American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

I have heard physicians say that they believed there were times or
seasons when gelsemium influenced their patients with the same
indications much more directly and positively than at other times.
Perhaps this is in line with the theory of “epidemic remedial influence” or
“epidemic remedial conditions” advanced by Rademacher and referred to
by Scudder and other writers.
Co-operative Agents: Cimicifuga racemosa is an excellent remedy with
which to combine gelsemium where the muscular system is involved. It
promotes the action of gelsemium in all heart troubles, and in irritable
and inflammatory conditions of the entire urinary tract. Opium
intensifies the effects of this agent, but is slower in its action and its
effects are not so quickly dissipated. They are not often prescribed
together by those who are familiar with the action of gelsemium.
Lobelia and this agent will be found to act well together in certain
selected cases; in severe convulsive manifestations especially. When
morphine is given for relief of pain during powerful spasms, it acts as an
antispasmodic. Gelsemium combined with it when indicated will be found
to exercise all of its influence and control the pain which would
otherwise continue, and thus prevent the antispasmodic effects of the
remedy to an extent. Dr. Owen of Texas dissolves one grain of morphine
in 240 grains of specific gelsemium. He gives this for premature labor
pains in doses of from ten to flfteen drops, and in other conditions where
both remedies are indicated, he gives from ten to twenty drops, as in
severe persistent lumbago, sometimes with immediate results.
Other agents which act harmoniously with it to a greater or less extent
are passiflora incarnata, the bromides, and chloral hydrate, conium
maculatum, physostigma, veratrum, and Jamaica dogwood. It works nicely
in fevers in careful combination with aconite.
Antagonists—This agent is antagonized by alcohol, by strychnine, nux
vomica, digitalis, ammonia and, to a certain extent, by caffeine and
belladonna.
Antidotes—In overdoses, heat applied, with electricity, and alcoholic
stimulants, friction, artificial respiration, and hypodermics of atropine or
strychnine should be administered. Strong coffee and the physiological
salt solution are active antidotes also.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 234