American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

in water. Dose, from one-tenth to five grains.
Administration—For children a good preparation is made by taking one
part of the crystals and triturating it thoroughly with nine parts of the
sugar of milk. Of this one grain may be given every hour to a child of two
years.
Physiological Action—The agent has the properties of a stimulating
sedative, exalting the nervous functions when depressed, when there is
great restlessness, excitability or delirium. It has marked anodyne and
hypnotic properties under proper circumstances.
Therapy—It is prescribed in nervous excitement or extreme restlessness
accompanying inflammatory disease or protracted fevers. It is specific in
nervous irritation from reflex causes.
It is an excellent remedy for children with the long train of symptoms
resulting from irritation of the dental nerve.
The indications are diarrhea, nausea, great restlessness, fullness of the
circulation of the head, with heat, sleeping with half open eyes, rolling of
the head, and tossing, crying but with little sharp cries. These symptoms
occur at any time during development of the milk teeth.
In fully developed cases of cholera infantum, with the extreme symptoms
of involuntary watery discharges, cold extremities, pinched features,
emaciation, apparently uncontrollable vomiting, this agent is given in
full doses, and it will often meet alone the whole train of indications.
It is a hypnotic when fever and general distress induce wakefulness.
In delirium tremens it has produced good results, and in mild cases of
the delirium of protracted fevers, with restlessness, it will be found of
advantage.
It has been used in chorea, and in hysterical manifestations of an
excitable character, and in nervous palpitation, and irregular heart
action from reflex irritation.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 134