American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

manifestations. The tongue is heavily coated with a pasty coat or furred.
The mucous membranes are of a bluish or leaden color. The membranes
of the throat are discolored, with very sluggish circulation, appearing as if
they would slough. The breath has a bad odor. There are erosions of the
mucous membrane of a whitish character. The pulse is full and sluggish,
and there may be a low grade of fever. In some cases the temperature is
high, with a slow pulse, the patient is drowsy, and there is general
capillary stasis.
The remedy has not received general attention. Felter and Lloyd give very
limited action to it, but Dr. Vassar, of Ohio, has made some extended
observations, which are worthy of note, and should be confirmed or
disproved, by future thorough investigation.
Physiological Action—The doctor says the plant must not be confounded
with the wild parsnip, and similar plants. A good preparation of the green
root must be obtained to produce good results. The remedy is an irritant
to the skin, sometimes causing inflammation. Its poisonous properties
are similar to those of the wild parsnip. It acts upon the nervous system as
an antispasmodic. It produces, when taken in the mouth, a sensation of
tingling, prickling, a benumbing sensation upon the throat, fauces and
tongue, similar to that of echinacea, aconite and xanthoxylum. In fact, the
doctor compares it in its entire influence, with echinacea. It stimulates
tile pulse, and strengthens the capillary circulation. With the tingling
and numbness of the throat, is difficult deglutition. Its antispasmodic
influence seems to be exercised independent of the alterative influence
the agent would exercise over depraved blood, as a cause of spasms.
Therapy—It is given in general spasm in puerperal convulsions, and in
epilepsy. While Doctor Vassar has not used it in meningitis. his
knowledge of its influence suggests that it would be a valuable remedy in
that disease. In the treatment of convulsions, he would give as high as
thirty drops of the strong tincture. In the treatment of puerperal
convulsions he gives it as high as dram doses, until the patient is under
control. He considers it as useful as gelsemium or veratrum. He has used it
in several cases. He gave it in one extremely severe case of puerperal
fever, where the temperature was 106 degrees, and obtained highly
satisfactory results. In this case, he gave it in conjunction with small
doses of jaborandi. He has treated several cases of epilepsy with it, two of
which were completely cured. The others were benefited. He has given it
in tonsillitis, diphtheria, and ulcerated sore mouth. As a vegetable
antiseptic, it has many of the properties of echinacea, and some that,
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 248