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American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

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entire condition in check for a time relieving the pain.<br />

In the conditions of chronic uterine hemorrhage or other disorder in<br />

which the ergot of rye is indicated for continued use, this agent will serve<br />

all the purposes with few of the dangers of the former remedy.<br />

VALERIAN. Valeriana officinalis.<br />

Part Employed—The rhizome <strong>and</strong> roots.<br />

CONSTITUENTS—<br />

Volatile oil, valerianic, malic, acetic <strong>and</strong> formic acids; tannin,<br />

sugar, starch, mucilage, extractive, resin.<br />

PREPARATIONS—<br />

Extractum valerianae, fluidum, fluid extract of valerian. Dose, ten<br />

minims to two drams.<br />

Specific valerian. Dose, five to sixty minims.<br />

Tinctura valerianae ammoniata, ammoniated tincture of valerian.<br />

Dose, one to two drams.<br />

Oleum valerianae, oil of valerian. Dose, one to five minims.<br />

Physiological Action—Valerian in large doses stimulates the brain,<br />

causing headache, giddiness, perverted vision, restlessness, agitation,<br />

nausea. Large doses of the oil cause increase of urine with slow pulse<br />

<strong>and</strong> drowsiness, ending in deep sleep. It lessens sensibility, motility <strong>and</strong><br />

reflex excitability, <strong>and</strong>, if the dose be large enough, causes central<br />

paralysis. The first effect is stimulation, followed by depression of the<br />

nerve centers.<br />

Specific Symptomatology—Valerian is not a narcotic. Its influence upon<br />

the nervous system is best obtained when the circulation of those centers<br />

is inactive <strong>and</strong> feeble, especially when there is a paleness of the face <strong>and</strong><br />

the skin is cool. It is directly indicated in hysterical conditions of<br />

whatever character with feebleness; with nervous excitement, <strong>and</strong> morbid<br />

vigilance, in hysterical epilepsy, <strong>and</strong> in nervous headaches with some<br />

pallor. It is excellent in the hysteria <strong>and</strong> nervous disturbances incident<br />

to the menopause. Its general soothing effect in all these cases is<br />

desirable. It controls distress <strong>and</strong> imaginary pain <strong>and</strong> produces quiet,<br />

permitting sleep <strong>and</strong> rest.<br />

Therapy—This agent has long been known as a nervine. It is gentle <strong>and</strong><br />

Ellingwood’s <strong>American</strong> <strong>Materia</strong> <strong>Medica</strong>, <strong>Therapeutics</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Pharmacognosy</strong> - Page 448

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