American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Edison of Indiana wrote some years ago an excellent article on the
treatment of meningitis, in which he lays great stress upon the action of
this remedy. Whether the difficulty be spinal or cerebro-spinal, whether it
be acute or chronic in character, he claims to obtain benefit in all cases,
and cure in the larger percentage of cases, by the direct influence of
calabar bean, especially if there be an underlying primary congestion,
plainly apparent. He uses in conjunction, however, counter irritation in
all cases.
To an infant he gives of a mixture of from eight to ten drops of the tincture
in four ounces, a teaspoonful every half hour. To an adult he would
administer two drops every fifteen minutes, until spasms or marked
symptoms are under control, then he would give the dose every two or
three hours. He lays great stress upon small doses frequently and
persistently repeated. I believe it more useful if given in careful
combination with gelsemium.
The remedy is useful in the treatment of spinal irritation, in one or two
drop doses, frequently administered. The doctor has depended upon this
remedy for twenty-five years, and the results have established a fixed
confidence in its influence.
Co-operatives—It may be combined with xanthoxylum, strychnine, nux
vomica or capsicum with advantage. Belladonna will facilitate its action,
also, in its influence upon gastrointestinal structures.
PHYTOLACCA. Phytolacca americana
Synonym—Phytolacca decandra, Poke.
CONSTITUENTS—
Phytolaccic acid, phytolaccine, calcium malate, resin, starch, wax,
gum, tannin, mucilage. The ashes contain over fifty per cent of caustic
potassa.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Phytolaccae Radicis Fluidum. Fluid Extract of
Phytolacca Root. Dose, from five to thirty minims.
Unguentum Phytolaccae, Ointment of Phytolacca.
Specific Phytolacca. Dose, from one to ten minims.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 333