American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Salicylic acid, made from oil of wintergreen, is the only preparation of the
acid suitable for internal use.
A pure salicylate of soda is made from the salicylic acid of oil of
wintergreen, which is preferred in the treatment of acute articular
rheumatism; while in neuralgia of the fifth cerebral nerve tic douloureux,
and gonorrheal rheumatism, the oil of wintergreen, in as large doses as
can be borne, is the better treatment. In other cases, a tincture of the
fresh plant should be employed.
It may be employed as a spray to the throat in diphtheria; and suitably
diluted, as a dressing for wounds; while it may be used internally for the
general purposes of an antiseptic.
PREPARATIONS—
Specific Gaultheria. Dose, from five to thirty minims.
Specific Symptomatology—The agent is given successfully in the
treatment of hemorrhoids from congestion of the pelvic circulation,
hemorrhoids with very painful external tumors, of a dark-purple color,
with constipation, with pain across the sacrum, and congestion of the
portal circulation.
Therapy—It is of benefit in neuralgia, tic douloureux, gonorrheal
rheumatism, inflammation of the bladder, irritation of the prostate gland,
dysuria, sexual excitement in male or female, spermatorrhea without
impotency, acute articular rheumatism, migraine, sciatica, diabetes,
diphtheria, chronic mucous discharges and toothache (locally). A
liniment of the oil is useful in allaying the pain of rheumatism.
Asthmatic breathing of a non-paroxysmal character is relieved by this
remedy, as is asthmatic cough, and cough characterized by constriction
or tightness at the supra-sternal notch. In the cough of asthmatic
bronchitis, or in dry, harsh, persistent bronchial or phthisical cough, this
agent acts nicely.
It is a serviceable remedy in hepatic congestion, and in congestion of the
glandular structures of the entire gastro-intestinal tract. Its influence
over the portal circulation is most pronounced.
In ovarian conditions inducing too frequent menstruation, with
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 223