American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

CONSTITUENTS—Saponin.
PREPARATIONS—
Dioscorein. Dose, from one to four grains.
Specific Medicine Dioscorea. Dose, from one to forty minims.
Physiological Action—Antispasmodic and anodyne.
Specific Symptomatology—In sudden spasmodic griping pain in the
stomach and bowels it acts similarly to colocynth, but is more certain in
the severer cases, especially if from malarial causes. It is specific in
bilious colic—in the pain of the passing of gall stones, in mild cases, and
is valuable in spasmodic colic of any kind. Spasmodic pain yields to it
readily, but it is much more certain in pain and muscular spasm of the
intestines. Its action produces either immediate or negative results. If,
therefore, there is no benefit after one or two hours' use it may be
discontinued.
Therapy—In the spasmodic pain of cholera morbus or cholera infantum,
of diarrhea or dysentery it is useful.
In neuralgic dysmenorrhea, in ovarian neuralgia, in cramp-like pains in
the uterus at any time and in severe after pains it often acts
satisfactorily, quickly relieving the muscular spasm. Fifteen drops of the
tincture of the specific dioscorea in half a teacupful of hot water should be
drunk at a single dose, as in acute cases it is much more certain if given
in this manner. Five drops every hour or two can be given with good
results in constantly recurring mild colicky pains without apparent
cause. When given for after pains it is usually best to give the tincture in
ten drop doses in cold water every half hour or hour, as the hot infusion
may cause too great relaxation of the uterine muscular structure, and
permit severe hemorrhage.
DROSERA Drosera rotundifolia
Synonyms—Sundew, Youthwort, Lustwort.
PREPARATIONS—
Fluid Extract Sundew; not miscible with water; dose, five to twenty
minims.
Specific Medicine Drosera, two to five minims. An excellent and
potent preparation.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 176