American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

dryness in the mouth and constriction in the throat, with difficult
deglutition. It increases the pulse rate and arterial tension, increases the
capillary circulation in the skin, with flushed face like belladonna. The
pupil dilates, there is a sensation of fullness in the head, with tinnitus
aurium, vertigo, nervous excitement and muscular uncertainty. These
conditions are followed by mental inactivity and stupor, with general
quiet, although the patient may not sleep.
Therapy—The agent has not been extensively used for internal
administration. It soothes the respiratory apparatus, increases the action
of the heart, like belladonna in congestions, and is given to control
excessive night sweats.
It has been given in some cases of maniacal excitement, but it must be
given in the enfeebled cases and not when there is fullness—
engorgement of the circulation of the cerebral organs. It has been used in
the treatment of emotional insanity and delirium with excitement.
Duboisine is given in doses of from 1/120 to the 1/60 of a grain in these
cases, and is said to be a valuable hypnotic. In a few insane patients,
especially those with hysterical manifestations, it has caused
regurgitation of the food. It is also used in muscular tremblings, paralysis
agitans and epilepsy.
There are a few patients who are especially susceptible to its use and will
experience vertigo, fullness of the head, a feeling of danger and heart
pains, even from small doses, or from a single drop of a one per cent
solution in the eye.
Duboisia has been used as a mydriatic. It has no properties not possessed
by atropine, although it is claimed to produce its effects in paralyzing
accommodation and dilating the pupil more rapidly, with less
conjunctival irritation and with more speedy recovery.
The hypodermic injection of duboisine will antagonize the influence of
opium or morphine as effectually as atropine.
ELATERIUM Ecballium elaterium.
Synonym—Squirting Cucumber.
CONSTITUENTS—
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 178