American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

intestinal canal, as well as those of the entire urinary apparatus.
Therapy—In its soothing influence upon the intestinal structures, it is of
service when there is inflammation of the bowels or irritation from any
cause, and it is often administered as an enema in dysentery, and if a
few drops of laudanum be added it will often cause prompt relief from the
tenesmus and general distress. When irritation of the bladder exists from
decomposed urine, this agent is of much service, especially if taken in
conjunction with benzoic acid or benzoate of sodium. An infusion which
contains five or six grains of the above salts to the ounce is of most
excellent service in these cases. Acute painful cystitis with much
mucus, ammoniacal urine, great pain in urinating, and tenesmus,
should be relieved in twelve hours with this method.
In conditions where simple irritation is induced either from the presence
of uric acid or other precipitated crystalline bodies, a strong infusion of
Althaea will greatly enhance the influence of other indicated remedies.
Fly Agaric. (Amanita muscaria)
This agent is closely allied to the above in its physical characteristics.
Scudder advised its use, but it has never been generally adopted.
Physiological Action—From this species a common alkaloid has been
obtained, Muscarine, which has been used an an antagonist to atropine.
It produces ptyalism, vomiting, depression of the circulation, general
muscular weakness, paralysis, difficult breathing, followed by death in
extreme cases. The pupils contract to a pin point, and subsequently
dilate. It produces tetanic contraction of the spleen, bladder and
intestines, with violent peristaltic movement.
Therapy—Muscarine is used in the night sweats of phthisis, in a
manner similar to the agaricin. Also in diabetes insipidus. Scudder gave
as specific indications for the fly agaric, involuntary twitchings of the
face, forehead and eyes, pressing pain in the occiput, with a lack of
muscular control. It seems indicated in the typhoid conditions where
there is tremor and great restlessness, with a desire to get out of bed.
AMYGDALUS. Amygdalus persica.
Synonym—The Peach Tree.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 27