American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

in scrofulous and syphilitic nodules and other specific skin disorders.
The extract or the fluid extract can be combined with an ointment base
such as lanolin in the proportion of one part to one, two, or three parts of
the base, and freely applied. It can be injected into the sinuses of
carbuncles, or into the structure of the diseased parts with only good
results.
Logan treated ten cases of stubborn skin disease of undoubted syphilitic
origin with this remedy alone. It was applied externally and given in full
doses internally, with a satisfactory cure in every case.
In the treatment of syphilis very many observations have been reported. It
has been used entirely alone and also in conjunction with alterative
syrups, but in no case yet reported has mercury been used with it. The
longest time of all cases yet reported, needed to perfect the cure, was
nine months.
The writer's observations, in all cases he has treated, are that the patient
begins to feel a general improved condition after taking the remedy a few
days. Some of them are enthusiastic concerning the sense of well-being
they experience. It begins by removing all the sensations of discomfort,
and the patient's mind becomes hopeful and encouraged. The specific
fever in the first stages soon declines, and there is a permanent
abatement of the evidences of the disease. There are absolutely no
undesirable. influences observed, and no after effects, and no
undesirable side influences to overcome. I have not, however, depended
upon this agent alone, in all cases. There are too many definite
conditions present to be met with one remedy. I think results are
hastened by correct adjustments of three or four other vegetable
alteratives with this.
The influences of echinacea are not always enhanced by the use of the
iodides. On the other hand, I have had satisfactory results, where the
iodides, having previously been given in conjunction with it, were
withdrawn, and the echinacea continued alone. The rapid amelioration of
the disorders of the skin, after the withdrawal of the iodides, was
especially remarked if berberis was substituted for them.
The following most remarkable case occurred in my practice:
A gentleman, aged about forty-five years, in apparently good health, was
vaccinated, and as the result of supposed impure virus a most unusual
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 187