American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

from half a dram to one dram.
Specific Medicine Corydalis. Dose, from five to forty minims.
Physiological Action—In overdoses it has produced biliousness,
deranged stomach, an excessive secretion of mucus, or catarrh of the
stomach and intestinal canal, loss of appetite, indigestion, fetid breath,
irregular bowels and colic, with malaise and general indisposition to
exertion.
This agent was in great repute among very many of our older physicians
as an alterative of special value. Tonic properties are so evident in it that
the patient's vitality is increased while the metabolism of the system is
influenced. In this particular it will operate in harmony with echinacea.
In some eases it acts well with berberis, hydrastis, and stillingia. In
syphilis, scrofula, and in all glandular derangements with general
depravity of the system, marked blood dyscrasia and general impairment
of the nutritive functions, this agent is indicated.
Its influences are demanded in these cases more especially if there be
tumidity and enlargement or distention of the abdominal structures with
general atonicity, or in some cases in which there are persistently coated
tongue and fetid breath. This is often the condition in which a patient is
found following a protracted attack of intermittent fever— ague, and
since the entire glandular system has become sluggish from the disease
the tonic effects of this agent are here indicated. Its influence can be
greatly heightened by the direct nerve tonics and calisaya in such cases
as these.
Therapy—When blood dyscrasia is present, sluggishness of the digestive
apparatus, deficient glandular secretion, impaired secretion of the
mucous membranes of the stomach and intestinal canal, this agent is
indicated, as, in these cases, its tonic properties are plainly manifested.
It is of value in imperfect restoration of these functions after protracted
disease, on which it operates with the tonic and restorative stimulants to
an excellent advantage.
Amenorrhea, leucorrhea and dysmenorrhea, with relaxed condition of the
uterine supports and prolapsus, sometimes occurring from the extreme
debility following severe fevers, and common, also, with scrofula and
other blood dyscrasias, are all materially benefited by corydalis formosa.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 171