American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

5. In the treatment of cases of Craigiasis, which indeed cannot be treated
so well with emetine alone as with emetine combined with some
preparation of ipecac which can be administered orally.”
The endameba which is the specific cause of Pyorrhea Alveolaris is
almost invariably destroyed by Alcresta Ipecac. Bass and Johns found that
the germ would disappear from all lesions in from one to three days in
ninety per cent of the cases, and in six days from ninety-nine per cent of
the cases. They found it as efficient in most cases as emetine. The
peculiar combination involved in this substance prevents the alkaloids
from being dissolved in acid or neutral solutions. Thus it passes
unchanged through the stomach without inducing nausea in any form.
The alkaloids are permitted full activity in the intestinal tract. The local
influence of this agent upon the endameba in the mouth is very prompt
and satisfactory.
In extreme inactive conditions of the stomach and bowels, with or
without pain—the inactivity shown by a broad, pallid tongue, covered
very thickly with a dirty white coat, which finally becomes sleek on the
top, increasing from tip to base in dirtiness, to a brown color-full emetic
doses of the common forms of ipecac persisted in for a short time will
quickly correct almost the entire train of symptoms.
Specific Symptomatology—Persistent irritation in mucous membranes,
with deficient secretion, demand ipecac in small closes.
Persistent nausea and vomiting, with pale, relaxed membranes,
whitecoated, broad tongue, will often yield most readily to minute doses
( 1/10 of a drop) frequently repeated.
Bronchial gastric or intestinal irritations are benefited by its use. It is
indicated also in croup, with sudden dypsnea and threatening
suffocation, extreme secretion, without ability to dislodge. Half
teaspoonful may be given.
Therapy—For its emetic influence ipecac is one of the most satisfactory
of the emetics. When there is undigested food in the stomach, causing
irritation, when mild poisons are taken, when emesis is demanded to
relieve sick headache, this agent is used in preference to others. If
promptness of action be demanded the full dose should be given in a
bowl of warm water—not hot—or a single full dose of lobelia may be given
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 108