American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

In certain forms of inflammation of the brain and its meninges, where the
capillary circulation is very full, ergot is most pronounced and certain in
its action.
In cerebro-spinal meningitis of an acute endemic or epidemic form, it
may be given in the early stages of the attack, but should be withheld in
the latter stages. Other directly indicated agents should not, however, be
neglected for this. It is especially applicable to children in the early
stages of acute cerebral or cerebro-spinal inflammation.
Ergot in doses of five drops three or four times daily for a few days will
benefit many severe cases of typhoid fever, especially if there be an
engorged condition of the cerebral circulation, with tendency to
dullness, stupor and mild delirium, with high temperature. It directly
influences the intestinal canal, overcoming the relaxed and paralytic
condition of its muscular structure, correcting diarrhea, controlling
hemorrhage and improving the circulation. An occasional dose of fifteen
or twenty minims will sometimes do much good.
In the treatment of both passive and active hemorrhage, ergot is a most
excellent remedy. It contracts the walls of the arterioles, shutting off a
full supply of blood and immediately restraining the flow. from open
vessels. It is thus at once useful in hemoptysis, in hemorrhage from the
mouth, gums, throat or pharynx, and from the stomach and intestinal
canal. A local astringent in gastric hemorrhage from ulcer is often better,
and also in intestinal hemorrhage in typhoid. It is good practice to give a
local styptic alternately with ergot, where there is a persistent tendency
to hemorrhage in these cases.
In hemophilia ergot is recommended. In this condition in infants it may
be used for a short time locally and internally.
Hemorrhages about the eye-ball are controlled from its local application,
and acute conjunctivitis and phlyctenular ophthalmia will be benefited,
if it be used locally and internally in small quantities.
Occasional large doses of ergot in the treatment of pneumonia are spoken
of as highly beneficial by excellent authorities. The remedy exercises its
influence upon the capillaries.
In hemoptysis ergot is prompt and efficient. It need not be given in large
doses. Three to five drops, four times daily, will usually restrain the
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 201