat.
Equally specific is (as I have noticed) its power of causing
troublesome itching in the skin, and hence its great efficacy
in chronic skin diseases. The anxiety and the faintings it
occasions may prove of use in similar cases. As a transitory
and antagonistically acting powerful diuretic and diaphoretic
remedy, it may cure dropsies more certainly, however, acute
than chronic.

‘On some of these properties depends its reputation in dysen-

* Suggestions for Ascertaining the Curative Powers of Drugs. Translated by
R. E, Dudgeon, M.D.

26 ¥LORA HOMCOPATHICA.

tery. But were they real cases of dysentery, or some of those
painful diarrheeas so often taken for it? In the latter case it
may, as a palliative remedy, certainly hasten the cure, and even
help to complete it; but in true, uncomplicated dysentery, I
have never seen it of any use. The long-continued weakness
it occasions was against its being used for a length of time, and
it ameliorated neither the -tenesmus nor the character of the
excretions, though these became more rare. The symptoms of
deranged biliary secretions were rather worse during its use
than when patients were left without medicine. It causes a
peculiar ill humour, headache, and mental confusion ; the lower
extremities totter, and the pupils dilate.”

Mepicat Uses (Hommoratnic).—Hahnemann states that
this medicine seems particularly adapted to chronic diseases,
principally characterised by chilliness and the absence of
animal heat.

CurnicaL Onservations.—Noack and Trincks (op. cit.) state
that this drug has a powerful action upon the brain, respiratory
organs, lymphatic vessels, secretion of urine, the skin, the serous
and fibrous tissues, muscles and bones, etc. Diseases with great
deficiency of animal heat, and predominant coldness. Acute
and chronic rheumatic and gouty affections of the joints and
ligaments, accompanied by stinging, aching, and tearing pains, °
worse at night, and aggravated by movement and warmth, with
hot swelling and numbness of the limbs, with arthritic swellings
and nodosities (Trinks). Gout. Arthritis nodosa. Acute and
chronic rheumatism of the joints. Nightly rheumatic pains
in the knees, (idema of the feet. Itching of the whole body.
Dry itching. Herpes in the face and bend of the knees. Spots
on the forehead and face, as seen in drunkards. Boils on
the forehead. Tic douloureux. Diabetes (Hartmann). Hooping-
cough in the second stage. Hzmoptysis(?). Phthisis pituitosa
(Raw). Palpitation of the heart, connected with rheumatic
affections. Hot inflammatory swelling of the thighs, with
stinging, tensive pains, etc. etc,

LEDUM PALUSTRE. 97

Antipotrs.—When this medicine has been improperly
selected, or been given in too powerful doses, its action is
destroyed by frequently inhaling camphorated spirits, or by
repeatedly taking a single drop of it; but Quinine, given on
account of the weakness that often ensues, is very injurious
(Hahnemann, op. cit.)

XII.
LYCOPODIUM* CLAVATUM.
Club Moss, Wolf’s Claw.
Synonyms.—Muscus terrestris soe Trag.; Bauhin, p.766. Muscus clavatus,
Lobel., Icon. Stirp., t. 281. Muscus squamosus yulgaris. Muscus ursinus vel

Pes ursinus, Gesn. oe Dod. Pes leoninus, Lob. Lycopodium cla-
vatum, Linn., etc. Plicari

Forrien Names.—Fr.: Pied de Loup, Lycopode. Germ.: Gemeines Biir-
lapp, oder Kalben-moos, Johannisgiirtel, Mérsame, Hesen-mehl, Wurm-mehl, Blitz-
pulver, Moospulver. San.: Wolfklann. Jtal.: Licopodio. Span.: Licopodio.

an.: Ulvefoed.

Nat. Order, Musct, Juss.; Lycoropiacem, De Cand.
Syst. Sex., CRYPTOGAMIA, FILicEs,

Gen. Cuan.—Capsules one-celled, some two-valved, including a fine
powdery substance; others three-valved, containing a few large grains
or seeds (Hooker and Arnott).

Spec. Cuar.—Spikes in pairs, cylindrical, eroso-dentate. Stem creeping.
Branches ascending. Leaves scattered, incurved, and _hair-pointed

(BE. B.

Hisrory.—Lycopodium was used medicinally for disorders of
the stomach by the Arabian physicians, mixed with other in-
gredients. ‘Tragus also states that it was of the greatest service
in dispersing calculi. In Poland it is used asa remedy for plica
polonica. It is collected in considerable quantities in Germany,
under the name of Lycopode, or vegetable sulphur, to produce

Fig. 1. Scale of a spike, with a capsule magnified. 2. A capsule.
tion of a leaf.

3. Termina-

* The name is derived from Avkos, a wolf, and nous, a foot

Plate XLI

H. Sowerby; del ct. lith, F. Reeve, imp.

Lye opodium clavatum.

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM. 29

false lightning in theatres, and in the manufacture of fireworks,
the dust being highly inflammable. A species of this plant
(Lycopodium selago) was employed by the Druids as a powerful
cathartic. Such is its rejection of moisture, that if scattered
over the surface of water in a basin, any substance may be
picked from the bottom without wetting the hand.

Medicinally it has been employed in allopathic treatment as
an external application to erysipelatous parts, and to children
to prevent chafing. Bergius, Wislicenus, and others, have
recommended its employment in calculous affections, retentio
urine, gout, etc.

Description.—Roots of several strong, scattered fibres.
Stems procumbent, trailing, branching, leafy, several feet in
length. Leaves crowded, curved upwards, linear-lanceolate,
flat, ribless, smooth, deep green, partly serrated, tipped with a
capillary point; those of the branches erect, the upper ones
loosely dispersed. Spikes terminal, usually in pairs, rarely one
or three, densely beset with shortened, dilated, ovate, entire,
long pointed Jeaves or scales, in whose bosoms the small sul-
phur-coloured capsules (thece) are situated (Smzth).

GrograpuicaL Disrripution.—Over the whole of Europe,
especially in Russia and Finland. North America.

Locatit1es.—On dry heaths and pastures; in woods. It is
found on Hampstead Heath.

Parrs usep 1x Mzprcrns, anD Move or Preparation.—
“The Pollen or Powder, which is sold in the shops under the
name of Sporule Lycopodii, Semina Lycopodii, Wichmeal, or
Vegetable Sulphur. It consists of granules, usually regarded
as sporules, but by some considered to be grains of pollen.
They are gathered towards the end of the summer, and are
separated by sifting. Lycopodium is a very fine, odourless,
tasteless, and very mobile powder, of a pale yellow colour. It
but exhibits a repulsive force for water.

adheres to the fingers,
with spirits of wine

If shaken with water a portion of it sinks ;

it is readily miscible. It is tinged brown by iodine; when

30 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

thrown into the flame of a candle it burns with great rapidity ;
when moistened by alcohol or, still better, by oil of vitriol, and
examined by the microscope, the granules are found to have
the shape of tetrahedrons, with a convex base, the external
membrane forming reticular elevations, giving a cellular ap-
pearance to the granules. ‘The sporules, as analysed by Buch-
holz and by Cadet, give Fat oi, 6:0; Sugar, 3:0; Mucilaginous
extract, 1:5; and Pollenin, 89°5. The substance called Pollenin
is, however, a complex, organized body, and cannot be regarded
as a proximate principle. By the action of caustic potash on
Lycopodium, acetic acid can be obtained. As met with in the
shops, Lycopodium seems to be free from adulteration.

“The sporules of other species of Lycopodium are said some-
times to be substituted for those of L. clavatum, the micro-
scope alone can detect the difference. The pollen of some
plants, as of Typha latifolia, and of some coniferous plants, is
said to be sometimes substituted for Lycopodium sporules, the
microscope readily distinguishes the substitution; the shape,
size, and character of the surface, and the cohesion or isolation
of the grains must be attended to in distinguishing them.
The pollen of coniferous plants is also sometimes recognisable
by its terebinthinate odour when rubbed in the hand; that of
Typha latifolia is not so inflammable as genuine Lycopodium
meal. Starch, talc, gypsum, chalk, boxwood powder, etc. etc.,
have been reported as adulterating substances. By throwing
the suspected Lycopodium on water, the mineral substances
present would readily fall to the bottom, and might be detected
by their appropriate tests. Iodine and the microscope will
detect starch. Boxwood powder has been separated by a fine
sieve, which lets the genuine sporules through, but retains the
woody particles” (Pereira, Mat. Med., vol. ii. pt. 1, 3rd edit.,
p- 965).

The three first attenuations are made by trituration.

PuystoLoeicat Errercrs.—It is generally considered inert
in its action, until it has been acted upon by trituration ; but

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM. 31

Pereira and others state that the pollen exerts an irritating
effect on the mucous lining of the alimentary canal, and pro-
duces purging, etc.

Mepicat Usrs (Homamopatuic).—Hahnemann states that
the wonderful medicinal properties of this drug can only be
disclosed by trituration and succussion.

CuinicaAL OssErvations.—From the latest experience it
appears that this remedy is especially adapted to indivi-
duals (more especially women) with soft, mild, and melan-
choly dispositions, to lymphatic and leuco-phlegmatic consti-
tutions, and when they are, moreover, subject to mucous
discharges, coryza, catarrh, etc.; and, amongst others, chiefly in
affections with aggravations of the symptoms in the afternoon
and in a room, with amelioration in the open air. Great
sensitiveness to open and cold air. Typical periodical diseases.
Diseases with paroxysms of pain, causing great uneasiness,
restlessness, and moaning. Diseases with deficiency of vital
heat. Diseases with symptoms of obstruction of the portal
system. Diseases with inclination to dropsy and affections of
the urinary organs (Segin). Scrofula ossea (Leon Simon).
Syphilis secundaria (Hartmann, Gfoullon). Periostitis and
ostitis, with nightly pains, brought on by mercury. Rheumatic
fever (Schelling). Drawing and tearing pains in the limbs
in stormy weather. Great liability to cold. Cramps in the
muscles. Cramps in the fingers and calves of the legs.
Violent burning itching over the whole skin and in different
parts, especially in the evening and in bed. Chronic impetigo.
Impetigo figurata (Rummel, Schroen). Humid suppurating
herpes, full of rhagades, and covered with thick crusts (Hart-
mann). Chlorosis. Nervous fevers, characterised by il
humour on awaking, etc. Debilitating night-sweats. Absence
of mind. Nervous chronic headache (Miller). Rheumatic
headache. Falling off of the hair after illness. Tinea capitis °
favosa (Knorre). Eruptions on the head, with violent sup-
puration and coherent thick crusts, forming one mass with

$3 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

the hair, violently itching, with swelling of the glands of the
nape of the neck. Humid tinea behind the ears, and pustules
in the nape of the neck. Plica polonica. Catarrhal rheumatic
inflammation of the eyes. Spasmodic twitching of the eyelids.
Cloudiness of the crystalline lens, with amenorrhea (Diez).
Otorrheea purulenta, with deafness and ichorous eruptions on
the head (Althen). Caries of the ossicula aureum and
of the internal ear after scarlatina. Chronic singing in
both ears, with diminution of hearing (Diez). Catarrhs of all
kinds. Catarrhal inflammation of the Schneiderian membrane.
Chronic blennorrhea of the same. Itching, ichorous eruptions of
the face, covered with elevated spots (Zrinks). Crusta lactea
(Knorre, Schroen). Sycosis menti (Schroen). Chronic inflam-
mation and induration of the amygdale. Chronic gastritis.
Chronic vomiting. Heartburn. Want of appetite. Canine
hunger. Ascites. Chronic constipation. Diseases of the
urinary organs. Pollutiones debilitantes. Soreness and ex-
coriation of the mamme. Intertrigo neonatorum. Constipation
of new-born infants. Pneumonia (Hartlaub, Schleicher).
Chronic, dry cough. Palpitation of the heart. Struma. Rheu-
matic pains in both upper and lower extremities. Cidema of
the feet. Ice coldness of the feet, etc. etc. (Noack and Trinks,
op. cit.)

Antipotes.—Camphor and Coffea. Camphor generally
moderates the violent effects of Lycopodium. Pulsatilla sub-
dues the violent feverish feelings caused by Lycopodium.
Causticum modifies the ill humour, readiness to find fault,
diffidence, tendency to reproach, ete. A cup of coffee prevents,
and completely neutralises the action of Lycopodium.

Daphne Mezéreon.

AW. del. AM Traice, hih: Thot Harrild. inp

XLII.
MEZEREUM.
(DAPHNE MEZEREUM.)

Common Mezereon, or Spurge Olive.

Syyonyms.—Chamelea SEE sive Mezereon, Ger. Hm., 1402, Daphnoides,
Math. Vulg., vol. ii. p. 557 ; hs. Hist., 227; Camer. Epit., 937. Thymelea,
Hall Hist., 227. Daphne cama Lin. Sp. Pl., 509; mass vol. ii. p. 415;
Fl. Brit., 420; Fl, Dan., t. 268, etc. etc.

Foreign Names.—Fyr.: Lauréole Gentile, Bois de Gentil. Jfal.: Laureola
femina, Mezereo, Daphnoide, Biondella. Span.: Laureola hembra. Port.:
Mezereo major. Germ.: Seidelbast, Kellerhals. Dut.: Peperboomge. Swed. :
Tibast. Dan.: Kielderhals. Russ.: Boltschnik, Woltschge luko.

Nat. Order, THYMELE®, Juss., De Cand.; VerrecuLE, Linn.—
OcTANDRIA, MonoGynIa.

Gen. Cuar.—Calyz inferior, monosepalous, resembling a corolla, tubular,
withering, tube cylindrical, longer than the limb, closed, containing the
stamens; limb in four deep, egg-shaped, spreading, coloured segments.
Corolla none. Filaments eight, short, in two rows from about the
middle of the tube. -Anthers roundish, two-celled, upright, contained
within the tube. Germen superior, egg-shaped. Style very short, ter-
minal. Stigma capitate, depressed, entire. Berry oval, of one cell.
Seed solitary, pendulous, oval, large, with a thin, brittle skin, distin-
guished from other genera with apetalous flowers, in the same class
and order, by - coloured, inferior, four-cleft calye and single-seeded

berry ( Baxter

Spec. Car. soe see lateral, sessile, about three together, appearing
before the spear-shaped, deciduous leaves ( Id.)

Fig. 1. Calyx, stamens, and pistils. 2. Germen, style, and stigma. 3. Vertical
section of the berry. The figure is drawn from nature, the dissections taken from

Baxter.

54 FLORA HOMCEOPATHICA,

History.—Some doubts exist as to whether the Mezereum
was known or used as a remedy by the ancients. Pereira
(op. cit.) states that Tragus is the earliest author who men-
tions this plant. Adams (App. to Dunbar’s Lexicon) has
the following: ‘“ Dodoneus states correctly, that Serapion
and Avicenna confounded both the Chamalea and Cha-
meleon together, under the name of Mezereon; and it must
be admitted that the learned commentators on the Arabian
medical authors have not been able entirely to remove this
perplexity. According to Sibthorpe (Prod. Flor. Grec.), the
Daphne oleoides is the species which has the best claim to be
identified with the ancient Chamelea. Matthiolus and the
writer of the article on Botany in the Encyclopédie Métho-
dique refer it to the Cneorum tricoccon.

“ Notwithstanding the difference of opinion which has pre-
vailed among the commentators regarding this plant, we see no
good grounds for doubting that it was the Daphne Mezereon,
which we believe to have been naturalized in this country by
the Romans for its medicinal uses. Dioscorides says of its
leaves, that they are like those of the olive, but more slender
and thick, biting to the taste, and scarifying the trachea. Its
leaves, he adds, purges phlegm and bile downwards, especially
if taken in a pill with double the quantity of southern-wood,
mixed with one part of the Chamelea; let it be taken in water
or honey as a pill; but it is insoluble, for it is evacuated as it
is taken. ‘The powdered leaves mixed up with honey cleanse
foul ulcers and such as are covered with eschars (iv. 169),
We do not meet with it in the works of Hippocrates nor of
Celsus. Galen and the other Greek authorities treat of it in
very general terms, like our author. Beyond all doubt is this
the Mezereon of Serapion, who commences his chapter on it by
giving extracts from the descriptions of the Chamelea given by
Dioscorides, Galen, and our author. He then gives a very
lengthy account of it from the Arabian authorities, first from
Alcanzi, and next from Aben Mesuai, which we regret that

MEZEREUM., 35

our necessary limits prevent us from giving a proper abstract
of. He says that persons of gross constitution, and more espe-
cially old men, bear this medicine best, and he recommends us
to administer it with myrobolans, or tamarinds, or prunes. He
further directs it to be given in water that has been boiled.
Altogether there is not a more important chapter in Serapion
than the one on Mezereon (c. 373). Mesne also gives a very
interesting account of the Mezereon, which he illustrates with
extracts from Dioscorides and Galen on the Chamelea. Rhases
describes the two Chameleons and the Chamelea together,
under the head of Laureola. He quotes ‘the Book of Poisons”
as stating, that in the dose of two drachms it proves fatal.
Avicenna, in like manner, describes the two Chameleons and
the Chamelea under the head of Mezereon, but evidently
recognised the distinction between the last and the first two.
He recommends it particularly in dropsy. The above sketch,
it will be remarked, clearly proves the identity of the
Xaucraix of the Greeks, and the Mezereon of the Arabians.
We admit, however, that it does not prove their identity with
the Daphne Mezereon. To us it appears, however, that the
physiological effects of the Mezereon, as described by our best
authorities of the present day, correspond very well with the
effects of the Chamelea or Mezereon, as described by Dios-
corides and Serapion (Commentary in Paulus Aigineta, trans-
lated by Francis Adams for the Sydenham Society, b. vii. p. 410.)

Gerarde says: “Also if a drunkard do eate one graine or:
berrie of this plant, he cannot be allured to drinke any drinke
at that time; such will be the heat of his mouth and choking
in the throate.”

As a medicine under the old school it is seldom employed.
It has been recommended by Dr. Donald Monro, Drs. Russell,
Fothergill, and others, as very efficacious in curing venereal
nodes, scirrhous tumours, obstinate ulcers, and severe affections
of the skin. Cullen used it in some cutaneous affections with
success. It has also been employed in chronic rheumatism and

E

36 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

gout. Tragus employed it for the cure of unclean ulcers.
Paracelsus for dropsy.

Dr. Withering (A Botanical Arrangement of British Plants,
vol. i.) gives the following case of cure by this plant. He says:
‘** The considerable and long-continued heat and irritation that
it produces in the throat when chewed, made me first think
of giving it in a case of difficulty of swallowing, seemingly
occasioned by a paralytic affection. The patient was directed
to chew a thin slice of the root as often as she could bear
to do it, and in about two months she recovered her power
of swallowing. This woman bore the disagreeable irritation
and the ulcerations its acrimony occasioned in her mouth with
great resolution; but she was reduced to skin and bone, and
for three years before had suffered extremely from hunger,
without being able to satisfy her appetite, for she swallowed
liquids very imperfectly, and solids not at all. The complaint
came on after lying-in.

In France the bark is used to produce vesication, and to
keep up the formation of pus from issues. It has also been
used by others in scrofulous affections, toothache, and some
affections of the eyes, chronic ophthalmia, etc.

Description.—Daphne Mezereum is a shrub. Flowers in
February and March. The stem is bushy, four or five feet
high, with upright, alternate, smooth, tough, and pliant
branches, which are leafy while young. Leaves scattered,
stalked, spear-shaped, smooth, about two inches long, appearing
after the flowers, and soon accompanied by flower-buds for the
next season. The flowers come out very early in the spring,
before the leaves appear, and are situated on the shoots of the
former year, in little tufts, which are often so thickly placed as
to entirely conceal the branches. Bracteas several, egg-
shaped, smooth, brown. Corolla, none. Calyx or perianthium
like a corolla in texture, of a beautiful crimson colour; the
tube hairy on the outside. Berries, when ripe, scarlet. The
Mezereon is one of our most early flowering shrubs, and one

MEZEREUM. 87

of the greatest ornaments to our gardens in the months of
February and March, when it is, as Cowper says—

* Though leafless, well attired and thick beset

With blushing wreaths, investing every spray.”
The flowers are very sweet-scented, and where there are many
together they will perfume the air to a considerable distance.
It is observed by Mr. Phillipps, that “ Nature, whose works
never cease to excite our admiration, astonishes us by the
wonders contained in the buds of this plant, where not only
the flowers but the parts of fructification may be distinctly
seen the year before they unfold themselves. This is corrobo-
rated by Mr. Baxter, from whose work on British Phnoga-
mous Botany this description is taken.

GEroGRAPHICAL Dustrrisution.—Great Britain; Central
and Northern Europe; northern parts of Asia; North
America.

Locatitres.—In woods. In this country rare. Ozford-
shire: in Wychwood Forest. Berks: Appleton Common.
Derbyshire: Matlock, Cheetor. Dorsetshire: parts of Cran-
borne Chase. Durham: Tunstall Hills, south of Sunderland.
Gloucestershire: Painswick. Hants: Selborne Hanger;
Woods near Andover. Kent: in some places. Somersetshire :
sn Brass-knocker Wood, near Bath. Staffordshire: in Need-
wood Forest. Wilts: about Great Bedwyn. Worcestershire :
about Earlham and Stanford. Yorkshire: Oldfield Wood,
near Ripon ; on an island in the Swale. It is collected for
medicinal purposes in Kent and Hampshire.

Parts usep In MepictnE, AND MopE oF PREPARATION.—
The Bark, taken from the plant before the appearance of the
leaves and flowers. The bark is tough, pliable, and fibrous ;
externally, brown and corrugated ; internally, white and cottony.
Its taste is at first sweetish, afterwards highly acrid; it has no
odour. In Germany, the bark of the stem and larger branches
is removed in spring, folded in small bundles, and dried for
medicinal purposes. In its preparation for homeopathic pur-

38 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

poses, the juice is expressed from the bark which has been
recently collected, and mixed with equal parts of alcohol, and
then attenuated to the fifteenth (v) dilution.

Puystotocican Errecrs.—On Animals. It is highly poison-
ous to dogs, wolves, and foxes. It is eaten by sheep and
goats.

On Man.—All parts of the plant are very acrid, and act as
an irritant and cathartic. In large doses it is a dangerous,
irritant poison, causing redness and yesication of the skin, when
left some time in contact with it, and exciting, when swallowed,
dryness and burning in the throat, vomiting, hypercatharsis
and occasionally symptoms of irritation of the kidneys.

Linneeus (Flora Suecia, No. 338) reports that a young lady,
labouring under intermittent fever, died from hemoptysis in
consequence of having taken twelve berries of the Daphne
Mezereon, which had been given with the intention of purging
her; and Vicat (Histoire des Plantes Vénéneuses de la Suisse,
p. 140) states that an hydropic patient having taken the wood
of Mezereon, was suddenly attacked with diarrheea, which was
continual, and accompanied with insupportable pains. He had
besides, for six weeks, vomitings, which returned every day
with extreme violence, although during the whole time proper
remedies were employed to quiet them.

2

M. Blatin also narrates a case of a person who took a decoc-
tion of the root of Mezereon instead of marsh mallow. It
occasioned violent pains in the stomach and intestines, accom-
panied by stinging, burning sensations in the skin, restlessness,
loss of appetite, intense fever, and irregular action of the
tendons.

An otherwise robust man took Mezereum internally for
some complaints that he had. But as he continued the use
of this drug, even after the disappearance of these complaints,
he became affected with intolerable itching over the whole body,
which did not allow him an hour’s sleep. He discontinued the
medicine ; came to me thirty-six hours afterwards, and assured

MEZEREUM. 39

me that he could no longer endure the itching, which increased
every hour. The first direct action of Mezereum lasts very long.
I gave him thirty grains of camphor, to be taken every six hours,
and before he had taken it all the itching had disappeared.*

Mepicat Uses (Homm@orarutc).—Hahnemann (Mat. Med.
Pura) states that this drug has been found useful in humid,
itching eruptions on the head and behind the ears ; ophthalmia ;
leucorrhea of many years’ standing ; shortening of the lower
limb ; nightly itching of the body.

CiintcaL OBsERVATIONS.— Noack and Trinks (op. cit.): Meze-
reum seems to be suitable in that state in which the attacks of
disease are accompanied with shivering and cold, and when there
is great sensibility to cold air, especially in robust, veno-bilious
or sanguine temperaments, and in scrofulous individuals. In
scrofulous affections, with swelling of the glands. Inflamma-
tion, softening and caries of the bones. Swelling of the bones
(Hartmann, Schiiler, Rummell). Nightly itching over the
whole body (Hahnemann). Periostitis of the tibia, the parts
being covered with a brown, dry skin, and surrounded with
reddish-blue spots, with violent, burning pains, caused by the
slightest pressure of the finger (Zheile). Tinea. Crusta lactea
(Diez). Eczema mercuriale. Chronic prosopalgia (Dufresne).
Prosopalgia, with cramping, stupifying pressure on one side of
the face, commencing at the zygoma and spreading over the
temples, coming on after eating warm things (Bénninghausen).
Violent toothache in a hollow tooth, with feeling of chilliness
during the pain. Catarrh, with nightly exacerbation. Burning
in the throat. Oppression of the chest. Pricking pain in the
chest, with great anguish. Paleness of the face. Continued
chilliness, sometimes cold sweat. Constant thirst. Tongue
coated white (Kirsten).

AntiporEes.—Vinegar. Camphor. Mercurius. According
to Hahnemann, Wine and Coffee have no effect on the action
of Mezereum.

* Hahnemann’s Lesser Writings, translated by R. BE. Dudgeon, M.D.
F

XLII.
NUX MOSCHATA.
(MYRISTICA MOSCHATA.)

The Nutmeg-tree.

SynoyyMs.—Nux Moschata, fructu rotundo, Bauh. Tw., 407; Pluk. Phyt.,
t. 219. Nux Myristica seu Pala, Rumph, Herb. Amb., vol. ii. p- 14, t.4. Myris-
tica aromatica, Lam. act. Tran. 1788, p. 155, t. 5—7; Lam. Dict., v. 4; Roxb. Pl.
of Coromandel, vol. iii. t. 267. Mpristica officinalis, Zinn. Suppl., p. 265; Gert.
de Fruct., vol. i. p. 194, t. 41. Myristica Moschata, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. iv.
p. 869; Sprengel, Syst. Veget., vol. iii. p. 64.

Forrien Namrs.—Fr.: Le Muscadier, Noix muscade, Muscades. Ital. : Noce
moscada, Span.: Nuz moscada, Moscada. -Port.: Noz moschada. Germ.:
Muskat niisse, Aromatische niisse. Duf.: Muskaat noten. Swed.: Muskott.
Dan.: Muskatnéd. Russ.: Mushkatnoi orechi. Arad.: Jowzal-teel. Pers. :
Jouzbewa. Tam.: Todicai. Hind. : Jaephal.

Nat. Order, Laurinum, Juss.; Mvynristicem, Brown; Hoto-
RACER, Linn.— Diacr1a, MoNADELPHIA.

Gen. Cuar.—Flowers dicecious. Calyx urceolate, three-toothed. Males:
Filaments monadelphous. Anthers six to ten, connate. Females:
Ovary simple. Style none. Stigma two-lobed. Pericarp fleshy, two-
valved, one-seeded. Seed enveloped in a fleshy axil (Lindley).

Sprc. Cuar.— Leaves oblong, acuminate, smooth, whitish beneath, and
with simple nerves. Pedwncles one to four-flowered.

History.—It is very doubtful if the ancients were acquainted
with this tree. According to Sprengel, Stackhouse, and
Schneider, the Kaaxoy of Theophrastus is the Nutmeg-tree.
Dr. Royle (Antig. of Hindoo Med., p- 106) differs from this

Yr SE aT

Fig. 1. Section of the male flower. 2. Section of the female flower. 3, A mag-
nified anther. 4. The embryo magnified. 5. The mace. 6. The nutmeg (seed).

Nux Moschata.

AW. del. A.M. Traice hth: Tho$ Hartild imp.

NUX MOSCHATA. 4]

opinion, and thinks that Comacum (of which there were two
kinds, one a fruit, and the other employed for mixing with the
most precious ointments) is the fruit of the cinnamon plant, and
the fatty oil expressed from it. Others have considered the
Xgua0 Budavos of Galen to be the Nutmeg, which Sprengel refers
to the nut of the Semecarpus Anacardium. ‘The first authentic
account of the Myristica Moschata is in Avicenna. He describes
both mace and nutmegs (lib. ii. tract. ii. cap. 456, 503); he
calls it Jransiban, or Nut of Banda. In early times it was
used as a cosmetic to remove freckles from the face; and
Gerarde states that it quickeneth the sight; is good for feeble
livers; it taketh away the swelling in the spleene, and is good
against all cold diseases of the body. Quincy (Eng. Disp.,
1742, p. 77) says, that it is a great comforter of the head
and stomach, and likewise a good carminative, by its warm, dis-
cussing quality; but it is to be used sparingly, for if in too
large a quantity, it will fume up too much and prove offensive, *
in the same manner as perfumes do to some particular consti-
tutions. Although it has been employed in earlier days for
various diseases, more particularly those of the nervous and
mucous systems, as in hysteria, spasms, nervous fever, amaurosis,
nervous headache, diarrhea, palpitation of the heart, yet its
principal use at present is for dietetic purposes. It is, however,
an important ingredient in the confectio aromatice, so frequently
employed in allopathic medicine as a cordial and antacid in bowel
complaints.

Description.—This tree rises from twenty to thirty feet in
height, and in appearance resembles a pear-tree. The bark is
a dark greyish-green, smooth, with a yellowish juice. Leaves
aromatic. Racemes axillary. Peduncles and pedicels glabrous,
the latter with a quickly deciduous, ovate bract at its summit,
often pressed close to the flower. Male flowers three to five,
on a peduncle. Calyx fleshy, pale yellow, with a reddish
pubescence. Female flowers scarcely different from the male,
except that the pedicel is frequently solitary (Pereira).

F2

42 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

GrocrRAPuHIcAL Disrrrsution.—The Molucca Islands, espe-
cially the island of Banda. The Dutch have endeavoured to
confine the Nutmeg-tree to three of the little clusters of the
Banda Islands, viz., Pulo Ay, Banda, and Nera. According to
Dr. Ainslie, the Nutmeg has of late years been cultivated at
Batavia, Sumatra, and Penang. An inferior and long-shaped
kind of Nutmeg is common in the island of Borneo; and there
is a wild sort frequently met with in the woods of Southern
India, especially in Canara, which Dr. Buchanan thinks might
be greatly improved by cultivation; this is the Myristica
tomentosa of Willdenow; the Nux Moschata fructu oblongo of
Caspar Bauhin, and the Nux Moschata mas oblongior of
Lobel.

Parts UsED IN Mepicine, AND Mopr or PREPARATION.—
The Nut (formerly called the Female Nutmeg, Nux Moschata
_ feemina, Clusius). ‘The finest sorts (and these only ought to be
chosen for homeopathic purposes) are small, short, nearly
round, heavy, externally marked with reticulated furrows, and
white, from having been dipped for preservation in milk of
lime. Internally greyish-red, and beautifully marbled with
darker, brownish-red veins, from which oil may be easily ex-
pressed with the point of a warm knife. <A less-esteemed sort
is larger, longer, lighter, less marbled, and not’ so oleaginous,
these latter are sometimes called Male Nutmegs (Nux Mos-
chata mas, Clustus); those which are light, worm-eaten, and
marbled with black lines ought to be rejected. Both have a
strong, peculiar, grateful odour, and a powerful, bitter, aromatic
taste. The powder is greyish-brown, and somewhat fatty.
Nutmegs are imported without their shell, a practice which
renders them more liable to decay or injury from insects, and
which originated in the precautions taken long ago by the
Dutch, to prevent the tree from being propagated elsewhere
than in the Spice Islands. To make the homeopathic prepara-
tion, the nutmeg must be first cleansed of the milk of lime
which adheres to its external surface, and then one part of the

NUX MOSCHATA, 43

nut must be reduced to powder, mixed with twenty parts of
alcohol, and put aside for a week, being shaken twice every
day. ‘To twenty drops of this mixture are to be added eighty
drops of alcohol, and the usual dilutions made.

PuystoLocicaL Errxcrs.—The activity of Nutmeg depends
on the volatile oil which it contains. Swallowed in moderate
doses, it produces the common effect of spices. In large doses,
it proves narcotic, and causes giddiness, delirium, precordial
anxiety, sleepiness, and actual stupor (Cullen, Mat. Med., vol.
ii. p. 204). A person by mistake took two drachms or a little
more of powdered Nutmeg, he felt it warm in his stomach, with-
out any uneasiness; but in about an hour after he had taken it,
he was seized with drowsiness, which gradually increased to a
complete stupor and insensibility, and not long after he was
found, having fallen from his chair, lying on the floor of his
chamber, in the state mentioned. Being laid a-bed he fell
asleep, but waking a little from time to time, he was quite deli-
rious, and he thus continued, alternately sleeping and delirious,
for several hours.» ‘The'day after he was quite in his ordinary
health.

Mepicat Uses (Hommopatuic).—We owe our knowledge
of this remedy as a homeopathic medicine to the provings of
C. G. Helbig (Heraclides, Heft 1). It seems that Nux
Moschata exerts its action more particularly on the cerebrum
and cerebellum ; the spinal cord ; the nerves of sense and motion.
On the ganglionic system; on the pneumogastric, and nerves
of the abdominal viscera. Hahnemann remarks that the
Nutmeg “ diminishes the irritability of the whole body, but
especially that of the prime vie, for a considerable time.
(Does it not increase the contractile power of the muscular
fibre, especially of the prime vie, and diminish its capability of
relaxing?) In large doses, it causes an absolute insensibility of
the nervous system, obtuseness, immobility, loss of reason, for
its direct action; headache and sleep, for its secondary action.
It possesses healing properties. May it not be useful in im-

44 FLORA HOMC@OPATHICA.

becility, combined with laxness and irritability of the prime
vie—against the first as a similarly, against the second as an
antagonistically acting remedy? It is said to have done good
in paralysis of the gullet, probably as a similarly acting
remedy.””*

CurinicaL Osservations.—Noack and Trinks: Nux Mos-
chata has cured hypochondriasis and hysteria (Molin, Journ.
de la Doct. Hom., 1840). Loss of memory. Weakness of
memory. Nervous vertigo (Zrinks). Tearing, pressive, beat-
ing headaches. Neuralgia capitis, with tearing, burning pain
under the right eye, and spasmodic movement of the lower
jaw. Most violent pain in the teeth, of a pressing, burn-
ing, drawing character, alleviated for the time by external
warmth. Convulsive movement of the head from behind and
forwards, with difficulty of speech and swallowing, accompanied
with violent, drawing, dragging pains in the nape of the neck
in a female (Molin, 1. c.) Dyspepsia (Peschier, Bib. Hom, v.)
Swelling and distension of the lower bowels as if from wind.
Enormous distension of the lower bowels after eating, with
nervous irritation of the intestinal canal ( Molin, 1. c.) Mucous
diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea, originating in cold, and from
atony and weakness of the intestines. Metrorrhagia (Gross,
Aren., |. xxii. p. 212). Prolapsus uteri et vagine. Hoarseness.
Catarrh, with hoarseness and a sensation of roughness in the
trachea and chest. Rheumatic nervous pains in the back,
sacrum, and lower limbs, etc.

Antiporrs.— According to Helbig, Caraway: Camphor.
Nux Vomica, and Opium.

* Lesser Writings, translated by R. E. Dudgeon, M.D.

INUX Vomica.
( Strychnos Nux Vomnica .)
1. Harrild Imp
A-M. Traice. lith.

XLIV.
STRYCHNOS* NUX VOMICA.

Poison Nut.

Synonyms.—Nux Vomica officinarum, Bawh. Mw., 511; Raii Hist., 1814;
Ger. Em., 1546. Solanum arboreum indicum maximum, Breyn. Prod., 97.

Sp. Pl., 271; Willd., vol. i. p. 1052; Roxb. Corom., vol. i. p. 8, t. 4.

Forrtan Names.—Fr,: Noix Vomique. Ital.: Noce Vomica. Span, : Mata-
perros. Port: Noz Vomica. Germ.: Krihenaugen, Brechnusse. Dut.: Br
nooten. Dan,: Breknod. Swed.: Rafkaka. Arab.: Leugralke, Kanekulkell.
Tam,: Yettie cottay. Tel.: Musadi. Sane. : Veshamoostcheegum. Hind. :
Koochla, Chin.: Ma-tseen. Mal,: Ca ‘

Nat. Order, Lurinm, Linn. ; Avocynex, Juss., De Cand., ete.—
PENTANDRIA, Monocynta.

Gen. Cuar.—Calyx four to five-partite. Corolla tubular, with a spread-
ing, four to five-cleft limb, and a valvate estivation. Stamens four to
five, inserted into the throat of the corolla, which is either naked or

ar
placenta. Style one. Stigma capitate. Berry corticated, one-celled,
many-seeded, or, by abortion, one-seeded. Seeds nodular, discoidal.
Albumen large, cartilaginous, almost divided into two plates. Embryo
with leafy cotyledons (Lindley).

Spec. Cuar.— Leaves opposite, three and five-nerved, oval, lurid. Berries
many-seeded (Roxburgh).

Fig. 1. The corolla cut open, showing the anthers (magnified). 2. The germen,
pistil, and calyx. 3, The nut. 4. Section of the fruit. The figure and dis-
sections are from Hayne.

* The systematic name Strychnos, which occurs in Pliny and Dioscorides, is
derived from orpwrvym, to strew or to overthrow, in allusion to the powerful effects
of the plant to which it is assigned, the Srpuxves of the Greeks, being a kiud of night-
shade. It was Linneus who adopted this name for the present genus, on account
of the analogy of its poisonous qualities with the plant of the ancients.

46 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA.

History.—The Arabians first introduced Nux Vomica as a
medicinal agent. Serapion describes the bean of the Strych-
nos St. Ignatii as Nux Vomica, and it is probable that his
Nux Mechil is the Nux Vomica of the moderns. Gerarde
says: “ Avicen and Serapio make Nux Vomica and Nux Methel
to be one, whereabout there hath beene much cavilling; yet
the case is plaine, if the text be true that the thorne apple
(Datura Stramonium) is Nux Methel. Avicen affirmeth the
Vomiting Nut to be of a poisonous qualitie, cold in the fourth
degree, having a stupefying nature, and bringeth deadly sleep.”
He goes on to state: “ Of the phisical vertues of the Vomiting
Nuts, we thinke it not necessarie to write, because the danger
is great, and not to be given inwardly, but mixed with other
compositions, and that verie curiously by the hands of a faith-
full apothecarie.” According to Dr. Christison, it has been
used as a medicine from time immemorial, by the natives of
Hindostan. Formerly, owing probably to its poisonous effects,
Nux Vomica was very sparingly employed as an internal
remedy. Dr. Woodville (Med. Bot., 1794) says: “In Britain,
where physicians seem to observe the rule saltem non nocere
more strictly than in many other countries, the Nux Vomica
has been rarely, if ever, employed as a medicine. On the Con-
tinent, however, and especially in Germany, they have certainly
been guided more by the axiom ‘ what is incapable of doing
much harm is equally unable to do much good.’ The truth
of this remark was lately very fully exemplified by the practice
of Baron Stoerck, and is further illustrated by the medicinal
character given of Nux Vomica, which, from the time of Gesner
till that of modern date, has been recommended by a succession
of authors as an antidote to the plague, asa febrifuge, as a ver-
mifuge, as a remedy in mania, hypochondria, hysteria, rheu-
matism, gout, and canine madness.

“In Sweden it has of late years been successfully used in
dysentery ; but Bergius, who tried its effects in this disease,
says that it suppressed the flux in twelve hours, which after-

NUX VOMICA. 47

wards returned again. A woman, who took a scruple of this
drug night and morning, two successive days, is said to have
been seized with convulsions and vertigo. Notwithstanding
which, the dysenteric symptoms returned, and the disorder was
cured by other medicines ; but a pain in the stomach, the effect
of the Nux Vomica, continued afterwards for a long time.
Loureiro recommends it as a valuable internal medicine in
fluor albus; for which purpose, he roasts it till it becomes
perfectly black and friable, which renders its medicinal use safe
without impairing its efficacy.”

In allopathic therapeutics, it has been employed in a variety
of diseases: viz., by Wiel and Hartmann, in different forms
of rheumatism and gout. By Scudamore, in neuralgia. By
Thebesius, Sundelin, Bocher, in hydrophobia. By Horn, in
epilepsy; in general and periodic convulsions; tonic, clonic,
and hysterical convulsions. By Richter, in catalepsy. By De
Candolle, Magendie, Fouquier, and many others, in different
forms of paralysis. By Wedel, Biichner, Marcus, Hannstrom,
and others, in ague. By Alston, in mania. By Junghaus,
Thebesius, etc., in melancholia, hypochondriasis, and hysteria.
In hemicrania and nervous headaches, by Hartmann, Kopp,
etc. In amaurosis, by Magendie. In prosopalgia Fother-
gillii, by Scudamore. In chronic vomitings, with disorganiza-
tion of the stomach, especially the pylorus, by Schmldman.
In pyrosis, by Mellor. In colic, painful spasms of the bowels,
by Schultze, Montnus, etc. In colica hysterica, by Stdren. In
dysentery of different forms, by Horn, and others. In passive
chronic diarrhea, by Hufeland. In symptomatic diarrhea in
typhus, by Vorgtel. In paralysis of the bladder, by Magendie,
etc. etc.

Description.—A tree of considerable size. The stem short
and crooked ; the younger branches have a knotted appearance,
and are covered with a dark green bark. The bark of the
trunk is grey, and covered with small excrescences. The wood
is white and tough. The /eaves are oval, shining, entire, gene-

48 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

rally five-nerved and leathery ; the larger leaves are four inches
in breadth. The flowers small, greenish-white, and terminate.
The branches in a kind of fasciculated umbel, and they have a
very disagreeable smell. ‘The calyx is five-partite, tubular,
deciduous. Corolla tubular, monopetalous; tube inflated at
the middle and very long. Stamens five, inserted over the
divisions of the corolla. Ovarium two-celled. Style the length
of the corolla. Stigma capitate. Berry round and smooth,
about the size of a large apple, covered with a smooth, hardish
shell, of a beautiful orange colour; when ripe, filled with a white,
soft, gelatinous pulp, which is greedily eaten by birds. Seeds
several (generally five), found in the pulp, and attached to a
central placenta. These seeds are the officinal Nux Vomica.

GrocRaPuicaL Disrripution.—A native of the East Indies ;
found very frequently on the Coromandel and Malabar coasts;
in Ceylon, and the Eastern Archipelago.

Parts USED IN Mepicine, anD Mopr or Preparation.—
The Seeds (Nuces Vomice). These seeds, as found in the
shops, are circular and flat, about an inch in diameter, slightly
convex on one side, and concave on the other (the Germans
call them Krahengen, or Crows’ eyes), everywhere covered with
fine satiny hairs attached to a fine covering, the outer coat
(testa) of the seeds. The inner coat (endopleura) is very thin,
and immediately envelopes the nucleus of the seed. “ This
nucleus is composed of two parts, viz., albumen and embryo.
The albumen is bipartite, cartilaginous, or horny, of a dirty white
colour, and of an intensely bitter taste, and has in its interior
a cavity (loculamentum verum) ; unlike that of most seeds, the
albumen of Nux Vomica is of a poisonous nature. The embryo,
which is milk-white, is seated in the circumference of the seed ‘
its locality being frequently indicated by a point somewhat
more projecting than the surrounding parts. It consists of two
large, cordiform, acuminated, triple-ribbed, very thin cotyle-
dons, a distinct cauliculus, and a centripetal radicle (7. ¢., a
radicle directed towards the centre of the back). Pelletier and

NUX VOMICA. 49

Caventon’s analyses of the seeds of Strychnos Nux Vomica
gave the following: strychnic or igasuric acid ; strychnia-brucia,
in combination with strychnic acid; wax (a small quantity);
concrete oil; yellow colouring matter; gum; starch (a little);
bassorin; woody fibre; carbonate of lime and chloride of
potassium in the ashes. The seeds are very difficult to reduce
to a state of fine division. Powdered Nux Vomica has a fallow
grey colour, a bitter taste, and a smell like liquorice. When
burned at a low temperature, it sends forth a thick, white
smoke, with this peculiar odour. It turns black with strong
sulphuric acid; deep orange colour with nitric acid. Digested
in boiling water, and a little sulphuric acid added, the liquor
becomes turbid and yellow; ammonia makes it brown, and
precipitates blackish flocks.

Hahnemann orders the seeds to be reduced to a fine powder,
in a marble mortar, and fifty grains to be mixed with one thou-
sand drops of alcohol, then to be placed aside in a cool place for a
week; of this, one drop is to be mixed with five hundred drops
of alcohol, and this constitutes the second attenuation; then
dilute, as previously ordered, to the thirtieth attenuation. An-
other mode, and which by some is considered the best, is to
make the first three attenuations by trituration, after having
previously powdered the nut in a heated mortar.

PuystotoeicaL Errects.—The seeds of the Strychnos Nux
Vomica are poisonous, more or less, to all animated nature.
Marcet (An. Chim. et Phys., t. xxix.) states that a haricot
plant died in twelve hours, after immersing the root in a solution
of the extract of the seeds. Fifteen grains of the same extract
were inserted into a lilac-tree and the wound closed; in thirteen
days the leaves began to wither. On the vertebrated animals
its effects are very uniform. Moiroud (Pharm. Vét., p. 266),
however, states that a much larger quantity is required to kill
herbivorous than carnivorous animals. It produces in all tetanic
convulsions, increased sensibility to external impressions,

asphyxia, and death (vide Orfila, Tox. Gén., vol. ii. p. 34).

50 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA,

is effects on man are of the greatest interest to the homeo-
pathist.

Pereira (op. cit.) has divided these effects into three degrees.*
First degree: in very small and repeated doses, it usually
promotes. the appetite, assists the digestive process, increases
the secretion of urine, and renders the excretion of this
fluid more frequent. In some cases it acts slightly on the
bowels, and occasionally produces a sudorific effect. The pulse
is usually unaffected. In somewhat larger doses, the stomach
not unfrequently becomes disordered and the appetite im-
paired.

Second degree: in larger doses, the effects of Nux Vomica
manifest themselves by a disordered state of the muscular
system. A feeling of weight and weakness in the limbs,
and increased sensibility to external impressions (of light,
sound, touch, and variations of temperature), with depres-
sion of spirits and anxiety, are usually the precursory symp-
toms. ‘The limbs tremble, and a slight rigidity or stiffness is
experienced when an attempt is made to put the muscles in
action. The patient experiences a difficulty in keeping the
erect posture, and in walking frequently staggers. If, when
this effect is beginning to be observed, he be tapped suddenly
on the ham while standing, a slight convulsive paroxysm is
frequently brought on, so that he will have some difficulty to
prevent himself from falling. “ I have often,” says the author,
“im this way been able to recognise the effect of Nux Vomica
on the muscular system before the patient had experienced any
particular symptoms. If the use of the medicine is still per-
severed in, these effects increase in intensity, and the voluntary
muscles are thrown into a convulsed state by very slight causes.
Thus, when the patient inspires more deeply than usual, or
attempts to walk, or even to turn in bed, a convulsive paroxysm

* The reader is also referred to the different provings of this plant in Hahne-

mann’s Materia Medica (Fr. trans.), vol. iii. p, 123, ef seq., and Noack and Trinks’
Handbuch fiir Hom. Arzneimittel., art. Nux Vomica,

NUX VOMICA. 51

is brought on. The sudden contact of external bodies also acts
like an electric shock on him. ‘The further employment of
Nux Vomica increases the severity of the symptoms. The
paroxysms now occur without the agency of any evident
exciting causes, and affect him even when lying quiet in bed.
The muscular fibres of the pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and
bladder become affected, as well as those of other organs, both
in the male and female. The pulse does not appear to be
uniformly affected ; for the most part, it is slightly increased
in frequency between the convulsive attacks; but Trousseau
says he has found it calm even when the dose of the medicine
was sufficient to cause muscular rigidity. Previous to the pro-
duction of the affections of the muscles, various painful sen-
sations are oftentimes experienced in the skin, which patients
have compared to the creeping of insects (formication), or to
the passage of an electric shock, and occasionally an eruption
makes its appearance.” It is remarkable that in paralysis, the
effects of Nux Vomica are principally observed in the paralysed
parts. Dr. Marshall Hall ascribes this to the irritability being
greater in the inactive than in the active limb. Hence, though
the Strychnia acts equally through the true spinal system, it
produces the most marked effect upon the most irritable
muscles. Magendie (Formul., p. 7, eighth edit.) states he has
observed sweating confined to the paralysed parts. ‘“ I have
seen,” says this physiologist, “the affected side covered with
an anomalous eruption, while the opposite side was free from
it. One side of the tongue is sometimes sensible to a very
bitter taste, which is not perceptible to the other side.”

Third degree: in poisonous doses, producing tetanus and
asphyxia. To illustrate this, Pereira mentions the case of a
young woman, reported by Mr. Ollier (London Medical Re-
pository, vol. xix. p. 443). She swallowed between three and
four drachms of this substance in powder, and in half an hour
was seen by Mr. Ollier; she was sitting by the fire, quite
collected and tranquil; her pulse about eighty, and regular.

52 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA,

He left her for about ten minutes to procuresan emetic, and on
his return found that she had thrown herself back on her chair,
and that her legs were extended and considerably separated ;
she was perfectly sensible and without pain, but seemed in
alarm ; laid hold of her husband’s coat, and entreated him not
to leave her. A perspiration had broken out on her skin, her
pulse had become faint and quicker, and sne called frequently
for drink. She then had a slight and transient convulsion ;
recovering from it, she was in great trepidation, kept fast hold
of her husband, and refused to let him go, even for the alleged
purpose of getting her drink. In a few minutes she had
another and more violent attack, and shortly afterwards a
third; the duration of these was a minute and a half to two
minutes. In them she retained her grasp; her whole body
was straightened and stiffened, the legs pushed out and forced
apart. ‘ I could not,” says Mr. Ollier, “ perceive either pulse
or respiration ; the face and hands were livid; the muscles of
the former, especially of the lips, violently agitated; and she
made constantly a moaning, chattering noise. She was not
unlike one in an epileptic fit, but did not struggle; though, as
she was forced out, it was difficult to keep her from falling on
the floor. In the short intervals of the attacks she was quite
sensible ; was tormented with incessant thirst; perspired; had
a very quick and faint pulse; complained of being sick, and
made many attempts to vomit. A fourth and most vehement
attack soon followed, in which the whole body was extended
to the utmost, and she was rigidly stiff from head to foot ;
insomuch that, with all the force of the surgeon, he could not
bend the thighs on the pelvis, to replace her on the seat. From
this she never recovered; she fell into a state of asphyxia, and
never breathed again. She now relaxed her grasp; her dis-
coloured hands dropped upon her knees; her face, too, was
livid, her brow contracted, the lips wider apart, showing the
whole of the closed teeth, and a salivary foam issued plentifully
from the corners of her mouth. The expression of the whole

NUX VOMICA. 53

countenance was at this time very frightful. She died about
an hour after taking the poison, and five hours afterwards she
was still as stiff and straight as a statue; if you lifted one of
her hands, the whole body moved with it, but the face had
become pale in comparison, and its expression more placid.”

Hoffmann (Med. Nat. Syst., vol. ii. p. 175) reports that a young
girl, ten years of age, labouring under an obstinate quartan
fever, took, at two doses, fifteen grains of Nux Vomica. She
died after a short time, having experienced extreme anxieties.

A young woman swallowed purposely a drachm mixed in a
glass of wine. In fifteen minutes she was seized with pain and
heat in the stomach, burning in the gullet, a sense of redness
and weariness in the limbs, succeeded by stiffness of the joints,
convulsive tremors, tottering in her gait, and at length violent
and frequent attacks of tetanus. Milk, given after the tetanus
began, excited vomiting. She was further affected with redness
of the gums, inflammation of the tongue, burning thirst, and
pain in the stomach ; the pulse also became quick, and the skin
hot. Next day, though the fits had ceased, the muscies were
very sore, especially on motion; the tongue and palate were
inflamed, and there was thirst, pain in the stomach, vomiting,
colic, and diarrhea. These symptoms, however, abated, and
on the fourth day disappeared, leaving her exceedingly weak
(Tacheron, Lond. Med. Rep., vol. xix. p. 456).

Jules Cloquet has described a case where the patient seemed
to die of the excessive exhaustion produced by the long-con-
tinued and violent spasms. The tetanic fits lasted about
twenty-four hours, the sensibility of the intervals being acute.
Slight signs of irritation of the stomach succeeded, and death
ensued on the fourth morning (Nouv. Journ. de Méd., vol. x.
p- 157).

Orfila states that a person swallowed, in the morning, 2
scruple of Nux Vomica in powder, and drank afterwards a
few glasses of cold water, in order to diminish the bitterness
occasioned by this substance. Half an hour after he appeared.

54 FLORA HOMM@OPATHICA.

to be drunk; his limbs, especially his knees, were stiff and
tense; his walk was staggering, and he was afraid of falling.
He took some food, and the symptoms soon afterwards disap-
peared (Tox. Gén., vol. ii. p. 349).

As regards the quantity sufficient to produce a fatal effect,
Dr. Basedon, of Merseburg, mentions the case of a young lady
who swallowed, by mistake, a tablespoonful of the powder, she
was almost instantly deprived of the power of walking and fell
down, but did not lose her recollection; she after a time re-
covered,

Two cases occurred in London in 1839, in which fifty grains
of the powder of Nux Vomica, equal to one-fourth of a grain of
Strychnia, proved fatal in one; death took place in an hour.
The chemist who sold the poison: said he did not think a dose
of fifty grains sufficient to cause death. Dr. Trail mentions a
case where fifteen grains destroyed life; this is the smallest
fatal dose on record.

On account of the singular symptoms of irritation of the
spinal cord, uncombined with any injury of the brain, the
poison is believed to act on the spinal marrow alone. Segalas
states, however, that it also exhausts the irritability of the heart.

Its poisonous effects have been very generally doubted by
the lower classes in this country, and they believe that it is
capable of poisoning animals only; hence its vulgar name rats-
bane. In one instance it was taken for a wager, supposing that
it would only produce symptoms of severe intoxication. The
man died in strong convulsions in a few hours, and one of the
jury mentioned that the common people imagine it will not
produce death in those persons who are born blind.

Mepica Users (Homa@opatuic).—Hahnemann (Less. Writ.,
Dudg. trans., p. 325) states: “The seeds of the Nux Vomica
are very powerful; they produce vertigo, anxiety, febrile
rigor; and in their secondary action, a certain immobility of
all parts, at least of the limbs, and a spasmodic stretching,
according to the size of the dose. Hence they are useful not

NUX VOMICA. 55

only, as is already known, in intermittent fever, but in cases of
apoplexy. In their first direct action, the muscular fibre has a
peculiar mobility imparted to it ; the sensitive system is morbidly
exalted to a series of intoxication, accompanied by fearfulness
and horror; convulsions ensue. ‘The irritability exhausts itself
during the continued action on the muscular fibre, first in the
animal, then in the vital functions. On passing into the indirect
secondary action, there occurs a diminution of irritability, first
in the vital functions (general perspiration), then in the animal,
and lastly, in the natural functions. In the latter especially,
this secondary action lasts several days. During the secondary
action there is diminution of sensibility. Whether in the
primary direct action the tonicity of the muscles is diminished,
to be proportionally increased in the secondary action, cannot
be accurately determined.* This much, however, is certain,
that the contractility of the fibre is as much diminished in the
secondary action as it was increased in the direct action. If
this be true, Nux Vomica produces attacks similar to hysterical
and hypochondriacal paroxysms, and this explains why it is so
often useful in these complaints. Its tendency to excite, in its
primary direct action, the contractility of the muscles and cause
convulsions, and then again, in its secondary action, to diminish
to an excessive degree the contractility of the muscles, shows
such a resemblance to epilepsy, that from this very circumstance
we must have inferred that it would heal this disease, had not
experience already demonstrated it ; as it excites, besides vertigo,
anxiety, and febrile rigor, a kind of delirium, consisting in

* Since Hahnemann wrote, many experiments have been made to determine the
seat of and action of Nux Vomica. Dr. Marshall Hall (Lect. on the Nervous Sys-
tem) says: “ Hence, then, the seat of the operation of Nux Vomica is the seat of the
reflex functions.” Dr. Stannius (Brit. For. Med. Rev., vol. v. p. 221) says: “The
increased susceptibility to external impressions, produced by Strychnia, also de-
pends on the primary action of this substance on the spinal marrow.” The same
physiologist concludes, from his experiments on frogs, “that the centripetal nerves
receive from the spinal cord an increase of their excitability, and that thus charged
they react upon the medulla, and occasion the peculiar convulsions.”

G

56 FLORA HOMM@OPATHICA.

vivid, sometimes frightful visions, and tension in the stomach ;
so it at once quickly subdued a fever in a laborious, reflective
mechanic in the country, which began with tension in the
stomach, followed by a sudden attack of vertigo, so as to make
him fall, that left behind it a kind of confusion of the under-
standing, with frightful hypochondriacal ideas, anxiety, and
exhaustion. In the morning he was pretty lively, and not ex-
hausted, but in the afternoon, about two o’clock, the attack
commenced. He got Nux Vomica in increasing doses, one
daily, and improved. At the fourth dose, which contained
seventeen grains, there occurred great anxiety, immobility, and
stiffness of the limbs, ending in a profuse perspiration. The
fever and all the nervous symptoms disappeared and never
returned, although for many years previously he had been sub-
ject, from time to time, to such attacks suddenly occurring, yet’
unaccompanied by fever.

Its tendency to cause cramps in the abdomen, anxiety, and
pain in the stomach, I availed myself of in a dysenteric fever
(without purgings) on persons living in the same house with
dysenteric patients. In these cases it diminished the feelings
of discomfort in the limbs, the feverishness and anxiety, and
the pressure in the stomach ; it produced the same good results
in some of the patients, but as they had simple dysentery, with-
out diarrhoea, it made the evacuations still rarer, from its tend-
ency to cause constipation. In diarrhceas, even such as are of
a dysenteric character, it will be more serviceable, at least as a
palliative remedy. During its employment I witnessed twitch-
ing movements under the skin, as if caused by live animals, in
the limbs, and especially in the abdominal muscles,

In the Materia Medica Pura, Hahnemann has the following
remarks: “There are a few medicines, the greater part of
whose symptoms are analogous to the principal and most com-
mon diseases to which mankind is subject, at least in Europe,
and which, consequently, are most frequently employed in
homeopathy. The term polychrest may be applied to them.

NUX VOMICA. 57

_* To this class especially belongs Nux Vomica. ‘The use of
it was formerly dreaded, because it had been tried only in very
large doses; and in cases with which it did not correspond, it
could not fail to injure. But it is the mildest and most precious
of medicine in instances where its symptoms accord with those
it excites in healthy persons, in a moderate dose. Nux Vomica
is chiefly successful with persons of an ardent character, or a
temperament disposed to anger, spite, or deception. If the
catamenia occur several days too early, or are too abundant,
Nux is perfectly adapted to meet the consequences.

“This medicine, taken some hours before going to bed, acts
more mildly than at any other time of the day. Any case of
immediate necessity must of course be excepted. It is best for
very sensitive persons not to take it fasting in the morning, or
on first waking, because its most powerful symptoms are then
called out. Also, it should not be taken immediately before or
after a meal, or when the head is much exercised; nor should
the patient after taking this (or any other medicine) directly
employ his faculties in writing, reflecting, reading, or reciting.
He must wait at least two hours to avert any ill consequences.

« Among the diseases in which Nux is eminently efficacious
are many chronic affections; for instance, those caused by
excess of coffee or wine, especially in persons of sedentary
habits, or those proceeding from too protracted literary appli-
cation. It is also a remedy for many epidemic disorders and
acute fevers, chiefly those in which cold is preceded or accom-
panied by heat. It frequently prevents the bad effect of chills.

“ It is particularly suitable when the patient is worse in the
morning than any other part of the day; when he awakes about
three o’clock in the morning, and remains wakeful, with a mul-
titude of ideas crowding upon his mind; and when just at day-
break he falls involuntarily into sleep, filled with busy dreams,
from which he awakes tired and indisposed to rise. It is also
adapted to persons who, several hours before bedtime, fall

asleep in their chair.

58 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

“ This medicine, like some others, has symptoms that seem
partly or totally opposed to each other, although both are
primitive. These alternating effects render it applicable to a
great variety of morbid conditions.

* When Nux is followed by too powerful an effect, either
from the dose being large or because it is not homeopathic to
the disease, it is readily removed by a little wine, Camphor, or
brandy. Also coffee is proper to dispel the headache and want
of appetite caused by it; Aconite for excessive sensitiveness
and asthma ; Cocculus for paralytic symptoms; and Chamomilla
for moroseness and a disposition to anger.”

CiinicaL OxsservaTions.—For the various diseases to which
Nux Vomica has been applicable under homeopathy, the reader
is referred to the article “ Nux Vomica,” in Noack and Trinks’
Handbuch fiir Hom. Arzn. Mittel., of which the following enume-
ration is only an abstract. Apoplexia, with loss of consciousness.
Delirium tremens. Catarrhal headache. Daily headache in the
forenoon. Aching sensation at the root of the nose. Periodical
headache, commencing after rising from bed, increasing till
noon. Headache from abuse of coffee. Paroxysms of hysteric
headache every ten days, commencing with dull, oppressive
pain over the whole head. Hemicrania, with inclination to
vomit. Clavus hystericus. Headache of hysterical females.
Megrim. Neuralgia capitis. Melancholia. Apoplexia nervosa.
Nervous vertigo. Slight degrees of paralysis. Nervous
periodic headache. Photophobia. Weakness of vision. Am-
blyopia amaurotica. Amaurosis. Hardness of hearing, deaf-
ness. Prosopalgianervosa. Rheumatic nervous pains in sound
teeth. Heartburn. Pyrosis. Nausea and vomiting of preg-
nant women. Periodic vomiting. Spasmodic vomiting. Ten-
sive, tearing, spasmodic pains in the stomach. Gastrodynia.
Cardialgia. Hepatalgia. Icterus. Constipation from torpor and
paralysis of the peristaltic action. Torpidity of the colon.
Hemorrhoids of different kinds. Discharge of blood from the
rectum. Proctalgia. Different affections of the bladder; of

NUX VOMICA. 59

the catamenia. Acute and chronic diseases of the spine. Acute
and chronic irritation of the spine. Myelitis. Neuralgia of
the spine. Lumbago. Ischias antica et postica. Cramps in
the legs. Hysteria. Hypochondriasis. Complete loss of
appetite. Loss of smell and taste. A variety of gastric diffi-
culties after every meal. Excessive sensitiveness of the
respiratory organs, the least cold causing a catarrh. Catarrhal
affection of persons affected with piles, attended with paroxysms
of cough, induced by violent titillation in the throat. Pa-
roxysms of dry cough, with vomiting immediately after lying
down in the evening, attended with soreness at the pit of
the stomach. Influenza. Pleurodynia. Neuralgia pectoris.
Asthma, with nightly suffocative fits. Spasm of the heart.
Angina pectoris, when it is a purely nervous, inflammatory
affection. Stitching and bruised pain in the small of the back,
Periodical attacks of pain in the small of the back, increased by
motion and attended with constipation. Paralysis of the left
arm. Paralysis of the hands of drunkards. Spasms of the
lower limbs after taking cold. Intermittent paroxysms of
gonagra, with formation of arthritic nodosities, the attacks being
attended with vomiting and constipation. Cramp-like con-
tractions of the soles of the feet and toes. Intensely painful,
burning, stinging pain, with swelling of the heel, aggravated
by walking, etc., etc.

Antipores.—To large doses: according to some, Wine,
Coffee, Camphor, and Opium; and Donné states that Bromine
and Iodine are antidotes to Strychnia. Emmert says that
Vinegar and Coffee increased the poisonous effects of Nux
Vomica bark.

To small homeopathic doses: Alcohol. Belladonna. Cha-
momilla. Cocculus. Coffea. Opium. Pulsatilla. Stramonium.

XLV.
OLEANDER.
(NERIUM OLEANDER.)
Common Rosebay.
Synoxyms.—Nerium foliis linearii lanceolatis ternis ; subtusis costatis laciniis
en cane squamosis nectariis planis. Nerium sive Rhododendrum, Matth. Valgr,
; Ger. Em., p. 1406; Camer. Epit., p. 843. Nerium floribus rube-

sei Bauk, Thy., p. 464. Rhododendron, Dod. Pempt., p. 85. Nerium
Oleander, Linn. Sp. Pl., p. 305.

ForEIGNn chart —Fr.: Le Laurose; Laurier-rose. Ger.: Lorbeer-rose der
Oleander. : Oleander. Ttal.: Oleandro, Span.: Adelfa. Port. : Loendro.
Dan. : Susans Arab. : Tiflee.

Nat. Order, Contort®, Linn. ; Avocynex, Juss.—PEN-
TANDRIA, MonocGynta.

Gen. Cuar.—Calyz five-cleft. Corolla salver-shaped, the throat crowned
by lacerated, multifid segments. Segments of limb twisted, unequal-
sided, tailless. Filaments inserted into the middle of the tube. Anthers
sagittate, awned, cohering by their middle to the stigma. Ovaria two.
Styles filiform, dilated at the top. Stigma obtuse; hypogynous scales
wanted, but there are toothlets at the base of the calyx, outside the
corolla. Fodlicles cylindrical. Erect shrubs. Leaves three in a whorl,
elongated, coriaceous, with numerous el veins. Flowers terminal,

corymbose.
Spec. Cuar.—Leaves lanceolate, three in a whorl, veiny beneath. Seg-
ments of the corona trifid or tricuspidate.

History.—This plant is described with great accuracy by
Dioscorides (lib. iv. c. 82), under the name of Napiov'n Pododagyn.
He says the flowers and leaves are poisonous to dogs, asses,

Fig 1. Section of the corolla. 2. The calyx, style, and stigma.

H Del A.M. Traice, lath

ae oe
(JIeEanaer.

(Nerium Oleander.)

OLEANDER. 61

mules, and to almost all quadrupeds; but to men, they are, if
drunk with wine with the addition of a little rue, a preservative
against the bites of venomous beasts. The weaker animals,
goats and sheep, die if they drink a decoction of this plant.
Galen and Pliny ascribe the same powers to it; and Theo-
phrastus demonstrates its poisonous effects on animals by
the following fable. He says that Lucius Apuleius, a famous
magician and learned man, was once deceived by the simi-
litude of the flowers of this plant to those of the rose. He
was wandering about under the metamorphosis of an ass, and
seeking for roses, by which food he might be restored to his
former shape, when at a distance he saw the Rhododaphne,
covered with flowers. Fearing they might escape him, he_
rushed at them with open mouth, believing them to be true

roses. Discovering his mistake, and being aware, from his

knowledge of the properties of plants, that the flowers of the

Nerium were poisonous to asses, he is seized with trembling

and fear, and falls to the earth, with drooping ears.

The Arabians give a more extended application of this plant
as a medicine than the Greeks. Rhases and Avicenna recom-
mend the leaves as an application to hard apostemes, and the juice
for prurigo, scabies, and other diseases of the skin; in chronic
pains of the back and limbs, as a plaster, and as a sternutatory in
diseases of the eyes. Gerarde states that “ this tree, being out-
wardly applied, hath, as Galen saith, a digesting facultie ; but if
it be inwardlie taken, is deadly and poisonous, not only to men,
but also to most kinds of beasts.” | Although its poisonous pro-

-perties have been described by some authors on toxicology, yet its
medicinal qualities have never been tested in allopathic medicine
since the time of the Arabians. It is said that the honey of bees,
which feed on this plant in certain districts, is liable to produce
injurious effects, and care should be taken not to place the
flowers of the Oleander in a confined apartment, as the vapour
from them has been known to cause very unpleasant symptoms.

Descrirtion.—This beautiful shrub, such an ornament to

62 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

our greenhouses, has an arborescent stem, very much branched ;
its leaves are three together, on short stalks, linear, lanceolate,
acute, entire, smooth, coriaceous, evergreen, and marked with
numerous transverse ribs or veins beneath. Flowers numerous,
terminal, corymbose, large, and handsome, but inodorous ;
usually of a rose colour, but occasionally white. Seed-vessels
six inches long, ribbed, almost woody. One of the most beau-
tiful of insects, Sphinx Nerii, feeds on this shrub, and is often
taken on the coasts of Nice and Genoa.

GrocrapuicaL Disrripution.—Native of Spain, Portugal,
Italy, and the Levant; Asia Minor, the East Indies, and Africa;
and on the rocks of Corsica. Oriental travellers suppose this
to be the bay-tree, to which the righteous man is compared by
David.

Locauitizs.—About the banks of rivers, in low moist situ-
ations. In Italy, it usually decorates courtyards.

Parts Usep In Mepicinz, AND Mopr or PREPARATION.—
_ Hahnemann’s instructions for the preparation of this plant are
the following. He says: “‘ Although the medicinal virtue of the
Neriam Oleander does not appear to be very volatile, and
consequently a powerful medicine may be made from the dried
leaves powdered, yet to prepare an alcoholic tincture, in order to
obtain a medicine, the action of which should be always the same,
I am accustomed to take the green and fresh leaves, gathered at
the time that the plant is about to flower, to cut up about an ounce
of them into little pieces, and to moisten them in a mortar, with
sufficient alcohol to form a thick pulp, but well crushed ; after-
wards to add the rest of the alcohol (in all about an ounce), to
dilute the mass, and to strain this through a linen cloth; to let it
stand some days, in order that it may deposit its albumen and
fibrine, then to decant the clear liquor and set it aside.” Jahr
recommends the first three attenuations to be made from the
dried leaves by trituration.

PuystotocicaL Errzcrs.—It is now well ascertained that
the effects ascribed to this plant by the ancients were based

OLEANDER. 63

upon truth. Lindley (Veget. Syst.) says, “the common
Oleander, although little suspected, is a formidable poison ;
a decoction of its leaves forms a wash, employed in the south
of Europe to destroy cutaneous vermin, and its powdered
wood and bark constitute at Nice the basis of an efficacious
rat poison.”

A few years ago, a child died from having eaten, one morn-
ing,.a quantity of Oleander flowers; it was seized with violent
colic, under which it sank in two days.

In 1809, when the French troops were lying before Madrid,
some of the soldiers went a-marauding, every one bringing back
such provisions as could be found. One soldier formed the
unfortunate idea of cutting the branches of the Oleander for
spits and skewers for the meat when roasting. ‘This tree, it
may be observed, is very common in Spain, where it attains
considerable dimensions. The wood having been stripped of
its bark, and brought in contact with the meat, was productive
of the most direful consequences, for of twelve soldiers who ate
of the roast, seven died, the other five were dangerously ill
(Gardener’s Chronicle, 1844, p. 23).

A soldier of the French African army employed a branch of
this shrub for the purpose of stirring some soup, which he was
preparing for his comrades. Five men who partook of this
soup were seized with the following symptoms :—Great rest-
lessness, a wildness and prominence of the eyes, dilated
pupils, vertigo, slight convulsions, pain in the abdomen,
vomiting of a greenish-coloured liquid, and insensibility. They
all recovered in eight days (Canstatt, Jahrbuch, 1844, vol. ii.
p- 95).

Orfila (Tox. Gén., vol. ii. p. 439) states that Nerium exerts
a narcotic action of the brain and an irritant action of the
alimentary canal. The whole of the plant is poisonous; and
it is said that the honey of bees which feed on the flowers of
this plant, in certain districts, is liable to produce injurious
effects. Even the vapour of the flowers, in a confined apart-

H

64 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

ment, has caused unpleasant symptoms. In over-doses it causes
palpitation, anxiety and fainting, swelling of the abdomen, and
diminution of vital temperature.

Mepicat Usrs (Hommoparuic).—Hahnemann (Mat. Med.
Pura) has the following remarks on this drug. “I was
the first to introduce into medicine several vegetable and
- mineral substances, and I may flatter myself that in this respect
I have really enriched the Materia Medica amongst these sub-
stances. The Nerium Oleander may be so placed. It is a
new remedy, and is endowed with powerful medicinal virtues,
which we do not meet with in any other medicament.

In some kinds of mental alienations, absence of mind for
example, in certain kinds of paralysis without pain, exanthe-
matous affections of the hairy scalp, and in several affections
of the back part of the head, the Oleander, if not the precise
remedy to produce a complete cure, is at least an indispensable
assistant. ‘The homeopathic physician can also employ it with
advantage in other disorders bearing analogy to the symptoms
it can itself produce in persons in health.

Cuintcat Oxsurvations.— Noack and Trinks (op. cit.):
Painless paralysis. Numbness, and loss of sensation over the
whole body. Itching of the skin. Sleeplessness. Absence of
mind. Slowness of comprehension, and of retaining objects in
the mind. Loss of memory. Inability to think. Giddiness.
Heaviness of the head. Eruption on the hairy scalp. Tinea
capitis sicca et favosa. Pimply eruption on the face. Lienteria.
Diarrhea of undigested food. Paralysis of the lower extre-
mities.

AntiporEs.—-Camphor? Nux Vomica? Opium ?

Pap aver somniterum ages

XLVI.
PAPAVER* SOMNIFERUM.
(OPIUM. )
White Poppy.
Synoyyms.—Papaver, Hall Hist., v. ii. p.16. Papaver sylvestre, Rati Syn.,
p- 308; Ger. Em., p, 370, f. Papaver sativum, Math. Vulg., v. ii. p. 205; Camer.

Epit., 103; Bauh, Hist., vol. v. p. 390. Papaver somniferum, Linn. Sp. Pl.,
p. 726; Willd., vol. ii. p. 147; Fl. Brit., p. 568; Woodville, y. i. t. 185.

Forzrigy Names.—Fr.: Payot des Jardins. Jtal.: Papavero domestico.
Span.: Adormedera. Port.: Dormedeira. Germ.: Garten mohn, Mohnsaft.
Swed.: Vallmo. Dan.: Vallmue.

Nat. Order, PapAVERACE®.—POoLYANDRIA, MonoGyniA.

Grn. Cuar.—Sepals two, convex, deciduous. Petals four. Stamens
numerous. Style none. Stigmas four to twenty, radiating, sessile upon
the disk, crowning the ovary. Capsule obovate, one-celled, composed
of four to twenty carpels, enclosed in a membranous production of
the thalamus, dehiscing by short valves under the crown of the stigmas.
Placente between the valves, produced internally, forming incomplete
dissepiments (D. C). Herbaceous plants, with divided leaves, and a
white, milky juice. The pedwneles (flower-stalks) drooping before
flowering. Flowers large, various in colour. Capsules bristly or
smooth. The two-leaved calyx, celled capsule, and sessile radiated
stigma well distinguish this from other genera with a tetrapetalous
corolla in the same class and order.

Sprc. Cuar.—Capsule nearly globular, smooth, as well as the calyx and
stem. Leaves embracing the stem notched, glaucous.

Hisrory.—This plant and the preparations from itt were

Fig. 1, Germen and sessile radiated stigma. 2. Astamen. 3. Section of the

capsule.

* From Papa, pap, because it was used with pap given to children to induce
sleep ; a custom, says Dr. Thornton, which has carried thousands to the grave.

+ Christison says: “ Among the various preparations of the Mnyxwy 7mepos,
which is supposed by many to have been the modern garden Poppy, there is one,
the unxwvos omos, or poppy-juice, which was prepared in ancient times, as we learn
from Dioscorides, very nearly in the same way as Opium is now made from the
same plant in Asia Minor, Hindostan, and Europe.”

H 2

66 FLORA HOMMOPATHICA.

employed in medicine.as early as the days of Hippocrates; for
although not mentioned in his works, it is found in those of
Diagoras his contemporary.

Pliny (b. xix. t. ii. p. 30, Holland's Tons.) gives the follow-
ing description of the Papaver and its properties: — “Of
Garden Poppies there be three kinds, first the white, whereof
the seeds, in old times, being made into biskets or comfits,
with honie, were sérved up as a junketting dish. The rusticall
peasants of the countrey were wont to guild or glaze (as it were)
the upper crust of their loaves of bread with yolkes of eggs
and then to bestrew it with poppie seed, which would cleave
fast unto it, having first underlaid the bottome crust with
ammi, or annise seed and gith; and then they put them into the
oven being thus seasoned, which gave a commendable taste to
their bread when it was baked. There is a second kind of
poppie called black, out of the heads or bols whereof a white
juice or liquor issueth by way of incision, like unto milke, and
many receive and reserve it carefully. * * * Meanwhile this
cannot be forgotten, that poppies have alwaies, time out of
mind, been highly regarded and honoured among the Romanes:
witnesse Tarquine the Proud, the last king of Rome, when his
sonnes embassadours were come unto him for to understand his
advise how to compasse the siegnoree over the Gabians, drew
them into his garden, and there, by circumstance of topping the
heads of the highest poppies there growing, without any
answere parole, dispatched them away, sufficiently furnished
by this demonstration with a bloudie designe, even to fetch off
the greatest mens heads of the city, the readiest meanes to effect
his purpose. Which juice thus drawne and thus prepared, hath
power not only to provoke sleepe, but if it be taken in any great
quantitie, to make men die in their sleepe ; and this our physi-
cians call Opion. Certes, I have knowne many come to their
death by this meanes: and, namely, the father of Licinius
Cecinna, late deceased, a man by calling a pretour, who, not
able to endure the intollerable pains and torments of a certaine
disease, and being wearie of his life, at Bilbil, in Spaine,

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 67

thretened his owne daies by taking Opium. By reason whereof,
physicians are growne to great variance, and bee of contrary
opinions as touching the use of the foresaid Opium. Diagoras
and Erasistratus condemned it altogether as a most deadly
thing, and would not allow it to be so much as injected or
infused into the bodie, for they held it no better than poyson,
and otherwise hurtfull also to the eies. Andreas saith, more-
over, that if Opium dooth not presently put out a man’s eies
and make him blind, it is because they in Alexandria in
Egypt do sophisticat it. But in process of time the later and
moderne physicians did not utterly reject it, but found a good
use of it in that noble and famous opiat confection called Dia-
codium.

“Moreover, there bee certaine ordinary trosches made of
poppie seed beaten to powder, which with milke are commonly
used by way of liniment to bring sicke patients to sleepe.
Likewise with oile rosat for the headach, and with the same
oyle they use to drop it into the eares for to mitigate their paine.
Also, a liniment thereof with breast milke is singular good for
the gout, in which sort there is great use of the leaves also;
and beeing applied as a cataplasme with vinegre, they help St.
Anthonies fire. For mine own part, I would not have it in
any case to enter into collyries, much less into those medicines
which be ordained to drive away aged fits, or into maturatives,
no, nor to goe among other ingredients into those remedies
which are desired to stay the flux that commeth from the
stomacke.”

Dr. Adams (Commentary on Paulus Atgineta, vol. iii. p. 280)
has the following remarks on the ancient history of Opium.
“Though mention is made of ‘ the juice of the Poppy’ and of
‘ Meconium’ as soporifics in the works of the Hippocratists (De
Mulieribus, vol. ii.), it does not appear that these articles were
much in use until a later age. ‘The juice of the Poppy’ is
noticed likewise by Theophrastus (Fr., 20, 35), and the pro-
cess of gathering this juice is briefly alluded to by him (H. P.,

68 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

ix. 8, 2), but the nature of his work did not lead him to say
anything of its medicinal uses. There can be no question, we
presume, that the ‘ Papaveris lachryma’ of Celsus was Opium,
that is, the concrete juice of the Poppy. He prescribes it on
many occasions, both externally’and internally, For example,
as an ingredient along with hyoscyamus, burnt lead, and other
ingredients, for an emollient plaster to be applied in arthritic
pains, and as an injection, with alum and henbane, for earache,
etc. The famous Methodist, Calius Aurelianus, is very guarded
in his use of opiates, and he appears to approve of the opinion
of those who held that Poppy does not induce sleep, but
oppression of the senses, ‘Papavera autem pressuram non
somnum faciunt.’ Dioscorides is the first authority that
gives a detailed account of Opium and its uses in medicine.
Treating of the cultivated Poppy, he says, that its juice is very
congealing, incrassative, and *desiccative, when taken in small
quantity; to the size of a vetch, is anodyne, soporific, concoc-
tive, and is useful in coughs and celiac affections. Taken in
greater quantity, it proves injurious, inducing lethargy and
death ; it is beneficial in headache, when rubbed in with rose
oil; and in earache, when injected with almond oil, saffron, and
myrrh; in inflammation of the eyes, with roasted yelk of an
egg and saffron; and for erysipelas and wounds, with vinegar ;
for gout, with a woman’s milk and saffron; and when applied
as @ suppository, it induces sleep. The best kind is that which
is dense, has a heavy stupifying smell, is bitter to the taste,
readily incorporating with water, smooth, white, not rough
nor grumous, nor moulding like wax in the process of straining ;
when laid in the sun softening, and when applied to a lamp not
burning with a smoky flame, and after being extinguished, pre-
serving its powers in its smell. He then mentions several
modes of adulterating it, which were practised in his time, and
then adds, it is roasted for ophthalmic medicines upon a recent
shell, until it becomes soft and of a tawny colour. Erasistratus
says that Diagoras condemned the use of it in diseases of the

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM, 69

ears and eyes, as inducing dimness of sight and coma. And
Andreas says, that if it had not been adulterated, those that
rubbed it in would have been deprived of sight by it. But
Mnesidemus says, that the only proper use of it is by the smell,
as thus disposing to sleep, for that otherwise it proved inju-
rious ; but these statements are false, as it is proved by experi-
ence, for the operation of the medicine is attested by its effects.
He concludes by describing the modes by which Opium and
Meconium were prepared, but it will be sufficient for our pur-
pose to state that his description of the former of these is
exactly the same as the method now commonly practised. See
Kempfer (Amen. Exost., 643), and Pereira (M. M., 1274).
The Meconium was the expressed juice of the leaves and
head, and is not now in use. Dioscorides states that it is much
weaker than the other. Pliny’s description of the Opium and
Meconium is obviously taken from Dioscorides, or both these
authors must have copied from some preceding authority. He
thus describes the Meconium, ‘Cum capita ipsa et folia deco-
quntur, succus Meconium vocatum, multum. opio ignavior’
(Hl. N., xx. 76). Opium, it is certain, was freely used by
the Empirics, and accordingly it will be found that it is a very
common ingredient in the prescriptions of Scribonius Largus,
and Marcellus the Empiric. The latter gives several formule
for collyria, in which Opium occurs, and he is at pains to state
that it is the concrete and not the expressed juice which must
be used (De Medicamentis, viii.) He also prescribes it inter-
nally for pains of the kidneys, as an enema in colic, and in
many other cases. Galen would appear to have had very sound
opinions respecting the use of Opium in the treatment of dis-
eases. He professes, indeed, never to have recourse to it when
he could help it (De Comp. Med., sec. Loc., ii.), but yet he
prescribes it in celiac and certain stomach affections, and even
in intense pains of the eyes, although in general he condemns
the applications of it in collyria. He often mentions that castor
counteracts the prejudicial effects of Opium. Of all kinds of

70 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA,

Opium, he pronounces the Theban to be the best. Avicenna,
besides treating of Opium as a poison, and giving the general
properties of Poppy under that head, has a very interesting
chapter on Opium in his Materia Medica. He defines Opium
to be the juice of the black Egyptian poppy dried in the sun.
He says it proves fatal if given in a larger dose than ten
drachms; but the proper dose he states to be the size of a tare.
He states in parenthesis that Opium is also formed from the
juice of the wild lettuce* (lactucarium). He calls it narcotic,
and sedative of all pains, whether taken internally or rubbed
in. It is useful, he says, in apostemes, especially in those of
an inflammatory nature. He says of it that it dries up ulcers ;
with the yelk of an egg forms a liniment for gout; it proves
soporific, if a cloth smeared in it be placed below the head;
allays pain, if injected into the ear affected, along with myrrh
and saffron; allays chronic pains in the head, and sometimes
cures them ; soothes the pain of ophthalmy, and the apostemes of
the eyes, with the milk of a woman; but yet he adds that
many of the ancient authorities had condemned the use of it in
such cases as prove injurious to the sight; it allays incessant
coughs, and often cures that kind which is noisy ; improves the
stomach in peculiar cases, when debilitated by excess of heat,
and humidity is braced by it; but in many constitutions Opium,
so administered, impairs digestion ; it stops diarrhea; is useful
in dysentery, and in ulceration of the intestines. It proves
fatal, he says, by congealing the vital powers and extinguishing
the innate heat, and its antidote is castor. He concludes by
saying, that three times the amount of the seed of hyoscyamus,
or double of the seed of mandragora, may be given as a substi-
tute for it. Haly Abbas treats of Opium more briefly,
in general terms, that it is a soporific and sedative medicine.
He seems to say that from half a drachm to a drachm will
prove fatal. Serapion’s account of Opium is mostly made up of
extracts from Dioscorides and Galen, with a few brief notices of

stating,

* Lettuce-juice is constantly employed in many parts of Sicily as a substitute
for Opium.

oo
PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 71

the opinions held by Arabian authorities, which do not contain
anything of much interest. Rhases’ chapter upon the Poppy
contains many extracts from the Greek authorities on Opium,
with a few from Arabian writers, which, however, contain
nothing of much interest, after what we have given from
Dioscorides and Avicenna. Like Serapion, he says from half a
scruple to a scruple is a dose, and that two drachms will prove
fatal. Joannitius seems to say that it binds the bowels in
general, but yet has some laxative power. In the ‘ Book of
Experience,’ as quoted by Ebn Baithar, poppy-juice is recom-
mended in complaints of the eyes, and in pains of the head
when applied to the forehead. One of his Arabian authorities
mentions its good effects in diarrhea, and it is also spoken
favourably of as an application to burns.”

Gerarde has the following remarks on this plant, evidently
taken from the earlier writers. ‘“ The seede, as Galen saith in
his booke of the faculties of nourishments, is good to season
breade with; but the white is better than the blacke. He also
addeth that the same is colde and causeth sleepe, and yieldeth
no commendable nourishment to the bodie; it is often used in
comfits, or served at table with other junketting dishes.

“The oil which is pressed out of it is pleasant and delight-
full to be eaten, and is taken with bread or any other wares
in meate, without any sauce is cooling.

* A greater force is in the knobs or heads, which do specially
prevail to moove sleepe, and to stay and represse distillations
or rheumes, and come neere in force to Opium, but more
gentle. Opium, or the harder juices of Poppie heads, is
strongest of all; meconium (which is the juice of the heads
and leaves) is weaker. Both of them any waies taken, either
inwardly or outwardly, applied to the heade provoke sleepe.
Opium, somewhat too plentifully peed doth also bring death,
as Plinie truelie writeth.

“Tt mitigateth all kindes of paines, but it leaveth behinde
it oftentimes a mischiefe woorse than the disease itselfe, and
that hard to be cured, as a dead palsie and such like.

72 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

“‘ The use of it, as Galen, in his ii booke of medicines accord-
ing to the places affected, saith, is so offensive to the firme and
solide partes of the bodie, as that they had neede afterwards to
be restored.

**So also colliries or eile medicines made with Opium have
beene hurtful to many; insomuch that they have weakened the
eies, and dulled the sight of those that have used it; it bringeth
hardness of hearing whatsoever is compounded of Opium to
mitigate the extreme paines of the eares. Wherefore all those
medicines and compounds are to be shunned that are made of
Opium, and are not to be used but in extreme necessitie; and
that is, when no other mittigator or assuager of paine doth
anything prevaile, as Galen, in his thirde booke of medicines
according to the places affected, doth evidently declare.

“‘ The leaves of Poppie boiled in water with a little sugare,
and drunke, causeth sleepe; or if it be boiled without sugar,
and the head, feete, and temples bathed therewith, it doth
effect the same.

“The heads of Poppie boiled in water with sugar in the
manner of a syrup causeth sleepe, and is good against rheumes
and catarrhs that distill and fall downe from the braine into the
lungs, and easeth the cough.

“The green knops of Poppie stamped with barley-meale and
a little barrow grease helpeth St, Anthoneys Fier, called
Ignis sacer.”

“ In many parts of India, Opium is presented at visits and
entertainments in the same familiar manner as the snuff-box in
Europe. There is in that country a class of persons who carry
letters and run with messages through the provinces, with no
other provision than a piece of Opium, a bag of rice, and a pot
to draw water from the wells. These men perform journeys
that would scarcely be credited in this country. In the same
manner, trackless deserts of the different countries between the
Indus and Mediterranean are traversed by foot-messengers, by
the aid of this drug, with a few dates perhaps, and a piece of

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 43

coarse bread. The old traveller, Sir Thomas Herbert, very
well describes this use of Opium :—‘ Opium (the juice of
poppy) is of great use there also (in Persia); good, if taken
moderately, bad, nay mortal, if beyond measure; but by
practice they may make that familiar which would kill us, so
that their medicine is our poyson. ‘They chew it much, for it
helps catarrhs, cowardice, and the epilepsie; and what is
admirable, some extraordinary foot-posts they haye, who, by
continually chewing this, with some other confection, are
enabled to run day and night without intermission, seeming
to be in a constant dream of giddiness, seeing but not knowing
whom they met, though well acquainted, and miss not their
intended places; by a strange efficacy expulsing the tedious
thoughts of travel, and rarely (wonderfully) for some days
deceiving the body of its reasonable rest and lodging.’ ”

Pomet (Histoire des Drogues) says that the Turks subsist
on Opium for two or three days without any nourishment,
and when they go to fight they take it to excess, that
it may animate them, or at least make them insensible of
danger.

Quincy says, “ This drug is of so great consequence, that
there is no following the notions of all authors concerning it ;
many treatises having been wrote professedly about it. Some
have been fearful in meddling with it, but others are again very
bold in its use. Platerus extols it prodigiously; and Sylvius
used to say, if it was not for Opium, he would not practise.
Its most difficult use is in deliriums, which sometimes it does
mighty service in, and sometimes much mischief. Van
Helmont forbids it at such times; but so much skill in a
physician is required in the case.”

In modern allopathic medicine the use of Opium is very
general; in fact, it will suffice to say that it isa chief ingre-
dient in almost all prescriptions that are exhibited for the
purposes “ of supporting the powers of the system; miti-
gate pain or irritation; induce sleep; relieve inordinate,

74 FLORA HOMCEOPATHICA.

check morbidly increased evacuations, and diminish morbid
sensibility.”* :

Descrirtion.—The white and somniferous Poppy is an
annual, flowering in June in Europe, and in February in
India. The root is white and tapering, with several strong
fibres. The stem is upright, three to four fect high, branched,
leafy, smooth, and glaucous. The Jeaves are alternate, large,
wavy, irregularly lobed, cut or deeply serrated, and clasping
the stem by their broad, heart-shaped base. The flowers are
large, drooping while in the bud, but becoming upright as the
corolla expands. Petals purplish-white, with a large violet
spot at the base of each. G'ermen nearly globular, sometimes
furrowed. Seeds very numerous, kidney-shaped, reticulated,
oily, sweet, and eatable. The whole plant is glaucous and
smooth, except that the flower-stalks sometimes bear a few
scattered, spreading, bristly hairs. Many fine varieties, with
double flowers of every shade of purple, scarlet, crimson,
and even green mixed with white, are not uncommon in
gardens.

GxrocrapuicaL Distrisutton —Papaver somniferum is a
native of the East; extensively cultivated in Turkey, Persia,
and India, and other warm climates; but has become naturalized
in the south of Europe, Great Britain, etc.

Locatir1es.—In this country, on sandy ground, in fens and
uncultivated places. Oxfordshire : near the Observatory, Oxford ;
cornfields at Mapledurham, plentiful. Cambridgeshire : Water-
beach Fen. Devon: between Sidmouth and Branscombe.
Durham: Willington, Kent: cornfields about Dartford } near
the Medway at Rochester. Norfolk: on the banks of all the
fen ditches where the soil is sandy. Stoffordshire: moat of

*The preparations of Opium in chemists’ shops are most uncertaiu in their
strength. The Lancet (Jan. 29, 1853) has the following remarks :—“ His (the
physician’s) prescription may be sent to half a dozen chemists, without any two
of them supplying his patient with the quantity of Opium that he wishes to take 3

neither does the reputation of the chemist nor the sum that

is given for the
medicine offer any additional security.”

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 75

‘Tutbury Castle, with flowers much smaller than the cultivated
root. Warwickshire: cornfields near the road going from
Rugby to Barby, and on Jarret’s Heath, near Rugby. Scor-
LAND, Angus-shire: near Cupar. IneLanp: sandy fields near
Kilbanick Church; about Howth, but not common (Mr.
Mackay, in Cat. of Pl. of Ireland). Great quantities are raised
at Mitcham, in Surrey, for the supply of the London market.

Parts useD IN Mepictnz, anD Mops oF Preparation.—
The inspissated milky Juice, known as Opium.

The method of obtaining Opium is sufficiently simple; the
young plants are set out in rows, about six inches distant from
each other, and are at first plentifully watered; when six or
eight inches high a rich manure is applied, and when about to
flower they are again profusely watered. The collection of
Opium commences when the seed-capsules are about half-
grown. At sunset two or three longitudinal incisions are made
in each capsule, care being taken to avoid reaching the internal
cavity; the exuding juice is removed as fast as it concretes,
put into earthen pots, and ultimately dried in the sun; it is
then formed into spherical masses, covered with poppy or
tobacco leaves, and more completely dried. The following is
the account of the mode of obtaining Opium in Asia Minor.
** A few days after the flower has fallen, men and women repair
to the fields and cut the head of the Poppy horizontally, taking
care that the incisions do not penetrate the internal cavity of
the shell. A white substance immediately flows out and col-
lects in tears on the edges of the cuts. In this state the field
is left for twenty-four hours, and on the following day the
Opium is collected with large blunt knives. Each head fur-
nishes Opium once only, and that to the extent of a few grains.
The first sophistication which it receives is that practised by the
peasants who collect it, and who lightly scrape the epidermis
from the shell to augment the weight. This operation adds
about one-twelfth of foreign matters. Thus collected, Opium
has the form of a glutinous and granular jelly. It is deposited

76 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

in small earthen vessels and beat up with saliva. When asked
why water was not employed instead of saliva, the answer was,
that water caused it to spoil. It is afterwards enveloped in
dry leaves, and in this state is sold. The seeds of those Poppies
which have yielded Opium are equally good for sowing the
following year” (M. Ch. Texter, as quoted by Mr. Pereira,
Med. Gaz., vol. xviii. p. 819).*

Several varieties of Opium are met with in commerce. That
which is most prized is the Turkey, Smyrna, or Levant Opium.

* Pliny’s account of the mode of gathering and preparing Opium is interesting
for comparison sake, “ Diagoras giveth counsell to cut the stem or stalke of the
blacke Poppie, when it beginneth to sprout and swell toward the flowring time,
out of which there will issue a certain juice called Opium; but Tollas adviseth to

“make that incision when it hath bloumed, and to chuse a faire cleare day for it,
and that houre of the day when as the deaw thereon is dried up. Nor would they
have them to be cut under the head before the bloume; but in the very head after
it hath done flowring, and verely there is no other kind of hearbe wherein the head
is cut, but this onely. The said juice of this hearbe, as well as of all other, is re-
ceeved in wooll; or else, if it run but in a small quantitie, they gather it with the
thumbe naile, as the manner is in lectuces ; but the morrow after the incision, so
much the more vigilant they must be to save and gather that which is dried; and
in very deed the juice of Poppies commonly runneth out in great abundance, and
gathereth into a thicknesse, which afterwards is stamped and reduced into little
trosches, and dried in the shade. * * * Now to know which is good Opium,
indeed the very first and principall triall is by the nose, for the true Opium is so
strong that a man may not endure to smell it. The second proof is by fire, for
the right Opium will burn clear like a candle ; and when it is put forth yeeldeth a
stinking sent from it in the end, which signes are never to be found in that which
is falsified and sophisticat, for this that is not right will not so soon take and light
fire; and besides is ready oftentimes to go out. There is another experiment by
water; for the good and pure Opium, beeing put in water, sendeth forth a certain
mist from it like a cloud, which floteth even aloft, whereas the corrupt and de-
praved Opium gathereth into blisters and bladders, and so bubbleth on the water.
And yet there is one way more admirable than the rest to trie good Opium, even

by th shine on a summers day; for, if it be such as it ought, it will sweal
and resolve into a thin liquor, like as when it came first out of the plant. To
conclude, Mnesicles is of opinion that the best meanes to keepe and preserve

Opium, is to lay it among henbane seed; but others think it better to let it lie

among beans.”

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. a

It is found in the European market in flattish cakes, sprinkled
with pieces of dried leaves, and with the seed-capsules of some
species of Rumex. It should be of a rich brown colour when
recently cut, and of a tough consistency, and a tolerably smooth
and uniform texture. After exposure to air it becomes blackish
and harder. Its peculiar narcotic smell should be strong and
fresh, and unaccompanied by any burnt odour. Its taste is
bitter, and slightly warm and acrid. Those pieces which are
very soft, full of herbaceous impurities, containing patches of a
very dark brown or black extract, of an empyreumatic odour,
or not smelling duly narcotic, are in general adulterated, and it
is not uncommon to find stones, sand, bullets, and other impuri-
ties, in masses even of the best Opium. When this Opium is
carefully dried it becomes brittle, and affords a yellow-brown
powder. It burns with flames, and exhales an odour in which
may be traced some resemblance to that of animal matter ; its
specific gravity is about 1°3.

A large quantity of Opium is made in India; that which is
found in our market, under the name of East India Opium,
is generally darker coloured and less pure than the Turkey
Opium; it has less of the narcotic odour, and smells and
tastes and looks as if it had been injured by fire. But of the
genuine Indian Opium, little or none is brought to this country ;
about one-third is sent to the Eastern islands, and two-thirds to
Canton. It is rigidly prohibited in China, so that the whole of
it is smuggled into that country. In the year 1829-30, between
16,000 and 17,000 chests of Indian Opium are said to have been
imported into China, each chest containing about 133 pounds.
The Chinese use it chiefly for smoking, and prefer it to Turkey
Opium ; they, however, also import a considerable quantity of
the latter. The principal varieties of the Indian Opium are
Maleva and Bengal Opium. ‘The former is in small cakes, of a
dark brown colour and resinous fracture ; the latter in balls of
about three and a half pounds weight, of a softish consistence,
and having a strong and pure taste and odour of Opium.

78 FLORA HOMCEZOPATHICA,

Egyptian Opium is in small flat cakes, of a peculiar reddish
colour, and having less of the Opium odour than the other
varieties.

Constantinople Opium is in large and small cakes; the former
of good quality, the latter covered with poppy-leaf, less odor-
ous, and more mucilaginous.

Persian Opium is in small cylindrical sticks, about six inches
long, and half an inch in diameter. Each one is enveloped in
a smooth shining paper, and tied with cotton; its colour is
similar to that of Socotrine aloes. It has the opiate odour
stronger than that of the Egyptian kind, but less than Smyrna
Opium, and mixed somewhat with a musty odour ; its taste
is intensely bitter. It is commonly termed Persian Opium,
but the specimens I received came from Trebizond. It is con-
sidered an inferior kind (Pereira, Brande’s Dictionary of Mat.
Med. and Phar., p. 382).

‘Homeopathy confines itself to the two following methods
of using Opium. One method is to dissolve a grain of
good Opium in powder in a hundred drops of alcohol, to
allow it to remain a week at a common uniform temperature,
when it is fit for use ; and it is carried to its higher degrees of
solution by following the same methods as are employed for
other medicines. The other method, which is the preferable
one, is to use the Opium in substance, the same as all other dry
substances, rubbing three times in succession with a hundred
grains of sugar of milk; then dissolve a grain of the third
attenuation in a hundred drops of alcohol, and continue as
before until the decillionth dilution is reached. One or two
globules soaked in this extract suffice to produce all the benefit
that can be obtained from Opium, when there is any homeo-
pathic sympathy between its symptoms and those of the dis-
ease to which it is opposed. The effects of Opium are
much more difficult to ascertain than those of almost all other
medicines” (Hahnemann, Mat. Med. Pura).

PuystoLocicaL Errects.— The Effects of Opium on Plants :

~

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. i9

Macaire (Annal. de Chim. et Phys., vol. xxxix. p. 213) states,
that the stamens of the barberry and the leaves of the sensitive
plant lost their contractility and soon died, when the stems of
these vegetables were immersed in an aqueous solution of
Opium. Other experimenters have not succeeded in producing
this result. By immersing the stem of the Chara in a solution
of Opium, the circulation of this plant becomes slower, is soon
suspended, and is ultimately stopped (Pereira, op. cit.)

On Animals.—On all animals Opium has been found to act
as a poison, but modified according to the degree of develop-
ment of the nervous system. In the Invertebrata, Opium causes
weakness or paralysis of the contractile tissues, with gradual
sinking and death. Thus in the Polygastrica and the Annelides,
it first accelerates the animal movements, but afterwards para-
lyses them. Now, in the lower Invertebrata a central nervous
apparatus is altogether wanting, while in the higher animals of
this class it is not sufficiently developed to exercise that influ-
ence over the whole individual which we observe it to possess
in the vertebrated class.

In the vertebrated animal, we haye a high development of
the central organs of the nervous system, and a consequent
increase in the number of symptoms caused by Opium. Thus
in fishes, amphibials, and reptiles we observe, in addition to the
weakened and paralytic condition of the contractile tissues,
convulsions. In the first the convulsive contractions bend the
body laterally, whereas in the other Vertebrata the superior
dorsal muscles are affected, and hence the head and tail are
elevated. These differences obviously depend on the disposi-
tion of the muscles. Proceeding in the ascending order, we
observe in birds and mammals, besides the paralysis and con-
vulsions, stupor. The last-mentioned symptom, however, is
principally manifested in the highest of the mammals, man,
that is, in that animal which has the most highly-developed
brain; while in some of the lower mammals, as the ruminants,
it is scarcely observed; and eyen in the Carnivora, as in dogs,

I

80 FLORA HUMGOPATHICA.

it is very slight. It is somewhat remarkable that the stupor is
more manifest in birds than in the lower mammals. Moreover,
it is not undeserving of notice, that the operation of Opium on
the different races of man is not uniform. On the Negro,
Malay, and the Javanese it more frequently acts as an excit-
ant, causing furious madness or delirium, and convulsions.
Are we to ascribe the less frequent occurrence of*these symp-
toms in the Caucasian variety to the greater development of
his brain? In conclusion, then, it appears that the effects of
Opium on the animal kingdom have a relation to the degree
of development and influence of the nervous system (Idem).

On Man.—lIts effects may be divided into three degrees of
operation. First degree of operation: In small doses, of from a
quarter of a grain to one grain, Opium generally acts as a stimu-
lant, though in this respect the symptoms are not uniform.
Usually the vascular system is somewhat excited, and a sensa-
tion of fulness is experienced about the head. The mind is
usually exhilarated, the ideas flow more quietly, a pleasurable
and comfortable condition of the whole system is experienced,
difficult to describe ; there is capability of greater exertion than
usual. These symptoms are followed by a diminution of mus-
cular power, and of susceptibility to the impression of external
objects; a desire of repose is experienced, with a tendency to
sleep; while these effects are taking place, the mouth and
throat become dry, and hunger is diminished, though the thirst
is increased, and slight constipation usually follows. Such are
the ordinary effects of a small dose of Opium on persons unac-
customed to its use. By repetition, however, its influence
becomes considerably diminished; and those therefore who
resort to it for the purpose of producing a pleasurable excite-
ment, are obliged to augment the dose to keep up an equal
effect.

Given in a full medicinal dose, from two to four grains, the
stage of excitement is soon followed by that of depression. The
pulse, which at first is increased to fulness and frequency, is

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 81

afterwards reduced below the natural standard. The skin be-
comes hot, the mouth and throat dry, the appetite diminished,
the thirst increases, and frequently nausea or even vomiting are
induced. The symptoms of excitement soon pass away, and a
state of torpor succeeds; the individual seems indisposed to
exertion, the muscular system appears enfeebled, the force of
external impressions on the organs of sense is diminished, and
the ideas become confused. This state is followed by an almost
irresistible desire to sleep, which is frequently attended by
dreams, sometimes of a pleasing, at others of a frightful nature,
These effects are usually succeeded by constipation, nausea,
furred tongue, headache, and listlessness (Idem).

Poisonous Effects of Opium.—Dr. Christison (Treatise on
Poisons, p. 529) says, “The symptoms of poisoning with
Opium, when it is administered at once in a dangerous dose, ©
begin with giddiness and stupor, generally without any previous
stimulus. The stupor rapidly increasing, the person soon be-
comes motionless and insensible to external impressions; he
breathes very slowly, generally lies quite still, with the eyes
shut and the pupils contracted; and the whole expression of
the countenance is that of deep and perfect repose. As the
poisoning advances, the features become ghastly, the pulse
feeble and imperceptible, the muscles excessively relaxed, and,
unless assistance is speedily procured, death ensues. If the
person recovers, the sopor is succeeded by prolonged sleep,
which commonly ends in twenty-four or thirty-six hours, and is
followed by nausea, vomiting, giddiness, and loathing of food.

The most remarkable symptom in the generality of cases of
poisoning with Opium, is the peculiar sopor. This state differs
from coma, in the patient continuing long capable of being
roused. It may be difficult to arouse him, but, unless death is
very near, this may always be accomplished by brisk agitation,
tickling the nostrils, loud speaking, or injection of water in the
ear. ‘The state of restored consciousness is always imperfect,
and is speedily followed again by lethargy, when the exciting

i

82 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

cause is withheld. The possibility of rousing the patient from
the lethargy caused by the Opium is, in general, a good crite-
rion for distinguishing the effects of this poison from apoplexy
and epilepsy.

Convulsions, in poisoning by Opium, are not common in the
human subject, yet when they do occur they are sometimes
very violent. The Journal Universel (vol. xix. p. 340) contains
the case of a soldier who took two drachms of solid Opium, and
died in six hours anda half, after being affected with locked
jaw and dreadful spasms. A case is related in the Medical and
Physical Journal (vol. xxxi. p. 468) of a young man who, after
swallowing an ounce of Laudanum, told what he had done, so
that he was seen within three hours by his surgeon; at that
time he was insensible, the mouth was distorted, the jaws fixed,
and the hands clenched ; afterwards the insensibility was less-
ened by proper remedies, and then he was seized with spasms
of the back, neck, and extremities, so violent as to resemble
opisthotonos. Another good case of this kind is related by Mr.
M‘Kechnie (Edin. Med. and Surg. Journal, vol. vii. p. 305),
where the voluntary muscles were violently convulsed in fre-
quent paroxysms, and were affected in the intervals with
subsultus, for three hours, before the sopor came on. The
convulsions sometimes assume the form of permanent spasm,
which may affect the whole muscles of the body. ‘Another rare
symptom is delirium.

The state of the pulse varies considerably ; in some cases
as high as ninety, feeble and irregular, and such appears to
be the case when the dose has been so large as to endanger
life. Wery frequently, however, it is much slower, and then it
is rather full than feeble, just as in apoplexy. In the cases
where convulsions occur, it is for the most part hurried, and
does not become slower till the coma becomes pure.

The respiration is almost always slow; sometimes it is ster-
torous, but this is not common. It is generally very gentle,
and in an instance recorded by Dr. Kennis, the breathing could

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 83

not be perceived without great attention, yet the patient re-
covered,

The pupils are always at least sluggish in their contractions,
often quite insensible; sometimes they are dilated, but much
more commonly contracted, and occasionally to an extreme
degree. In the case last noticed, they were no bigger than a
pin’s point.

The expression of the countenance is, for the most part,
remarkably placid, like that of a person in a sound, natural
sleep ; occasionally there is an expression of anxiety mingled
with stupor. The face is commonly pale ; sometimes, however,
it is flushed, and in rare cases the expression is furious.

Notwithstanding the purely narcotic or nervous symptoms
which Opium produces in a vast proportion of instances, there
is no doubt that it produces, in a few rare cases, those of irri-
tation also. Thus, although it generally constipates the bowels,
it has been known to induce diarrhcea, or colic, in particular
constitutions. The soldier, whose case was quoted as having
been accompanied with convulsions, had acute pain in the
stomach for some time after swallowing the poison; and in
another case. the accession of somnolency was attended with
excruciating colic pains, of two days’ duration. Another and
more singular anomaly is the spontaneous occurrence of vomit-
ing. Another anomaly has been mentioned by a writer of high
authority (Pyl), viz., complete remission of all the symptoms,
for days together, and subsequent renewal of them. The pos-
sibility of such a remission must be received with great hesita-
tion. His case, however, was the following: “ A man who had
taken a large quantity of Opium, and became very dangerously
ill, was made to vomit in twelve hours, and regained his senses
completely. The bowels continued obstinately costive, but he
had for some days no other symptom referable to the poison,
when at length the whole body became gradually palsied and
stiff, and he died on the tenth day. No importance can be
attached to a solitary case, differing so widely from every

84 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

other. The only way in which Opium could cause death in
such a manner, must be by calling forth some disposition to
natural disease. The case was probably one of ramollissement,
or inflammation of the substance of the brain.

We have an account, in the Memoirs of the Academy of
Sciences at Paris, of the death of a young man at Cairo, from
his being decoyed into taking a large dose of this medicine.
Among a number of young people in that city, who frequently
drank together, there was one who always boasted of his
superior power to bear a large quantity of liquor; and his
companions, determined to get the better of him for once,
dissolved, without his knowing of it, a drachm of Opium in
the liquor he was to drink. The consequence was, that in-
stead of falling asleep, as they expected he would, he fell into
violent deliriums, and afterwards into a profound and dead
sleep. The next morning his comrades went to see him, and
triumphed in their victory, but found him dying, looking livid,
without pulse, and with his mouth closed; they sent for assist-
ance, but in vain. After the death of the person, the body,
arms, and thighs became covered with livid tumours, as big as
the head of a young child, and these emitted an intolerable
stench, almost as soon as the corpse was cold. There is one
singular incident in regard to this case, which is, that this
stench allured all the cats from the neighbouring houses, who
came with great eagerness, and were hardly prevented from
devouring the body.

Dr. Sigmond says: “It is only since the year 1716 that we
have become acquainted with the marvellous stories which have
been reported of the extraordinary excitement produced by
Opium, an excitement totally different from that caused by
vinous and alcoholic drinks. Free use of wine and spirits is
followed by a high degree of irritation, but the use of Opium
by calmness and quiescence. There is no ferocity or violence
like that which succeeds the drinking of brandy to excess, nor
any of that absolute dejection which is produced by whiskey

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 85

and gin. It is, however, succeeded by a collapse or reaction,
which developes itself in imbecility, a loathing of food, anda
repugnance to all the ordinary occupations of life. At the
Opium-shops in Constantinople, the drug is rolled up in pills
by the marchand, who knows his customers so well, that he can
vary the size of the pill to meet their respective appetites. ‘The
patient reclines on a sofa, takes a glass of water to wash down
the pill, and in a few moments those ecstatic dreams and chi-
merical scenes to which they are accustomed ensue. Some-
times the person makes his way home, assuming various gro-
tesque attitudes, being followed by shouts of derision by the
boys, or he recites elegant passages of poetry, and generally
becomes very eloquent. The excitement having subsided, a
stupor or sopor, which lasts about eight hours, comes on, which
is attended by a gnawing pain in the stomach, but none of that
nausea consequent on the use of vinous or alcoholic drinks.
The intoxication of this drug produces an utter listlessness and
dislike to everything around the individual, who cannot be
happy or easy until he returns to the poison again. At length
the appetite is destroyed; the mind becomes incapable of pursu-
ing any study; there is a kind of delirium tremens; the
muscles become flaccid, and almost incapable of obeying volition ;
the body becomes deformed, distortions take place; and at last
death puts an end to the miserable existence of the Opium-
eater.” :
The requisite dose of Opium to cause death must necessarily
vary with circumstances. Pyl relates a case where sixty grains
caused rapid death ; another with thirty-six grains. Wildberg
(Practic. Handbuch fir Phys., iii. 329) states that half an
ounce of the tincture has proved fatal. Dr. Paris thinks that
four grains may prove fatal. Habit has, of course, much to do
with the dose necessary to prove fatal. In the Confessions of an
English Opium-eater, the author declares that he took as much
as eight thousand drops, or about nine ounces of Laudanum,
daily. In 1848, a young woman was brought into the Uni-

86 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

versity College Hospital, who had been a confirmed Opium-

eater, and had gradually increased the quantity from five drops
to more than a pint of Laudanum daily. The Turks are in the
habit of frequenting teriakchans, or Opium-shops, and many
take large quantities of Opium daily. Mustapha Shatron, the

Smyrna Opium-eater, was in the practice of swallowing three

drachms daily ; and Garcias, in his History of Drugs and Spices,
speaks of a person who took ten drachms daily. The increasing
attachment to wine in Turkey has diminished the consumption
of Opium, but there are still to be found teriakis, or Opium-

eaters, who will swallow in a glass of water one hundred grains

daily. It is often made up in small lozenges, mixed with spices,

and stamped with the words Masch Allah, literally, the “ gift
of God.” Dr. Christen (Op. Hist. Chem. atq. Pharm. invent.)
mentions the well-known fact that the celebrated author of the

Brownonian system, in propounding his theory to his pupils,

was in the habit of taking forty or fifty drops of Laudanum in

a glass of rum before and during his lecture. The following

fact is related by a very distinguished pupil of Brown, who,

happening to call upon his preceptor one morning at an early

hour, was surprised, as he entered his study, to hear him in the

act of giving this order to his daughter: “ Eppy, my dear, gie

me the moderate stimulus o’ one hundred and fifty drops of
Laudanum in a glass 0’ whiskey.”

Mepicat Uses (Homm@oratutc).-Hahnemann’s observations
(Mat. Med. Pura, tr. par Jourdan): « Many chemists have
lately given themselves incredible trouble in decomposing
Opium, and deriving from it its constituent principles, such as
morphine, narcotine, meconic acid, extractive matter, caoutchouc,
a balsam, or thick oil, a substance like starch, gum, and a volatile
substance. But the greater part of them disagree as much with
regard to the mode of the analysis, by means of numerous and
complicated operations, as in their statements of the chemical
properties of these different substances. Neither do their

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 87

opinions agree with respect to the manner in which these dif-
ferent substances act. So that, everything considered, there is
no certain beneficial result to be derived from these labours,
either in regard to medicine in general or to the advantage of
sick persons in particular.

** Homeopathy concerns itself only with simple medical sub-
stances, such as nature presents to us. Its only object is to
find out the simplest ways of preparing them, in order that
their inherent properties may all be equally obtained, and their
curative virtues be developed. It aims at nothing but the good
of mankind, and does not seek to establish its credit, as modern
pharmacy does, upon knowing how to prepare from Opium the
best poison to produce death without pain (the acetate of mor-
‘phine). It can do without such dangerous artifices.

“The primary result of weak and moderate doses, during
whose action the organism is affected in a passive manner,
appears to be the exciting for a short time the irritability and
activity of the muscles subject to its action, but also to diminish
for a longer time that of those muscles which are not subjected
to its influence ; to excite the imagination and the courage, but
also to deaden and stupify the feelings, the sensibility, and
presence of mind. Under a longer continuance of its influence,
the organism, by its power of reaction, produces a condition
absolutely the reverse: a want of excitability and activity in the
involuntary muscles, an absence of ideas, languor of imagination,
with timidity and over-sensibility of the general feeling. Cer-
tain symptoms are more palpable in some individuals than in
others. No medicine relieves suffering sooner than Opium.
It is this property which has induced physicians to employ
it so largely—a source of numberless evils. If the use of
Opium in disease were as beneficial as it is frequent, no other
medicine would make so many cures; but exactly the reverse
takes place.

“ The potency of this medicine and its rapid action indicate

88 FLORA HOM(CEOPATHICA.

that its effects should be thoroughly studied before using it,
in expectation of real benefit; but such a result is only to be
obtained by homeopathy.

“‘ Now, as Opium has hitherto been little used, excepting as
an antipathic and palliative, and its primitive effects only have
been opposed to diseases, no medicine has appeared so
soothing, or has so apparently suppressed morbid symptoms,
although soon followed by results more distressing than the
original disease. In short, nothing has caused more positive
evil after apparent good.

“ Tn all kinds of coughs, diarrheeas, vomiting, sleeplessness,
melancholy, spasms, nervous affections, and, above all, in severe
pain, Opium is indiscriminately given, on the ground that it is
the best remedy in such cases. But its innumerable evil results
do not appear among the primitive effects of Opium, which are
exactly the reverse.

“‘ Therefore we may easily imagine how few salutary and
enduring effects can be obtained in the greater number of
morbid and physical affections, and this is proved by daily
experience. If Opium has been found to cure cough, diarrhea,
sickness, Spasms, etc., etc., in a few cases, it is only when these
symptoms first show themselves in persons previously in good
health, and are but slight. In such cases, as, for instance, in a
trifling cough caused by a recent chill, trembling arising from
terror, etc., Opium will sometimes restore the patient quickly
to health, because, if these symptoms are at once destroyed, the
body is restored to its former condition, and the tendency to
their return is suppressed.

“ But because this palliative action upon slight and recent
affections succeeds in a few instances, it does not follow that
Opium really possesses the power of curing them permanently
in all cases.

** It cannot convert them into sound health, because they are
symptoms of other diseases, with which Opium does not coincide
homeeopathically in its primitive effects. For this reason, up

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 89

to the present time, it has seldom been used without injury
to the sufferer in long-standing coughs, continued diarrhea,
habitual wakefulness, chronic sickness, spasms, anxiety, and
tremors, when they have been some time established. Such
symptoms, depending upon diseases between which and Opium
there is no connection, cannot be permanently cured by it, so as
to effect a durable establishment of health.

“In administering Opium for the chronic complaints above
mentioned, we perceive that it is on the principle of soothing,
procuring a temporary suspension of suffering; that subse-
quently it will relieve only by increasing the dose, which even
then becomes less effective, and at the same time creates new
disease, an artificial malady, still more serious and distressing
than the first.

* But it is yet more striking to observe that, up to the
present time, the use of Opium has been abused by giving it in
all kinds of pains, however deep-seated and of however long
standing. It shocks our understanding, and seems like return-
ing to the absurd idea of an universal medicine, to expect from
it the cure of diseases totally different to each other. But Opium
does not, strictly speaking, belong to the class of remedies that
soothe and cure pain. It is almost the only medicine that does
not excite a single pain during its primitive action. Other
medicines elicit their own peculiar symptoms, and are therefore
capable of curing homeopathically the symptoms resembling
them. But Opium has not the power of effectually curing any
kind of pain whatever, because, instead of exciting pain during
its first action, it extinguishes the sense of it, the inevitable
reaction of which causes greater sensitiveness than before, and
consequently increases suffering.

“ Therefore, all pains soothed for the moment by Opium
return after a short time, when the stupifying effect is past, as
bad as before, and very often still more intense ; so that at last
they will only yield to stronger and larger doses, which create
The use

in return other serious diseases new to the sufferer.

90 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

of Opium in confirmed pain is therefore empirical, and deceptive
to the patient, leading him to attribute to other diseases the
mischievous consequences due to it alone.

“‘ Chronic diseases are the test of true practice, because they
never cure themselves. Slight and sudden affections cease,
with or without medicine, evidently through the vis medicatriz
nature ; but in acute disease, when medicines are given, to
make that cure evident, it must be effected more rapidly and
more perfectly than it could have been done by Nature.

“‘ If Opium appears sometimes to cure pain in acute diseases,
it is for the simple reason that, when the diseases are not
dangerous, they run their course in a few days, and carry off
with them the attendant pains.

“The only instance in which Opium appears really to cure
pain, is the uncommon one in which, by its other primitive
effects, it agrees homeopathically with the symptoms of the
disease, and thus destroys it. Hence, of course, the pain must
cease, but only by indirect means. Thus dysentery, being
caused by the retention of substances in the larger intestines,
some varieties of this disease, which are accompanied with heat
and stupor, may be cured by Opium, between the primitive
effects of which and their symptoms there is homeopathic
concordance.

‘Thus again, Opium can only calm the pains of the lead-
colic, when it has cured homeopathically, by its primitive con-
stipating property, the obstinate constipation occasioned by
lead. It cures indirectly, and not by its stupifying quality ;
that is to say, in small doses, insufficient to produce stupor. But
it never can make a sudden cure, without inconvenience follow-
ing ; so far from it, it is one of the principal remedies in dis-
ease with stupor in which the patient does not feel pain.

“ Painful maladies, acute and chronic, can only be cured
effectively by medicines whose primitive effects are analogous
to their peculiar symptoms, and which also possess the faculty of
exciting a kind of pain closely resembling those which charac-

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 91

terise the diseases. In this case, the remedy, in the smallest
dose, cures both the disease and the pain with surprising quick-
ness and certainty. This may be proved by any one’s expe-
rience.

“By not recognising this law, and treating all pains anti-
pathically by Opium, we have seen the use of this drug bring
on a train of evil consequences—stupor, constipation, and other
serious symptoms which appertain to Opium, and without which
it would not be what it is. But persons have deceived them-
selves as to the character of these inevitable effects. Instead
of perceiving in them results inherent in the nature of Opium,
they have considered them as derived from some accessory pro-
perties, which they have taken unwearied pains to separate
from it. Hence the various correctives that have been tried
for two thousand years, in the hope of soothing spasms and pain,
without bringing on delirium or constipation; of suppressing
vomiting and diarrhea, without causing stupor; of procuring
sleep, without heat, headache, tremors, languor, depression,
and extreme sensitiveness to cold.

“ To effect this, Opium has been combined with warm aro-
“matics, intended to prevent the disposition to chilliness that
occurs in its reaction, aperients, etc. etc. Also, it has been
attempted, by repeated filtration, to remove a supposed inju-
rious resin. It has been digested for months, to dissipate a
volatile narcotic principle, thought to be poisonous. And lastly,
it has been attempted to purify it by roasting it at the fire, thus
converting it into an invaluable panacea for all imaginable dis-
eases.

“‘ But this is all fallacious. By all these means Opium is
only rendered less active, without changing its nature. Larger
doses become necessary to produce the same end, and act pre-
cisely as in its primary state.

“ Opium therefore is not, more than any other drug, hidden
under accessory qualities; but its medicinal properties must
become hurtful and dangerous when it is only used as an

92 FLORA HOMCZOPATHICA.

antipathic remedy, and not according to the homeopathic
law.

“Opium has this distinguishing property, that in irritable
persons who are unaccustomed to it, especially in large doses,
it causes a reaction, beginning very remarkably, very rapid,
and often instantaneous, but which, either by its briefness,
its rare occurrence, or its nature, must not be confounded
with its principal and primitive effects. ‘This reaction, rare
and momentary, perfectly resembles the reaction of the human
organism upon Opium, and may be called its shadow. ‘The
symptoms are, a death-like paleness, coldness of the limbs
and whole body, cold perspiration, anxiety, trembling, trepida-
tion, but very seldom any degree of pain.

“In cases of poisoning by strong doses of Opium, scarcely
any of its primitive effects appear, but this peculiar commencing
reaction gives place immediately to death, as Dr. Willis relates,
and as I have myself seen.

“The people of the East, who so much abuse the use of
Opium, are, as soon as intoxication ceases, in a continued state
of opiatic reaction: their intellectual faculties are diminished ;
they are chilly, pallid, bloated, trembling, irresolute, weak,
stupid, with an anxious countenance, and feelings of general
uneasiness. They early have recourse to their accustomed
number of Opium pills to revive heat and circulation, to reani-
mate their spirits, awaken ideas in their dull imagination, and
restore activity to their paralysed muscles,

“ The antidotes to dangerous doses of Opium are the tincture
of Ipecacuanha, Camphor, but above all, strong Coffee used in
various ways, together with friction. But if the body is become
icy-cold, insensible, and the muscular fibre deprived of irrita-
bility, the palliative use of a warm bath must be tried.

“ When Opium, given in large doses to calm pain, or remove
diarrhea, has produced, as it frequently does, real paralysis of
the limbs, it is as impossible to be cured as that which is caused
by violent electric disturbance.

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 93

“Some of the primitive effects of Opium last but two hours,
but others, especially those ensuing from strong doses, continue
longer, though perhaps they may not prove fatal.

“Opium is a medicine whose primitive effects are seldom
employed homeopathically in human diseases.”

APPLICATION ACCORDING TO THE HommopatTHic PRIN-
crpLE.— Noack and Trinks: “Opium shows that its prin-
cipal effects are directed first on the cerebro-spinal nervous
system, then on the ganglionic nervous system, the arterial vas-
cular system, on the muscles subject to the will, the serous and
mucous membranes; we recognise further its peculiar effects on
organs of the mind, on the power of imagination, the faculty
of the will, the memory, on the cerebellum, the liver, and other
organs. Hahnemann has very correctly comprehended and
pointed out the fundamental character of the effects of Opium,
when he says, ‘ in the primary effect of small and moderate doses,
in which the organism suffering, as it were, allows itself to be
affected by the medicine, it seems to exalt the irritability and
activity of the muscles subjected to the will, but to diminish that of
the involuntary for a longer time ; whilst it exalts the fancy and
the mind in its primary action, blunts and stupifies at the same
time the external senses, common sensation, and consciousness.’
As an after-effect, he describes want of irritability and of
activity of the voluntarily, and morbidly-exalted excitability of
the involuntary muscles, absence of ideas, and obtuseness of the
fancy, with timidity, with over-sensibility of common sensation.
In large doses, the symptoms of the primary action rise not
only to a far more dangerous height, but also pass through
each other with great haste, often intermixed with secondary
effects, or rapidly passing into these. According to Rau, it
is distinguished by excitation of the nervous system in its
central points, and by antagonistic depression of the peri-
pheric activity of the same. It weakens the energy of the
muscles of the mucous membrane; excites, on the contrary,
the activity of the veins; increases the secretion of bile and the

94 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA,

transpiration through the skin and lungs (Werth der Hom.
Heilh., neue Ed., p. 96). The fundamental character of most
of the physiological effects of Opium bears the impress of
excitation, of the erethismus nervosus in the cerebro-spinal
nervous system, with simultaneous raising of the arterial vas-
cular action, and in particular, raising and elevation of the
cerebral life in its entire totality; whilst, on the contrary,
in its effects on the splanchnic nerves and on the venous
system, and more especially the abdominal venous system, the
character of torpor and of neuro-paralysis is most significantly
expressed.

“ Only large doses of Opium act at the same time narcotically—
oppressing cerebral life and paralysing and deadening the vital
power of the entire cerebro-spinal nervous system. Among the
striking physiological effects of Opium, we meet with very
many reactions and also many secondary effects. ‘These ap-
parently opposite states are therefore to be considered phy-
siological and therapeutical, as just so many indications for the
curing of similar natural morbid states: thus, to mention only
some, the stupor produced by Opium, the comatose, stupified
state, is Just as important an indication as the exalted state of
the fancy excited by it; the drowsiness just as important as
the sleeplessness; the retention of the stools as the diarrhea ;
the spasms as the paralysis; and even the absence of pain
and of sensibility mentioned by Hahnemann, which Opium
produces, seems to be one of its most frequent reactions,
which gives occasion to presume that Opium is capable of
producing pains, which is altogether negatived by Hah-
nemann, but which is confirmed by more recent obser-
vations, and raised above all doubt by the practical experience
of credible authorities; for there are actually nervous pains of
the worst and most obstinate kind (neuralgia of the sensitive
nerves and also of the splanchnic nerves) cured by the sole use
of Opium, just as by Stramonium and Conium, to which sub-

stances the capability of producing pains, consequently of curing

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 95

them, is in like manner wholly denied. Let us compare on
this subject the excellent treatment of Dr. George Schmid,
who, next to Hahnemann, has given the best commentary on
the physiological effects of Opium. At all events, Opium
deserves on the part of the homeopathic physicians, as George
Schmid very truly remarks, greater consideration than has been
given by them, more especially in acute diseases (a considerable
number of which, as English physicians experience, may be
checked and cut short in their further development by the
employment of Opium).”

The following are some of the chief affections, according to
Noack and Trinks, in which Opium has been successfully
employed. Ailments consequent on fright and fear. Excessive
sensitiveness of the nervous system to external impressions.
Starting of the body after severe surgical operations. Lethargy.
Soporous condition in typhoid fevers. Coma in fevers. Soporous
intermittent fever. Typhus cerebralis. Delirium tremens

_potatorum. Vertigo, particularly after fright. Apoplexy, both

sanguineous and nervous. Acute hydrocephalus during the
comatose stage. Hemicrania and megrim. Cerebral affec-
tions from a stroke of the sun. Colica saturnina. Neuralgia
ceeliaca. Obstinate constipation. Spasms. Fatiguing tight
cough, constantly followed by yawning. Neurocarditis, with
great excitement, trembling, and double beating of the heart.
Anguish and oppression, and as a valuable palliative in organic
affections of the heart.

Anrtipores.—Pereira (El. of Mat. Med., p. 1767) gives the
following directions. ‘In the case of poisoning by Opium, the
first indication is to remove the poison from the stomach; the
second is to neutralize any of it which may be retained in the
system; and the third is to obviate its injurious effects. Until
other and more powerful evacuant means can be obtained, we
should have recourse to tickling the throat with the finger, or
with a feather dipped in oil. As domestic emetics, mustard or
salt may be administered, a dessert-spoonful of flour of mus-

K

96 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

tard, or a tablespoonful of salt stirred up in a tumbler of water.
The stomach-pump is, however, the best means of evacuating
the contents of the stomach, and, when it can be performed,
should always be preferred. The emetics usually resorted to
are the sulphates of zinc and copper, the first is preferred ; it
should be given in doses of from one to two scruples. The
dose of sulphate of copper is less; from five to fifteen grains.
Ipecacuanha or tartar emetic may be resorted to when the
other means are not at hand. Clysters containing fifteen to
twenty grains of tartar emetic may be administered; or, in
extreme cases, a solution of one or two grains of this salt may be
injected into the veins, taking care to prevent the introduction
of air.” There are no known agents which completely destroy
the activity of Opium by their chemical properties, and which
can be resorted to in these cases. Infusion of galls, however, is
regarded as the best, though an imperfect antidote. Magnesia,
as well as iodine and chlorine, have also been recommended.

The following therapeutical means to obviate the effects have
been found efficacious.

Rousing the patient, by exercising him up and down a room
between two men. It may be sometimes necessary to continue
this for several hours. Cold affusion.—Dashing cold water
over the head and chest is an exceedingly valuable agent. It
oftentimes assists the operation of emetics. Dr. Boisragon
(Lond. Med. Giaz., March 6, 1840) recommends the alternation
of impression, with hot or cold water, and at different parts of
the surface of the body. Jrritants.—The application of irri-
tants to the body is also sometimes a useful practice; thus
blisters and sinapisms to the feet. Stimulants.—Ammonia,
camphor, musk, coffee, and other stimulants, are sometimes
used to advantage. (Hahnemann states that very strong coffee,
either by the mouth or by injection, is an excellent antidote.)
Vegetable acids.—Orfila has found the vegetable acids the best
anti-narcotics. For this purpose, drinks of vinegar and water,
lemon-juice, or cream of tartar and water, should be given

PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM. 97

every ten minutes. These agents, however, should not be
resorted to till the poison has been evacuated from the stomach.
Artificial respiration.—As a last resource, this is on no account
to be omitted. Death has on several occasions been apparently
averted by it. An interesting case, in which it was successfully
practised, was published many years ago by Mr. Whately
(Med. Obs. and Inq., vol. vi. p. 351). Natural respiration was
extinct when it was begun. In another successful case, related
by Mr. Smith (Med. Chir. Trans., vol. xx. p. 86), artificial
respiration was kept up for four hours and a half (with an in-
terval of an hour); when it was commenced there was no pulse
at the wrist, and only a slight irregular action of the heart,
indicative that life was not quite extinct. A third case, also
successful, is that of an infant ten days old, who had taken
twenty-five to thirty drops of Laudanum, intended for the
mother, and had lost the power of deglutition, was comatose,
and had several convulsions. Artificial respiration was sus-
tained for two or three hours.

ANTIDOTES OF SMALL (Homa@opatuic) Dosrs.—Bell. Camph.
Coff. Hyos. Ipec. Mere. Nux V. Plumb. Stram. vinum.
Opium antidotes Zach. Merc. Nux V. Plumb. Stram.

XLVII.
PARIS QUADRIFOLIA.
Herb Paris. ‘ True-love. One Berry.

SyNonyMs,—Herba Paris, Raii Syn., vol. i. p. 264; Germ. Em., 405, f.; Park.
Theatr., 390; Camer. Epit., 835, f. Paris, . 1006, Hall Hist., vol. i. p- 429.
Solanum quadrifolium bacciferum, Bauh. Thy., p. 167. Uva lupulina seu Aster,
Trag. Hist., 307, £.308. Aconitum pardalianches, Fuch. Hist., 87 , {—k, 48 f.
Paris quadrifolia, Linn., Sp. Pl., p. 526; Willd., vol. ii. p. 471; Flor. Brit.,
p. 431

Forrien Names.—Fy. : Parisette, Raisin de Renard. Port.: Parisetta. Ital. :
Uva di Volpe. Span.; Ubas de Zooro, Germ.: Die Einbeere. Dut. : Wolfs-
begie. Dan.: Elbwr. Swed.: Nollbar. Russ.: Woronei glas.

Nat. Order, Smiuacem, R. Brown, Lindl.; Asraraci, Juss.—
OcranDrIA, TETRAGYNIA.

Gan. Cuar.—Calyz inferior, of four spear-shaped, acute, spreading, per-
manent leaves, the length of the corolla. Petals four, spreading, awl-
Shaped, equal, permanent, resembling the calyx, but narrower and
alternate with it. Filaments eight, awl-shaped. _Anthers long, of two
cells, attached to the middle of the filaments. Styles four. Stigmas
oblong, downy on the upper side. Berry nearly globular, with four
blunt angles and four cells. Seeds several, attached in two rows to a

History.—Gerarde (Historie of Plants, 329) states that Herba
Paris was supposed to be by some the Pardalianches of the
earlier writers, and was used as an antidote against poisons;
. that “‘ Mathias de Lobel and Petrus Pena, who, having often

Fig. 1, 2. The stamens, different views. 3. Germen. 4. Ditto, magnified. 5.
The berry entire, with the persistent perianth. 6. Section of the seed-vessel. The
drawing is taken from a natural specimen found at Clifton, near Bristol. The
dissections are from Hayne.

Plate XLVII.

Paris Quadnfolia .

AM Traice, hth: ; Tho® Harnid nip:

PARIS QUADRIFOLIA. 99

read that it was one of the Aconites called Pardalianches, and
so by consequence of a poisoning qualitie, they gave it unto
dogs and lambes, who received no hurt by the same; where-
fore they further prosecuted the experience thereof, and gave
unto two dogs, fast bound or coupled together, a dram of
arsenicke, and one dram of mercurie sublimate, mixed with
flesh, which the dogs would not willingly eat, and therefore
they had it crammed down their throats. Unto one of these
dogs they gave this plant as an antidote, whereby he recovered
his former health again in a few hours; but the other dog,
which had none of the medicine, died incontinently.

‘The people of Germany do use the leaves of Paris Herb
in green wounds, for which it is very good, as reporteth
Joachimus Camerarius, who believed that the powder of the
root, given to drinke, doth speedily cease the gripings and
paine of the colicke.”

Parkinson says: “ The roots boiled in wine heip the colic,
and the leaves applied outwardly repress tumours and inflam-
mations.”

According to Coste and Willemet, the root may be given in
doses of one or two scruples, as an emetic, instead of Ipeca-
cuanha.

The leaves and berries have been given in allopathic medi-
cine, as an antispasmodic in the hooping-cough, and various
convulsive diseases, with the caution that great care is neces-
sary in exhibiting this medicine, as convulsions and death are
caused by an over-dose.

At Calonga, in Russia, the leaves, before the maturity of the
seeds, are prescribed against madness.

Description.—The plant is perennial, and flowers in May
and June. ‘The root is creeping, somewhat fleshy. Siem quite
simple, from eight to twelve inches high, upright, smooth,
round, and naked, except at the top. The Jeaves are broadly
egg-shaped, oval, or inversely egg-shaped, pointed, growing
in a whorl at the top of the stem, usually four, rarely three,

L

100 FLORA HOMCEOPATHICA.

five, or six; of a dull green. Flower-stalk upright, angular,
twisted, simple, and single-flowered. Calyz-leaves three-ribbed,
consisting of four lanceolate green leaves. The corolla of four
linear acute ones, of a similar colour, and both remaining till
the fruit is ripe. -Anthers yellow. Styles purplish-black.
Germen violet ; every other part of the flower is of a yellowish-
green. Berry purplish-black.

The generic name Paris is derived from par, paris, equal, on
account of the regularity of its leaves and flowers; four of its
multiples generally prevailing.

GrocrapuicaL Distripution.—Paris Quadrifolia is a native
of most countries of Europe. (A species, Paris polyphylla, is
found in Nepaul.)

In this country it is rare, but still found in many parts. Its
chief localities are at Cossey, near Norwich. Headington-wick
Copse, near Oxford. Wytham Wood, Berks. Spernall Park,
Warwickshire. Woods near Eastnor, Herefordshire. In a
wood near Hampstead. In Hanging Wood, near Harefield,
Middlesex. At Selborne, in Hampshire, At Clifton, near
Bristol, Somerset. In Scotland, near Dalkeith; and in Ire-
land, at Killarney.

Parts useD In Mepicinr, AND Mopg or PREPARATION.—
The Entire Plant is used in homeopathic medicine. It should
be gathered at the moment it runs to flower. The juice
should be then expressed, and treated like all other fresh
plants.*

Puystotocicat Errects.— On Animals. Gesner asserts that
the berries prove noxious to poultry.

On Man.—Herb Paris is one of the tribe of vegetables called
narcotic, and when received into the stomach in any con-
siderable quantity produces violent effects on the nervous
system, such. as nausea, vomiting, vertigo, delirium, and con-
vulsions. Every part of the plant seems to possess this pro-
perty, but the leaves and berries are supposed to be most

* A distinct preparation from the berries ought to be made.

PARIS QUADRIFOLIA. 101

active. Conrad Gesner (Epist. Med., vol. i. p- 53) swallowed
a drachm of it in wine; copious sweats and dryness of the
throat followed. Its vernacular name, True-love, arises from
its having been given as love potions, owing to the peculiar
symptoms it produces. Its French name, Etrangle Loup,
sometimes given to it, seems to indicate its energetic pro-
perties. Bulliard says that the seeds excite vomiting. The
leaves cause cramps in the stomach, when given in large doses.

Mepicat Uses (Homaoparutc).—This medicine was added
to our Materia Medica by Hartlaub and Trinks (vide Archives,
vol. iii.) Hahnemann states that it has been found useful in
cramps. It has as yet not been much employed in homeo-
pathic medicine, but has been found useful in convulsions,
spasmodic coughs, in some kinds of bronchitis, rheumatism,
palpitation of the heart, etc.

ANTIDOTE.— Coffea.

XLVIII.
PULSATILLA NIGRICANS.
(ANEMONE* PRATENSIS.)

Meadow Anemone, Pasque Flower or Windflower.

Synonyms.—Anemone pratensis, Flor. Dan., 611. Pulsatilla ghee Pharm.
oak uate flore minore nigricante, Bauh. My., p. 177. Pulsatilla flore
minore, Ger. Em., p. 386. Herba venti, Zrag. Pulsatilla cae saturatiore
flore, Clus. Hist., p. 246. Pulsatilla flore clauso obsoleto petalis reflexis, Helw.
Puls., t. ii. p. 65. Pulsatilla foliis decompositis pinnatis, flore pendulo, limbo
reflexo, Hort. Cliff, 228. Pulsatilla secunda, Boerhaave. Anemone pedunculo
involucrato petalis apice reflexis, foliis bipinnatis, Zinn. Pulsatilla pratensis,

il

Forrran Names.—JF7.: Pulsatile noiritre, Anémone de Prés, Coquelourde
noiratre, Germ. : Wiesen pulsatilla, Schwartzliches Ktichenschille, Schwartzliche
Windblume.

Nat. Order, RanuncuLace®, Juss.—Ponyanpria, PoLyGyNIA.

Gen. Caar.—Jnvoluerum of three divided leaves, which are more or less
distant from the flower. Petals from five to fifteen, inferior, regular,
in one or more rows, imbricated in the bud, deciduous. Filaments
numerous, hair-like, about half the length of the corolla. Anthers ter-
minal, of two round lobes, which burst outwardly. Germens superior,
numerous, collected into a round or oblong head. Styles tapering, short.
Stigmas simple, bluntish. Seeds numerous, pointed, tipped with per-
manent styles, which in some species become feathery tails. °

Spec. CuHar.—Peduncles imvolucred. Petals reflexed at their apex.
Leaves bipinnate.

Hisrory.—Dioscorides (lib. ii. p. 172) describes three species

Fig. 1. The Anemone pratensis. 2. Anemone pulsatilla; a figure of each being
given to show the distinctive characters of the species. 3. An enlarged section
of the flower. 4. The style and stigma.

* From the Greek aveyos, the wind, because many of the species grow in ex-
posed situations. Pulsatilla is from pulso, to beat, from its being perpetually
agitated by the air.

EE dat, AM Traice, ith.

(

Pulsatilla
]. Anemone Pratensis L.
2 Anemone Pulsatilla L.

Plate XLVIII.

Tho’ Harnld, imp.

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS. 103

of Anemone. The first, or nuegos, is, according to Sprengel,
the A. coronaria; the second, or aygia, is the A. stellata; and
the third, with dark leaves, the A. nemorosa. He also divides
them into the cultivated and the wild. He recommends them
principally as external applications, as for foul ulcers, in inflam-
mation of the eyes, et subdita autem in pesso menstrua ciunt.

The Arabian physicians employed them for the same purposes
as Dioscorides.

Pliny (Holl. Trans., book ii.) recommends all kinds of the
** wind floure tree, in headache and inflammations thereof ; cures
the infirmities of the teeth ; and laid to the eyes as a cataplasme,
represseth the vehement flux of watery humours thither.

“The magicians and wise men attribute much to these hearbs,
and tell many wonders of them; namely, that a man should
gather the first that he seeth in any yeere, and in the gathering
to say these words: I gather thee for a remedie against tertian
and quartan agues, which done, the partie must lap and bind -
fast in a red cloth the same floure, and so keepe it in a shadie
place, and, when need requireth, to take the same and either
hang it about the necke, or tie it to the arme or some other
place. The root of that anemone which beareth the red floure,
if it be bruised and laid upon any living creature whatsoever,
raiseth a blister by that caustic and corrosive vertue which it
hath, and therefore it is used to mundifie and cleanse filthie
ulcers.” :

Cullen (Mat. Med., vol. ii. p. 215), writing of Pulsatilla
nigricans, says: “‘ This is one of the remedies which we owe
to the benevolent industry of Baron Storck; but he has ascribed
to it so many wonderful effects that his credit is hurt with
many persons, and has made many neglect to give this remedy
a frequent and fair trial.” He classes it under the head of
stimulants.

It was upon the authority of Baron Storck (Lidell. de Usu
Medico Pulsat. Nigr., 1771) that this plant, with several
others of great activity, was received into medical use. He

104 . FLORA HOMCOPATHIGA.

recommends it as an effectual remedy for most of the
chronic diseases affecting the eye, particularly amaurosis,
cataract, and opacity of the cornea, proceeding from various
causes. He likewise found it of great use in nodes, nocturnal
pains, ulcers, caries, indurated glands, serpiginous eruptions,
melancholy, and palsy. The Baron himself, who had for two
years suffered much from a violent contusion of his eye, took
this remedy, which he soon found occasioned a severe lancinating
pain in the part affected; this he considered as a favourable
omen in the specific action of the plant, an opinion which was
afterwards confirmed in a great number of patients. Two cases
of amaurosis, three of cataract, and seven of affections of the
cornea, we are told, were either entirely cured or generally
benefited by the exhibition of this remedy; several cases
proving its success in the other disorders which we have
noticed above. Many German physicians have since tried the
effects of this medicine in diseases of the eyes, and with success.
Of these we may mention Guldbrand, Hotz, Mohrenheim.
Several others, however, bear testimony of its inefficacy in these
diseases, as Schmucker, Bergius, and Richter, who increased
the dose of this vegetable even beyond that directed by Stérck
( Woodv. Med. Bot., vol. iii. p. 400).

Descriprion.—Pulsatilla nigricans is perennial, flowers in
May, and a second time in August or September. The root
is thick, shot, and sends off several strong fibres. ‘The flower-
stem is smooth, beset with soft hairs, near the top furnished
with a lancinated involucrum, and rises about six or eight
inches in height, The /eaves are radical, bipinnated. Segments
narrow, short, linear, and of a glaucous green colour. It has
no calyx. The petals are six, oblong, hairy, of a blackish-purple
colour, and their apices are turned backwards. The Jilaments
are numerous, slender, about half the length of the petals, and
furnished with yellow anthere. The germens are numerous,
collected into a bundle, and supplied with long styles, termi-
nated by tapering, blunt stigmata. The seeds are placed on

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS. 105

the common receptacle, and retain their styles, which, when
the seeds go off, resemble long downy tails. It was first culti-
vated in England, by Mr. Miller, in 1731, and in our gardens
it very much resembles the A. pulsatilla, which would, in all
probability, prove a good substitute for it.* The principal dis-
tinction between these species, as they grow naturally, are
taken from the flower, which in this species is more pendulous,
of a darker colour, and has the apices of the petals reflexed.
The stem is also said to be less hairy and shorter than that of
the Pulsatilla, to which may be added, that the leaves of the °
A. pratensis are somewhat tomentose, while those of the A. pul-
satilla are bright green.

GerocraPHicaL Disrrisution.—Pulsatilla nigricans (A.
pratensis) is found in Scandinavia, Denmark, Piedmont, and
Germany, where it grows in open fields. Very common in
the barren, stony fields of Oeland. It is also found in some
parts of France, Russia, and Turkey.

Parts usep 1n Mepicinz, anD MopE oF PREPARATION.—
For homeopathic purposes, the Whole Plant is taken; the
juice is expressed and treated as in all other fresh plants.

Puysiotocicat Errecrs.—This plant has an extremely acrid
taste when chewed, and corrodes the tongue and fauces, and
the dried plant retains a considerable share of acrimony.

Hahnemann says: “The boring, cutting pain that the in-
ternal use of the Meadow Anemone (Anemone pratensis) causes
in weak eyes, led to its successful employment in amaurosis,
cataract, and opacity of the cornea; the cutting headache caused
by the internal employment of the inflammable crystalline salt,
obtained by distillation with water, would lead us to employ
this plant in a similar case.” The sensible operation of ~
Pulsatilla was nausea and vomiting, particularly when dis-

* Although A. pulsatilla may be very similar in its effects to A. pratensis, yet,
as Hahnemann undoubtedly describes and tested the latter, we ought always to
use the A. pratensis in making our preparations, and it would be as well to desig-
nate it under its specific name, Pulsatilla nigricans.

106 FLORA HOMCROPATHICA.

tilled water was used, with sometimes colicky pains and loose-
ness. In Stérck’s cases, of which he gives thirty, the following
symptoms usually showed themselves. Violent pain in the head ;
wandering and shooting pains in the arm affected, with violent
itching; tormina in the bowels. Quibusdam fceminis fluxum
menstruum preternaturalite suppressum, iterum excitat et
redigit in ordinem. Urina inde copiose fluxit. Violent pains in
the eyes, with lachrymation ; salivation, lasting some days ; burn-
ing, wandering, shooting pains in the right foot as far as the
‘ groin; pains in the os sacrum, preventing sleep; and it seems
that, in all the cases of amaurosis and cataract cured, violent
pains in the eyes were produced on first taking the medicine.
His preparations of this plant were the following: R Extracta
Pulsatile nigricantis, gr. ij ; Sacchari alb., 5i: m. f. pulv. tenuis-
simus diu terendo in mortario marmoreo. Of this he gave ten
grains night and morning, until symptoms appeared.

Christison (Treatise on Poisons, 4th edit., p. 598) says: ‘‘ The
genus Anemone produces virulent effects on the animal economy.
The most pungent species I have examined are the A. pulsa-
tilla, A. hortensis, and A. coronaria; the A. nemorosa and A.
patens are less active; and A. hepatica, as well as A. alpestris,
are bland. The powder of the A. pulsatilla causes itching of
the eyes, colic, and vomiting, if; in pulverizing it, the operator
do not avoid the fine dust which is driven up. And Bulliard
(Hist. de Pl. Vén. de France, p. 178) relates the case of a man
who, in consequence of applying the bruised root to the calf of
his leg for rheumatism, was attacked with inflammation and
gangrene of the whole leg. The same author mentions an
instance where violent convulsions were produced by an infusion
of the A. nemorosa, and the person was for some time thought
to be in great danger.

“The activity of the Anemones is owing to a volatile oil, which,
when left for some time in the water with which it passes over
in distillation, is converted into a neutral crystalline body,
called Anemonine, and a peculiar acid, called Anemonic acid.”

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS. 107

Mepica Uszs (Homaoraruic).—Hahnemann remarks, that
Pulsatilla is of great service in toothache, where the pain in
the gum is of a gnawing, fine, shooting character (as if the
nerve were violently drawn, and suddenly let loose again), with
chilly feeling, combined with paleness of the face, occurring most
frequently in the evening, more rarely in the morning, increased
by a warm room and the heat of the bed; relieved by cool air
blowing upon it; not increased by chewing, but brought on by
the use of the toothpick. It affects persons of mild, quiet dis-
position, disposed to shed tears.

It appears that many symptoms produced by this powerful
plant are analogous to those frequently met with in disease ;
consequently, it may often be homeopathically used with
success.

It is not less valuable in chronic disorders than in acute ones,
for its action, even in small doses, continues from ten to twelve
days.

It is extremely proper, in administering Pulsatilla, or any
other homceopathic medicine, to observe with great care the
correspondence, both in the bodily and mental symptoms, be-
tween the remedy and the disease ; or between the temperament
of the person on whom the medicine is proved and the patient
to be cured.

The use of Pulsatilla is most important when, in the bodily
diseases to which it is adapted, there exists at the same time a
wrong disposition of mind, and propensity to quiet melancholy,
or to mildness and resignation, especially if the patient, when
in health, is gentle and benevolent.

It is chiefly adapted to lymphatic constitutions, and not so
appropriate to persons of decided character and quick in their
movements, though of a kind disposition.

It is favourable when the patient feels occasional chilliness,
and has no thirst.

Pulsatilla is an excellent remedy for women; particularly
when there is long wakefulness at night, and when the symptoms

108 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

are ‘worse towards evening. It is serviceable in gastric de-
rangement caused by eating pork.

If Pulsatilla has been taken inappropriately, or in too strong
a dose, and bad consequences ensue, they must be met, accord-
ing to circumstances, either by Chamomilla, when drowsiness,
languor, and dullness of the senses prevail; Coffea, when there
is great anxiety ; Ignatia, or Nux. Fever, a disposition to shed
tears, and pains caused by Pulsatilla, are readily subdued, with
all consecutive affections, by the tincture of crude Coffee.

Curnicat OssErvations.—In the clinical observations of
Noack and Trinks (op. cit.), Pulsatilla has been found useful
in a great variety of affections and symptoms. It is particularly
serviceable in all diseases of the whole nervous system. In
many rheumatic pains. In affections of women. In measles.
Many affections and gastric diseases, particularly in persons of
mild temy t, and sleepl Hemicrania. Cephalalgia.
Amblyopia. Otitis, and inflammation of the external meatus
auditorum. Toothache. Affections of urinary organs. Stran-
gury. Retentio urine. Prostatitis. In those affections pecu-
liar to the female sex. ‘Typhoid pneumonia. Dyspnea.
Asthma, particularly that occasioned by the vapour of sulphur.
Diseases of the heart. Affections of the right ventricle. Ischias,
Acute rheumatism of the joints. Erratic rheumatism. Pains
in the limbs, Varices. Varicose veins. Dropsical swellings
of the legs, etc.

AnTIDoTEs.—Cham. Coff. Ign. Nux V., and Vinegar.
Pulsatilla antidotes Agar. Amb. Bell. Cham. Chin. Colch.
Ferr. Ign. Lycop. Merc. Plat, Ranun. Sabad. Stram.
Sulph. Tartar.

£: WY.
Le Aly .

Plat

¥. Reeve, imp.

Ranunculus bulbosus.

AE. del H. Sowerby, hth

XLIX.
RANUNCULUS.*
RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS.T
Bulbous Crowfoot. Buttercups.
SyNonyms.—Ranunculus bulbosus, Linn., Sp. Pl., 778; Huds., 241; With.,
508 ; ey 213; Sibth., 173; Curt. Lond., fase. i., t. 38; Mart. Fl. Rust., t. 28;
Rati Syn., 247 ; Sow. Brit. Bot., vol. v. p. 243. Ranunculus nona species, Cord.,

p. 121. Ranunculus tuberosus, Dodon. Purg., p. 290; Hist., p.431. Ranunculus
pratensis radice verticelli modo rotunda, C. B.

Forrtcn Namrs.—Fr.: Rénoncule. JItal.: Ranunculo. Span.: Ranunculo.
Germ.: Hahnen-fuss.

Nat. Order, Ranuncutace®.—PonyanpreiA, Potyeynta.

Gry. Cuar.—Calyz inferior, of five, rarely fewer, egg-shaped, concave,
somewhat coloured, deciduous sepals, not Jengthened at the base.
Corolla, of five, rarely eight or ten, blunt polished petals, each with a
nectariferous scale on the inside, at the base. Filaments numerous, not
half the length of the petals. -Anthers roundish, linear, or heart-shaped,
terminal, upright, of two cells, bursting at the outer edges. Germens
superior, numerous, collected into a head. Styles none. Stigmas small,
reflexed, Pericarps or canopsides (seeds of Linn. and Smith) numerous,
egg-shaped, somewhat compressed, either smooth, striated, tuberculated,
or prickly, each tipped with a point or hook, Fit el in a globose or
cylindrical head. Seed erect, one in each peric

Spec. Cuar.—Leaves divided, pairing, ternate, gua eut. Peri-
carps smooth. Perennial. Stem many-flowered. Calya reflexed. Seeds
compressed, smooth. Root bulbous.

History.—The genus Ranunculus forms a very numerous
Se ee

Fig. 1. The stamens and pistil. 2. Single stamen.

* Ranunculus, from rana, a frog, from the plants delighting to grow where frogs
abound. More probably the division of the leaves in all these plants suggested the
idea of a frog’s foot ; which supposition is borne out by the English name, Grow-
Soot.

+ Two species have been proved in homeopathic medicine, viz., R. bulbosus and
R. sceleratus.

110 FLORA HOM(OPATHICA.

tribe of plants,* and was known to the ancient physicians under
the name Bparpayxiov. Hippocrates used two species. Accord-
ing to Paulus A‘gineta, there were four varieties described in
ancient medicine, which Sprengel. is of opinion were the
R. asiaticus, R. lanuginosa, R. muricatus, and R. aquatilis.
Dioscorides employed them as external applications for the
removal of leprous nails, psora, steotomatous and _ other
tumours; as a fomentation to chilblains, and as an applica-
tion to remove toothache. Galen, Paulus A%gineta, and
the Arabian physicians all recommend them as powerful escha-
rotics.

Gerarde says: “ There be divers sorts or kinds of these
pernitious herbes comprehended under the name of Ranunculus
or Crowfoote, whereof most are very dangerous to be taken
into the body, and therefore they require a very exquisite
moderation, with a most exact and due manner of tempering ;
not any of them are to be taken alone by themselves, because
they are of a most violent force, and therefore have the great
nede of correction. The knowledge of these plants is as
necessarie to the phisition as of other herbes, to the end they
may shun the same, as Scribonius Largus saith, and not take
them ignorantly, or also if necessitie at any time require that
they may use them, and that with some deliberation and
special choice and with their proper correctives. For these
dangerous simples are likewise many times of themselves bene-
ficiall and oftentimes profitable ; for some of them are not so
dangerous but that they may in some sort and oftentimes in fit
and due season profit and do good.” And writing of two of
the species, Ranunculus Illyricus, and Ranunculus bulbosus,
which is also found in Illyria and Sclavonia, he says: “ This

* Sixty-one species are enumerated by Willdenow ; one hundred and fifty-nine
by Decandolle in his Prodromus. Fifteen species are natives of Britain. They
all possess acrid and very similar properties ; and, as Culpeper says, ‘to describe
them all would tire the patience of Socrates himself, but because I have not yet
attained to the spirit of Socrates, I shall but describe the most usual,”

RANUNCULUS. lll

Illyrian Crowfoot is named in Greeke, Yeawov axpiov, that is,
Apium sylvestre, or Wild Smallage; also Herba Sardia;* it
may be, saith my author, that kind of Crowfoot called Apium
risus and IsAwrogn; and this is thought to be that of. Gelo-
tophyllis, of which Pliny maketh mention in his twenty-fourth
Booke, 17 chap.; which being drunke, saith he, with wine
and myrrh, causeth a man to see divers strange sights, and
not cease laughing till he hath drunk pine-apple kernels with
pepper. I think he would have said until he be dead; because
the nature of laughing Crowefoot is thought to kill laughing;
but without doubt the thing is clean contrary, for it causeth
such convulsions, cramps, and wringings of the mouth and
jawes, that it hath seemed to some that the parties have died
laughing, whereas, in truth, they have died with great tor-
ment.”

The acrid principle of the Ranunculus is well known to
beggars, who form with it ulcers on their legs to excite pity.
This custom was prevalent in Gerarde’s time, of which he
writes thus: “ Cunning beggers do use to stampe the leaves,
and lay it unto their legs and armes, which causeth such filthy
ulcers as we daily see (among such wicked vagabondes), to
moove the people the more to pittie.”

It has been generally discarded from allopathic medicine,
chiefly owing to its virulent acrid effects, which, if given in
too: large doses, has produced dangerous symptoms; but it is
still kept in some of the shops as a vesicatory, although the
use of cantharides is much more prevalent. ‘ With a view to
their external stimulation, the Ranunculi have been used advan-
tageously in rheumatism, in hip disease, hemicrania, and fixed
pains of various descriptions. Amongst the old practitioners
who have recorded instances of their effects are Baglivi, Storck,
and Sennertius. A curious practice formerly prevailed in
several countries of Europe of applying the Ranunculus to the

* Some suppose this is the C®nanthe crocata; others, the Ranunculus

flammula,

112 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA.

wrists or fingers for the cure of intermittent fevers. This is
mentioned by Van Swieten, Tissot, and some others. In hemi-
crania it was applied to the head, and in this case did not
produce a discharge nor break the skin, but occasioned tume-
faction of the hairy scalp. It was also employed in local
spasmodic complaints and in fixed pains; and Crowfoot is
known to be one of the ingredients in Plunket’s epithem for
cancer.” Dr. Withering states that the juice of the Ranunculus
flammula is an instantaneous emetic, “ as if nature had fur-
nished an antidote to poisons from among poisons of its own
tribe; and it is to be preferred to almost any other vomit in
promoting the instantaneous expulsion of deleterious substances
from the stomach.”

Description.—The Ranunculus bulbosus is a _ perennial
plant, flowering in May and June, “ when the meadows are
enamelled with its shining yellow blossoms in the greatest
profusion.” The root is a round, solid bulb, about an inch in
diameter, increasing by offsets from the top, and sending out
from its base many long stout fibres. Stems several, erect, a
foot high, branched, leafy, round, hairy, many-flowered,
destitute of trailing shoots or runners. Leaves stalked, vari-
ously cut, more or less hairy. Flowers terminal, solitary, on
angular furrowed stalks, rough with erect bristly hairs. Petals
of a deep shining yellow. Nectary covered by a notched scale.
Fruit globose. Seeds orbicular, greatly compressed, bordered,
smooth, and even tipped with a short blunt beak. This is one
of the most acrid and even caustic species.

GroGRAPHICAL Disrrisurion.—The genus Ranunculus is
distributed all over Europe, Asia, and America. ‘he Ranun-
culus bulbosus is very common in Europe, as well as in North
America, in meadows and pastures, flowering throughout the
summer.

Parts usEepD in MepIcinE, AND Mops oF PReParation.—
The Entire Plant, gathered in June during its flowering. The
following directions are given in Stapf’s Add. to the Mat.

RANUNCULUS. 113

Med. Pura: “The plant which was used in our provings was
gathered in June, and, together with the blossoms, pounded in
the mortar, after having been cut up in small pieces. The
juice was squeezed through linen, and filled in a glass con-
taining about a tablespoonful of alcohol, in order to prevent the
decomposition of the juice, while the juice of the other portions
of the plant was pressed out. The bulb was cut into twelve or
sixteen pieces, from which the juice was likewise expressed in
a similar manner, after they had been previously stamped into a
kind of pap. The whole of the expressed juice having been
put together, both that of the plant and of the bulb, it was
mixed with equal parts of the strongest alcohol, and was put in
a well-closed chest, being shaken several times a day; the trans-
parent, dark brown essence was poured into a well-stoppered
glass, leaving the sediment behind. The twelve or sixteen
pieces into which the bulb had been divided, and which had
been moistened with an ounce of alcohol during the pounding,
furnishing scarcely as much juice as was equal to the alcohol
which had been added; the pounded fragments of the bulb were
pat into a glass and well mixed with two volumes of alcohol,
and after having been left standing three days as above, the
bright red tincture thus obtained was mixed in equal portions
with the juice of the whole plant. All the varieties of Ranun-
culus owe the greatest portion of their virtue to a so-called acrid
principle, which has no chemical existence, and is only known
by its dynamic action upon the organism. According to Krapf
(Exp. de Nonnull. Ranun. Ven. Qual.), this acrid principle of
the Ranunculus is neither acid nor alkaline, and very volatile ;
hence it is that the Ranunculus loses almost its entire virtue by
boiling, drying, etc.”

The acridity of the leaves and stems of the emits bul-
bosus is various during the period of fructification. The leaves
near the root, as well as the other leaves, are much less acrid
the paler and drier they are; the stem is less acrid in pro-
portion as it is more woody; so that during the period of

114 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

fructification the acridity and virtue of the plant reside in the
root and blossom, or rather in the germ. The fibres of the root
are acrid previous to the period of fructification, but afterwards
they lose all their power.*

PuysroLocicaL Errects.—From the acrid properties it may
easily be supposed that this class of plants exerts a prejudicial
influence on animal creation.

On Animals.—Krapf (op. cit.) states that five ounces of the
juice of the R. acris killed a stout dog in twelve hours, when
taken internally. ‘Two drachms of the aqueous extract applied
to a wound killed another in twelve hours, by inducing the
usual inflammation. In another experiment with the Ranun-
culus sceleratus, the dog became anxious, howled, tossed about,
bent double, was very restless at night; on being killed, the
stomach was found contracted, inflamed in several parts, red,
with erosions on the inner surface ; the papille very prominent,
tumefied, and pale; redness and contraction of the pylorus,
which was hardly pervious. '

Grazing cattle carefully avoid the plant of this genus; ac-
cordingly we find the flowers of the Ranunculi untouched,
although the grass is cropped close all round them. Sometimes
the nostrils and mouths of cattle are found much excoriated,
which probably arises from their having taken some of these
plants in their food.

In the Pan. Suecicus some experiments upon these plants are
detailed. It is there stated that horned cattle eat all the species

* Locality, season, and fructification, occasion a great difference in the quantity
and strength of the acrid principle, especially, however, in the quality, to such a
degree that several varieties of the Ranunculus, such as R. Thora, R. sceleratus,
R. bulbosus, and R. acris, are very poisonous ; others less so, and others entirely
harmless. Others, as the R. repens, R. auricomus, and even the R. sceleratus, have
been, after being boiled, eaten as vegetables. In dry soils, the R. sceleratus loses a
good deal of its power, so that horses may eat it, as is the case in some parts of
Scotland ; whereas no animal, except goats and sheep, would eat it in the mea-
dows. The property of the Ranunculus losing its acridity when dried, is the
cause why all herbivorous animals can eat the different varieties in hay.

RANUNCULUS. 115

offered, except R. auricomus. Horses eat R. flammula, and
reject the other species. Sheep and goats eat R.acris ; whilst
the R. repens has a peculiar effect on sheep. Some curious
symptoms were observed: several fell down as if struck by
lightning; the eyes rolled; the breathing was hurried and
aggravated. Some reeled and died, with their heads bent
towards the left groin; the mucous membrane of the eyes
was injected; the mouth dry; the abdomen was slightly dis-
tended; rumination ceased. Some of them raised them-
selves, reeled, and fell down again, bleating piteously. Most
of the sheep were in a profound coma. Sulphuric ether in
milk gave most relief; great weakness of the feet remained
behind.

Mr. Sowerby (Brit. Botan., vol. v.) has these remarks on the
action of Ranunculus bulbosus on cattle: “ The whole plant is
acrid, and not a good food, if eaten at all unmixed by cattle ;
but as nature does nothing in vain, and has abundant resources,
it is not improbable that such plants, mixed with less pungent
herbage, may act as a useful stimulus to these animals, like salt
does to others.”

R. arvensis is very injurious to sheep. A notable instance
occurred in Piedmont, in 1786, where a number of these
animals died, as it was at first supposed, of an epidemical dis-
ease ; but subsequent examination discovered that this destruc-
tion was owing to the R. arvensis, as related by M. Brugnon
(Mém. de ? Acad. Roy. des Sciences, Ann. 1788-89, @ Turin).
The herb grows luxuriantly in Piedmont, and the sheep feed
with much eagerness upon it. ‘The effects here mentioned
were not immediate, but progressive, and it was principally
owing to the roots of the plants ; since, by experiments purposely
made on dogs, these animals were almost instantly killed by them.
The chief symptom was violent colic, ending in gangrene and
death. On dissection of the sheep, the four concoctive organs
were found affected with erysipelatous and gangrenous spots, but
obomasum, which he found much more

M

more particularly the

116 VLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

deeply ulcerated than the others. ‘The mischief had extended
into the smaller intestines.

The avidity with which sheep, horses, and cows eat the
R. arvensis is, as M. Brugnon justly observes, an exception to
the commonly-received maxim, that herbivorous animals are by
instinct led to reject whatever is noxious.

On Man.—Ranunculus bulbosus has a peculiar escharotic
property, and if applied to the skin soon causes a blister; and,
according to Murray (App. Med., vol. iii. p. 87), will produce
ill-conditioned ulcers. He also states that a slice of the fresh
root of the R. bulbosus placed in contact with the inside of the
finger, brought on a sense of pain in two minutes; when taken
off, the skin was found without redness, and the sense of heat
and itching ceased; in two hours, however, it returned again,
and in ten hours a full serous blister was raised; this was
followed by a bad ulcer, and difficult to heal.

In four persons who had eaten the root of the Ranunculus
bulbosus, boiled in chicken-broth, the following symptoms
manifested themselves: violent burning in the region of the
cardiac orifice of the stomach, with great anxiety about the
heart ; pressure at the pit of the stomach, with painful soreness
at the stomach when touched.

A child which was cured of fever, with subsequent dropsy
and hydrocele, by the application of the Ranunculus bulbosus
to the wrist-joint, was attacked with an ulcer which went to the
ligamentum annulare and flexor tendons,

A soldier lost one of his thumbs, and another had violent
inflammation of the arm, with fever and delirium, which was
followed by gangrene of the arm, after the application of the
juice of the R. bulbosus, to procure their discharge.

Inflammation of the arm, with violent tingling in the skin,
has been produced from the practice of placing the leaves and
flowers on warts which have been cut and made to bleed.

Vesicles appeared on the fingers and hands after being touched
by the juice of this plant. Rhus and Bryonia were the best

RANUNCULUS. 117

antidotes. Sulphur and Staphysagria made the affection worse.
Drs. Schweikert and Hauboldt, guided by these facts, have
healed herpes on the fingers and in the palm of the hand, by
giving the R. bulbosus internally, and causing at the same time
the herpes to be washed externally with a drop of the tincture
diluted in water.

Violent smarting in the eyes, nose, and fauces, with great
lachrymation and discharge of mucus from the nose (the fauces
being extremely painful), came on from preparing the juice, the
acrid vapour touching the parts; but these are not merely local
symptoms, all of them appear from the internal use of the juice,
after it had been so much diluted with water that the acridity
of the juice could neither be perceived by the taste nor
by the tact externally, hence the cause was purely dynamic;
even many of those symptoms which are considered as sympa-
thetic, for instance, the symptoms of the brain, temperament,
eyes, chest, where no local contact had taken place, came on
much sooner than the symptoms of the pharynx, the esophagus,
and stomach, organs which were immediately in apposition
with the drug. Except the blisters and redness produced by
many locally-applied drugs (for instance, cantharides, mezereum,
etc.), it may be said, perhaps, that there exists no local symptom
of any drug which cannot be realized by its internal use,
although much more slowly; whereas it is very often the case
that drugs which are applied locally, cause a number of internal
and external phenomena in distant organs and parts of the
body.

According to Krapf, Pleuk, and Orfila, the deleterious action
(hence also the curative action) of R. bulbosus depends upon
local inflammation, or sympathetic affection of the nervous sys-
tem (Stapf, Add. to Mat. Med. Pur.)

Violent epilepsy has been recorded as haying been induced
by this plant, in paroxysms, in a student; also in a sailor, who
was first seized with headache from inhaling the smoke of the
plant, which was burnt in a censer with other herbs; after-

“aS

118 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

wards, after thrusting his nose several times in the censer, he
was attacked with epilepsy for the first time in his life; it
returned in two weeks, passed into cachexia, nodous gout,
headache, and ended with death (Jdem).

In the proving of the Ranunculus bulbosus, the following are
the chief symptoms which appeared. Ill humour; disposed to
quarrel ; censorious ; loss of power of thinking ; vertigo; dizzi-
ness in the head, making it difficult to think; sensation as if
the head was too large and distended. Headache, aggravated
by lying, relieved by walking and standing; acute stitches in
the left temple; pressing pain in the forehead, from within
outward. Violent pressing pain in the eyeballs, at times in
one, at times in the other. Obstruction and soreness of the
nose. Scraping, burning sensation in the region of the right
portion of the velum palati; white, coated tongue.

Gastric Symptoms.—F requent eructations; nausea in the after-
noon, with headache; pain in both hypochondria; pain in the
morning as if bruised, or as if one had been lying in a wrong
position ; painful soreness under the short ribs of the left side,
especially when moving the trunk; pressure deep in the region
of the liver after dinner; a pinching pain below the umbilicus ;
and violent stitches from the left lumbar region through the
abdomen, especially below the umbilicus, and towards the left
groin. The whole day he feels a subdued pinching colic, some-
times alternating with pains in the chest; when walking he
feels constantly a subdued colic in the whole tract of the intes-
tines; they are painful when pressing upon the integuments
of the abdomen. Oppression of the chest, with impossibility
to prevent crying in the evening; oppressive sensation in the
chest as after deep chagrin; has to take a deep breath frequently ;
pain in the chest, and restless nights, continuing for weeks;
violent pain in the chest the whole forenoon ; pain in the chest
on awaking ; a feeling of a sort of rheumatic pain, and as from
subcutaneous ulceration; constant pain in the chest in the

RANUNCULUS. 119

afternoon, mostly on the left side; violent fine stitches in the
middle of the chest during inspiration; violent stitching pains
in the whole of the right chest; pressure and tightness across
the lower part of the chest, increased by moving, stooping, or
taking an inspiration; pressing pain in the outer part of the
chest. Pain in back early in the morning on awaking;
jerking pain in the right upper fore-arm; dull itching in
the hands (vide effect of leaves, etc., recorded above); pulsa-
tive stitches in left heel when standing, in the afternoon.
Falls asleep late in the evening, and wakes several times
at night, not from any pain, but because he is not sleepy;
disturbed sleep at night. Herpes over the whole body, not
observed in the proving, but existing and caused by the medi-
cine. The whole body feels bruised. Great weakness in the
lower limbs, in the forenoon, when walking.

Characteristic Peculiarities —The pains, particularly in the
trunk and limbs, are excited or aggravated by contact motion,
stretching, changing the position of the body. Many pains
arise from a change of the external temperature, from cold to
warm, or vice versd, or morning, or evening, or after dinner.

Ranunculus sceleratus.—Krapf (op. cit.) states, that a small
portion of a leaf or flower of R. sceleratus, or two drops of the
juice, excited acute pain in the stomach, and a sense of inflam-
mation of the throat; when he chewed the thickest and most
succulent leaves, the salivary glands were strongly stimulated ;
his tongue was excoriated and cracked; his teeth smarted, and
his cornea became tender and bloody (Orf. Tox. Gén., vol. i.
p- 754).

A man, at Bevay, in the north of France, after swallowing by
mistake a glassful of the juice, which had been kept sa some
time as a remedy for vermin on the head, was seized in four
hours with violent vomiting and colic, and expired in two days
(Jour. de Chim. Méd., 1836, p. 273).

The following are the chief symptoms which manifested

1a... FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

themselves in the proving of the Ranunculus sceleratus.
Long-continued, dull, aching, gnawing pain in the left vertex,
seated in one point; slight dragging pain, and feeling of
coldness above the right eyebrow, down the cheeks, as far
as the corners of the mouth; tremulous sensation around the
corners of the mouth and lower lip, preceding the vomiting,
but without any inclination to vomit; slight smarting in the
corners of the eyes; painful pressure in the eyeballs; pressure
in the eyeballs periodically; pain in the eyeballs on moving
them quickly. Otalgia of the right ear, with aching pain iu
the head, and drawing in all the teeth; painful drawing in
the upper right molar teeth; stinging drawing in all the teeth ;
drawing and jerking in all the teeth. Frequent empty eructa-
tions; frequent eructations, lasting, of the ingesta, after a
meal. Stitching in the tonsils; swelling of the tonsils, with
shooting stitches in the same. Pressure and sensation of fulness
in the pit of the stomach, increased by external pressure ;
screwing pressure behind the umbilicus; sensation as if a
plug were lodged behind the umbilicus. Stitches in the hepatic
region ; continual pressure as of a dull instrument below the
right false ribs, increased by a deep inspiration; sudden
violent jerks in the lumbar region, during a walk in the open
air, arresting the breathing. The whole chest seems weak and
bruised; painful stitching in the right chest, not increased by
inspiration ; stitches in the region of the heart; great sensi-
tiveness of the integuments of the chest; external painfulness
of the sternum. Continued gnawing pain in the palm of the
left hand; sudden stitches in the fore-part of the great toe,
as if a needle were thrust in deep; boring and gnawing in
the right great toe.

General Symptoms.—Itching, biting, boring, tingling, gnaw-
ing in various parts of the body, especially towards evening;
half slumber after midnight; frightful, anxious dreams, about
dead bodies, etc.; constant tossing about in bed. After mid-

RANUNCULUS. 121

night, awaking with heat and violent thirst. Pulse full and
accelerated ; afterwards sweat over the whole body. Chilliness
while eating.

The following remarks by the prover of R. sceleratus will not
be found uninteresting.

*T have learned a good deal from the proving of the R.
sceleratus. I have learned, in the first place, that there are
no real local remedies for all the symptoms which arise from
any local irritation of the skin, or from chewing the plant, or
expressing its juice, such as burning in the tip of the tongue,
smarting in the region of the palate, in the pharynx, nose, and
most violently in the eyes, painful pressure in the eyeballs,
redness of the vessels of the conjunctiva, profuse lachrymation,
tension in the pit of the stomach, itching and burning of the
fingers, sensation of nausea. All these symptoms arise also from
the internal use. This accounts for the cure of the itch and
chronic ulcers by external application. From my provings, I
have also learned why no greater injury is done by the exces-
sive and oft-repeated doses of allopathic physicians, than com-
mon sense would seem authorized to apprehend. On the 16th
and 17th October I took two drops of the mother-tincture
before breakfast; on the 20th, three; on the 25th, four; on
5th November, four; on the 10th, six; on the 29th December,
twelve; and on 4th January, fifteen drops. The greatest num-
ber of symptoms, and the most disagreeable, occurred after the
small doses; the twelve and fifteen drops which were taken
after the small dose, affected me but very little. Hence I drew
this conclusion: one ériborium, and a second and a third having
been swallowed and disposed of by the organism, the subse-
quent doses are much more innocent, and give much less
trouble, for the system becomes used to the medicine.”

Of the other Ranunculi. R. fammula produces rapid vomit-
ing. Dr. Withering advises this plant as the best emetic in cases
of poisoning. Some years ago a man travelled through several

122 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

parts of England administering vomits, which operated almost
the instant they were swallowed ; the juice of R. flammula, in
distilled water, proved his medicine.

Ranunculus acris Curtis (London Bot., fasc. i.) says that
even plucking this plant, and carrying it some distance, has
produced considerable inflammation in the palm of the hand.
Applied to the temples, it produces headache, intolerable heat,
and fainting. Applied to the joints, soreness of the joints, and
obstinate ulcers.

Mepicat Uses (Hommoparuic).—Stapf says that the R.
bulbosus, from the symptoms it produces, must be useful in
affections of the eyes, nose, chest, abdomen, liver, and skin.
It has also been used with advantage in epileptic convulsions,
scrofulous affections, indurations, jaundice, vesicular eruptions,
flaccid phagedena, ulcers, spots over the entire body, and in
cases of dyspepsia and rheumatism. |

R. bulbosus has a very long action, the dynamic effects
lasting upwards of five weeks, and the external symptoms
(which make their appearance after the dynamic symptoms), the
cutaneous eruptions, herpes, and ulcers, continuing for many
months It is therefore especially adapted to chronic maladies,
and it may, without stretch of imagination, be placed among
the antipsorics, considering its specific action on the skin.

Ranunculus sceleratus.—The symptoms of R. sceleratus, as
well as R. bulbosus, seem to correspond to various chronic affec-
tions of the chest and liver, to acute and chronic gout, malig-
nant ulcers on the extremities, and to fever and ague.

Antipores.— Smelling of Camphor, and, in some cases,
drinking large quantities of cold water (iced water would be
better). Slimy and oily substances have proved most successful
in antidoting the action of Ranunculus. The Rumex acetosa
and unripe currants have relieved the caustic acidity of
Ranunculus. The best homeopathic remedies are Bryonia
and Rhus Tox. Pulsatilla will likewise prove a most useful

RANUNCULUS. 123

homeopathic antidote. Mineral acids, Vinegar, Wine, Alco-
hol, Honey, and Sugar, increase the effects of Ranunculus.
Franz says that Wine increases the headache which is pro-

duced by Ranunculus.

L.
RHEUM PALMATUM.
Palmated Rhubarb.
Synonyms.—Rheum palmatum, Linn., Spec. Plant., p. 581; Wiilld., p. 488.

Rhabarbarum, Bawh. Hist., vol. ii. p. 989 ; Lob. Ic., vol. i. p. 289. eaten
et ponticum genuina officinarum, Park, Theat., p. 156.

Foreign Names.—Fr.: Rhubarbe. J¢al.: Rabarbaro, Reobarbaro. Span. :
Ruibarbo. Germ.: Rhabarber, Aechte Rhabarber. Chin: Tu Hioang. Russ.:
Rhewen. <Arab.: Rawend.

Nat. Order, Otzracem, Linn. ; P , Juss., De Cand.—
ENNEANDRIA, TRIGYNIA,

Gen. Coar.—Calyx petaloid, six-parted, withering. Stamens about nine,
inserted into the base of the calyx. Styles three, reflexed. Stigmas
peltate, entire. Acheniwm three-cornered, winged with the withered
calyx at the base. Embryo in the centre of the albumen (Lindley).

Spec. Cuar.—Leaves palmate, pointed, roughish, the sinus dilated at the
base. Stalks obsoletely furrowed above, rounded at the edge.

History.—Under the name of Pa, Dioscorides described what
was formerly supposed to be the officinal Rhubarb; it is now,
however, generally understood that the plant described by the
ancient physicians is the Rheum Rhaponticum, the common
Rhubarb of the gardens. Paulus Aigineta, under the name
Pnov, describes the same species, but which Matthiolus and
Dodoneus considered was the purgative Rhubarb. Sprengel
states that Isodorus is the first author who applied the name
Rheum barbarum to the True Rhubarb. It seems that the
- Arabian physicians were the first that were acquainted with the

Fig. 1. A flower, somewhat magnified. 2, The fruit.

Plate L.

Rheum palmatum.. PES ae

HSowe cby,lith

RHEUM PALMATUM. 125

True Rhubarb; and Mesne describes three species, viz., India-
num, Barbarum, and Turcicum, and he recommends it in
dropsy, obstructions of the spleen, and jaundice. He appears
not to have been acquainted with the Rhaponticum ; and Avi-
cenna and Serapion seem not to have been acquainted with the
others. Ebn Baithar, the famous Arabian physician, has
written the most copious and instructive dissertation on the
subject. He gives an account of four distinct species, and re-
marks that the older physicians knew nothing of the purgative
kinds of Rhubarb, until they were discovered near to his time.
He recommends it in jaundice, dropsy, marasmus connected
with obstructions, and remarks that it is most useful im diar-
rhea, with Indian spikenard.

Descrirtion.—Rheum palmatum, known to gardeners as the
True Turkey Rhubarb * is a perennial plant. Leaves roundish-
cordate, half palmate, the lobes pinnatified, acuminate, deep dull
green, not wavy, but uneven, and very much wrinkled on the
upper side, hardly scabrous at the edge, minutely downy on
the under side ; sinus completely closed, the lobes of the leaf
standing forwards beyond it. Petiole pale green, marked with
short purple lines, terete, obscurely channelled quite at the
other end. Flowering stems taller than those of any other
species (Lindley).

Professor Guibourt (Hist. des Drogues) observes that, out of
the roots of the R. palmatum, undulatum, compactum, and
rhaponticum, those of the first species only possess the exact
odour and taste of the China Rhubarb.

Geocrapuican Drstripution.—The Mongolian Empire,
China. East Indies. (?) Himalayas.(?) The exact locality from
whence the True Rhubarb comes is still a matter of doubt. It

* This species is extensively cultivated at Banbury, in Oxfordshire, for the
supply of English Rhubarb to the London market. It is the kind frequently
observed in the show-bottles of druggists’ windows, and was formerly sold in
Cheapside and the Poultry for “Turkey Rhubarb,” by persons dressed up as
Turks (Pereira).

126 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA,

is probable that the species of Rheum from which the officinal
Rhubarb is made has never been described. ‘The genus
Rheum, to which Rhubarb is unanimously referred by botanists
and pharmacologists, comprises numerous species, very widely
diffused over the Asiatic continent; for it is met with as far west
as the Caspian shores, as far east as within the Chinese wall,
south on the Himalaya mountains which bound Upper India,
and north along the Altai range, and towards Lake Baikal.
The extent of country from which Rhubarb of one kind or
another is actually collected, though somewhat more limited
than this, nevertheless reaches from Ludak, in T71° east
longitude, to the Chinese province of Shen-si, 29° further
east; and from the Sue-chan mountains, in north latitude
26°, upon the south-western confines of China Proper,
nearly to the frontier of ‘Siberia, 24° northward. Further
it would appear, from recent inquiries, that the best qualities of
commercial Rhubarb are, in all probability, produced five or six
hundred miles north of the British territories of Assam, in the
very heart of Thibet” (Christison, Disp., p.'180). ‘ My travels,”
says Sievers, “as well as acquaintance with the Bucharians,
have satisfied me that as yet nobody, that is, no scientific person,
has seen the True Rhubarb plant; all that is said of it by the
Jesuits is miserable, confused stuff; all the seeds procured
under the name of True Rhubarb are false ; all the plantations,
from those of the Knight Murray down to the flower-pot of a
private individual, will never yield True Rhubarb. Until
further determination, I hereby declare all the descriptions in
all the Materia Medicas to be incorrect” (Duncan, Suppl. to
Edin. New Disp., p. 89).

Parts usED IN Mepicinz, ann Mops or PREPARATION.—
The Root from the different species. That which is called the
China Rhubarb is used for homeopathic purposes. According
to Pereira (op. cit.), there are six kinds of Rhubarb of commerce,
viz., Russian, Dutch trimmed, Chinese, Himalayan, English, and
French.

RHEUM PALMATUM. 127

Russian or Bucharian Rhubarb is imported from St. Peters-
burgh. It is said formerly to have been brought by way of
Natolia, hence the name of Turkey Rhubarb, which it ordinarily
bears in the shops. It is imported in boxes or cases covered
with a pitched cloth. The shapes of the pieces are various,
being angular, rounded, and irregular, most of them perforated
with holes; externally they are covered witli a bright yellow
powder, and beneath this the surface has a reddish-white tint.

Dutch-trimmed or Batavian Rhubarb.—It is the finest quality
of the Chinese Rhubarbs. It is imported from Canton and
Singapore Pereira says that it is probably Bucharian Rhubarb,
of less pure quality, sent by way of Canton, and which in con-
sequence has been usually confounded by pharmacological writers
with Chinese Rhubarb. In shape, size, and general appearance
it resembles the Russian kind. In the drug trade this Rhubarb
is said to be trimmed.

China or East Indian Rhubarb is imported either directly
from Canton, or indirectly by Singapore and other parts of the
East Indies, and is probably the produce of China. It is im-
ported in chests. The cortical portion of the root appears to
have been scraped rather than sliced off, and hence the surface
is not so angular. The pieces are generally perforated with
holes, in many of which we find portions of the cords by which
the pieces were suspended. ‘The surface is more of a yellowish-
brown than reddish-white colour, and has coarser fibres than
Russian Rhubarb. On the finer pieces, we notice numerous
starlike spots, or depressions. The odour of this species is
much less powerful than that of Russian Rhubarb, and is some-
what less aromatic.

Himalayan Rhubarb.—This is the produce probably of Rheum
Emodi; it comes into India, according to Dr. Royle, through
Kalsee, Almora, and Butan; it is less valuable than the China
Rhubarb, and has a very bitter, astringent taste.

English Rhubarb is made at Banbury, probably from the
Rheum palmatum, and is generally found as dressed English

128 FLORA HOMCGOPATHICA.

Rhubarb, in angular pieces, like the Turkey Rhubarb and the
common stick Rhubarb.

French Rhubarb.—TVhis is procured from the Rheum Rha-
ponticum, undulatum, and compactum. ‘These are cultivated at
Rheumpol, a place not far from Lorient, in the department of
Morbihan.

According to ‘Brande, the analysis of Chinese Rhubarb
gives pure rhabarberic acid; impure ditto; gallic acid, with
some rhabarberic acid; tannin; colouring extractive; uncrys-
tallizable sugar, with tannin ; starch and pectine acid; gummy
extractive, taken up by caustic potash; pectic acid; malate and
gallate of lime ; oxalate of lime ; sulphate of potash and chloride
of potassium; phosphate of lime, with oxide of iron; silica;
woody fibre; water.

Rhubarb is very liable to adulterations. The fine qualities
of the Eastern Rhubarb are easily known, when in pieces, by
their strong aroma, their powerful bitterness and grittiness
between the teeth, and their freedom from brown specks exter-
nally and internally. They are often adulterated with the in-
ferior sort of home growth; these are easily detected while the
drug is in mass, by their weaker aroma and want of grittiness
when chewed ; and if their surface has been rubbed over with
turmeric to heighten their yellow colour, this will be dis-
covered by boracic acid, turning the yellow to brown; the
true yellow colour of Rhubarb is not thus altered (Christison,
op. cit.)

PuystoLoaicat Errxcrs.—On Animals. On the Lolipedes
Rhubarb acts as a tonic, confining its action principally to the
stomach, whose digestive power it augments. On the Carnivora
it operates, in doses of half a drachm, in thé sume way; but in
doses of several drachms, as a purgative. On the larger Herbi-
vora it may be given to the extent of several ounces, without
causing purgation. ‘Tiedemann and Gmelin detected it by its
yellow colour in the serum of the blood of the mesenteric,
splenic and portal veins in dogs, to which Rhubarb had been

RHEUM PALMATUM. 129

administered by the mouth. They failed to recognise it in the
chyle (Pereira).

On Man.—In small doses (as from four to eight grains) it
acts as an astringent tonic, its operation being principally or
wholly confined to the digestive organs. In large doses (from
a scruple to a drachm) it operates slowly and mildly as a pur-
gative, Sometimes causing slight griping. It never inflames the
mucous membrane of the alimentary canal, as jalap, seammony,
colocynth, and other drastic purgatives are capable of doing.
The constipation which follows its cathartic effect has been
ascribed to the operation of its astringent matter. In febrile
complaints and inflammatory diseases, it sometimes accelerates
the pulse, and raises the temperature of the body, whence the
impropriety of its use in these cases. The milk of nurses who
have taken it acquires a purgative property.

Mepicat Usrs (Hommopatuic).~Hahnemann remarks that
this medicine is useful in disorders of the prime vie, especially
in children. Rhubarb has only been employed for derange-
ments of the intestinal canal in children and full-grown persons,
arising from improper alimentation, generally accompanied by
excessive acidity in the prime vie, cutting colic, disturbance
of the night’s rest by starting, moaning, weeping, slight con-
vulsions, etc. Nightly complaints, particularly of children,
with moaning, peevishness, tossing about, crying, etc.; all
these symptoms being occasioned by a disordered condition of
the bowels. Nightly crying and tossing about of infants, pro-
bably owing to colic; diarrhcas of children, with colic, etc.
(Noack and Trinks, in Amer. Trans. of Jahr’s Manual).

AntiporEs.—Camphor. Coffea. Chamomilla. .

Rik:
RHUS.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON.*

Trailing Sumach, Pubescent Poison Oak, Poison Ivy.

Synonyms.—Rhus radicans, Willd., Sp. Pl., vol. i. p. 1481; Hort. Kew., vol.
ii. p. 163; Koln, Trav., vol. vi. p. 67. Hedera trifolia virginensis, Park, Theat.,
6795. Arbor trifolia venenata virginiana folio hirsuto, Rutt Hist., 795. Hdera
trifolia canadensis, Cornut. Canad., 96, t. 97. Vitis canadensis, Manting, Phyt.,
° 239, t. 60. Toxicodendron triphyllum — Duham. Arb., vol. 35 p. 341,

. 98. Rhus toxicodendron, Linn. Sp. Pl., 381; Wiilid., vol. i. p. 1481; Hort.
pc vol. ii. p. 82; Pursh, Fl. Amer. ; pt Bot, An.; Stokes, se Mat.
Med., vol. ii. p. 160; Bot. Mag., vol. xiii, t. 1806

Forrian Names,—F*, : ema Herbe 4 la Puce, Sumac vénéneux.
Tial. : a Tossicodendro, Germ.: Giftsumach, Russ.: Geltnik iadovitoi.
Dut.: Vergiftboom, Swed.: Geosthiis tradt.

Nat. Order, Dumosm, Linn. ; Teresintace®, Juss.; TERE-
BINTHACEH, De Cand.—PENTANDRIA, TRIGYNIA.

Spec Cuar.— Calyx small, five-partite, persistent. Petals five, ovate,
spreading. Stamens five, all fertile in the male and hermaphrodite
flowers. Ovary one, somewhat globose, one-celled. Styles short, three,
or stigmas three, sessile. Drupe almost juiceless, one-celled ; nut bony,
perhaps by abortion, one-seeded, and sometimes two or three-seeded.
Seed exalbuminous, invested by the funiculus arising from the base of
the nut. Cotyledons foliaceous. Radicle incumbent on the upper edge
of the cotyledons (De Candolle).

Srec. Cuar.—Rooting. Leaves ternate. Leaflets oval, entire, or sinuate
crenate. Racemes on the branches, and axillary, sessile, dicecious.
Var. radicans. Stem climbing, and rooting. Leaflets broad, entire, or
with scattered teeth.

Fig. 1. A male stem, with the flowers. 2. The corolla and flower. 3. Cluster
of the berries from the female plant.

* Although Linneus, De Chislatis, and Nuttall have made Rhus radicans a
different species from Rhus toxicodendron, and have founded the distinction

E Sowerby, del et lith.

Rhus Toxicodendron.

Plate Ll

F Reeve, nnp

RHUS. 131

History.—This plant was first described by Cornutus (Plant.
Canad. Hist.), in 1635, but not brought into practical use

chiefly on the character of the leaves, yet Michaud, Pursh, Eaton, and later bota-
nists, who have had opportunities of carefully observing these plants, are of opinion
that they are mere varieties of the same species. The BR. towicodendron has been
described as a low self-supporting shrub, only two to three feet in height, with the
leaflets toothed or lobed at the margin, and pubescent ; while the 2. radicans has
a stem from five to forty feet in height or rather in length (and even infinitely
longer than this), with the leaflets entire at their margins; but the toothed leaflets
have been observed equally on the R. radicans as on R. towicodendron, being
chiefly the radical leaves ; while the trailing character of the stem arises from the
locality in which it is found. Rhes radi inhabits rocks and open places, while
the R. towicodendron is generally found amidst high forest trees, Professor
Bigelow states, “ Among the plants which grow abundantly round Boston, I have
frequently observed individual shoots from the same stock having the character of
both varieties.” It is also probable that the medicinal powers are increased or
lessened by the same cause, for it is natural to suppose that the virtues must be
more marked in those plants that are able to increase and thrive in power and
strength, than in those which are stunted and weakly.

The following note is taken from the American edition of Jahr’s Manual: —

“ Rhus radicans and Rhus toxicodendron are considered by some botanists as
varieties of the same species, but by a majority of them as distinct species. The
trunk of the radicans is from five to forty feet in height, and is furnished with an
immense number of dark reddish-brown radicles or root-like fibres, which enable
it to adhere to trees and other objects, and be ths supported like a kind of vine.
The toxicodendron is a low, self-supporting shrub, only two or three feet in
height. When the radicans grows where it meets with no object suitable to its
support, its height is only four, five, or six feet, and its branches frequently recum-
bent. Ina dry soil, the branches may not be recumbent, and the stunted radicans,

with few or no radicles, be mistaken for a toxicodendron, from which, however, it
is even then distinguished by the crookedness or obliquity of its trunk. As the
leaves of both plants are sometimes trifoliate, the toxicodendron always and the
radicans rarely on the same vine, though generally quinquefoliate, with leaflets
decidedly serrate, toothed, or lobed, and smooth and glabrous on both surfaces, as
well as smaller, terminal one the largest, the two next the footstalk the smallest
when fine ; whilst those of the toxicodend frequently entire at their margins,
and always sparingly toothed or lobed, and often on one side only, and these not
so fine as the preceding species, pubescent on both surfaces, but the inferior the
most so, and leaflets larger. Until the precise relation which the radicans and toxi-
codendron sustain to each other in their medical properties has been rigorously

determined, no specimens of them should be collected, either for pathogenetic or
N

132 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

until 1798, when Dufrenoy, a physician at Valenciennes, had
brought under his notice a young man who had been cured
of an herpetic eruption (dartre) on his wrist, of six years’
standing, by being accidentally poisoned by this plant. He
reports seven cases of obstinate herpetic eruptions cured by
this plant. He also gave it in palsy, and cured some of them.
Dr. Alderson, of Hull, in his essay on Rhus toxicodendron,
gives several cases of recovery from paralysis from the use of
the dried leaves, in doses from half a grain to a grain three
times a day, and he says that the first feeling of amendment
was a sensation of tingling and twitching in the affected limb.
Dr. Givesius (Bulletin des Sciences Médicales, 1825) reports
cures of paralysis by this drug.

It has also been employed in rheumatism, obstinate eruptive
diseases, in some cases of amaurosis, and in other nervous
affections of the eyes; but it is now almost entirely aban-
doned in allopathic medicine.

Descriprion.—Rhus toxicodendron flowers in June and
July. The root sends up many stems, which divide into
slender woody branches, and are covered with a brown bark.
These stems seldom grow erect, but trail along the ground, and
when they meet with support will ascend a wall, or climb like

curative purposes, except from wild and almost full-grown plants, and from those

which possess some of the peculiarities in a high degree, not only to prevent the

possibility of confounding them, but to determine the extreme points of difference

in their medical properties. For example, it would be desirable to select a toxico-
yee pte ¢ relat Ga! ORO Ne oe

P| Aa

ht, having a
trunk perfectly straight, erect, and free from rootlets, and bark generally smooth
and spotted, with leaves pubescent beneath. The writer deems it proper to ac-
knowledge that his description of the toxicodendron has been taken chiefly from
books, and confined mainly to those points on which there is a general agreement
among the numerous authorities consulted. The radicans leaves, which he col-
lected for trial, were from a female plant growing spontaneously in a fertile and
somewhat humid soil, and in a situation exposed to the sun. It had a trunk
about twenty feet in height, and two inches in diameter ; numerous radicles, and
leaves serrate and smooth on both surfaces. It was in flower at the time, June,
846.”

RHUS. 133

ivy to the tops of the loftiest trees. The Jeaves are placed
alternately, supported on long petioles, and are composed of
three dark green, shining leaflets, about three inches long, and
one and a half broad. The Jeaflets are of an ovate or rhom-
boidal form, pointed, strongly veined, smooth on the upper
surface, but always more or less downy beneath, at least about
the ribs, and sometimes quite covered with down at the back;
their margin entire. The radical leaves, especially in the
downy variety, are often cut and lobed ; the two lateral leaflets
are considerably the smallest of the three, and nearly sessile.
The flowers are produced in simple axillary racemes, on short
peduncles, greenish-white, and diecious. The calyz is divided
into five deep, erect, permanent segments. The petals are five,
ovate, pointed, and spreading. The filaments are five, shorter
than the corolla, bearing small, roundish anthers. ‘he germen
is superior, roundish, supporting a very short style, with
three small heart-shaped stigmas. Fruit a round drupe,
about as large as a pea, sometimes pubescent, containing
a single, roundish, bony seed (Step. and Chur., Med. Bot., and
others).

GeroGRaPuicaL Disrrisution.—North America, from Canada
to Georgia.

_ Parts usEp In MeEpIcINE, AND Mover oF PREPARATION.—
The Leaves, gathered in May. The juice is expressed, and
treated similarly to that of all fresh plants.

Christison has this remark concerning the R. toxicodendron,
which is worthy of attention. ‘ The active part of this plant is
extremely volatile, and the tincture of the fresh leaves or an
extract of the same ought to be prepared én vacuo.” It is also
most important to be remembered that the leaves of this plant
should always be gathered at night, and never exposed to the
rays of the sun. Exposure to light and sun causes them to
become almost entirely innocuous.

Puystotocican Errecrs.—On Animals. Orfila (op. cit.)
made six experiments on dogs with the extract of this plant.

nN 2

134 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

In the first two no effect was produced; in the others it exerted
a stupifying action on the nervous system, with local irritation
and more or less intense inflammation, with vertigo, and dilated
pupils. After death, the blood was found fluid, of a very dark
purple colour, in the cavities of the heart, and the lungs red
and very crepitant. Lavini (Jour. de Chimie Médicale, Juin,
1825) made the same experiments on guinea-pigs and birds,
with the same effect. Fontana ( Traité sur le Vén. de la Vipere,
tom. ii. p. 160, 1781) gave the juice of the leaves of the
Rhus toxicodendron, and also applied it externally to the cel-
lular tissue of rabbits, guinea-pigs, and pigeons, without it
producing any effect.

On Man.—Fontana (op. cit.) states that, having touched the
leaves of the R. toxicodendron at different times and at in-
tervals of several days, in four to six days after the eyelids and
the extremities of the ears and many other parts of his face
became tumefied, and appeared filled with an aqueous fluid.
The intervals between the fingers became red and covered with
little vesicles full of pellucid humour, and the epidermis fell off
in small scales. Violent smarting of the skin continued for
fifteen days, followed by insupportable itching for another
fifteen days, and the pulse was inordinately agitated.

Layini (op. cit.) applied the juice to the index-finger, and
left it there for two minutes: in about an hour it produced
two small dark-coloured spots. Twenty-five days afterwards he
was suddenly seized with the following symptoms: great heat
in the mouth and throat; rapid swelling of the left cheek, of
the upper lip, and eyelids; the following night, swelling of
both fore-arms to double their natural size, with coriaceous
skin, insupportable itching, and violent heat. Four days after,
there appeared on the hands and fore-arms pustules like those
of the itch; some of them on bursting gave a limpid humour.
On inoculating the fore-arm with this liquid, fresh pustules
were produced. ‘The places on the finger to which the juice

had been applied presented two small tumours, about the size

RHUS. 135

of peas, which afterwards disappeared without opening them.
After eight days the fore-arms were covered with squamous
scales; the itching lasted several days. These symptoms at
last disappeared after the application of ice.*

Horsfield (Exp. Diss. on the Effects of Rhus radicans, etc.)
gives the following as the effects of the leaves of this plant :—

* A slight degree of itching or sensation of heat, which gra-
dually increases, followed by redness or inflammation of the
skin; in some very extensive; in others, confined to round
circumscribed spots, or to longitudinal streaks. ‘The inflamed
parts become elevated and tumefied; small vesicles appear on
the surface, containing a pellucid fluid, which gradually in-
crease in size; the fluid soon becomes yellow, and after some
time takes on the colour and consistence of pus. After the
vesications are completely distended, they break, and some of
the pus being discharged, by drying on the surface, forms a
yellow incrustation, which gradually becomes brown. ‘The
itching and vesications which take place in the incipient
state frequently disappear and return several times succes-
sively.

‘‘ The poison appears to have a peculiar capricious disposition
to attack particular parts. In most cases the eyes are spe-
cifically affected; in some, the legs and thighs. A peculiar
and distressing itching of the scrotum and preputium penis is
one of the most general and characteristic symptoms of the
disease. In quibusdam currit erectio penis, an fceminis labia
pudende affectantur. Its peculiar tendency to affect the eyes
is most strikingly observed in persons who by reading much
become susceptible of the eruption; in most of these, if its
progress is not stopped, blindness of a longer or shorter con-
tinuance is the certain consequence.

“It has been observed that the eruption, when it is re-excited,

* Van-Mons and others assert that the active principle of this plant is a hydro-
carburetted gas, mixed with an acrid vapour, which acts most powerfully on

certain organs.

136 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

has a peculiar tendency to attack those parts which were pre-
viously affected.

One of the most singular, at the same time one of the most
universal, concomitants of the eruption, when it exists in a
violent degree, is a sympathetic fever of the arterial system,
and this occurs in a more or less degree in every case. The
general symptoms, when this fever comes on, are quick
frequent, full, and tense pulse; loss of appetite, and sickness at
stomach ; white tongue; burning of the palms of the hands and
soles of the feet ; headache, throbbing of the temporal arteries,
and delirium. The eruption is not unfrequently succeeded
by a great number of small phlegmons or boils, swelling of
the tongue and ulceration of the mouth, swelling of the lym-
phatic glands.”

A man labouring under fever was bled by a person who had
handled the Rhus vernix ; in forty-eight hours a red eruption
and several serous vesicles appeared above the place where the
vein had been opened; the eruption extended over both arms
and the scrotum.

Two ounces of infusion of the leaves of R. radicans excited
fever, increased the frequency and hardness of the pulse, and
produced pain in the bowels and copious micturition ; which
effect seemed to be the result in many cases,

It is a general opinion in the western parts of Pennsylvania
that R. radicans is an effectual remedy for the cure of phthisis
pulmonalis.

“In the summer of ’97, T. L., a boy of about twelve years of
age, and possessing a very high degree of what is termed the
melancholic temperament, was exposed to the action of Rhus
radicans. He was attacked with the following symptoms: red-
ness and swelling of the hands and face, followed by fever,
unusual drowsiness, thirst, and great constipation ; the eruption
gradually extended over the whole body, much resembling the
progress of inoculated small-pox ; a swelling and very trouble-
some itchiness accompanied the eruption through the whole of

RHUS. 137

its course. From the foregoing statement, it would appear that
the poison of the Rhus radicans acts ina manner somewhat
similar to the contagion of small-pox when communicated to
the system through the medium of inoculation. In the case of
T. L., the hands and face, having been exposed naked to the
poisonous effluvia, may be considered as the immediate seat
of inoculation. These accordingly became first disordered by
a topical eruption; in a short time fever supervened, and the
eruption extended to other parts of the body in a manner
analogous to the inoculation of small-pox” (C. Caldwell, in
Horsfield Exp. Diss. on Rhus verniz and R. radicans, Philadel.,
1798).*

The effects of Rhus vernix are thus described by Jacob
Bigelow :—“ The most formidable cases in persons subject to
this poison usually commence within twenty-four hours after
exposure; sometimes longer, more frequently shorter. The
symptoms generally begin by itching and tumefaction in the
hands and face, the swelling gradually spreading over different
parts of the body like erysipelas. The inflamed parts become
elevated, of a livid redness, with burning sensation ; contain
transparent fluid, which by degrees becomes yellow, and then
assumes a purulent appearance. A discharge takes place from
the vesicles, giving rise to a yellowish incrustation, which after-
wards becomes brown. An insupportable itching and burning
is felt ; the parts become excessively swollen ; not unfrequently
the eyes are closed, and the face has a cadaverous appearance
like that in malignant small-pox. It usually reaches its height
the fourth to sixth day, after which the skin and incrustations
begin to separate from the diseased parts, and the symptoms
gradually subside ; no scars or permanent traces usually remain.
I never knew of an authentic case of its terminating fatally.

“In October, 1814, Dr. A. L. hese accompanied me to

* Analogous meee to Rhus radicans and vernix are produced by Nerium
Oleander, A occidentale, Kalmia latifolia, Ruta graveolens, the berries
of Rhus glabrum, and the Hippomane mancinella.

138 FLORA HOM(OPATHICA.

collect the juice of the R. vernix. He had always supposed
himself exempt from liability to the poison. Day warm; the
effluvium from the incisions we made in the trees was very
powerful: we were exposed an hour, he less than myself. His
own account of the symptoms is as follows: ‘I felt no un-
pleasant effects for six or seven hours, when I perceived the
backs of my hands were swollen and puffy, without pain or
itching; my forehead and upper lip were soon in the same
state. ‘The following morning the tumefactions had increased,
and other parts were infected; the backs of my hands and
wrists began to show small watery vesicles. No applications
were made till about noon; I then applied cloths dipped in
lead-water to one hand and wrist, and a spirituous solution of
corrosive muriate of mercury to the other. From this and sub-
sequent trials I prefer lead The parts began to itch; the
tumefaction increased; vesication began to take place on the
swollen surface ; small pustules formed and ran into each other,
and at last some were as large as nutmegs. Next day my eyes
were nearly closed, from the swelling of my forehead, eye-
brows, and cheeks. ‘The contents of the vesicles were perfectly
limpid; inoculation from them to other parts had no effect, nor
at any other stage. The next evening the inflammation was at
its height ; the burning and itching intolerable. The following
day, pustules began to appear a little milky, and by night the
inflammation was evidently on the decline. This day I applied
an ointment of unguentum stramonii, etc. In a fortnight I was
able to leave my chamber, and had a new cuticle from the roots
of my hair on the forehead to my breast, and on the arms and
inside the thighs. During first five days, the pulse was increased
from ten to twenty strokes. The poison seemed to have a con-
siderable effect in relieving me from dyspeptic symptoms, and
also benefited a chronic inflammation of my eyes.’ ”’

Eyer since these plants have attracted the notice of naturalists
and other persons, it has been observed that the susceptibility
of receiving their poisonous influences exists in different con-

RHUS. 139

stitutions in very different degrees. While some are affected
with a cutaneous eruption by their exhalation at the distance of
twenty feet, others are not affected by freely handling them, or
by applying their juice to the larynx and fauces.

** The following circumstances have considerable influence in
varying in the same person the aptitude to the reception of
poison :—

** First. A warm or cold climate; in southern, more active than
northern. Second. Different seasons of the year. The Rhus
vernix never affects me in the smallest degree, except on very
hot days in summer. Third. Infancy or manhood; children
more readily poisoned than adults. Fourth. Exposure before
or after a meal. ‘ The plants more readily poison immediately
after than before a full meal’ (Dr. Barton). Fifth. The pre-
sence of moisture. Country people generally believe that the
effluvia of plants when combined with moisture are most apt to
produce the eruption. Several facts induce me to think this
deserves credit.* Sixth. A state of increased perspiration at
the time of exposure has a most powerful influence in favouring
the eruption. Of this I have had several proofs: in collecting
the juice of R. vernix, if in a state of high perspiration, I never
failed to be affected more or less with the eruption; if my skin
was perfectly dry, it had not the least effect upon me. Pro-
fessor Kalm also remarked on the R. vernix, ‘I found, how-
ever, that it could not exert its power on me when I was not
perspiring.’ Females, Dr. Barton says, are more easily affected
than males.”

Dr. J. Cooper inoculated himself with some of the juice of
the Rhus toxicodendron. The next morning the eyelids
itched, and were redder than usual; in the afternoon the face

* That moisture does not destroy their poisonous qualities appears by the
following quotation from Fontana on Poisons. Fontana, in order to examine the
use of the leaves of the toxicodendron, as he knew that he was easily poisoned,
observes, ‘ E caused them to be got ready by another person, but T touched a few
of the leaves when wader water. In four days my face and eyes swelled,’ ete.”

140 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA.

began to itch, and was red and swelled. The scrotum and
prepuce the same ; there were flushes of heat through the body;
the pulse was very quick; and vesicles arose on the wrists,
hands, feet, legs, and scrotum. In eight days the whole affec-
tion had disappeared.

_ Dr. D. 8. Kemball experienced the following symptoms on
gathering and preparing some of the R. toxicodendron :—Itch-
ing, burning (especially in the morning), and vesicular erup-
tion on the hands and wrists, and about the eyes, with smarting
and redness of the eyes, and photophobia, twenty-four hours
after gathering, but commencing about eighteen hours pre-
viously. Headache through the eyes and temples, with dullness
and sleepiness, thirty to thirty-six hours after, in the afternoon ;
secretion of urine more copious, and rather pale. Next day,
itching, burning, and extension of the vesicular eruption around
the eyes, upper lips, supercilia, mouth, and external orifice of
the ears, and drowsiness and dullness of the spirits in the after-
noon. Headache, slight photophobia, and obscured vision at
times, as well as on the previous day. Itching of the scalp-
Tongue more furred, and appetite not as good, After mid-
night, at the beginning of the third day, pain, colic, rumbling
and griping in the bowels during repose, with sulphuretted
eructations, and discharge of flatus. Two or three years ago,
when similarly affected from preparing some, had loose serous
evacuations in the morning for several days, in addition to the
colic and cutting pains in the abdomen. Rheumatic pain in
the lumbar region and through the hips. Bryonia relieved
many of the symptoms, but not the eruption, which extended.
Dr. Kemball remarks, that formerly he was able to handle and
prepare this plant with impunity,

Mepicat Uses (Hommopatuic).—Hahnemann’s observations
(op. cit.): “ Rhus contains many very remarkable peculiarities, as
an instance of which may be cited one effect produced by few
other medicines, and by none in so great a degree. It is this:
its most powerful action takes place when the body, or limb, is

RHUS. 141

in perfect repose. The reverse, that is, exasperation of the
symptoms during motion, is more unusual,

“ Rhus has great analogy with Bryonia, yet there is also con-
siderable difference, for it is observable that symptoms much
resembling Rhus, which have been caused by taking Bryonia,
are increased by motion, and diminished by rest. Thus, by
studying the symptoms of these two antagonistic medicines, we
may conceive how one or other of them, according to the case,
proved to be the best of all homeopathic remedies, during the
course of that dreadful epidemic which in the summer of 1813
ravaged those countries which were the seat of war. No treat-
ment of this typhus, founded on the common practice, availed
in serious cases, and in those less severe, nature would have
produced the cure, though slowly and with difficulty. Rhus,
given alternately with Bryonia, succeeded in restoring great
numbers, when all other means failed. Never did homeopathy
experience a more signal triumph.

** Strong doses of Rhus continue to act for six weeks; weak
ones for shorter periods, according to their dilution. For this
reason, the aggravation of symptoms lasts a longer time than
that of most other vegetable medicines, so that it is frequently
twenty-four hours before amendment decidedly takes place. It
is absolutely necessary to conform strictly to the rules of hhomeo-
pathy in giving it. The bad effects of a wrong selection often
give way to Bryonia, sometimes to Sulphur, Camphor, or crude
Coffee, according to circumstances.”

CruintcaLO Ri tism and its consequences,
characterised by the pains being worse at rest. Cephalalgia.
Rheumatic headache. Intermittent fever. Vesicular erysi-
pelas. Erysipelas bullose. Chronic pemphigus. Abdominal
typhus. Tinea capitis. Humid herpes of the face. Typhoid
pneumonia. Variola. Leucophlegmasia after scarlet fever.
Sufferings from drinking cold water, and from external ex-
posure to it. Paralysis. Sprains and affections of ligamentous
tissues are amongst some of the chief diseases in which, with

142 FLORA HOM(EOPATHICA,

other appropriate symptoms, Rhus will be found curative. Dr.
Neidhard says, “The disease in which I have most frequently
made use of Rhus is rheumatism, characterised by the following
symptoms :—rigidity; paralytic weakness of the joints, with
stinging pain along the tendons and muscles ; swelling and red-
ness on or near the joints. Rheumatism of the hip-joints and
wrists seems to be most effectually controlled by its action. The
greatest rigidity and pain is experienced on first moving the Jotints
after rest, and on waking up in the morning. After the joints
are moved for a while the pain is lessened.”

Antipotrs.—Bryonia. Camphor. Coffea. Pulsatilla. Sul-
phur. Infusion of strong Coffee is the best antidote against
large doses.

Ruta Graveolens.

A.W: del AM. Traice ith Tho* Harrild, ixup

LIT.
RUTA GRAVEOLENS.

Common Rue.

Synonyms.—Ruta hortensis et montana, Ger. Em., 1255. Ruta hortensis
major, Park. Theat., p. 132. Ruta hortensis latifolia, Bauh. Thyr., p. 336.
Math. Vulg., vol. ii. p. 95. Ruta foliis duplicatis pinnatis lobulis ovatis, n. 1003 ;
Hall. Hist., vol. ii. Ruta graveolens, Linn., Spec. Plant. ; Willd., vol. ii. p. 542;
Ball. Herb., t. 85; Woodv., vol. ii. p. 483.

Foretan Names.— Fr.: Rue des Jardins. Jtal.: Ruta, Span.: Ruda. Port. :
da. Germ.: Raute, Gartenraute. Dut.: Ruite, Wijnruit. Swed. : Winruta.
Dan.: Rude. Russ.: Ruta. Arab.: Arooda. Hind.: Saturee.
Nat. Order, Mutmsiiiaum™, Linn. ; Ruracem, Juss., De Cand.
—DercanpriA, MonoGynta.

Gen. Car.—Calya persistent, four, rarely three or five-partite. Petals
as many as the segments of the calyx, unguicolate, somewhat cochleate.
Stamens twice as many as the petals. Wectariferous pores, at the base
of the ovary, as many as the stamina. Ovary on a short, thick stalk.
Style one. Capsule somewhat globose, divided into as many cells as
there are petals. Seeds affixed by the internal angle. Albumen fleshy.

bryo curved. Radicle long. Cotyledons linear. Perennial or suf-
fruticose fetid herbs, of a sea-green colour. Leaves alternate. Flowers
corymbose, yellow, central, often five-cleft (De Cand.)

Spec. Cuar.—Leaves supra-decompound ; lobes oblong, the terminal one
obovate. Petals entire, or somewhat toothed (De Cand.)

:

Hisrory.—Rue is the IInyzvv of Hippocrates. Two varieties
are mentioned, II. aygiov and IT. ogevov. It was highly esteemed
by the ancients as a remedy for resisting contagions and
poisons. Pythagoras considered Rue hurtful to the eyes.
Pliny says that he was in error, because engravers and painters
eat Rue with bread or cresses, to benefit the eyes when they

are weak.

144 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA.

Dioscorides states “that twelve pennyweight of the seed
drunke in wine is a counterpoison against deadly medicines, or
the poison of wolfsbane, mushroom or toadstools, the biting
of serpents, stinging of scorpions, bees, hornets, and wasps.
That the weesell, when it is to fight with the serpent, she
armeth herself by eating Rue, against the might of the serpent
(Gerarde).

Rue was formerly called the Herb of Grace, from its being
used in bunches by the priests to sprinkle holy water over the
people.*

Alston (Lect. on Mat. Med.) remarks: “ It is said to be hated
by toads, wherefore it is planted amongst sage; hence ‘ Salvia
cum ruta faciunt tibi pocula tuta,’ as some apply it. It inflames
and ulcerates the skin like horse-radish ; hence outwardly is a
remarkable drawer, detergent, etc., and inwardly is commended
for small-pox, measles, and lethargy. It is said to be a prin-
cipal ingredient in King Mithridates’ antidote, according to the
receipt found with him when conquered by Pompey.”

As a medicine it was formerly used as an anthelmintic.
Boerhaave, in speaking of it, says, “ What medicine can be

* Shakespeare makes mention of Rue in many of his works.
“Here did she drop a tear ; here in this place
I'll set a bank of rue, sour herb of grace;
Rue even for ruth, here shortly shall be seen,
In the remembranee of a weeping queen.”
Richard TI.
* Reverend sirs,
For you there’s rosemary and rue, these keep,
Seeming a favour all the winter long ;
Grace and remembrance be to you both.”
Winter's Tale.
“There’s rue for you, and here’s some for me; one may call it herb of grace
0’ Sundays.” — Hamlet.
“She was the sweet marjoram of the salad, or rather the herb of grace.” —All’s
Well that Ends Well.

RUTA GRAVEOLENS. 145

more efficacious for promoting perspiration, for the cure of
hysteric passion, and of epilepsies, and for expelling poison.
Externally it has been used as an application to gangrenous
ulcers. It has been employed in infantile convulsions, ete.
It is a popular emmenagogue in hysterical cases.

Description.—Rue is a hardy evergreen under-shrub,
flowering in June and September. ‘The lower part of the stem
is woody. The Jeaves are dotted, glaucous, and bluish-green.
Flowers in umbellate racemes, of a pale yellowish colour:
Petals four or five, fringed at the extremity, and attached by
narrow claws. ‘The first flower has usually ten stamina, the
others eight. It is remarkable that the anthers move in turns
to the pistillum and, after having shed their pollen, retire. ‘The
germen is oval, punctured with crucial furrows, and surmounted
by a short, awl-shaped style and simple stigma. ‘The capsule is
gibbous, five-lobed, bursting elastically at the summit of each
lobe, and containing numerous rough, angular, blackish seeds.

GEoGRAPHICAL Disrrisution.—South of Europe. Natu-
ralized in the gardens of this country.

Parts usED IN Mepicinr, AnD Mops or PREPARATION.—
The Fresh Plant, before its flowers are developed. The juice
is extracted, and treated like that of all fresh plants.

PuystoLocicat Errecrs.—On Animals. Orfila found that
in three instances from six to eight ounces of the juice, or dis-
tilled water of Rue, would kill a small dog. In another in-
stance, vomiting and vertigo (like a drunken man) came on,
and the posterior extremities became very weak.

On Man.—Rue, if much handled, causes redness, swelling,
and yesication of the skin. Buchner (Zozikologie, p. 265) gives
the following case :—‘ After some very hot days in June, 1823,
Roth, an apothecary of Aschaffenburg, cut down a con
siderable quantity of Rue whilst in full bloom, and separated
the leaves from the stalk. The next morning both his hands
were very red and hot, and on the third day appeared as if they
had been exposed to hot aqueous vapour ; they were besmeared

146 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA,

with oil. Towards evening vesication commenced, and was
most copious at the points of the fingers. On the fourth day
the parts were still much swollen, and between the blisters the
skin had assumed a dark red or purplish hue. On the fifth and
sixth days the swelling extended up the back part of the arms,
as far as the elbow. Within four weeks the skin had gradually
peeled off. His children, who had played with the Rue, suf-
fered from swelling of the face and hands.

Helie (London Med. Gaz., vol. xxiv. p. 171) gives the follow-
ing as the effects of Rue acting as an acro-narcotic poison,
in some cases where it had been taken to procure abortion.
Pain in the epigastric region; violent and continued vomiting ;
inflammation and swelling of the tongue; salivation; colic;
fever; thirst; disorder of the muscular system (manifested by
tottering gait, and irregular and convulsive movements of the
body and limbs); giddiness ; confused vision ; contracted pupil ;
delirium, or rather reverie ; somnolency ; and, after some days,
miscarriage. During the stupor the pulse was feeble, very
small, and slow (thirty beats in the minute in one case). ‘There
was great debility, faintness, and coldness of the skin. ‘The ill
effects lasted several days.

Mepricat Usss (H ).— Hah :
“Until the present time this powerful plant has been ignorantly
used by common people as a domestic remedy. According to
its pure symptoms, of which, unhappily, we know as yet but a
few, we may discover that its uses are of real importance.
Rosenstein says that it cannot be too highly esteemed in dis-
eases of the eye, and amblyopia, caused by too much reading.
Swediaur and Chomel agree with him. ‘The action is efficacious
only in cases strictly analogous to the symptoms it produces in
healthy persons. A medicine that acts so evidently in accord-

a?
V8 UVC OWLOUTES «

ance with the laws of homeopathy, far from increasing and
aggravating the disease, as inexperienced persons imagine, cures
it quickly and effectively, unless it arises from some miasmatic
affection.”

RUTA GRAVEOLENS. 147

Crrnicat, Onservations.—Ruta has been employed in suf-
ferings caused by mechanical injuries; chiefly contusions and
injuries of the bones. Paralysis caused by external injuries.
Sufferings caused by rainy and cold weather. Rheumatic affec-
tions, principally in the joints of the hands and feet. Am-
blyopia amaurotica, when caused by fine working. Spots on
the cornea. Vermiculous affections of children, especially when
accompanied with vomiting. Violent pain in the epigastric
region after eating bread. Lithic acid deposits, and difficult
micturition.

Antipotre.—Camphor.

LII.
SABINA.
(JUNIPERUS SABINA.)
Savin.
Synonyms.—Sabina, Dod. Pempt. 854; Blackw., vol. vi. p. 214. Sabina _
cupressi, Bawh, Tw., p.487; Rati Hist., 1415; Duham. Arb., vol. ii. t. 62,
perus Sabina, Linn. Sp. Pl., 1472; Willd, vol. iv. 852; Wood. vol. vi. p. ae

Sabina folio Tamausii Dioscoridis, Bauh. Tw., p. 487. Sabina sterilis, Ger. Em.
Sabina vulgaris, Park. Theat.

Forzian Namxs.—Fy,: Sabine. Jtal., Span., and Port.: Sabina. Germ.:
Sadebaum, Sagebaum. Dut.: Sevenboom. Swed. : : Siipven-boom. Dan.: Seven-
bona. Russ. : Moggevelnich donskoi, Sabina.

Nat. Order, Contrerm, Linn., Juss.—Diacia, MonopeLPutia.

Gen. Cuar.—Dicecious, rarely monecious. Males: Catkins ovate, the
scales verticillate, peltate, pedicillate. Anthers four to eight, unilocular.
Females: Catkins globose, the three concave scales united. Stigma
gaping. Galbulus composed of the united and fleshy scales, and con-
taining three triquetrous, osseous seeds.

Spec. Cuar.— Leaves ovate, convex, densely imbricated, erect, decurrent,
opposite ; the oppositions pyxidate; a small bushy shrub; branches
closely invested by the very small glandular leaves. Galbulus round,
purple, somewhat smaller than that of Juniper communis.

Hisrory.—Sayin has been employed in medicine since the
time of the Greek physicians. It is the Bozdu of Dioscorides,
who says, “Cum vino potu sanguinem per urinas educunt et
partus expellunt, id ipsum tum appcsitu, tum etiam suffitu
prestant.”’

Pliny (op. cit.) says: “ Savine, the hearbe called by the Greeks —
Brathy. It driveth and keepeth down all swellings, impos-
tumes; it represseth all those ulcers which be corrosive and
cauterous. Made in a linament it healeth St. Anthony’s fire

Plate LIIL.

Sabina.
MD. ae. H. Sowerby, lith.
cocmemnialala (Juniperus Sabina)

F. Reeve imp .

SABINA. 149

and carbuncles. Drunke with honey and wine, it cureth the
jaundice. It is said that the very fume or smoke of this hearbe
will rid hens and such like pulleen of the pip.” It was em-
ployed by the Arabian physicians for the same purposes as
mentioned by Dioscorides.

Schréd (669) says: “In mensibus fortiter ciendis, fetu
ejiciendo, urina pellendu, asthmata medendo. Extrinsecus in
affectibus uterinis, ulceribus, serpentibus arcendis, scabie, pre-
cipue capitis infantum, exsiccarda ac curanda (cum cremore
lactis) in maculis faciei abstergendis. It is said to kill worms
in horses, cows, dogs, as well as in children. Oleum sabine
ventri inunctum aut frondes ejus tuse et umbilico imposite
vermes puerorum execant. Decoctum intro sumptum idem
prestat. Verum usu ejus internum minus tutum putat Park-
insonus. It is commended also in the jaundice, dropsy, asthma,
gout, fluor albus, corns; also for vermis umbilicalis. Pene in-
fumis facta est apud nos, quod nobile ariuoy sit apud vulgus.
But I doubt of its being so dangerous as is commonly believed
in pregnancy, though it cannot be often proper there” (Alston,
Lect. on Mat. Med.)

At the present time, in allopathic practice, it is chiefly
employed as an ingredient in some of the emmenagogues.
Pereira (op. cit.) states it to be the most certain and powerful
emmenagogue of the whole Materia Medica. As a topical
agent, it is frequently employed in the form of a cerate to make
perpetual blisters.

Descriprion.—Juniperus Sabina is a fine evergreen shrub,
sometimes disposed to spread horizontally, sometimes rising
erect to the height of eight or ten feet. It flowers in April and
May. Its trunk is sometimes a foot in diameter. It is covered
with a reddish-brown bark, and sends off many branches nume-
‘rously subdivided. The eaves are very small, numerous, and
erect; opposite, pointed, of a bright green colour, and wholly
invest the younger branches, which terminate in sharp points.
The male catkin is conical, and consists of three opposite florets,

150 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA,

placed in a triple row, and a terminal one at the end; and at
the base of each flower is a broad oval scale, fixed laterally to a
columnar pedicel. There is no corolla. The filaments in the
terminal flower are three, awl-shaped, and united at the base
with roundish anthers; but in the lateral flowers the filaments
are scarcely distinguishable, and the anthers are sessile. In the
Jemale tlowers, the calyx is composed of three minute scales,
united with the germen. ‘The petals are three, rigid, acute, and
permanent, and the germen supports three styles, with simple
stigmas. The fruit is a roundish, fleshy berry, of a blackish-
purple colour, marked with tubercles, and containing three
small, irregular-shaped, hard seeds.

GrocrapuicaL Disrrisurion.—Native of the south of
Europe and the Levant. It has been cultivated in this country
from a very early period.

Parts UsED IN Mepicinz, AND Mop or PreraRration.—
The Fresh Leaves, which are to be pounded in an iron mortar,
adding half its quantity of alcohol, rubbing the mixture for a
time, then expressing the juice, and afterwards adding two-
thirds of its weight of alcohol; the clear liquid is drawn off
after the whole has stood a few days.

Puystotocica, Errzcrs.—On Animals. Savin acts on ani-
mals as an acrid poison. Orfila (op. cit.) applied two drachms of
the powder to an incised wound in the leg of a dog; inflamma-
tion and infiltration of the limb took place, and death occurred
in about thirty-six hours. Four drachms introduced into the
stomach of a dog, and the esophagus tied, caused death in
fifteen hours; the stomach was bright red. Orfila infers that
its effects depend principally on its absorption, and its action
on the nervous system and the stomach. A drachm of the oil
of Savin was given to a cat; it caused a flow of saliva, anxiety,
frequent micturition, dullness, trembling, and, in an hour and a
quarter, bloody urine. ‘The animal having been strangled, the
bladder was found contracted, and some coagulated blood con-
tained in its cavity (Pereira, op. cit.)

SABINA, 151

On Man.—Oil of Savin, the active principle of the herb, is a
powerful local irritant; when applied to the skin, it acts as a
rubefacient and vesicant. On wounds and ulcers its operation
is that of an acrid (not chemical) caustic. Swallowed in large
doses, it occasions vomiting, purging, and other symptoms of
gastro-intestinal inflammation. In its operation on the system
generally, it is powerfully stimulant. Savin, says Sundelin
(Heilmittellehere, bd. ii. 8, 180), operates not merely as
irritants generally do, as a stimulant to the arterial system, but
it also eminently heightens the vitality of the venous system,
the circulation im which it quickens. It next powerfully stimu-
lates the absorbing vessels and glands, the serous, the fibrous,
and the mucous membranes and the skin. It operates as a
specific excitant and irritant on the kidneys, and yet more
obviously on the uterus. ‘The increased secretion of bile, and
the augmented volume of the liver, both of which conditions
have sometimes been observed after the copious and long-con-
tinued use of Savin, appear to be connected with its action on
the venous system. Mohrenheim (Murray, App. to Mat. Med.)
mentions the case of a woman, thirty years of age, who swal-
lowed an infusion of Savin to occasion abortion. Violent and
excessive vomiting was induced. After some days she expe-
rienced excruciating pains, which were followed by abortion,
dreadful hemorrhage from the uterus, and death. On examina-
tion, the gall-bladder was found ruptured, the bile effused in
the abdomen, and the intestines inflamed. The popular notion
of its tendency to procure abortion leads, on many occasions, to
the improper use of Savin. Vogt states that it has a tendency
to induce an apoplectic state in the fetus. Christison (op. cit.)
states that Savin acts as an irritant poison, and not as an abor-
tive; that delivery can never be obtained by the use of this
plant without jeopardizing life, and it will destroy life without
producing the effect intended. Violent pain in the abdomen,
vomiting, and strangury are the chief symptoms of poisoning

by this plant.

152 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

_ In some instances of death from Savin, the poison can only

be detected by the use of a powerful microscope (Med. Gaz.,
May, 1845).

Foderé (Méd. Légale, vol. iv. p. 430) mentions a case where
a large quantity of the powdered leaves was taken. Vomiting,
hiccup, heat in the abdomen, and fever, of a fortnight’s duration,
were produced, without abortion.

Dr. Trail mentions the following case :—‘ A servant: girl, after
being some time in low spirits, was seized with violent colic pains,
frequent vomiting, straining at stool, tenderness of the abdomen»
dysuria, and general fever, under which symptoms she died,
after several days’ suffering. The stomach was inflamed, in parts
black, and at the lower curvature perforated. The uterus, with
its appendages, were very red, and contained a fine membrana
decidua, but no ovum. The lower intestines were inflamed.
There was found in the stomach a greenish powder, which,
when washed and dried, had the taste of Savin.”

Mepicat Uses (Homa@oparuic).—Stapf (Add. to the Mat.
Med.) says: “Sabina has been heretofore employed in two
different affections of the same organ, partly to bring on the
catamenia, and, in general, to stimulate the circulation (hence
in chlorosis), partly to suppress bad hemorrhages from the
uterus. It is evident that Sabina could not be the proper
remedy in two such opposite affections, and that in one of them
it must have been administered improperly. We now know
from experience, that it cures hemorrhages from the uterus, as
has first been remarked by Wedekind (De Usu Sabine, Mar-
burg, 1816, p. 27). This view has been confirmed by the
provings which homeopathic physicians have instituted with
Sabina upon the healthy organism, and which show, on the one
hand, that Sabina has a tendency to excite the arterial (?) circu-
lation of the uterus; and, on the other hand, they confirm the
truth of the homeopathic law, inasmuch as hemorrhages from
the uterus are cured even by allopathic doctors by the use of
Sabina. How different were the results obtained by the use

SABINA. 153

of Sabina in stoppage of the catamenia. In such cases it has
either never or but rarely done any good; and even in cases
where the catamenia were restored by Sabina, the result was
merely palliative, and frequently followed by the most disagree-
able consequences.

‘*The hemorrhages occasioned by Crocus seem to differ from
those of Sabina, in more than one respect, especially in that of
colour and consistence. The blood of the former is charac-
terised by a dark colour and consistence ; the blood excited by
the latter is distinguished by a brighter redness and fluidity,
from which we may perhaps infer that Crocus acts especially
upon the veins, and Sabina upon the arteries; this supposition,
however, requires confirmation.

“ Next to the pathogenetic action of Sabina upon the sexual

organs, there are many symptoms which show its great power
to affect morbidly the periosteum, the joints, mucous mem-
brane, and other analogous parts. Rau recommends Sabina
against chronic articular gout. A writer in Hufeland’s Journal,
against a kind of gout which he calls arthritis fixa apyretica,
even when nodosities have begun to form, and when anchylosis
threatens to set in. Hufeland praises it in any kind of gout, not
only nodous gout, but also arthritic pains in the head and
chest.
Of course, such general recommendations and definitions as
the foregoing are not sufficient for the homeopathic practitioner.
To use Sabina and any other drug successfully, we have not
only to specify with the utmost care the finest shades of morbid
action which it is capable of exercising upon the organism, but
we have also to investigate the minutest shades of morbid
symptoms which we intend to cure.”

Antiporrs.—Camphor and Pulsatilla.

LIV.
SAMBUCUS* NIGRA.

The Elder.

Synonyms.—Sambucus, Raii Syn., 461; Ger. Em., 1422,f.; Math. Fulg., vol.
ii. 606, f.; Camer. Hpit., 975, f.; Fuchs. Hist., 64, f. Sambucus acinis albis,
Raii Syn., 461. Sambucus laciniatis foliis, Bauh. Tw., 456. Sambucus, n. 670;
Hall Hist., vol. i. p. 298. Sambucus nigra, Linn. Sp. Pl., 395; Willd., vol. i.
p. 1495; Fl. Brit., 336.

Forrien Names.—fy.: Sureau. Jtal.: Sambuco. Span.: Sauco. Port. :
Sabuguerio. Germ.: Gemeine hollander. Dut.: Vlierboom. Swed.: Flaeder.
Dan,: Hyld. Russ. : Bugina tschernaia.

Nat. Order, Dumosm, Linn. ; Capriroita, Juss.; CAapriro-
LIACER, De Cand.—PENTANDRIA, TRIGYNIA.

Gry. Cuar.—Limb of the calya small, five-cleft. Corolla rotate, pitcher-
shaped, five-cleft ; its lobes obtuse. Stamens five. Style none. Stigmus
three, sessile. Berry roundish, scarcely crowned, pulpy, one-celled,
three to five-seeded ; funiculi bearing the oblong seeds in the axis of the
fruit (De Cand.)

Spec. Cuar.—Stem shrubby, somewhat arboreous. Leaves pinnatifid,
smooth. Segments ovato-lanceolate, serrate. Corymbs five-partite (De
Cand.)

History.—Dioscorides describes two species of Elder: Axrn
peyakn (Sambucus nigra), and A. xapaidturn (S. humilis vel
Ebulus). Hippocrates employed Axrn (Sambucus) in medicine,
and the ¢ of Theophrastus is the Sambucus nigra of later
authors. This plant was well known to the Arabian physicians.

Fig. 1. The young stem, with the leaves and cyme. 2. A flower slightly mag-
nified. The figures are taken from Woodville’s Medical Botany. 3. Cluster of
berries.

* From sambuca, a musical instrument of the ancients, usually made of this
plant (Dr. Withering).

ca
*

Plate LIV.

E
.
3
2
oe)
—
O
5
=
a)
ep)

H. Sowerby, Tith.

SAMBUCUS NIGRA. 155

It is the Acte of Rhases, and the Aktha of Ebn Baithar.
According to Dr. Adams (op. cit.), the Sambucus of Avicenna
is not the Elder, but the Jasmine; and the Arabians and
Syrians of the present day still use the imner green bark
for the same purposes for which it was employed in earlier
times. It was employed by Boerhaave and Sydenham as a
powerful hydragogue and cathartic in dropsies, and it is still a
popular remedy for the same disease. The flowers were for-
merly used as an infusion for erysipelas, rheumatisms, small-
pox, etc. It was the chief ingredient in Lady Mary Douglas’s
specific; and Elder-flower water and Elder-flower ointment
were in every domestic medicine case; the North American
Indians make an eye-water from the young leaves of the
Elder.

DescrRIPTion.—This well-known tree, so common to our
hedges and woods, growing sometimes to the height of from
twelve to sixteen feet, rises with a woody trunk filled with a
white medullary substance or pith, and covered externally with
a rough, ash-coloured bark. ‘The younger branches are smooth,
and contain a large quantity of pith. ‘The eaves are long, of
a shining green colour, and composed usually of two pairs of
leaflets, with an odd one, which are pointed, serrated, smooth,
and nearly equal at the base. The flowers are numerous,
cream coloured, and form a large beautiful cyme, with five
principal branches, and many small ones at the extremity of the
stem and branches. The calyx is superior, permanent, and cut
into five deep segments. The corolla is synpetalous, nearly
wheel-shaped, with five deep obtuse, somewhat reflexed seg-
ments. The filaments are fine, awl-shaped, about the length
of the corolla, and bearing roundish, heart-shaped, yellow
anthers. The germen is ovate, without a style, but supporting
three obtuse stigmas. The berries are spherical, of one cell,
containing three, sometimes two, seeds; convex on one side,
angular on the other. ‘The berries have at first a reddish hue,
but become of a purplish-black colour when ripe.

P

156 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

GrocRApHicaL Distripution.—Great Britain, France, and
a great part of Europe. Found in hedges and woods near
villages, etc.

Parts usep 1n Mepictne, anD Mopz oF PREPARATION.—
The Liber, or Inner Bark (cortex interior Sambuct), reduced to
paste by means of a little alcohol in a mortar. The juice is
expressed and treated in the same manner as that of fresh
plants. Many also use the united juices of the leaves and
flowers, mixed with equal parts of alcohol, and then attenuated
as usual.

PuystonocicaL Errects.—On Plants. Plants are affected
from the exhalation of the Elder. No plants will grow under
the shadow of this tree.

On Animals.—The berries are said to be poisonous to poultry,
and the flowers to peafowls. If turnips, cabbages, fruit-trees,
or corn (which are subject to blight froma variety of insects) are
whipped with the green leaves and branches of Elder, the insects
will not attack them (With., 1.c.; vide Philos. Trans., vol. lxii.
p. 348).

On Man.—The whole plant has an unpleasant narcotic smell,
and some authors (Barthol. Hist. Anat. Rar.) state that its
exhalations are so noxious as to render it unsafe to sleep under
its shade.

The inner bark (dber) has scarcely any smell, and very little
taste. On first chewing, it expresses a degree of sweetishness,
which is followed by very slight but durable acrimony, in which
its powers seem to reside. It acts violently on the internal coat
of the intestines, and its action, both as an emetic and cathartic,
is occasionally so violent that inflammation of the intestines has
been produced, and death has been the result.*

Mepicat Uszs (Hommoratuic).—Hahnemann’s observations :
** With the exception of Chamomilla, no plant has been so little

* For further physiological effects, see the provings of this medicine in Hah-
nemann’s Mat. Med. Pura, vol. iy.

SAMBUCUS NIGRA. 157

appreciated in domestic medicine as this. It has scarcely been
admitted into the list of regular medicines, but merely treated
as a popular remedy, and undervalued as of trifling importance.
It is true that Elder is in very common use, which is a tacit
confession of its utility in a variety of respects; but it by no
means follows that it is incapable of doing harm in cases to
which it is unsuitable ; for common sense teaches us that, as it
contains powerful medicinal properties, it must produce bad
effects when it is improperly given.

“‘ People do not generally understand the effects which Elder
occasions when misapplied, because they are ignorant of its
pure symptoms in healthy subjects; therefore, in the mixtures
of drugs so often prescribed, it has appeared to be thought of
little importance whether an infusion of Chamomilla or Elder has
been used. How, then, can they possibly know whether either
of these is beneficial or hurtful? Sometimes they are prescribed
for persons in good health, to preserve it! So little is known of
the nature of medicines.

« Enough has been studied of the symptoms of Elder to
show that it produces real morbid affections; from which may
be inferred the cases in which it is likely to be hommopathically
beneficial.

« The smallest dose is sufficient to produce the requisite
effect. Ample infusions therefore can do no more, but are
injurious in promoting too great an excess of heat and per-
spiration, and thus weakening the patient and protracting the
cure.”

Curnicat. Osservations (Noack and Trinks, op. cit.)—This
plant has been useful in some kinds of rheumatism, with draw-
ing pains in the limbs and loins, diminished by movement and
increased by rest. In intermittent fever, with excessive per-
spiration, particularly at night. In debilitating night-sweats,
in phthisis, as a palliative. In croup, with sopor, stertorous
breathing, and head drawn back. Deep, hollow, croup-like

Pp 2

158 FLORA HOMOPATHICA.

cough. Asthma Millari. Cough, with saltish expectoration.
Angina pectoris, etc.
AntipoTrs.—To small doses: Arsenicum. Camphora.

La.

paril
(Smilax Medica.)

44

parsa

‘-

\ as SRY at LK. ‘ ;
a nae asi

Ce Sowerby lth.

Pe ee ee SAL wey Rs

LY.
SARSAPARILLA.

(SMILAX MEDICA.*)

Synonyms.—Smilax aspera peruviana sive Sarsaparilla, Bauh, Mw., p. 296.
Smilax peruviana Sarsaparilla, Ger. Hm., p. 859, f. Smilax viticulo asperis
virginiana folio hederaceo leni Zarga nobilissima, Pluk. Alm., p. 348, 1. 111;
Raii Suppl., p. 345. Smilax glauca ramis subteribus passim aculeatis foliis queesi
cordato ovatibus acuminatis, Mich. Amer., vol. ii. p. 237. Smilax Sarsaparilla,
Linn., Sp. Pl., p. 1459; Wiild., vol. ii. p. 776; Woodv., vol. iii. t. 194, Smilax
medica, WV. V. Esen. Smilax officinalis, Humb, and Si, Nov. Gen.

Forrign Names.—Fr, : ree Ttal.: Salsapariglia. Span.: Sarza-
illa. Port.: Salsa-parril Sarsaparell, Sassaparille. Dut.: Sarsa-
parille. Swed.: Sassaparill. pany aaa, Russ.: Sassaparel.

Nat. Order, Smivacex, Lindi.—Diacia, HexanprRis.

Gen. CHar.—Diecious. Perianth six-parted, nearly equal, spreading.
Male flowers : Stamens six. -Anthers erect. Female flowers: Perianth
permanent. Ovary three-celled ; the cells one-seeded. Style very short.
Stigmas three. Berry one to three-seeded. Seeds roundish. Albumen
cartilaginous. Embryo remote from the hilum.

Srro. Cuar.—Stems angular, twining, armed at the joints with straight

rickles. Zeaves shortly acuminate, smooth. Inflorescence an eight or
twelve-flowered umbel. Fruit red, size of a small cherry.

History.—This drug was introduced into Europe about the
middle of the sixteenth century, and soon afterwards became a

Fig. 1. Calyx and anthers. 2, 3, 4. The fruit.

* Four different species of Smilax are supposed to yield the Sarsaparilla of
commerce, viz.: Smilax officinalis (Kunth), Smilax medica (Schlecht), Smilax
siphilitica (Willd.), and Smilax Sarsaparilla (Linn.) The Smilax medica, from
Nees Von Esenbeck’s beautiful work, has been figured as the type of the genus.

160 FLORA HOM(OPATHICA.

popular remedy, which it has continued up to the present
time. C. Bauhin states that it was first introduced into
Spain in 1573. _Monardes states it was brought from New
Spain to Madrid in 1540. The word Sarsaparilla is of Spanish
origin, from zarza, a bramble, and parila, a vine. It has
been employed in chronic rheumatism, obstinate skin diseases,
and in cachectic conditions of the system generally; it
has been remarked by Mr. Lawrence, that physicians have
no confidence in this drug as a remedy, and surgeons a
great deal; and Pereira explains this by stating that,
generally, physicians are much less frequently called in to
prescribe for those forms of disease in the treatment of which
surgeons have found Sarsaparilla so efficacious. To those who
have studied the pathogenetic effects of this drug this fact is
more easily and more readily explained.

Dezscription—Smilax medica has an angular stem, with
strong prickles at the knots, and only a few at the intervals.
It produces Jeaves about six inches long, chartaceous, acu-
minated, cordate, ovate, or hastate; and it bears umbels of
flowers, which are succeeded by crimson berries, somewhat
larger than the mountain ash.

GrocrRAPHicAL Disrrirsution.—South America. Smilax
medica is found on the eastern slope of the Mexican Andes,
and furnishes the root which is exported from Vera Cruz under
the name of Sarsaparilla.

PaRTs USED IN MEDICINE, AND Mops or PREPARATION.—
The Roots, which are folded and formed into bundles (Sar-
saparila rotunda) two or three feet long, in the interior
of which are found roots of inferior quality, stones, clumps
of wood, etc. The roots or runners are furnished with but
few rootlets. The colour is dirty or greyish-brown. The
cortex consists of a thin epidermis, within which is a thick
white amylaceous layer, which gives to this variety (Honduras)
its remarkable mealy appearance when broken. This cortical

SARSAPARILLA. 161

portion readily cracks transversely, and shells off, leaving the
meditullium, which is thinner than in the Jamaica kind. The
taste of the root is amylaceous, and wkimately somewhat acrid;
its decoction becomes intensely blue by the addition of a
solution of iodine. Its powder is fawn coloured, and when
rubbed with water and tincture of iodine becomes intensely
bluish-black (Pereira). In preparing for homeopathic pur-
poses, care must be taken to free the roots from all impurities,
by scraping, etc. The three first attenuations are made by
trituration. Alcohol does not dissolve all the active properties
of the root. The Honduras Sarsaparilla is that which is
generally used for homeopathic purposes,

PuystoLocicaL Errects.—To the taste Sarsaparilla is slightly
acrid and somewhat nauseous. Diaphoresis is by far the most
common effect of its internal use ; when the skin is kept cool,
diuresis is not unusual. In several cases, I have given the
powder of this root in very large doses, in order to ascertain its
effects. Nausea, vomiting, and temporary loss of appetite were
alone observed (Pereira, op. cit.)

Dr. Hancock (Trans. Med. Bot. Society, 1829) says that, in
one patient, an African, an infusion of four ounces of the Negro
Sarsa acted as a narcotic, producing nausea, great prostration of
strength, torpor, and unwillingness to move; the pulse was
scarcely altered, unless it were a little retarded.

‘ 772 ? Lectin hess ~

i.

Menpicat Usgs (H ) observa :
‘* As Sarsaparilla bears some resemblance in its external appear-
ance to the root of Carex Arenaria, the authors of the Materia
Medica have prescribed the latter in preference, persuaded that
it is equal, if not superior, in its virtues; and being of in-
digenous growth, it is patriotic to employ it. For this reason,
and because it has a more powerful though very different odour,
and possesses a similar form, they judge it worthy to take place
of Sarsaparilla!

“It is evident that Sarsaparilla has been suspected, without

162 FLORA HOMC:OPATHICA.

reason, of being deficient in power. Boiling deprives it in
great measure of its virtues. A single strong dose will act a
fortnight.

CurnicAL Onservations show that this drug has been found
useful as a homeopathic medicine in Hydrargyrosis. Chronic
gout. Crusta lactea. Herpes nasalis. In some rheumatic
cases. In cold feet previous to going to bed. In perspiration
on the forehead, and paralytic weakness of the hands and feet.

Antipotr.—To small doses: Camphora.

LVI.
SCILLA MARITIMA.
Oficinal Squill, or Sea Onion.

SynonyMs.—Scilla Hispanica vulgaris, Ger. Zm., p.17,i.; Clus. Hist., p. 171.
Scilla rufa magna vulgaris, Bawh., vol. ii. p. 615, f. Scilla vulgaris radice
rubra, Bawh, tuv., p. 73. Sancratium, Clus. Hist., p. 293. Ornithogalum Squilla,
Bot. Mag., vol. v. p. 24, 1. 918. Ornithogalum maritimum, Towr, Inst., p. 381 ;
Brotero, Fl. Lusit., vol. i. p. 583; #1. Franc., vol. iii. p. 276. Scilla maritima,
Linn. Sp. Pl., p. 442; Willd., vol. it. p. 125.

Forntan Namus.—Fy.: Scille, Orignon marine. Téal. : Scilli, Ciropollo ma-
rina, Sanerazio. Span.: Escella, Cebolla albarana. Port.: Esquilla, Cebolla
alvarii. Germ.: Mierswiebel, Squille. Dan.: Skelle. Swed. : Skille.

Nat. Order, Coronaria, Linn. ; AspHoDELI, Juss. ; LILIACcEa,
De Cand.—Hexanpria, Monoeynta.

Gen. Cuan.—Sepals three, coloured, spreading. Petals very like them,
and scarcely broader. Stamens six, shorter than the perianth. Fila-
ments smooth, somewhat dilated at the base, acuminate, entire. ary
three-parted, glandular, and melliferous at the apex. Style smooth,
simple. Stigma obscurely three-lobed, papillose. Capsule rounded,”
three-cornered, three-celled. Seeds numerous, in two rows, flattened,
with a membranous testa (Lindley, from Steinheil).

Sprc. Cuar.—Leaves very large, subsequently spreading, bracts long.
Flowers white ; flower-bud somewhat acute. Anthers yellow. Ovarium

‘thick, yellowish. Bulb very large.

Hisrory.—Scilla (S«avz) was a favourite remedy with the
ancient physicians. The Egyptians worshipped a bulbous
plant, called by Lucian Kpoxvov, which has been suggested to
be the red variety of the Scilla maritima. Pythagoras is sup-
Oi Yor eee eerie ee

Fig. 1, The cormus, 2. The leaves. 3. The flowering stem. 4. Calyx and
corolla. 5. Authers. 6, Section of the seed-vessel.

164 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

posed to have written largely upon the medicinal virtues of
Squill, and to have invented the Acetum Scille. Dioscorides
recommended it in dropsies, coughs, jaundice, chronic coughs,
asthma, etc. Hippocrates employed it both internally and
externally.

Celsus frequently prescribed it, and it was a very favourite
remedy with all the Arabian physicians. Serapion gave it asa
laxative in fevers, and asa diuretic in dropsies ; as a remedy
in jaundice, in old coughs, in asthma, spitting of blood, and
for cleansing the breast of gross humours. It is to be avoided,
he says, when there is an ulcer of any internal part.

Avicenna employed it in complaints of the gums, in inveterate
coughs, epilepsy, in diseases of the spleen, in dropsy and jaun-
dice, and forbids its use in ulceration of the viscera.

Its uses at the present time are as an emetic, diuretic, and
expectorant. As a diuretic, in dropsies requiring the use of
stimulating or acrid diuretics, but improper in inflammatory
cases, or in those complicated with granulated kidney ; as an
expectorant, in chronic catarrh, humid asthma, and winter
cough; as an emetic, in hooping cough, and in some cases of
croup, etc.

DescriPTion.—Squill is a perennial plant, and in its native
soil flowers from July to September, and the eaves appear in
October and November. The ded is roundish, ovate, pyriform,
half above ground, sometimes as large as a child’s head, and is
composed of thick, fleshy, smooth, shining scales, attenuated at
their edges, closely applied over each other, and attached to a
conical disk (rudimentary stem), which projects inferiorly,
and from which the proper roots issue. The colour of the bulb
is either white or red, or cinnamon colour. The Jeaves appear
long after the flowers; are broad, lanceolate, and twelve to
eighteen inches in length. The scape is about two feet in
height, terminated by a dense, long raceme. The flowers are
extremely numerous, and produced in long, close, simple
clusters, on purplish peduncles, with small linear, twisted, de-

SCILLA MARITIMA, 165

ciduous bracteas. ‘The corolla consists of six white spreading
petals, with a reddish mark in the middle of each. The fila-
ments are six, awl-shaped, shorter than the petals, to whose
bases they are attached, and furnished with oblong, incumbent,
green anthers. The germen is roundish, with a short style and
simple stigma.

GrocraPHicAL Duistrisution.—On the sandy shores of
France, Italy, Sicily, Spain, Portugal, Syria, and the Levant.
On the sea-coasts of Asia and Africa. It has been found as far
inland as the Estrella Mountains. Navarino has long been
celebrated for its Squills.

Parts useD 1n Mepicinz, AND Mope oF PREPARATION.—
The Bulb (the red variety is to be preferred), as fresh as
possible, is to be cut up in slices and pounded in a mortar,
adding gradually an equal part of alcohol. When reduced to
an homogeneous paste, five parts of alcohol are added; the
liquid is then set aside for some days, and the clear brown
tincture decanted. It is important to remember that the dried
Squill (Radiz Scille siccata), as found in commerce, should
never be used for homeopathic purposes.

Puyston.ocicat Errecrs.—On Animals. An ounce of pow-
dered Squill acts as a diuretic on horses and other large animals.
The same effect is produced on smaller animals by half a
drachm. When the dose is large, Squill acts as a poison. It
first causes local irritation; then its active principle becomes
absorbed, affects the nervous system, and thereby quickens the
respiration ; causes convulsions and death. Hillefield mentions
paralysis produced ina rabbit by nineteen grains of powdered
Squill. Athanasius (Pfaff, Mat. Med.) states that two ounces
of water distilled from fresh Squills caused the death of a dog
in six hours.

On Man.—In small doses, it acts as a stimulant to the ex-
thus it promotes secretion from the mucous

cretory organs ;
gastro-intestinal) and

membranes (especially the bronchial and

the kidneys. Its most marked effect is that of a diuretic. Its

166 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

expectorant effects are less obvious and constant. Sometimes,
when it fails to act on the kidneys, it increases cutaneous
exhalation. Its influence on secretory organs is probably to be
referred to the local stimulus communicated to their vessels by
the active principle of Squill, in its passage out of the system,
for Emmert and Hering (op. cit.) have shown that the juice is
absorbed ; so that Squills may be regarded as an acrid even for
these remote parts. When it proves diuretic in dropsies, it
usually promotes the absorption of the effused fluid—an effect
which is, I think, indirect, and a consequence of the diuresis.
But Sundelin (Handb. d. sp. Heilm., Bd. ii. p. 17) observes of
Squill, that it promotes the secretion, less by its local irritation
of the kidneys than by its general excitement of the absorbent
apparatus (Pereira, op. cit.)

In full medicinal doses, Squill excites nausea and vomiting.
Purging also is not unfrequently produced. In excessive doses,
Squill acts as a narcotico-acrid poison, and causes vomiting,
purging, griping pain, strangury, bloody urine, convulsions,
inflammation and gangrene of the stomach and intestines.
Twenty-four grains of the powder have proved fatal.

Lange, in a treatise on the domestic remedies of Brunswick,
mentions an instance of a woman who died in convulsions after
taking a spoonful of the root in powder. Christison states that
he has seen a quarter of an ounce of syrup of Squills, which is
a common medicinal dose, cause severe vomiting, purging, and
pain.

Mepicat Usss (Homa@oparuic).—Hahnemann’s observations :
“The primary effect of Scilla is to excite the mucous glands of
the trachea and bronchial tubes, so that the mucus becomes
thinner and looser, and can be thrown off more readily. When
used as an expectorant, it palliates the symptoms; and if the
tenacious mucus in the chest be a chronic ailment, Scilla finally
increases the suffering, inasmuch as, by a reaction of the
organism, the mucus in the bronchial tubes becomes more and
more tenacious, and the cough more dry. Scilla is therefore

SCILLA MARITIMA. 167

useful for excessive secretion of mucus in the chest, for which
it has already been recommended by Weichard. The primary
effect of Scilla upon the urinary passages is great ardor urine,
with copious emission of clear secretion. In a few hours after
this first and positive effect of Scilla, the secondary effect or
reaction of the organism takes place, being the contrary of the
primary effect, viz., little desire for micturition and scanty
secretion. Dropsical swellings can only be cured by Scilla
when the symptoms of the urinary organs correspond to those
of Scilla: such are very rare. Scilla will, on the contrary, be
found a specific remedy for diabetes.

CurnicaL Osservations.—Noack and Trinks: Anasarca.
Ascites (the medicine was continued for three months). Pneu-
monia, with great expectoration. Pleurisy, with dry cough.
Diabetes insipidus, etc.

Antipore.—Camphora.

LVII.
SECALE CORNUTUM.
Spurred Rye, or Ergot.*
SynonyMs.—Clavi siliginis, Zonicerus. Secalis mater, Thalius. Secale luxu-
rians, Bauh. Thw., lib. i. sec. iv. p. 23. Grana secalis degenerati, Brunner.

P
Secale cornutum, Baldinger. Clavus secalis vel secalinus, Secale maternum,
turgidum vel temulentum; Ergota, Ph. Lon. et Edin.

Forrien Names.—Fr.: Ergot, Seigle ergoté. tal.: Allogliato. Germ.:
Mutterkorn, Roggenmutter. Dut.: Spoor. Dan.: Sim. Russ.: Sporinia,
Rojki.

Tua iocens, All. 11.; Funcares, Lindley.

History.—No undoubted notice of Ergot is found in the
writings of the ancients. The disease produced by it is sup-
posed to be referred to in the following passage :—*“ 1089.
A pestilent year, especially in the western parts of Lorraine,
where many persons became putrid, in consequence of their
inward parts being consumed by St. Anthony’s fire. Their
limbs were rotten, and became black like coal. They either
perished miserably, or, deprived of their putrid hands and
feet, were reserved for a more miserable life. Moreover, many
cripples were afflicted with contraction of the sinews” [ner-

Fig.1. A grain of Ergot. 2. A grain with part of the outer rind denuded.
3. A grain magnified, showing the Sphacelia segetum of Lereille. 4. Section of

a grain magnified. 5. The grains in situ. The figures are taken from Nees Von
Esenbeck.

¢ sie is 1 £. Pome! Teale: PU 7 fil. gd
2 i=)

Common cultivated Rye. Nat Order, Gr

AMINE, Juss.; Horpracem, Burn. ;
Trranpria, Dieywia, Linn,

VI.

\7

Plate L

¥F. Reeve ump.

acale Cornutum.

age,

C.C. Sowerby, lith

SECALE CORNUTUM. 169

vosum contractio]—Sigebert, Rec. des Hist. des Gaules de la
France ; (Pereira, op. cit.)

The first botanical writer who notices Ergot is Lonicerus.
It seems to have been employed by women to promote labour-
pains, long before its powers were known to the profession.
Camerarius, in 1683, mentions that it was a popular remedy in
Germany for accelerating parturition. In Italy and France
also it appears to have been long in use (Idem).

Ergot first attracted the attention of physicians in 1596, as a
cause of epidemic disease in Hessia ; and although its medicinal
properties seem to have been known in Germany since at least
the middle of the subsequent century, they did not become
familiar to professional men till the publication of the essays of
Desgranges in 1777, and more especially of Stearns and of
Prescott, of the United States, thirty years later (Christison).

Descrirtion.*—When we examine a number of ears of
ergotized Rye, we find that the number of grains in each spike
which have become ergotized varies considerably ; there may
be one only, or the spike may be covered with them; usually
the number is from three to ten. The mature Ergot projects
considerably beyond the palew. It has a violet-black colour,
and presents scarcely any filaments and sporidia. The spurred
Rye, or Ergot of commerce, consists of grains, which vary in
length from a few lines to an inch and a half, and whose
breadth is from half a line to four lines. Their form is cylin-
drical or obscurely triangular, with obtuse angles, tapering at
the extremities (fusiform), curved like the spur of a cock,
unequally furrowed on two sides, often irregularly cracked and
fissured. The odour of a single grain is not detectable, but of
a large quantity is fishy, peculiar, and nauseous. The Zaste is
not very marked, but is disagreeable and very slightly acrid.
The grains are externally purplish-brown or black, more or
less covered by a bloom, moderately brittle; the fractured

* The following description of Ergot is taken from Percira’s last edition of the
“ Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics.”

170 FLORA HOMCZOPATHICA.

surface being tolerably smooth, and whitish or purplish-white.
This bloom, which to a greater or less extent covers the violet
coat of the Ergot, resembles the bloom of plums, and may be
readily wiped off.

According to the late Mr. Quekett, it consists of the
sporidia of the Oridium abortifaciens, a microscopic fungus
first described by Phillipar in 1837, the sporidia of which are,
on the average, about 1-4000th of an inch long, and 1-6000th
of an inch broad; but Corda describes it as consisting of two
parts, a layer of cylindrical undivided cells supporting the
spores.

The nature and formation of Ergot are subjects on which
botanists have been much divided in opinion.

First. Some regard Ergot as a fungus growing between the
glumes of grasses, in the place of the ovary. Otto Von Min-
chausen, Schrank, De Candolle, Fries, Wiggers, and formerly
Berkeley, adopted this opinion, and described Ergot as a
fungus, under the name of Spermedia clavus (Fries), Clavaria
clavus (Miinch.), Scleroticum clavus (De Cand.) Fries and
Berkeley, however, evidently entertained doubts respecting its
nature ; for the first suggests that the genus Spermedia con-
sists of “ semina graminum morbosa,’ and the second says,
“it appears to be only a diseased state of the grain, and has
scarcely sufficient claim to be admitted among fungi as a dis-
tinct genus.” The latest writer who has adopted this view is
Guibourt, who concludes that Ergot is not an ovary or
altered grain, but a fungus, which, after the destruction of the
ovary, is grafted in its place on the peduncle. Against this
opinion may be urged the circumstance noticed by Tessier,
that a part only of the grain may be ergotized. Moreover,
the scales of the base of the Ergot, the frequent remains
of the stigma on its top, and the articulation of it to the re-
ceptacle, prove that it is not an independent fungus, but an
altered grain.

Secondly. Some regard Ergot as a diseased condition of the

SECALE CORNUTUM. 171

ovary or seed. ‘The arguments adduced against the last opinion
are in favour of the present one. ‘Though a considerable num-
ber of writers have taken this view of the nature of Ergot, there
has been great discordance among them as to the causes which
produced the disease.

a. Some have suppose that ordinary morbific causes (such
as moisture, combined with warmth) were sufficient to give rise
to this diseased condition of the grain. Tessier and Wildenow
appear to be of this opinion.

B. Some have ascribed the disease to the attack of insects
or other animals. ‘Tillet, Fontana, Read, and Field supported
this view, which, I may add, has subsequently been satisfactorily
disproved.

y. Some, dissatisfied with the previously-assigned causes of
the disease, have been content with declaring Ergot to be a
disease, but without specifying the circumstances which induce
it. M. Bauer and Pheebus have arrived at this conclusion.

“Mr. Quekett has infected grains of corn, by immersing them
in water in which the sporidia of the Ergotetia abortifaciens
were contained; the plants which were produced by the germi-
nation of the grains were all ergotized. Mr. Quekett, who has
most carefully examined the development of Ergot, says that
the first appearance of Ergot is observed by the young grain
and its appendages becoming covered with a white coating com-
posed of multitudes of sporidia, mixed with minute cobweb-like
filaments. ‘This coating extends over all the other parts of the
grain, cements the anthers and stigmas together, and gives the
whole a mildewed appearance. When the grain is immersed
in water, the sporidia fall to the bottom of the liquid.

If we examine the Ergot when about half-grown, we find it
just beginning to show itself above the pale, and presenting a
purplish-black colour. : By this time it has lost, in part, its
white coating, and the production of sporidia and filaments
has nearly ceased; at the upper portion of the grain the
coating now presents a vermiform appearance, which Léveillé

Q

172 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

describes as constituting cerebriform undulations. He regards
this terminal tubercle of the grain as a parasitical fungus, which
he calls Sphacelia Segetum. But these undulations are merely
masses of sporidia, as can be made evident by the microscope.

The mature Ergot projects considerably beyond the palezx.
It has a violet-black colour, and presents scarcely any filaments
and sporidia. ‘The number of grains in each spike which
becomes ergotized varies considerably, there may be one only,
or the spike may be covered with them; usually the number is
from three to ten.

Besides Rye, many other grasses (Phebus has enumerated
thirty-one species) are subject to this alteration, called the Spur
or Ergot. In the summer of 1838, nearly all the grasses grow-
ing in Greenwich marshes were found ergotized. Professor
Henslow found it in wheat which had been sent to the miller ;
but the disease is not confined to the Graminezx, the Cyperacee
are also subject to it, and perhaps also Palmacez.

GxroGRAPHICAL Distrisution.—Ergot is found in all coun-
tries where the plants grow which may become ergotized. It
is imported into this country from Germany, France, and
America.

Parts USED IN MeEpicIngE, AND MopgE or PREPARATION.—
The mature Ergot, which is gathered before the grain is har-
vested, and the three first attenuations are generally made by
trituration.

Deterioration.—The Ergot of Rye is fed on by a little acarus,
which is about one-fourth the size of a cheese mite. The animal
destroys the interior of the Ergot, and leaves the grain as a
mere shell. It produces much powdery excrementitious matter.
It is advisable not to use Ergot which has been kept for more
than two years.

PuysiotocicaL Errects.—On Animals. Ergot, undeterio-
rated, exerts a poisonous effect on all classes of organic struc-
tures. Schupler and Zetter found it poisonous to vegetables.
It is poisonous to most of the insect tribe, to leeches, birds, and

SECALE CORNUTUM. 173

mammals. Birds and mammals refuse to take it even mixed
with other kinds of food. It requires, in most instances, that
the animals should be fed for some time upon it before it pro-
duces fatal consequences, and that those animals, in which it
produces vomiting, suffer very little from its effects.

Diez gives the following as the symptoms produced by it on
dogs who are compelled to swallow it: “‘ great aversion to the
Ergot; discharge of saliva and mucus from the mouth; vomiting ;
dilatation of the pupil; quickened respiration and circulation ;
frequent moanings; trembling of the body; continual running
round ; staggering gait; semi-paralysis of the extremities, espe-
cially the hinder ones; increased formation of gas in the ali-
mentary canal; faintness and sleepiness, with great thirst.
Death followed, under gradually increased feebleness, without
being preceded by convulsions. ‘To the less constant symptoms
belong inflammation of the conjunctiva, and the peculiar appear-
ance of turning round in a circle from right to left.” In some
cases, abscess and gangrene of various parts of the body, and
dropping off of the toes, and convulsions have been noticed. It
seems, from observationsmade by Block (Phebus, op. cit., p. 107),
that the Ruminantia suffer less than other animals from this drug.
He mentions an instance where twenty sheep ate thirteen pounds
and a half daily for two months, and thirty cows ate twenty-seven
pounds daily, without producing any prejudicial action, with the
exception in the latter of making the cream more caseous. Its
action on the gravid uterus is varied, producing abortion in some
instances; having no effect in others. Mr. Youatt remarked
that there was always a more or less corresponding action of the
uterus after the administration of the Ergot, less so in the
ruminants than in the monogastric animals.

On Man.—In doses from two drachms Ergot produces
nausea, inclination to vomit, dryness of the throat, great thirst,
aversion to food, uneasiness or actual pain in the abdomen,
occasionally alvine évacuations, weight and pain in the head,
giddiness ; at times, dilatation of pupils and stupor.

a2

174 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

The most remarkable effects observed on the healthy body
are those produced by the use of this substance for some time
in food ; and in the human race two distinct diseases are referred
to its protracted use. One has been designated Convulsive
Ergotism, which, in its most acute form, commences suddenly,
and is attended with dimness of sight, giddiness, and loss of
sensibility, followed soon by dreadful cramps and convulsions
of the whole body, risus sardonicus, yellowness of the coun-
tenance, excessive thirst, excruciating pains in the limbs and
chest, small, often imperceptible pulse; frequently ending
fatally in forty-eight hours. In the milder cases the convul-
sions come on in paroxysms, preceded for some days by weak-
ness and weight of the limbs, and a strange feeling as of insects
crawling over the body, legs, arms, and face. In the interval
of the fits, the appetite is voracious, the pulse natural, the ex-
cretions regular, and the disease either terminates in recovery,
with scattered suppurations, cutaneous eruptions, anasarca, or
diarrhea.

The other form of disease has been named Gangrenous
Ergotism by the French writers, and the Creeping Sickness by
the Germans ; commencing with general weakness, weariness, and
sense of creeping, followed by cold, white, stiff, and benumbed
extremities, and after a time so insensible that they might be
cut without sense of feeling; excruciating pains in the extre-
mities come on, with fever, headache, and bleeding of the
nose; finally, the affected parts of the limbs shrivel, dry up,
and drop off by the joints. A healthy granulation succeeds,
but the powers of life were generally exhausted before that
stage is reached; the appetite continues voracious through-
out. In another variety the chief symptoms were spasmodic
contraction of the limbs, afterwards weakness of mind, voracity,
and dyspepsia, which, if not followed by recovery, either ter-
minated in fatuity or fatal gangrene.

Its effects on the uterus, in producing the contractions of the
muscular tissue, have been brought to bear in cases of difficult

SECALE CORNUTUM. 175

parturition from want of tone of that organ. It must never be
given in cases of distortion, or from mechanical impediment, as
it may then produce rupture of the organ.

Its action on the brain has been noticed by a number of
observers. Pain in the head, giddiness, delirium, dilatation of
the pupil, and stupor are the principal symptoms indicating its
action. ‘Trousseau and Pidoux found that, under the repeated
action of Ergot, dilatation of the pupil was the most common
symptom, generally coming on about twelve hours after com-
mencing the use of the medicine. Half-drachm to two-drachm
doses have been known to produce these serious symptoms on
the brain.

Mepicat Uses (Hommoparuic).—Secale Cornutum was first
brought into homeopathic use by Noack and Trinks. It is not
mentioned by Hahnemann in any of his writings. It has been
chiefly employed for neuralgic affections of the voluntary
muscles: tetanus, epilepsy, chorea. Dry gangrene. Epistaxis.
Hematemesis, with excessive debility. Diarrhea. Painless,
excessive diarrheea. Asiatic and spasmodic cholera. Passive
hemorrhages. Menstrual colic. Metrorrhagia. Spasmodic
labour-pains. ;

Antipores.—Camphor. Solanum nigrum.

LVIIL.
SENEGA.
(POLYGALA SENEGA.”)

Rattlesnake Milkwort, or Snakewort.

SynoyymMs.—Planta marilandica caule non ramoso, Raii Syn. Polygala
caule simplici erecto, Gron. Flor. Virg. Polygala senega, Linn., Sp. Pl., 950, ete.

Forrign NameEs.— Siete ope de Ss ee Racine de Serpent &

sonnettes. tal. : aad Virginia Ger negawurz, Klapperschlan-

genwurz. Swed., Dau., and Russ. : ae

Nat. Order, Lomentace®, Linn. ; Pepicutarss, Juss.; Pony-
GALEZ, De Cand.—DIADELPHIA, OcTraNDRIA.

Gen. Cuar.—Sepals persistent; the two inner ones wing-like. Petals
three to five, adnate to the tube of the stamen; the inferior one heel-
shaped (perhaps composed of two united). Capsule compressed, ellip-
tical, or obeordate. Seeds pubescent, carunculated at the hilum, desti-
tute of a coma (De Cand.)

Spxc. Cuar.—Stems several, somewhat erect, simple, terete. Leaves ovate-
lanceolate; the upper ones acuminate. Racemes somewhat spiked.
Wings orbiculate. nthe — — (De Cand.)

History.—Dr. Tennant, a Scotch physician residing in Penn-
sylvania, first brought this plant into notice as an antidote to
the poison of venomous snakes, particularly the rattlesnake ;
and he gives a full account of it ina letter to Dr. Mead. It
appears that he derived his knowledge of the effects from the
Senegaroos, an Indian tribe, and he received a reward for his

Fig. 1. The calyx reflected, showing the corolla. 2. A section of the same.
3. The outer leaflet of the calyx closed. 4. Section showing the anthers (these
figures are magnified), 5. The root.

* Polygala, from woaus, much, and yada, milk, from its reputation of increasing
the milk of those animals which partake of it.

4
.
= :
2 :

:

o :
a) ;
: ae

~ a G:
) ‘y
oa. rr
aces
a Y

SY

~

{
\

5
a.
= }

F. Reeve imp.

pene Sa.
Sene ga.)

( Polyg

ala

C.C . Sowerby, lith.

SENEGA. 177

supposed discovery; but more extended observations have
proved the fallacy of trusting to this plant as an antidote to any
venomous bite. It has been but little employed as an allopathic
remedy, but it was formerly recommended by Bigelow, De
Jussieu, and others, in the latter stages of bronchial and pul-
monary inflammation, in chronic catarrh, and humid asthma;
and at one time was supposed to be a specific for croup. It
has also been used as an emetic, diaphoretic, and diuretic.
In angina pectoris, particularly in phlegmatic or leucophleg-
matic patients. In pneumonia during the critical stage (accord-
ing to Vogt), when the expectoration is viscid and stagnant;
according to Sundelin, when the expectoration is suspended,
or ceases. In the acute exanthemata. Asthenic small-pox and
asthenic measles. Scarlatina. In dropsy In angina mem-
branacea. In whooping-cough, and in diseases of the eye.

Description.—A hardy perennial. Flowering from June
to August.. The root is woody, branched, and contorted, about
half an inch in diameter, and covered with a yellowish-grey
bark. The stems are annual, from nine to twelve inches high,
occasionally tinged at the lower part with red or purple.
Leaves are alternate, sessile, or on very short stalks; paler be-
neath. The flowers are small and white, in loose, terminal
spikes. The calyx, which in this genus is the most conspicuous
part of the flower, consists of five leaflets, the two largest of
which are roundish, ovate, white, and slightly veined. ‘Ihe
stamens are all united at the bottom, and attached to the corolla
with eight tubular anthers, opening at the summit. The capsule
is small, and contains two blackish seeds. The spike opens
very gradually, so that the lower flowers are in fruit while the
upper ones are in blossom.

GrocrarHicaL Disrrtsution.—North America; in most
latitudes of the United States; abundant in Kentucky, Ohio,
and Tennessee ; Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Canada.

Parts Usep 1n Mepicinz, anp Mope oF PREPARATION.—
The Root. Senega, or Seneka root, sometimes called Seneka,

178 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

snake root, or the rattlesnake root, is imported from the United
States in bales. It varies in size from a writing quill to that of
the little finger. It is contorted, presents a number of eminences,
and terminates superiorly in an irregular tuberosity, which
exhibits traces of numerous stems; a projecting line extends
the whole length of the root. ‘The cortical portion is corru-
gated, transversely cracked, of a greyish-yellow colour. The
taste of the root is at first sweetish and mucilaginous, afterwards
acrid and pungent, exciting cough and a flow of saliva; its
odour is peculiar and nauseous. According to Guévenne’s
analysis, Senega root contains polygalic acid, virgineic acid,
tannic acid, pectic acid, cerin, fixed oil, yellow colouring
matter, gum, albumen, woody fibre, salts, alumina, silica,
magnesia, and iron. The best way to prepare this root is to
make the first three attenuations by ¢ritwration.

PuystoLocicaL Errxcrs.—According to Pereira, Senega
possesses acrid and stimulant properties. In small doses it is
diaphoretic, diuretic, and expectorant. In large doses, emetic
and purgative. Sundelin took a scruple of powdered Senega
root every two hours for six hours; it caused irritation of the
back part of the tongue and throat, and produced an increased
flow of saliva. These effects were soon followed by a consider-
able burning in the stomach, nausea, and vomiting. The skin
became warmer and moister; there was griping pain of the
bowels, followed by watery evacuations ; the secretion of urine
was increased, and a feeling of heat was experienced in the
urinary passages. For some days after there was gastric un-
easiness, with loss of appetite. In larger doses, it caused burn-
ing pain in the stomach and bowels, violent vomiting, purging,
anxiety, and giddiness.

Mepicau Uses (Homm@oratnic)—This drug was added to
the Homeopathic Materia Medica by Stapf (vide Add. to Mat.
Med. trans. by Hempel). He says: “The above list of diseases
(vide supra), and against which Senega has been employed by
allopathic physicians, when compared to the subsequent symp-

SENEGA. 179

toms, which are by no means complete, furnishes an additional
proof of the correctness of the homeopathic law. If Senega
has fallen into disrepute with physicians, it is probably owing
to the excessive size of the doses in which it has been
administered, or to the fact that it was not strictly homeo-
pathic to the case. Senega seems to correspond to a kind of
angina pectoris, especially in cases which are of a rather lentes-
cent nature from the beginning, or after the inflammatory
symptoms have been subdued by Aconite or Bryonia; when
the pleura is more the seat of the inflammation than the lungs;
when the angina is more like the so-called rheumatic angina;
when the pain is more increased by inspiration than by motion;
when the pain is increased in rest; and when many symptoms
are relieved by walking in the open air.

“<It may be administered with benefit in the acute exanthemata,
if symptoms appear which are like those of lentescent rheumatic
angina; also in chronic catarrh and epidemic catarrhal fevers,
when symptoms of the previously mentioned angina are present,
especially inasmuch as the power of Senega to excite weak-
ness corresponds to the weakness of influenza and to nervous
fevers, with local affections of the chest generally.

“In pulmonary phthisis, Senega alone will probably not suffice
to afford radical help; nevertheless, it will be able to remove
many troublesome symptoms, by means of its action upon the
respiratory organs, especially in laryngeal phthisis.

“It will probably be of some use in the treatment of asthma,
on account of the analogous symptoms which it is capable of
producing.

*« Senega produces symptoms resembling those of angina mem-
branacea, but those symptoms correspond more to the later
stages. of croup, the so-called angina serosa; this affection can
be relieved by Senega. Senega does not produce any of the
characteristic symptoms of whooping-cough, still it will be found
curative in many cases of cough resembling whooping-cough.

«The eye symptoms of Senega do not exactly correspond in

180 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

the affections for which it has been recommended by phy-
sicians of the old school, they rather indicate the curative power
of Senega in nervous affections of the eye; nevertheless, the
experience of allopathic practitioners is of great service to
homeeopaths, inasmuch as we cannot prove our remedies until
disorganization of a part has been produced. Senega deserves
to be ranked among the important intercurrent remedies in
affections of the eye.”
Antiporrs.—Arnica. Belladonna. Bryonia. Camphor.

Finte: Lie

She erey lith i

Spigelia. Pen
( Spigelia anthelmia..) :

LIX.
SPIGELIA.
(SPIGELIA ANTHELMIA.)
Annual Wormgrass.

Synonyms.—Anthelminthia quadriphylla, Brown, Jam., 156, t. 37, f. 3.

Forrran Names.—Fr.: Brinvillitre, Poudre aux Vers. Germ.: Wurmtre-
chende, Spigelia.

Nat. Order, Svetitatm, Linn.; GENTIANER, De Cand., Juss.—
PENTANDRIA, MonoGynta.

Gey. Cuar.—Calye five-parted. Corolla funnel-shaped, with a five-cleft
equal limb. Anthers converging. Capsule didynamous, two-celled,
four-valved, many-seeded.

Spec. Cxar.— Stem herbaceous, upper leaves in four.

History.—This plant was first introduced as a medicine by
Dr. Browne in 1751, who says, amongst other effects, that it
produces sleep almost as certainly as opium. Lindley states
that the Spigelias participate in the noxious properties of
Strychnos; and these poisonous qualities were known in the
middle of the seventeenth century, as, on the authority of
Guibourt (Hist. des Drogues), Spigelia anthelmintica was an
ingredient in the poison mixtures, known by the name of
“Poudres de Succession,” of Exili, St. Croix, and Madame
de Brinvilliers.

Fig. 1. Section of the corolla, exposing the stamens. 2. The calyx. 3. Germen
and pistil. 4. An anther. The figure of the plant and the dissections are taken
from Nees V. Esenbeck.

182 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

The name Spigelia was given to this genus by Linneus, in
commemoration of an old botanist of considerable note, Adrian
Spigelius, who was born in Brussels in 1578.

Its chief employment in allopathic medicine has been as a
vermifuge.

Description—Annual. Flowers in July. The root is
blackish on the outside, fibrous. Stem herbaceous, a foot and
a half high, channelled, and branched. Leaves opposite, in
pairs; those which terminate the branches, four together, in
the form of a cross, ovate, pointed. Flowers in short, herba-
ceous clustered spikes, ranged on one side of the footstalk.
When fresh this plant has a poisonous, fcetid odour, which,
enclosed in a room, may even cause narcotism; the taste is
nauseous, and remains a long time on the tongue.

GroGRaPHIcaL Disrripution.—Native of the West Indies ;
South America; Brazil; Cayenne, etc.

Parts UsED IN Mepictnz, anD Mopr or PreparatTion.—
The Dry Herb, powdered, of which we make the first three
attenuations by trituration. The alcoholic tincture may be
obtained as in all other dry vegetable substances.

PuystoLocica, Errxcrs.—Dr. Browne states that its nar-
cotic properties are soon made evident; and in poisonous doses
it gives rise to vertigo, dimness of vision, dilatation of the
pupil (the eyes seem to be distended), and spasmodic movement
of the eyelids.

Mepicat Usss (Homaopatuic).—Hahnemann’s observations :
Hahnemann, after remarking on the uselessness of employing
a medicine solely to expel worms from the intestine, without
attacking the cause of those parasites, says: “ This power, how-
ever, it must possess, because many observations have proved
that it has restored patients to health, without the expulsion of
a single worm; yet it continues to be regarded as an anthel-
mintic only, But thus to limit instead of enlarging its applica-
tion, is to act like one who employs the most valuable instru-
ments upon an insignificant object. The various and highly

SPIGELIA. 183

important virtues of this plant prove that it is also destined to
other and much higher purposes than the removal of worms;
and if we consider the imprudence of administering it in doses
of sixty or seventy grains in powder, it must be confessed that
it has not fallen into safe hands.

“Spigelia has this peculiarity: that the primary action of a
dose, not repeated, continues slightly to increase for seven or
ten days, so that experiments tried upon a healthy subject
should be cautiously made, for sixty, eighty, or a hundred
drops of the tincture produce violent effects upon robust and
otherwise healthy persons.”

Noack and Trinks give the following clinical remarks of some
diseases cured by this remedy. Violent headache over the right
eye, with lachrymation, and sensation as if the eye were pressed
out of the socket. Rheumatic ophthalmia. Neuralgia of the
optic nerve. Neuralgia, with the pains concentrated round the
eyeball. Beating toothache, generally attended with darting,
tearing pains of the malar bones, and puffiness of the face.
Helminthiasis. Carditis. Endocarditis. Endocarditis rheu-
matica. Chronic affections of the heart after carditis. Chronic
affection of the heart, particularly valvular diseases. Hyper-
trophy and dilatation of the heart, etc. ete.

Awntipores.—Aurum. Camphor. Spigelia antidotes Mer-

curlus.

LX.
STAPHYSAGRIA.
(DELPHINIUM STAPHYSAGRIA.)
Palmated Larkspur, or Stavesacre.
SyNonyMs.—Staphisagria, Raii Hist.; Ger. Em., p. 495. Delphinium Platani
folio nar dictum, Tourn. Inst., p. 428. Delphinium Staphisagria, Linn.,
Sp. Pi.,
Foriegn Names.—Fr.: Staphisaigre. Jtal.: Stafisagria. Span.: Estafisagria,
Albarraz, Piogenta. Port.: Alvarraz. Germ.: Stephanskraut. Dut.: Luiskruid.
Swed.: Staffausért, Lus-drt. Dan.: Luus-urt

Nat. Order, Mutristrieum, Linn. ; Ranuncunacem, Jussieu,
De Candolle.—Potxanpria, TRIGYNIA.

Gen. Cuar.— Calyx deciduous, petaloid, irregular. The sepals elongated
at the base into a spur. Petals four, the two upper appendiculated
within the spur (De Cand.)

Spzc. Cuar.—Spur very short. Bracteoles inserted at the base of the
pedicel. Petioles pilose. Pedicels twice as long as the flower (De
Cand.)

History.—Staphysagria is one of the ancient remedies, and
was employed in medicine as early as the time of Hippocrates.
It is the ZraQis aygia of Dioscorides. Its uses in ancient medi-
cine were cathartic and emetic. Pliny (Holland’s Trans.) says:
“The said kernels I would not advise to be used as a purgation,
considering the doubtful event and danger that may ensue of
choking and strangulation; for surely they be ennemies to the
throat and weasen-pipe ; they kill the itch. The floure beaten
into powder, and taken in wine, is singular for the sting of ser-

Fig. 1. The calyx and the corolla. 2. The stamens. 3. The capsules, 4, An

anther. 5. The nectary. The figure of the plant and dissections are taken from
Nees V. Esenbeck.

Dh] et es ea,” &
riate the.

Ca’. Sowerby.lith. ot aphy Sa S ria, F Reeve imp.
(Delphinum Staphysagria)

STAPHYSAGRIA. 185

pents ; for I would not counsel the use of the seed, so exceeding
hot it is, and of so fierce a nature.” In the present time it is
chiefly employed in allopathic medicine to destroy pediculi;
hence its German term Laiisesaamen.

Dr. Christison says, “ attempts have lately been made to intro-
duce it into medical practice, but nothing certain is known of
its medicinal action.”

Derscriprion.—Stavesacre is a biennial plant, and flowers
from April till August. Stem one to two feet high, round,
downy, erect, simple, and of a purplish hue. The lower leaves are
nearly as large as those of the vine, palmated, and divided into
seven lobes, which are oblong, ovate, veined, downy, some-
times acutely indented, and of a pale green colour; those on
the upper part of the stem are gradually smaller, usually five-
lobed, and supported on hairy footstalks of the colour of the
stem. The flowers are bluish-purple, on terminal racemes, with
pedicels twice as long as the flowers, and bracteoles inserted at
the base of the pedicel. The calyx is petaloid and deciduous.
The upper sepal extended behind into a long tubular spur.
The corolla is usually divided into four petals, placed in front,
within the row of sepals. The two superior are narrow, small,
and at the base drawn out into spurs like that of the sepal, in
which they are both enclosed; the outer two are roundish, and
plaited at the edges. The filaments are numerous, awl-shaped,
and crowned with oblong yellow anthers. The germens are
three, superior, close together, tapering, downy, and furnished
with short filiform styles, terminated by simple stigmas. The
three capsules are ovate, oblong, tapering, pointed, with one
valve opening internally, and containing many rough, brown,
triangular seeds.

GeocrarnicaL Disrrisvtion.—South of France; Italy;
Greece; Asia Minor. Sibthorp found it growing in the Greek
islands. First cultivated in this country by Miller.

Parts usepD In Mepicinz, anpD Mopg or PREPARATION.—
The Seeds. Stavesacre seeds (semina staphysagrie seu staphidis

186 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

agriz) are irregular triangular, sometimes quadrangular, slightly
arched, blackish-brown, and wrinkled; they contain a white
and oily nucleus. Their odour is slight, but disagreeable ;
their taste bitter, hot, very acrid, and nauseous. Iodine colours
the seeds brown. Their watery infusion is darkened by sesqui-
chloride of iron. Infusion of nutgalls renders it turbid. The
three first attenuations are made by trituration, and the alcoholic
tincture prepared as ordered for all dry substances.

PuystozocicaL Errxcrs.—The property of Staphysagria
seems to depend upon an alkaloid called Delphinia; and Orfila
found that six grains of it introduced into the gullet of a dog,
brought on efforts to vomit, restlessness, giddiness, immobility,
slight convulsions, and death in two or three hours. The same
quantity dissolved in vinegar would cause death in forty minutes.
An ounce of the bruised seeds killed a dog in fifty-four hours.
Hillefield states that a dog became convulsed, and died, after
five scruples of the seeds were given. The ancients employed
the seeds as a masticatory ; for on being chewed they excite a
copious flow of saliva, and on this account were recommended
in toothaches and other painful affections of the throat and
gums. In large doses it produces narcotism; and Schultz, by
only keeping it for some time in his mouth to relieve toothache,
was for a time deprived of his senses,

Mepicat Uses (Home@oparuic),—Four hundred and thirty-
eight symptoms are recorded in the Materia Medica Pura of
Hahnemann, as the effects of Staphysagria, in the provings of
this remedy. From these, and from the clinical observations of
Noack and Trinks, we gather that this remedy has been found
useful in the cure of sycosis; sea scurvy; arthritis nodosa;
dry herpes; herpes furfuraceus ; suppurating humid tetters
forming crusts, with swelling of the inguinal and axillary
glands, and violent itching in bed; humid herpes on both arms,
with tensive, burning pains ; inflammation of the bones 3 caries ;
tinea capitis favosa; humid scald-head 3; odontalgia, aggravated
in the open air and by cold drinks, relieved by warmth, and

STAPHYSAGRIA. 187

accompanied with ready bleeding at the gums; attacks of pain
in sound as well as decayed teeth; aggravated by contact of
food and drink ; struma, etc.

Antiporrs.—Camphora. Staphysagria is used as an antidote
against Mercurius and Thuja.

LXI.
STRAMONIUM.
(DATURA STRAMONIUM.)

Oficinal Thorn Apple, Apple of Peru, Devil’s Apple,
Jamestown Weed.

Synoyxyms.—Solanum pomo spinoso oblongo flore calathride, Stramonium
vulgo dictum, Rait Syn., vol. i. p. 266. Stramonium majus album, Park., p. 26.
Stramonium spinosum, Gerarde Em., p. 348. Stramonium fcetidum, Scot. Cam.,
p- 252. Stramonium, n. 586; Hall Hist., vol.i. p. 258. Datura lurida, Salis.
Prodr., p.131. Solanum maniacum, Dioscorides, Tabula; Camer. Epit. vol. i.
p. 176. Datura Stramonium, Lin. Sp. Pl., p. 255, ete

Forrten Names.—Fr.: Pomme épineuse, Stramonium. Jtal.: Stramonio,

a an,: Estramonio. Port.: Estrammonio. Germ. : Stechapfel, Dorn-
apfel. Dut.: — Swed.: Spikklubirt. Dan.: Galurt. Russ.:
Durman, Pranie ozurtoi ;

Nat. Order, Lurinm, Linn.; Sotannm, Jussieu, De Cand.,;
Sotanacem, Burn.—Prntanpria, Monoeynta.

Gex. Cuar.—Calyzx large, tubular, ventricose, five-angled. <Apew five-
cleft, caducous; base orbiculate, peltate, persistent. Corolla large,
funnel-shaped ; tube long ; limb five-angled, five-plicate, five-acuminate.
Stamens five. Stigma two, lamellar. Capsule bristly or smooth, ovate,
two-celled. Cel/s two, or many-parted, with a permanent dissepiment
(Bot. Gall.)

Spec. Cuar.—Fruit spinous, ovate, erect. Leaves ovate, smooth, sinu-
ated (Smith)

History.—The Datura Stramonium has been supposed by
some authors to be the same as the Xtpuxvos pavinos of
Theophrastus and Dioscorides. The specific name Stramonium

Fig. 1. Corolla and stamens. 2. Germen, style, and stigma, 3. Section of the
fruit. 4, A seed.

vyY

a See aS Fa

y)

oJ
oie CS
t «
rf) =
t-
4
qq

Naeeaisea merece -nonancet
. idechnnnonee PN

ewenby hth .

ane
Veh!

STRAMONIUM 189

is supposed to be a corruption from Zrguxyo waveov, in reference
to its effects of causing madness. ‘This supposition, however,
is not borne out by the description of this plant by Dioscorides.
He describes it as having black flowers and black fruit, which,
according to Adams, is the Solanum Sodomeum, the Black-
spined Nightshade. Sprengel, in his annotations on Dioscorides,
gives four species of the genus Strychnos of the ancients, viz. :
1. 3. xnxaiss, Solanum nigrem, Common Nightshade, or Solanum
miniatum ; 2. 3. ddmexaos, Physalis alkekengi, Common Winter-
cherry; 3. 3%. vmvwrmos, Physalis somnifera, Cluster-leaved
Winter-cherry ; 4. 2. wavxos, Solanum Sodomeum, Black-spined
Nightshade. In all probability, the first notice of the Datura
Stramonium is by Fuchsius, in 1542, as mentioned by Spren-
gel (Hist. Rei Herb., t. ii. p. 326), who states that it was
introduced into Germany from Italy. Gerarde received some
of the seeds from Lord Edward Zouch, from Constantinople,
about the end of the sixteenth century, and cultivated the plant
in this country. He says, concerning the names, ‘* The first of
these thorn-apples may be called in Latin Stramonia, or Malum
spinosum, or Corona regia, and Melospinu. The Grecians of
our times name it magoxoxxadov, or rather BaguoxoxxzAoy, as though
they should saie a nut stuffing, and causing drowsinesse and
troublesome sleepe. It seemeth to Valerius Cordus to be
Hyoscyamus Peruvianus, or Henbane of Peru. Cardanus
doubted whether it should be inserted among the nightshades
as akind thereof. Of Serapio and others it is thought to be
Nux Methel. Serapio, in his 375th chapter, saith that Nux
Methel is like unto Nux Vomica, the seede thereof is like that
of mandrake; the huske is rough or full of prickles; which
description agreeth herewith, except in the form or shape it
should have with Nux Vomica. Anguillara suspecteth it to be
Hippomanes, which Theocritus mentioneth, wherewith, in his
Eclog of Charmes, he sheweth that horses are made madde;
for Cratenus, whom Theocritus translator does cite, writeth
that the plant of Hippomanes hath a fruit full of prickles, as
R 2

190 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA.

hath the fruit of wild cucumber.” Baron Storck recommended
it internally in mania and epilepsy. “If,” says he, “ Stramo-
nium produces symptoms of madness in a healthy person, would
it not be desirable to make experiments in order to discover
whether this plant, by its effects on the brain in changing the
ideas and the state of the sensorium (7. e., of the part, whatever
it may be, which is the centre of action of the nerves upon the
body )—should we not, I say, try whether this plant would not
restore to a healthy state those who are suffering from alienation
of mind? and if by the change which Stramonium would cause
in those who suffer from convulsions, by putting them intoa
contrary state to that in which they were, would it not cause
their cure?”

In modern allopathic medicine its chief employment has been
to diminish sensibility and relieve external pain. In neuralgia.
Tic douloureux. Sciatica. Rheumatism. Enterodynia; and in
spasmodic asthma by smoking the herb, a practice requiring the
greatest caution, and often producing very serious and injurious
effects. It has been given in epilepsy with some success at
Stockholm, eight out of fourteen patients being entirely cured
by its use.

In Germany the Thorn-apple has been extensively employed
to cause loss of consciousness and lethargy, preparatory to the
commission of various atrocious crimes.

Descriprion.—A bushy, smooth, fectid herb, annual, and
flowering in July and August. The root is large, divided, and
fibrous. The stem from one to three feet high, smooth, much
branched, forked, spreading, and leafy. Leaves from the forks
of the stem, and branches large, broad towards the base, pointed
at the extremity, variously and sharply sinuated and toothed,
of a dark green, on round, shortish footstalks. ‘Lhe flowers are
large, axillary, upright, white, and sweet-scented, especially at
night, on short, upright peduncles. Calyx pale green. ‘The
corolla about three inches long, white, with a greenish, five-
angled tube. Fruit prickly, the size of a walnut. Seeds kidney-

STRAMONIUM. ~ 191

shaped, and black. At night the Jeaves, particularly the upper
ones, rise up and enclose the flowers (Bazter).

GrocraruicaL Disrrisution.—Europe, Asia, and North
America. In this country its locality is chiefly among rubbish;
and it may be found in the neighbourhood of London, and
in many other localities. It is common in Wales and in Lre-
land,

Parts USED IN MepicinE, AND MoprE or PREPARATLON.~——
The Fresh Plant before it flowers. The juice is expressed and
treated as other fresh plants. It must be remembered that the
plan laid down for collecting this plant and drying the leaves in
allopathic pharmacopeias must on no account be followed in
the preparation for homeopathic uses. ‘The dried plant loses
a great deal of its medicinal virtue, and this remark applies to
all other plants in which the power chiefly exists in the fresh
state.* A preparation should be made from the seeds, which
have been found, from various sources, to be very powerful.

Puystorocican Errecrs.—On Animals. Orfila found that
half an ounce killed a dog within twenty-four hours; but a
quarter of an ounce applied to a wound killed another in six
hours. The symptoms were those showing that the effects
were produced on the nervous system generally. .

On Man.—Pereira (op. cit.) divides the effects of the doses
on man into three classes. 1. In small but gradually increasing
doses it diminishes sensibility, and thereby frequently alle-
viates pain; it does not usually affect the pulse; it slightly and
temporarily dilates the pupil, and has no tendency to cause
constipation but rather relaxation ; though it allays pain, it does
not usually produce sleep. 2. In larger doses it causes thirst,
dryness of the throat, nausea, giddiness, nervous agitation,
dilatation of the pnpil, obscurity of vision, headache, disturb-
ance of the cerebral functions, perspiration, occasionally relaxa-

* It would be far more satisfactory if the non-indigenous plants could be
always prepared by careful homeopathic pharmaceutists in the country in which

they grow; the tinctures to be made on the spot, from the fresh-gathered plant.

192 FLORA HOMCZOPATHICA.

tion of the bowels, and in some cases diuresis; it has no direct
tendency to induce sleep, hence it cannot be called soporific ;
but indirectly, by alleviating pain, and thereby producing
serenity and ease, it often disposes to sleep. 3. In fatal doses
the leading symptoms are, flushed countenance, delirium (usu-
ally maniacal), dilatation of the pupil, dryness of the throat, loss
of voice, difficulty of deglutition, convulsions, and in some cases
palsy.

Dr. Fowler (Ed. Med. Comm., v. 163) relates the case of a
little girl who took a drachm and a half of the seeds. In about
two hours furious maniacal delirium came on, with spectral
illusions, and this remained for some hours. She recovered.

Dr. Burton mentions the case of two soldiers who ate it by
mistake for the Chenopodium album. One became furious, and
ran about like a madman; the other died with the symptoms
of genuine tetanus.

Albert Corvisart (Jour. de Méd., vol. xxiii. p. 153) relates
cases of three children. The symptoms were delirium, restless-
ness, constant incoherent talking, dancing and singing, fever,
and flushed face.

Raauw Boerhaave (Gmelin, Gesch. der Pflanz., 221) relates
the case of a young girl who had the powder given her in
some coffee, for an unlawful purpese. The symptoms were,
redness of the features, delirium, nymphomania, loss of speech ;
then fixing of the eyes, tremors, convulsions, and coma; after-
wards tetanic spasm, and slow respiration, with the coma. She
recovered.

In another case (related in Rust’s Magazin fir die gesammte
Heilkunde, xvii. 564) the leading symptoms were spasmodic
closing of the eyelids and jaws, spasms also of the back, com-
plete coma, and excessive dilatation and insensibility of the
pupil.

In a woman rather advanced in life there occurred, from two
grains of the extract of Stramonium, taken in two doses within

eight hours, stupefaction, anxiety, convulsions of the limbs, and

STRAMONIUM. 193

involuntary weeping, symptoms that were frightfully increased
by partaking of coffee; they rapidly disappeared after taking a
few ounces of strong vinegar (Hahnemann’s Lesser Writings,
trans. by Dr. Dudgeon, p. 379).

The Thorn-apple (Datura Stramonium) causes extraordinary
waking dreams, unconsciousness of what is going on, loud
delirious talking like a person speaking in sleep, with mistakes
respecting personal identity. A similar kind of mania it cures
specifically. It excites very specific convulsions, and has thus
often proved useful in epilepsy; both properties render it service-
able in case of persons possessed. Its power of extinguishing
recollection should induce us to try it in cases of weak memory.
It is most useful when there is great mobility of fibre, because
its direct action in large doses is increased fibrous mobility.
It causes (in its direct action) heat and dilatation of pupil, a
kind of dread of water, swollen red face, twitching in the
ocular muscles, retarded stool, difficult breathing ; in its second-
ary action, slow soft pulse, perspiration, and sleep (Jd., p. 324).

Mr. Mash, of Northampton, relates the following case. A
woman, aged thirty-six, took two teacupfuls of infusion of
Stramonium by mistake for senna. In ten minutes she was
seized with dimness of sight, giddiness, and fainting; in two
hours she was quite insensible, pupils fixed and dilated, all the
muscles of the body convulsed, the countenance flushed, and
the pulse full and slow. ‘The stomach-pump was applied, and
in a few hours she recovered, suffering, however, from indis-
tinctness of vision and vertigo.

Sauvage mentions a case of an old man of sixty who became
intoxicated, maniacal, and lost the power of speech after taking
this poison.

Mr. Spence (Boston Med. id ye Journ.) describes the
case of three females who had taken infusion of Stramonium-
leaves (half an ounce toa pint of water) in mistake for hore-
hound. He found them lying in bed, stupid, unable to articu-
late, with a certain peculiar wildness of countenance and flushed

194 FLORA HOMUWOPATHICA,

face ; pupils dilated and insensible, conjunctive highly injected ;
lips and tongue parched; no vomiting; breathing at times ster-
torous and laboured ; hands cold, with a trembling and slightly
convulsive movement; great rigidity of the muscles of the neck
and back; at times active efforts at utterance. Two cases
recovered, one proved fatal.

Mr. Duffin’s case (of his own child) illustrates the effect of
this poison. His little daughter, aged two and a half years,
swallowed, without the knowledge of the parents, upwards of
‘one hundred of the seeds. The first symptoms were great
irritability of temper, accompanied by general itching over the
whole surface of the body, more especially of the face, and con-
duct as if intoxicated. To these succeeded flushed countenance,
wildness of manner, suffused eyes, maniacal expression, in-
effectual efforts to vomit, incoherent and rapid utterance, scream-
ing, catching at imaginary objects in the air, or rather striking
at them, for it was evident that these spectra were of a frightful
nature, for there was an expression of horror on her face; she
screamed violently and hid her face ; her eye would, to appear-
ance, follow the imaginary object for a moment or two before
she made an effort to escape from its supposed approach; she
rapidly became furiously delirious, struck at, pinched, or at-
tempted to bite every person who came near her, or any object
that was offered to her. In two hours the child had lost all
power of utterance and of voice; she could only utter a hoarse,
croaking sound, alternating with a sonorous, croupy, barking
cough, and was unable to swallow, in consequence of the violent
spasm which affected the muscles of deglutition when she made
the effort; the pupils were dilated, had been so from the first ;
the voluntary power of the extremities was gone, and the limbs
were violently agitated by spasmodic twitching and palpitation
(not by regular convulsions), alternating with short paroxysms
of tetanic spasms (opisthotonos). The pulse was almost imper-
ceptible from the first ; coma came on in five hours ; atympanitic
state of the abdomen, with paralysis of the bladder; and death

STRAMONIUM. 195

ensued twenty-four hours after swallowing the seeds. The
blood was found to be semi-fluid throughout the body. The-
few coagula met with in the auricles of the heart and large
veins were very fully formed and easily broken down. A slight
unusual blush pervaded the pharynx and esophagus to about
one-third of its extent; the larynx was similarly injected. The
rima glottidis was thickened, and very turgid. ‘The stomach
and intestines presented an extremely healthy appearance
throughout (Lancet, April, 1845, pp. 195, 196).

Vogt (Pharmakodyn, Bd. i. s. 164) says, “Stramonium is
probably distinguished from Belladonna by the following pecu-
haarities :—

“1. Its effects are more similar to those of acrid vegetables,
especially of Helleborus.

«2. It operates more strongly, but more in the manner of the
acrid substances on the nervous system, especially on the cen-
tral organs, viz., the ganglia, spinal cord, and brain.

“3. Its secondary effects on the irritable system are not so
marked, for most observers have failed to detect any alteration
of pulse, and a slow pulse is more frequently mentioned than a
quick one. |

“4, It operates on the organic life more strongly. It more
strongly and directly promotes all the secretions, especially the
secretion of the skin.

“5. Marcet and Begbie have inferred, from numerous obser-
vations, that it possesses an anodyne property, which it frequently
evinces where Opium and Belladonna fail.”

Mepicat Usss (Homm@orarnic).—Hahnemann’s observations :
“During its premature action Stramonium produces no pain,
properly so called, for the term ‘‘ pain” cannot be applied to
the very disagreeable sensations which it causes to him who
tries its effects on himself. Actual pain is manifested only
during the subsequent effect of the reaction of the organization,
which opposes to the influence of the Thorn-apple a morbid state
of excitement proportionate to the dose.

196 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA,

“The primitive effect of the Thorn-apple is also to increase
the activity of the muscles subject to the will, and to suppress
all the secretions and excretions, a state exactly contrary to that
which accompanies the secondary effect, when the muscles
become paralysed, and the secretions and excretions super-
abundant. For the same reason, when taken in a proper dose,
it soothes spasmodic muscular movements, and restores the
course of the suppressed secretions, in many cases where the
absence of all pain predominates; this plant therefore can only
cure homeopathically when the morbid state corresponds with
its own primitive effects.

“The symptoms of reaction, which come on after the admi-
nistration of all narcotic medicines, and are much more numerous
and decided than after that of other narcotic substances, warn
the attentive physician not to employ these means in cases
where the patient already shows symptoms analogous to those
of this reaction. Thus, a wise practitioner will never give
Stramonium either in complete paralysis, inveterate diarrhea,
or in cases where violent pains constitute the chief suffering.

“ But, and here I speak from experience, what incomparable
curative power has not the homeopathic application of the
mental derangement excited specially by Stramonium, exerted
in analogous mental diseases arising from other causes, and
how salutary is this plant in convulsive affections similar to
those which it provokes!

“T have found great benefit from it in certain epidemic
fevers, having symptoms analogous, mentally and physically, to
its own.

** But as mania shows various modifications, so we cannot
always obtain a cure for it by one remedy. In certain cases
we must have recourse to Belladonna, in others to Hen-
bane, besides Stramonium, according as the symptoms cor-
respond homeopathically with one or the other of these three
substances. Moderate doses only keep up their action for
thirty-six to forty-eight hours; that of weaker doses a still

STRAMONIUM. 197

shorter time. In very strong doses there is a fear of the inju-
rious effects lasting many days—first primitive, then secondary.
When the primitive effects produced by the Thorn-apple are
too violent, citric acid, and the fruits which contain it, as goose-
berries, fruit of barberries, etc., are much more efficacious than
vinegar to reduce them. Tobacco-smoke is good in overcoming
the dullness of mind which it causes. Falcke recommends also
in such cases, alcohol; and Plehwe, cold baths to the feet.”

CuintcaL Opservations.—In homeopathic practice its chief
employment has been in St. Vitus’s Dance. Spasmodic affec-
tions of children. Hydrophobia. Mania ferox. Mania salta-
toria (Saweage). Typhus fever, with delirium, anxiety, and
illusions of sight; with furious delirium (Raw). Monomania
religiosa. Some of the forms of delirium tremens, particularly
with strange delusions and hallucinations. Spasm of the chest.
Angina pectoris, etc. etc.

Antiporrs.—Vegetable acids and lemon-juice. Vinegar.
Nux Vom. Opium. Tabacum. Stramonium antidotes Mer-

curius and Plumbum.

LXII.
TARAXACUM.
(LEONTODON* TARAXACUM.)
Dandelion.
Synonyms.—Dens leonis, Raii Syn., p. 170; Ger. Em., p. 290. Hedypnois
Taraxacum, Scop. Carn. ii. n. 957. Leontodon, Dens leonis, Lamarck, Ency.
Méthod., vol. iii. p. 349. Taraxacum officinale, Villars Dauph., vol. iii. p. 72.

Leontodon vulgare, Lam, Fl. Franc., yol. ii. p. 118. Leontodon officinalis, With.
Bot. Arr., ed. 4, p. 679. Leontodon Taraxacum, Linn., Sp. Pl., 1122, ete.

%
Forrign Names.—Fr.: Dent de Lion, Pissenlit. tal. : Tarapaco, Macerone.

Span.: Diente de leon. Port.: Dente de leao. Germ.: Léwenrahn, Pfaffen-

rohrlein. Dut.: Pardebloem, Zeenwewand. Swed. : Legontand, Maskrason.
n.: Lénetand, Pristekrone. Russ.: Oduvantschik, Dukie tsikorie.

Nat. Order, Composirm, Linn. ; Cicuoracex, Juss.—SYNGE-
NESiA, PoLYGAMIA #QUALIS.

Grn. Cuar.—Head many-flowered. Involucre double, external, scales
small, closely pressed, spreading, or reflexed; internal ones in one row,
erect; all frequently callous-horned at the apex. Receptacle naked.
Achene oblong, striated, muricate near the small ribs, or spinellose at
the apex, terminating in a long beak. Pappus hairy, in many rows,
very white (De Cand.)

Spec. Cuar.—Quite smooth. Leaves unequally and acutely runcinate,
the lobes triangular, toothed inwardly. Scales of the involuere hornless,
the external ones reflexed. Achenes muricate at the apex (De Cand.)

Hisrory.—This plant has been supposed to be the agaxn of
Theophrastus ; it is much more likely to have been the xxog10v

Figs. 1 and 2. A seed, with its stalked pappus. 3. A floret and germen, style,
and stamens. 4. Receptacle and reflexed involucrum.

* From Acov, a lion, and odovs, a tooth; from the toothed-like margin of the
leaves. Dandelion, a corruption of the French Dent de lion.

a

e

v

oe

=
8
Cc
(as)

raxacum
Taras

: ae:
ae 6 an
. Leontodon.

CC.Sower'ty, lth.

_ TARAXACUM. 199

of the same author, although Adams states that this latter may
be safely put down as Cichorium Intybus, the Wild Succory or
Wild Endive. The Arabian physicians evidently confounded
the two, as Avicenna states that Taraxacum is the Garden
Endive. Its medicinal properties were known at a very early
period.

_ Dxscriprion.+-Dandelion is perennial, and flowers from
April to September. The root is spindle-shaped, very milky,
of a dark brown colour on the outside. Leaves all radical,
numerous, spreading, bright shining green, smooth, tapering
downward more or less, deeply wing-cleft (pinnatifid), with
sharp, unequally-toothed lobes, which point downwards, and
constitute what in botanical language is called a runcinate or
lion-toothed leaf. Flower-stalks upright, smooth, sometimes
slightly cottony, cylindrical, hollow, brittle, from three to ten
inches high, one-flowered. Flowers large and handsome, of a
bright deep yellow, expanding in a morning, and in fine weather
only. Outer scales of the dnvolucrum several, linear, oblong,
loosely recurved, and wavy, the inner becoming reflexed close
to the stalk as the seeds ripen, leaving the light globe, nearly
two inches in diameter, formed by their radiating down or
pappus, quite exposed, till dispersed by the wind. Seeds a little
crooked, flattish, scored, prickly upwards. Pappus on a long
pedicel, radiate, simple, not feathery, shorter than the pedicel.
Receptacle dotted (Bazter).

GrocrapuicaL Duistrrpurion.—A native of Europe and
Asia Minor. Indigenous in this country, and found in meadows
and pastures everywhere.

Parts usep 1x Mepicrng, AND Mopg oF PREraRaTIon.—
The Whole Plant, gathered before it flowers in the months of
March and May. “The expressed juice is richest in solid
constituents in the months of November and December. It
is remarkable, however, that the juice possesses the greatest
bitterness in the summer months; while in the spring and
late in the autumn it has a remarkably sweet taste. Squire

200 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA,.

considers this change to he effected by frost” (Pereira, op. cit.,
p- 1361).

PuystotocicaL Errects.—Taraxacum has produced in over-
doses, particularly on weak digestive organs, dyspepsia, flatu-
lency, pain, and diarrhea. Its diuretic effects have been much
overstated.

Mepicat Uses (Hom@oparuic).—Hahnemann’s observations :
“The application of this plant, like many others, has been
greatly abused, and it is constantly employed, so to speak, as a
general remedy. In fact, in all the diseases, which, in spite of
their pretension to universal sagacity, those who called them-
selves practitioners did not clearly see the means of treating, as
well as in all those to which no name given by pathologists
applied, theory supposed a thickening of humours and obstruc-
tions of the capillary tubes, which no one perceived, in order to
justify themselves, according to these fantastic suppositions, in
prescribing the favourite Taraxacum, regarded from its milky
juice as likely to act as a soap; because soaps having the power
of dissolving a great number of substances in the chemist’s jar,
the Taraxacum was supposed, in like manner, to dissolve in the
living body the viscous humours and obstructions which they
thought proper to suppose existing in the patient.

“ But if they had ever thought of studying the simple quali-
ties of the Taraxacum, ¢.e., the changes which it causes in the
physical and moral state of the human frame, the particular
morbid conditions which it is especially apt to excite, and, if
afterwards applying this plant therapeutically, that is, employ-
ing it alone in some morbid cases, they had found it efficacious
in producing a prompt and lasting cure, it would have been
easy to convince themselves, by comparing its symptoms with
those of the disease, that it cures only by the analogy existing
between these two orders of symptoms, and that, consequently,
it could never exercise a curative power in cases where such
analogy is not found.

“If anything were capable of converting ordinary practi-

TARAXACUM. 201

tioners, this phenomenon would have shown them the worth-
lessness of their imaginary indications, when they aim at subdu-
ing obstructions which do not exist.

« The following list of the symptoms * of the Taraxacum may
contribute to work this conversion, or to destroy the pathological-
therapeutic illusions in which practitioners wrap themselves.
It will do more still, it will teach us beforehand in what parti-
cular morbid affections the juice of this plant will act with
certainty as a medicine, and will henceforward prevent its use
in large doses under circumstances in which, not being homeo-
pathic, it must certainly do harm.

«When there is analogy between the Taraxacum and the
morbid affection, a single drop of the juice is sufficient to per-
form the cure. I say of the juice, because the manufactured
extract often contains copper, proceeding from the vessels in
which it is prepared.” .

Antipotr.—Camphor.

* Vide Mater. Med. Pur., vol. iv., art. Taraxacum.

LXIII.
THUJA OCCIDENTALIS.
American Arbor Vite.
Synonyms.—Arbor Vite, Clus. Hist., v. i. 36. Cedrus Lycea, Ger, Em., p.

1369. Thuja occidentalis, Linn. Sp. Pl., p. 1421; Michaux, Arb, For., y. iii.
p. 29, t. 3.

Forrien Namrs.—Fr.: Thuia du Canada. Germ.: Lebensbaum.

Nat. Order, Contrer®.—Monaicta, Monopetruta.

Gey. Cuar.—Male. Calyx: catkin ovate, composed of a common stalk,
on which the flowers stand, opposite, in three rows, each flower having
for its base a nearly ovate, concave, obtuse scale. Corolla none. Sta-
men: filaments in each flower four, but scarcely visible; anthers as
many, attached to the base of the scale above mentioned. Male catkin
with imbricated scales. Anthers four. Female on the same plant.
Calyx: catkin nearly ovate, with opposite flowers, and consisting of two-
flowered, ovate, convex scales, converging longitudinally. Corolla none.
Pistils: germen minute. Style awl-shaped. Stigma simple. Pericarp:
cone ovate-oblong, obtuse, bursting lengthwise into oblong, imbricated,
nearly equal, obtuse, externally convex scales. Seeds solitary, oblong,
each surrounded by a longitudinal membranous, emarginate wing.
Catkin becoming an imbricated cone, with two flowered scales. Seeds
surrounded by a vertical membranous wing.

Spec. Cuar.— Young branches two-edged. Leaves imbricated, in four
rows, compressed, ovate, somewhat rhomboid, dotted. Inner scales of
the cone abrupt, tumid under the point.

History.—The Thuja of the Greeks was probably the Juniperus
oxycedros, the Kedgos wig of Dioscorides, and was employed, on
account of the hardness of the wood, to make images and
statues. This plant has no relation to the Thuja of modern
times, and more particularly of the T. occidentalis, which, being

Figs. 1 and 2. Catkins, with sections. 3 and 4. Male and female.

TT
[I]
oH E oe

X

Li

FE Reeve, imp.

Plate

Thay a occidentalis.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS. 203

a native of North America and Canada, was only introduced
into this country about the end of the sixteenth century. It
has never been used in allopathic therapeutics.
Descriprion.—Thuja occidentalis is an evergreen tree of
humble growth, much branched, very different from most others
in the compressed vertical aspects of its younger shoots and
their closely imbricated Jeaves, which are small, obtuse with a
point, smooth; those of two opposite rows compressed and
keeled, the intermediate ones flat, with a glandular point, or
cell of resin, at the back. The flowers appear in May, and are
small, solitary, terminal ; the males yellowish and most abundant.
Cones ripen the following year, drooping, each the size of a
filbert-kernel, consisting of about half a dozen lax, smooth,
coriaceous scales. ‘The smell of the bruised plant is something
like Savine, aromatic, but not agreeable (Smith).
GEOGRAPHICAL DisTrRiIBUTION.—Native of North America,
from Canada to the mountains of Virginia and Carolina. Four
other species are known, viz.: 1, Zh. orientalis, native of rocky
places in China; 2, Zh. articulata, native of Barbary; 3, Th.
dolabrata, native of Japan; and, 4, Th. cupressoides, native of
the Cape of Good Hope. The Th. occidentalis is distinguished
from the Th. orientalis by there being no resinous dot on the
leaves of the latter. They are both cultivated in this country.
Parts usep 1n Mepicinz, anp Mop or PRepaRATION.—
The Leaves, gathered before the tree begins to flower, then
bruised in a mortar; one part of the bruised leaves is mixed
with two parts of alcohol, and the juice expressed to make the
first attenuation. ‘Three drops of this juice are to be added to

ninety-seven of alcohol, and peminey ete.

(H Paco yA oT ves

Mepicat Uses
“No European physician had, previouily to ieigact, made any
important use of this plant in medicine ; for all that is said of it by
Parkinson and Herrmann is based evidently only upon theo-
retical conjectures, according to the manner usually —
in general therapeutics. According to Boerhaave, distilled

8

204 FLORA HOMM@OPATHICA.

water of Thuja may be useful in dropsy. Kalm tells us that,
in the United States, the people use it externally for flying
pains in the limbs.

“The following list of the pure symptoms* caused by this
powerful plant furnishes to the homeopathic physician the
means of applying it with advantage in the treatment of certain
serious diseases, for which no remedy has hitherto been found.
He will see, for example, that the juice of the Thuja should
cure specifically “ condylomes vénériens,” when not combined
(or complicated) with other disease, and experience proves
that it is the only effectual means to employ against this
affection.

“In the most important cases even, I have used the thirtieth
dilution. The dose is a very small portion of a drop of this
dilution.

* * * * * * *

“I have been able to test, in the most certain manner, the
degree of efficacy of the various dilutions of the juice of the
Thuja. I have found that the thirtieth, even the sixtieth (each
glass being powerfully shaken ten or more times), was not less
powerful than the first numbers; on the contrary, the power
increased. Repeated experiments left me in no doubt on this
head.

“The action of the doses, even the weakest, continues nearly
three weeks,”

Camphor appears to be the best antidote to Thuja.

™ Vide Mat. Med. Pura, art. Thuja.

Jas: Sowerby, del. C.C. Sowerby lith F. Reeve, ump.

Valeriana offi Clnahs.

LXIV.
VALERIANA OFFICINALIS.*
Great Wild Valerian, Capon's Tail.

Syvonyms.—Valeriana sylvestris major, Rati Syn., 200; Ger. Em., 1075.
Phu, Column. Phytol., 112, f.114. Phu parvum, eae fn vol. i. p. 87. Phu
germanicum, Fuchs. Hist., 357, f. Valeriana, Hal , 91. Valeriana offici-
nalis, Linn. Sp. Pl., 45; Willd. vol. i. p. 177; whoa pone fas. 663; Woodv.,
t. 96

Forrragn Names.—Fy.: Valériane. Jéal.: Valeriana. Germ.: Baldrian,
Wilde Baldrianwurzel. Dut.: Wilde Valerian. Swed.: Vandelrot. Russ. :
Balderian aptetschnoi.

Nat. Order, Accrucatx, Linn.; Diesace®, Juss.; V ALERI-
ANE, De Cand.—Trianpria, MonocyNlA.

Gey. Cuar.—Limb of the calyx involute during flowering, then unrolled
into a deciduous pappus, consisting of many plumose sete. Tube of the
corolla obconical or cylindrical, equal at the base or gibbous, without a
spur, limb obtusely five-cleft, rarely three-cleft. Stamens three. Fruit
indehiscent when ripe, one-celled, one-seeded (De Cand.)

Sprc. Cuar.—Smoothish, erect. Stem furrowed. Leaves all, or nearly
80, pinnatised. The segments seven or eight, pairs, lanceolate, serrate.
Corymbus, at length, somewhat panicled. Fruit smooth (De Cand.)

Hisrory.—The ancients used a Valerian under the name of
®ov. Their nards, the virtues of which were so highly
extolled, were, according to Adams, different species of this

Fig. 1. Calyx, corolla, anthers, and pistil, natural size. 2. The same (magnified).
3. Trifid stigma.

* Stapf makes the Valeriana minor the officinal plant; but as he takes many
of his symptoms from the old writers, and as it is now fully certain that the ov
is the same as Valeriana officinalis, and not Valériana minor, the former has
been taken as the proper drug; it is probable that both have the same medicinal

properties.
s2

206 FLORA HOMC@OPATHICA.

plant. Dioscorides, Galen, Pliny, and the Arabian physicians
employed it as emmenagogue and diuretic. Sibthorp (Flor.
Gree.) states that the ancient Pou is not the officinal Valerian,
but a species, which he calls Valeriana Dioscoridis. Adams,
however (App. to Dunbar’s Greek Lexicon), says: “ After some
controversy, it seems to be now generally agreed that Dov is
the Valeriana officinalis, or Great Wild Valerian.”

Fabius Columna first brought this plant into notice as a
specific for epilepsy, he having cured himself of this disease by
its use in 1592; and it was employed with varying success up
to the present time as an antispasmodic and nervous excitant.
In the treatment of epilepsy it had its strong advocates and
strong opponents. Dr. Cullen (Mat. Med., vol. ii. p. 372)
accounts for this “from the disease depending upon different
causes,” and no doubt from the symptoms not according
with the pathogenetic effects of the drug, a reason quite suf-
ficient to account for the different statements.

At the present time it is chiefly used as an ingredient in the
numerous substances prescribed for hypochondriasis, hysteria,
and chorea—rarely uncombined.

Description.—Valerian is a perennial plant, flowering from
June to August. The root is composed of several long, slender
fibres, of a dusky brown colour, approaching to olive, that issue
from one head. The stem is from two to four feet in height,
erect, hollow, smooth, and branched. ‘The Jeaves are opposite,
of a deep glossy green, in pairs, and hairy underneath. Stalked
leaflets coarsely serrated, those of the radical leaves broadest,
approaching to ovate. The flowers are small, of a reddish-white
(roseate) colour, in large, dense, corymbiform panicles at the
extremities of the stem and branches, and contain both stamens
and pistil, by which it may be distinguished from the Val.
dioica. The calyx is a slight border, subsequently expanding
into a crown for the seed. The corolla is tubular, with a pro-
tuberance for the base, and divided at the limb into five obtuse,
somewhat unequal, segments. The stamens are three, awl-

VALERIANA OFFICINALIS. 207

shaped, and support oblong yellow anthers. The germen is
inferior, oblong, having a thread-shaped style the length of the
stamens, and terminated by a trifid stigma. ‘The seeds are
ovate-oblong, compressed, and crowned with a feathery pappus
of ten rays.

GrocrapuicaL Distrisution.—Indigenous. Europe, Asia
Minor, North America.

Parts USED IN MepicinzE, anD MoprE oF PREPARATION.—
The Fresh Root, gathered in the spring, when about two or
three years old. The root consists of a short tuberculated
rhizome, from which issue numerous round, tapering, root-
fibres, which are from two to six inches long, white internally,
and when fresh greyish or yellowish-white externally, and when
dried yellowish-brown. A great part of the roots used in com-
merce come from Kent, Essex, and Derbyshire.

Puysto.ogicat Errects.—Valerian has a peculiar effect on
some animals. Cats are “intoxicated” by it; they roll them-
selves on the ground and are violently agitated.

On man it exerts its influence on the cerebro-spinal system.
Dr. Heberden (Comment., chap. Ixix.) states that it causes ner-
vous agitation and hurries of spirit.

Barbier (Mat. Med., vol. ii. p. 83) mentions that a patient in
the Hétel-Dieu at Amiens, after taking six drachms daily for
some time, woke up delirious, and fancied that one side of the
room was in flames.

Large doses cause headache, mental excitement, visual illu-
sions (scintillations, flashes of light, etc.), giddiness, restlessness,
agitation, and occasionally spasmodic movements.

Mepicat Uses (Homamoratuic).—Stapf (Add. to the Mat.
Med. Pur., ed. by Stapf., trans. by C. J. Hempel, MD.) states :
“ This fayourite has sometimes done much mischief. This
is proved by the increase of hypochondria, and especially the
hysteric and nervous sufferings of our ladies, which, to be sure,
ought in some respects to be charged to our manner of educating

our young ladies, but principally upon the use of stimulants,

208 FLORA HOM(MOPATHICA.

and of the Valeriana especially. In Germany, Valeriana is
taken almost as frequently as coffee, and is just as pernicious as
the latter, or perhaps much more so. :

“There is scarcely a drug which communicates its primary as
well as secondary action to the organism with more intensity
than Valerian.

“ts curative action in epilepsy arises entirely from its homeo-
pathicity to some forms of this disease ; also in vertigo, hysteric
headache, cardialgia, and rheumatism, as recorded by Diosco-
rides, Columna, Mende, De Halm, Haller, etc.

“ In ophthalmic affections, in spasmodic asthma, and night-
mare, it is again homeopathic, and it was used successfully
in these diseases by the allopathic physicians, 'Tabenemontanus,
Kerster, Richter, Hill, Haller, etc.

“Tt is most serviceable in hysteric headaches, principally exist-
ing in the forehead. Chronic and acute pains, and inflammation
in the eyes, especially the margin of the lids. Several kinds
of toothache. Extreme irritation and illusion of the senses.
Various kinds of spasms in the abdomen, particularly those
connected with hysteria. Hemorrhoids, etc.”

Antipotrs.—Camphor and Coffea.

CC Sowerby ith.

ee F Reeve,imp.
“ratrmim alhum

LXV.
VERATRUM ALBUM.
White-lowered Veratrum, or White Hellebore.

Syvonyms.—Helleborus ~~ flore subyiridi, Bauh., Tw., 186. Helleborus
albus vulgaris, Park. Theat., eborus precox, Ger, Hm,,440. Elleborum
album, Math. Vulgr, vol. ii. p. Pet Veiabee flore subviridi, Tourn. Inst., 272.
Veratrum spica paniculata floribus maritus et feminis, n. 1204; Hall Hist., vol.
ii. t. 96. Veratrum album, Linn. Sp. Pl., 1479; Willd., yol.iv. p. 895; Flor.
Dan., t. 1121; Woodv., t. 100.

Forzign Names.—Fr.; Hellébore blanc, & fleur pile. Z¢al.: Elleboro bianco.
Span.: Verdegambra blanco. Port.: Helleboro branco. Germ.: Die weisse
Nieswurzel, Nieswurz. Dut.: Nieswortel. Swed.: Hvit frustrot. Russ.: Tshe-
meritza,

Nat. Order, Coronari”, Linn. ; Junct, Juss.; MELANTHACER,

Brown; Coucnicacem, De Cand.—Potyeamia, Monaicta.

Gen. Cuar.—Flowers polygamous. Perianth six-parted. Segments
broad, concave, imbricated, nearly equal, striated, not excavated at the
base. Stamens six, equal, inserted into the base of the segments. Fila-
ments subulate. Anthers reniform, with confluent cells. Ovary with
three divaricating stigmas. Capsule three-horned, separating into three,
many-seeded follicles. Seeds compressed, winged at the apex (Lind-
ley).
ee Cuar.—Panicle decompound. Bracts equalling the flowers. Pedi-

cels pubescent. Segments of the perianth somewhat erect, obtuse,
serrulate. Leaves ovate-oblong, plaited (Sprengel).

LOO PME Seed a
Hisrory.—This plant is supposed to be the Ear<Bogos Acumas of
Theophrastus, Dioscorides, etc. Dr. Francis Adams (Append.
to Dunbar’s Greek and Engl. Lez.), the best authority on the
history of the plants used by the ancients, has the following
remarks: “Modern authorities on botany differ widely in

Fig. 1, Germen, style, stigma, and stamens. 2. The stamens. 3. A single anther.

210 FLORA HOMCOFATHICA.

opinion respecting the Helleborus albus of the ancients. Sib-
thorp most unaccountably decides it to have been the Digitalis
Jerruginea. Schulze, who is too prone to sceptical doubts on
botanical questions, expresses himself with great hesitation
regarding it, but on the whole inclines to the Adonis vernalis.
Woodville and Dierbach are quite undecided; on the other
hand, Mathiolus, Dodoneus, C. Bauhin, Hill, and Stackhouse
find no difficulty in recognising it as the Veratrum album. L.
Geoffroy also, no mean authority on these subjects, maintains
that the description of Dioscorides agrees very well with the
characters of the White Hellebore; and from the similarity of
the effects produced by the administration of the E. Acuxds, as
described by the ancient writers on toxicology, to the known
effects of the Veratrum album, I had no hesitation, some time
ago, in recognising their identity; and it now gives me pleasure
to discover that Sprengel, in his annotations on Dioscorides,
comes to the same conclusion. It is further deserving of remark,
that the Helleborus was much celebrated anciently for the cure
of hydrophobia. I had called the attention of the profession to
this fact in the London Medical and Physical Journal, July,
1828; about eighteen months afterwards the Savadilla Vera-
trum, a Mexican species of Hellebore, was much cried up in
this case.”

According to Wibmer, quoted by Russell (On Epidemic
Cholera), it is one of the oldest poisons, and supposed to have
been used by the Gauls and other nations in their gallant war-
fare against the Romans, So that to it Horace probably alludes
in his famous ode, in which he introduces the “venenatis gra-
vida sagittis.” This rests on the authority of Pliny, Celsus, and
Dioscorides.

Hahnemann (On the Helleborism of the Ancients*) states that

* The reader is referred to this treatise, translated by Dr. Dudgeon, for an
elaborate history of the Veratrum album. In a note, Dr. Dudgeon writes, “ This
essay is too valuable to be cast aside unread, if we would wish to form a just esti-
mate of the learning and genius of Hahnemann.”

VERATRUM ALBUM. 211

it occupies the first rank among the medicines of the ancients,
thus being one of the most ancient as well as efficacious of
remedies. He also proves that the Veratrum album of the
ancients and the moderns are identical, by comparing the
symptoms produced by each; “in the face of such re-
markable resemblance of the symptoms caused by these two
plants, who can deny that the very same plant which now
grows in our gardens was that which the ancients made use
of for the production of helleborism? Where, I ask, can
another plant be found which shall show these same peculiar
effects on the human body that are produced by the White
Hellebore of the ancients and our Veratrum album? The ex-
ternal character of the plant resembles that described by the
ancients, the name is the same as that given to it by the Romans,
it has the same properties now as formerly, there is the same
danger attending its use now as formerly; it is undoubtedly
the same plant.”

The E. wads, or Black Hellebore, is the . orientalis (Lam.)

Hippocrates advised the employment of this medicine in me-
lancholia and quartan fevers, Areteus in cases of elephantiasis,
Dioscorides and the Arabian physicians as an emetic, and they
agree in stating that it will produce convulsions in an over~-
dose ; and Macer Floridus employed it successfully in epilepsy ;
Rhases praises its effects in epilepsy and mania ; Conrad Gesner
iseases. It was one of the

employed it extensively in the same d
Greding

ingredients in the eau médicinale in the cure of gout.
tried it in twenty-five cases of mania and melancholia with varied
success ; at present it is rarely employed, principally owing to
its uncertain action, its chief uses being in affections of the
neryous system, as melancholia, mania, and epilepsy. In some
chronic skin diseases, scabies, tinea capitis, etc. In gout and
amaurosis, and, as a sternutatory, in some chronic affections of
the brain (hence its German name Niesswurzel, or Sneezeroot).

Descrterion.—This plant is a hardy perennial, flowering
from June to August. ‘The root is tuberous, fleshy, brown

212 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA.

externally ; at the base a number of long white fibres. Stem
from two to five feet high, erect, simple, and hairy. Flowers
greenish-white, in a large, branching, downy panicle, with
alternate spikelets terminating the stem. Leaves large, elliptical,
entire, ovate-oblong, plaited, of a fine green colour; the upper
ones become oblong, lanceolate bracteas. The perianth consists
of six subpetaloid pieces of a pale green colour, which are
oblong, lanceolate, veined, spreading, of a coriaceous texture,
and accompanied by an elliptical, lanceolate, downy bractea.
The filaments are six, closely surrounding the germen, shorter
than the corolla, diverging, and terminating by quadrangular
anthers. The germens are three in each, hermaphrodite, flower
oblong, with spreading styles, which are terminated by bifid
stigmas. The capsules are three, oblong, compressed, two-
celled, bursting at the inner edge, and containing many oblong,
compressed, imbricated seeds, winged at each end.

Grocrapuicat Disrrisurton.—Native of the mountainous
districts of Europe (Auvergne, Vosges, the Jura, and the Alps).
It is found in great abundance on the Alps of Switzerland,
and generally growing in company with the beautiful Gentiana
lutea. Asia Minor. There are two varieties in North America,
the Veratrum viride and V. angustifolium.

PARTS USED IN Mepicinr, and Mopr or PREPARATION.
—The Root, collected at the beginning of June, reduced
to powder and prepared with alcohol. The rhizome is
single, double, or many-headed, having the form of a cylinder,
or more frequently of a truncated cone; it is from two to
four inches long, and about one inch in diameter, rough,
wrinkled, greyish or blackish-brown externally, whitish inter-
nally. Portions of the root-fibres are usually attached to it, as
well as some soft, fine, hair-like fibres. At the upper extremity
of the rhizome we frequently observe the cut edges of numerous
concentric, woody, or membranous scales, they are portions of
the dried leaf-sheaths; when cut transversely the rhizome pre-
sents a large central portion (frequently called medulla), which

VERATRUM ATBUM. 213

varies in its qualities, being woody, farinaceous, or spongy, in
different specimens. ‘This is separated by a brown, fine, undu-
lating line from a thick woody ring, in which the root-fibres
take their origin. On the outside of this is a narrow but com-
pact brown epidermoid coat. The odour of the dried rhizome
is feeble, the taste is at first bitter, then acrid; by keeping the
rhizome it is apt to become mouldy (Pereira, op. cit.)

PuystotocicaL Errectrs.+-Dr. Schabel states that from his
own experience, and from those of Wepfer, Courten, Viborg,
Orfila, etc., he finds that Veratrum album is poisonous to all
classes of animals. It produces in every instance symptoms of
irritation of the alimentary canal; it is very active, three grains
of the extract applied to the nostrils of a cat killed it in sixteen
minutes (Christison).

On man it acts as a powerful acrid irritant, causing violent
sneezing when applied to the nose, and sometimes epistaxis. In
Rust’s Journal (Mag. fiir die gesammte Heilkunde, xiv. 547)
an account is given of the poisoning of eight people by
this drug. The powder of the root had been put into some
bread instead of cumin-seed, and it was eaten for a week; at
the end of that time they were attacked by violent pains in the
abdomen, a sensation as if the intestines were tied up in a knot,
swelling of the tongue, soreness of the mouth, and giddiness.
They all recovered after the use of laxatives.

Horn (Archiv fiir Mediz. Erfahrung, 1825) states that three
people took the root by mistake. The symptoms were : in about
an hour, burning in the throat, gullet, and stomach, followed by
nausea, dysuria, and vomiting ; weakness and stiffness of the
limbs; giddiness, blindness, and dilated pupil; great faintness,
convulsive breathing, and small pulse. One had imperceptible
pulse, stertorous breathing, and total insensibility, even to
ammonia held under her nose. Next day this case was
lethargic; complained of headache, and had an eruption similar
to flea-bites. They all recovered.

Bernt (Beitrage zur gesicht. Arznet., iv. 47) quotes a fatal

214 FLORA HOMGOPATHICA.

case: a man took twice as much as could be held on the point
of a knife. He was attacked with violent and incessant vomit-
ing, and lived only twelve hours. The gullet, stomach, and
colon were found inflamed, in patches.

In excessive doses it produces violent vomiting and purging
(sometimes of blood); tenesmus ; burning sensation in the mouth,
throat, esophagus, stomach, and intestines; constriction in the
throat, with a sense of strangulation, griping pain in the bowels,
small pulse, faintings, and cold sweats; tremblings, giddiness,
blindness, dilated pupils, loss of voice, convulsions, and insen-
sibility. It has been remarked also that palpitation and inter-
mitting pulse, with dyspeptic and nervous symptoms, have come
on after the use of this medicine.

Etmuller states that this root, when applied to the abdomen,
produces violent vomiting; and Schroeder observed the same
when this root was used as a suppository. Van Helmont also
says that a royal prince died in three hours after taking a
scruple of this drug, which induced convulsions.

Hahnemann (Antidote to some Heroic Vegetable Substances,
trans. by R. E. Dudgeon, M.D., in Lesser Writings, p. 379)
relates the following cases: “I had the greatest difficulty in
restoring two children, the one a year and three quarters old,
the other five years old, who had both taken White Hellebore
by mistake, the former four grains, the latter seven grains.
Those conversant with such matters will consider both to be
of themselves fatal doses, and as long as no antidote is known
absolutely fatal. ‘But few minutes elapsed before the greatest
changes were observable in both children. They became quite
cold, they fell down, their eyes projected like a suffocating per-
son’s, the saliva ran continually from their mouths, and they
seemed devoid of consciousness, when I saw them half an hour
after the accident. “It had already been tried to incite them
to vomit by means of a feather, without success; indeed with
an aggravation of their symptoms, as I was told. Milk admi-
nistered by clyster, and poured down the throat in large quan-

VERATRUM ALBUM. 915

tities, had had no effect, except the production of scanty vomiting,
which did no good, but only increased the faintness.

“When I arrived both seemed at the point of death; dis-
torted projecting eyes, disfigured cold countenance, lax mus-
cles, closed jaws, imperceptible respiration. The infant was the
worst. ‘The impending death by apoplexy, the failing irritability,
at once induced me to combat the symptoms, if possible, with
strong coffee. I introduced, as far as the clenched jaws would
allow me, warm coffee into the mouth, but I chiefly sought
to give it in large quantity by means of an enema, it was suc-
cessful; in the course of an hour all the danger was gone, and
the heat, the consciousness, and respiration returned.”

Mepicat Usrs (Hommopartuic).—Hahnemann’s observations :
“That most incomparable remedy, White Hellebore (Veratrum
album) produces the most poisonous effects, which would inspire
the physician who aspires to perfection with caution, and the
hope of curing some of the most troublesome diseases that have
hitherto usually been beyond medical aid. It produces in its
direct action a kind of mania, amounting, from larger doses, to
hopelessness and despair; small doses make indifferent things
appear repulsive to the imagination, although they are not so
in reality. It causes, in its direct action—a, heat of the whole
body ; 4, burning in different external parts, e. g., the shoulder-
blades, the face, the head; c, inflammation and swelling of the
skin of the face, sometimes (from larger doses) of the whole
body; d, cutaneous eruptions, desquamation of the skin; e, a
formicating sensation in the hands and fingers, tonic cramps;
J, constriction of the gullet of the larynx, sense of suffocation ;
g, tigidity of the tongue, tough mucus in the mouth ; h, con-
striction of the chest; ¢, pleuritic symptoms ; k, cramp in the
calves; 7, an anxious (gnawing?) sensation in the stomach,
nausea ; m, gripes, and cutting pain here and there in the —

great general anxiety; 0, vertigo; p, headache amine of
the head); g, violent thirst. On passing into the direct ——
dary action, the tonic cramps resolve themselves into clonic

216 FLORA HOMCEOPATHICA.

cramps; there occur, 7, trembling; s, stammering; ¢, convul-
sions of the eyes; u, hiccough; », sneezing (from the internal
use); #, vomiting (when at its height black, bloody vomiting);
2, painful scanty evacuations, with tenesmus; y, local or (from
large doses) general convulsions; z, cold (from large doses
bloody) sweat; aa, watery diuresis; 40, ptyalism; cc, expecto-
ration; dd, general coldness. ee, marked weakness; Af, fainting ;
99; \ong, profound sleep. Some of the symptoms of its direct
action (J, m, n, p, g) would lead us to use it in dysenteric fever,
if not in dysentery. The mania it causes, together with some
symptoms of its direct action (e, f, g, h, m, q) would lead us to
employ it in hydrophobia, with hopes of a good result. A dog
to which it was given had true rabies, lasting eight minutes.
The ancients speak of it with approbation in hydrophobia. (In
tetanus), in spasmodic constriction of the gullet, and in spas-
modic asthma, it will be found specific on account of Ff and h.
Tt will prove of permanent advantage in chronic cutaneous dis-
eases on account of ¢ and d, as experience has already shown
with regard to herpes. In so-called nervous diseases, when
they are dependent on tense fibre or inflammatory symptoms
(a, q), and the symptoms in other respects resemble the Vera-
trum disease, it will be of benefit, so also the manias of a like
character” (Hahnemann on the Curative Power of Drugs, trans.
by R. E. Dudgeon, M.D.)

According to the clinical observations of Noack and Trinks (op.
cit.), Veratrum seems to be most serviceable in excessive paralytic
chronic debility, particularly after the abuse of China, and after
an exhausting illness, with disposition to faint. In tertian fever.
Abdominal typhus, with vomiting, diarrheea, coldness of limbs,
and cold sweat. Different forms of mania. Neryous headache,
with nausea and vomiting. Acute hydrocephalus of infants,
with disposition to vomit on raising the head. Chronic vomit-
ings. Vomitings, which cannot be arrested, excited by drinking
water, or by movement. Cholera infantum. Sporadic cholera.
Asiatic cholera, with yomitings, diminished temperature of the

VERATRUM ALBUM. 217

skin, unquenchable thirst for cold water, choleric voice, collapse
of pulse. Cholera in the third stage. Cardialgia. Flatulent
colic.

Dr. Quin (Trait. Hom. du Choléra) advises this remedy in
cholera acuta, cholera yomitoria, cholera spasmodica, cholera
asphyxia seu sicca, and cholera inflammatoria, according to the
indications.

Dr. R. Russell (On Epidemic Cholera, p. 225) says: “ Vera-
trum album has a local and traditional celebrity for the cure of
cholera. The following cure is recorded in the works ascribed
to Hippocrates: ‘A young Athenian affected with cholera
evacuated upwards and downwards, with much suffering ; no-
thing could arrest the vomiting or alvine evacuations. His
voice failed ; he could not stir from bed; his eyes were lustre-
less and sunken; he had convulsions of the lower extremities,
from the abdomen downwards ; he had hiccough, and the alvine
dejections were more copious than the vomitings. He took
Veratrum in lentil-juice, and recovered.’ Hippocrates was an
unconscious homeopathist. Had he lived after Hahnemann,
he would have gloried in a profession of its principles, and
utterly disavowed those who now call themselves by his name.
* * * * Veratrum was the medicine in the highest repute
during the former epidemic; and in the prevalence of cholera
in Petersburg, Miiller mentions that it was the favourite remedy
there. Nothing can be clearer than the homeopathicity of
Veratrum for cholera in general.”

AntipotEs.—To large doses: strong solution of Coffee.

small doses: Aconitum. Camphora. Coffea.

To

LXVI.
VERBASCUM* THAPSUS.
Common Mullein, or High Taper.

Synonyms.—Verbascum, Pharm. Edinb. Verbascum mas latifolium luteum,
Bauh. Tw., p. 239; Rati Hist., p. 1094. Verbascum album vulgare, sive
Thapsus barbatus communis, Park. Theat., p. 60. Tapsus barbatus, Gerarde
Emar., p. 773. Verbascum foliis decurrentibus utrinque tomentosis, Hal. Stirp.
Helv., n. 581. V. Thapsus, Flor. Dan., p. 631; With. Bot.

Forrign Names.—Fr.: Moléne, Bouillon-blane. Jtal.: Verbasco. Span.:
Gordolobo. Port.: Verbasco branco. Germ.: Wollkraut. Dut.: Wollekruid.
Swed.: Kongsljus. Dan.: Kongelys, Russ. : Tarskie skipeta.

Nat. Order, Souanem, Juss.; Luriwm, Linn.—PENTANDRIA,
Monoeynta.

Gen. Cuar.—Calyx campanulate, five-partite, nearly equal. Corolla
with a very short tube; the limb flat, expanded, somewhat rotate, five-
partite; the lobes rounded, nearly equal, or the lower ones equal.
Stamens five, inclining, the lower ones longer, all fertile. The filaments
either all, or the three upper barbate. Anthers generally adnate and
(by the confluence of the cells) unilocular. Style simple, thick at the
apex. Stigma entire or bifid. Capsule ovate or somewhat globose ;
the valves bifid at the apex.

Spec. Cuar.—Leaves decurrent, crenate, woolly on both sides. Stem
simple. Cluster dense. Flowers almost sessile. Corolla golden yellow.
Stamens red. Stigma green.

History.—The ®aduos of Hippocrates and other ancient authors
is supposed to be the Verbascum Thapsus of the moderns.

Fig. 1. Calyx. 2. Style and stigma. 3. Barbate filament, 4. Corolla dissected,
to show the stamens.

* Verbascum, altered from Barbascum, from the woolly bearded appearance of
its leaves, ete.

Plate LXVI.

F. Reeve, imi.

Jas: Sowerby, del. C.C. Sowerby, hth.
Verbascum thap sus.

VERBASCUM THAPSUS, 919

Sibthorp states that the male Aevxn Qdcuos is the V. Thapsus ;
but Sprengel thinks that the female is the Mullein, and the
male the V. undulatum. ‘“ They used the leaves as, being sour,
suiting all kinds of fluxes.” It held a place in the Dispensatory
as late as the time of Lewis, but is now discarded from the
Pharmacopeia. It has been given in catarrhal coughs and
diarrhoea (Home, Clin. Ex. and Hist., sect. xxii.); and it is
occasionally employed as cataplasms to indurated glands.

Pliny states that figs, if wrapped up in the leaves of the
Mullein, do not putrefy.

Descriprion.—Verbascum Thapsus is a biennial. Flowers
in July and August. Stem from three to five feet high, erect
like a staff, woolly, winged, with decurrent acute leaves, which
are clothed with white, entangled, starry, wool-like cloth or
flannel. Flowers very numerous, large, of a bright golden
yellow, with orange-coloured hairy stamens, and roundish, red
anthers. There are thirty-four species of this genus.

GrocrapuicaL Disrrisurion.—A native of the British
Isles, and found in most parts of Europe, and is now common
in America, It is found in this country on banks and waste
grounds.

Parts usep in Mepicing, anD Move or PrEPARATION.—
The Fresh Herb, gathered in July, and the juice expressed and
mixed with equal quantities of spirits of wine, etc.

Puystorocicat Errects.—Fish are stupified by the seeds of
the Verbascum. It has a slight narcotic effect on the human
economy. It produces sensation of extreme heaviness of the
head, heat in the eyes, violent pains in the ears, with symptoms
similar to neuralgia.*

Mepicat Usrs.—This drug was introduced as a homeopathic
remedy by Hahnemann, who states that the emollient -—
resolvent properties ascribed to this plant by the allopaths is
only conjectural, and that the only true plan is to watch the
symptoms it produces on persons in health.

* Vide Hahnemann’s Mat, Med. Pura, art. Verbascum.
=

220 FLORA HOM@OPATHICA.

According to Noack and Trinks’s clinical observations, Ver-
bascum is serviceable in prosopalgia, especially when the pain
is aggravated by pressing on the parts. In cough, from con-
tinual titillation in the throat, with sharp, hollow, trumpet-like
sound, deep out of the chest, and in some forms of cepha-
lalgia.

Antipotge.—Camphor.

THE END.

APPENDIX I.
ARNICA MONTANA: ITS USE IN CONTUSIONS, ETC.

A cette méme epoque, l’arnica, autre moyen extrémement actif, fut
vantée principalement pat les médecins allemands. Pendant long-
temps cette plante avait été regardé par le vulgaire comme un excel-
lent reméde pour prévenir les suites des coups, et surtout des chutes,
avant qu'elle fixat l’attention des practiciens. Le premier qui en
fasse mention est Jaques Théodore Tabenemontanus, médecin de
l'Electeur Palatin et l’un des plus célébres botanistes du seiziéme
siécle (Sprengel, Hist. de la Méd., trad. par Jourdan, vol. v. Pp. 472).

APPENDIX II.
CAMPHORA: ITS USE IN CHOLERA.

Dr. Quin (Zrait. Hom. du Choléra, Paris, 1832, p. 19) in a note
writes: ‘“ Les proportions de camphre indiquées par Hahnemann sont
une partie de camphre dans douze d’alcool. Voici comment j'ai été
conduit 4 en employer d’autres: au moment ou je fus frappé du cho-
léra, je n’avais 4 ma portée que l’esprit de camphre concentré (1 p.
dans 6), voyant que les moments étaient précieux je m’administrai ce
médicament; le résultat fut assez heureux pour m’encourager a le
continuer aux malades que j’eu a traiter.”’

Hahnemann afterwards adopted this formula (one part of camphor
to six of alcohol), and advised its use in preference to any other.

APPENDIX III.
BOVISTA.

The Lycoperdon Proteus has been found to be a perfect anzsthetic
agent, and that it acts like chloroform in producing insensibility
(vide Lancet, July, 1853). It is probable that the fumes of Lycoper-
don Bovista would have the same property.

APPENDIX.

R22

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223

APPENDIX,

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‘oUDAT UYOT

LATIN

VOL. I. PAGE
Aconitum Napellus..............0... 1
thus: a Cynapium 15
Agaricus muscarius ...........606 2
Anacardium Semecarpus ......... 27
31
Arnics montane 65.0 37
Asafetida 45
Asarum Europeum.................+ 54
Atropa Belladonna..... . 60
Berberis vulgaris 8
Boyista 95
Bryonia alba 99
Calendula officinalis ............... 11
Camphora 115
WMANIS BALIVA. 2.22. ..02. ccc 134
ae ca ahh SEE OPTS 143
Ula Matricaria ............ 147
Cinchons Gicmnaliay 24 Ges 152
8a 168
os ORS ee Pap St me a pe 176
Clematis erecta ............sccs00c. 180
occulus menispermum ............ 184
Coffea Arabica. ...........cccccccceecs 190
Colchicum autumnalis ..,......... 199
Cucumis Colocynthis ............... 210
Conium maculatum.................. 220
Crocus sativus 231
Cyclamen —— Syn ee es 238
purpures 265.5 242
—— Snort 255
PY Aer An Fer pipe on oe eRe re 261
Baphorhis officinarum ...,........ 268
sia Officinarum ............ 275
alacum Officinale ........,...... 280
Helleborus niger.........; 285
Hyoscyamus niger .................. 292

INDEX.

Ignatia Amara. ............ ..++

Ipecacuanha

Ranunculus

ee ey

Rheum palmatum

Secale cornutum

Rhus Toxicodendron ...,.....

Pee eet tee eee aee

‘arax

Thuja occidentalis
Valeriana officin
Veratrum album

thew ee awee

Verbascum Thapsus

Peer teeeen

ENGLISH INDEX.

A.

you
Angustura Bark ............ i.
Annual Wormerass ......... ii.
Anemone (Meadow)......... ii.
Arnica i.
Assia sce ides tench 1
PABBTE DACA iccecinsi sss tk i

B.

DOREY Sis cscs cates vencun- i.
pias Cucumber ..........-. :
Bitter-sweeb ............060008 i,

gto spe Bee re eer i

C.
Camphor-tree .............++ i
APRICUM: © 5.45.2 Savcewes ects s i,
Chamomile (Wild) ......... i.
PUEDE sisi iy hcid li.
Christmas Rose li
b Moss il.
Cocculus Indicus Plant i,
offee-tree 1s
Oow bane isis pier is
WEOGE sik ees tecieinstiay rt ii

wD:

MONON i F555 2 ee ckateanl ii
Deal Nightshade ......... i

.
ii.
prt OE Gis iecteecccisncces ii.
FODMQNE sccicescxsgineseveces x
Buphorbium Reon rere i.
aa 5 snips iceszieeadte i
se avedasamenetonetee i.
G.
Guaiac i,
H.
Hem hi
Fibnhiane 5 5acieeie eee
Herb Paris li.
Hellebore (White) ......... ii.
Se ree ence i
cM

M.
VoL
Marigold c5ie iain civces i
cm gach ma i.
arsh Ledum . foe
Meadow Safin: i sivausee i;
CLOISONNE cise iins suave ii.
Monk shOOd eee cscs saan i.
Mullein ii.
N.
Nutmeg-tree .......sscsee00005 ii
Ux VOmiee ......c6) ees il.
0.
Oleander scl scias ili.
P:
Peruvian Bark ............++ ‘
Poison Oak 55 ieee sive ii.
Poppy ees ii.
Puff-ba i:
R.
Rosebay i.
PARP 5 ch pus agvans cane sans ii.
Asiana il.
8.
ae Crocus weenie i,
Sars il.
ate il.
UNG ea iceceuasa ses il.
BD se isan i,
Spotted Hemlock ............ i
Perc eaeere ae ees a
BERVOSACTO cin ccesisseeeccren se li.
= “iguatie © Beats sicyises: ii.
ii.
ee Pee Ee het Saeed i
A es
Tree of Life ......... 5th
Thorn Apple ok

Us;
Upright Virgin’s Bower ...

1.
yi
Valerian (Great Wild)...... ii.
W.
Wind-flower ........-++++- fe ae
Worm-seed j i