American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

disease are removed and intestinal asepsis secured.
In the onset of diphtheria it is an essential auxiliary. In acute tonsilitis,
pharyngitis or laryngitis its specific influence is conspicuous because of
its local as well as its constitutional effects. Minute doses will often abort
a case of croup or terminate it abruptly. Its internal administration in
acute inflammation of the throat or post-nasal mucous membrane is
greatly enhanced by a warm spray which contains aconite in an
appreciable quantity.
In the treatment of continued or septic fevers aconite is usually
indicated at the onset, but as soon as impairment of the blood, by the
influence of high temperature and rapid destructive metabolism, with
defective excretion of the waste products, is apparent, the agent must be
discarded. The nerve force is deficient by this time and depressing agents
are contra-indicated. This is especially true in typhoid conditions. The
changes take place early, and the period of aconite indications is very
short. Cactus grand, organic antiseptics and bryonia will produce a
sedative influence, and we will find their indications conspicuous when
the time for aconite has passed.
Aconite is of value in the treatment of rheumatism and rheumatic fever. In
addition to its general influence upon inflammatory conditions it is a
great promoter of excretion. It is combined to an advantage with
cimicifuga, sodium salicylate, bryonia, or rhus tox.
In exanthematous disease aconite is doubly indicated because of its
direct action upon the capillary circulation of the skin. It assists in
determining the eruption to the surface and promoting exfoliation. It
curbs the temperature and prevents complications and conduces, to a
normal condition of the mucous surfaces, which is important where those
surfaces are in danger of being involved also.
In acute mastitis, if treatment be inaugurated at once, an actual specific
effect is accomplished by administering a full dose of aconite with ten
drops of the tincture of phytolacca, one hour, and alternating it the next
hour with aconite and ten grains of acetate of potassium. But few doses
will be given until abatement of the active symptoms will be observed.
The same course may be advised in prostatitis or acute orchitis with
similar results. In metritis it has a prompt influence and gives excellent
satisfaction.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 10