American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

soothing influence, and for its sedative effect upon the cough and
respiration, and also in bronchitis, with short, sharp cough. A dry cough,
increased upon lying down and relieved upon getting up, is surely
relieved by its use.
It does not arrest secretion, and in this particular is in every way superior
to opium. It does not disturb the mind or produce headache.
The anodyne properties of this agent are not marked in its general
application, but administered in the neuralgia of exhaustion, in this
variety of neuralgic dysmenorrhea and in irritable conditions of the
bladder, as well as in the bone pains of syphilis, it exercises anodyne
properties to a remarkable degree. In hepatic, renal, intestinal, ovarian
and uterine pain accompanied with great restlessness, it is of much
value.
As a hypnotic for infants and the aged there is no happier agent than
hyoscyamus, in small doses. From five to ten drops of the fluid extract
should be dropped into half a glassful of water, and a teaspoonful may be
given every fifteen minutes, for two hours before the usual bedtime or
until the patient sleeps. The sleep is quiet, restful, natural and not too
sound. The patient awakens refreshed. It is indicated also in patients
enfeebled from prolonged illness.
In headaches attendant upon the above irritable conditions the agent is
applicable.
Since the profession has learned to use hyoscine and morphine together,
for the peculiar analgesic influence of this compound, I am reminded that
during the largest part of my experience I have been in the habit of
combining morphine, when that remedy is indicated for pain, with
hyoscyamus, with excellent results.
It is well known that morphine is acted upon imperfectly, or chemically,
by an extremely avid condition of the stomach. Also that there are certain
nervous constitutions that have unpleasant nervous irritation from its
influence (an idiosyncrasy, often). In place of acting as a stimulant, it
acts as an irritant and depressant.
I have learned that the use of hyoscyamus, in the proportion of ten drops
of the specific medicine with one dram or more of strontium bromide,
combined with a mild stimulant such as capsicum, and one grain of
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 260