American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

soothing in its influence upon the nervous system, especially upon the
spinal centers. It is applicable in the nervousness of depression because
of its gentle stimulating influence, and in these cases its influence is
heightened by combining it with stimulants.
This result is effectually obtained from the valerianate of ammonium,
which is the most active of the valerian compounds. In conditions where
the nervousness is induced by hyperactivity—actual increased nerve
force—or where there is organic disease, it is not the remedy.
The agent exercises a good influence in combination with cimicifuga in
the treatment of chorea. Its influence upon disordered motility, although
not marked, is similar to that of cannabis indica, hyoscyamus and
scutellaria.
In pruritus, with nervous excitement from feebleness, it is a desirable
agent. It has been used in stomach disorders and in diabetes, but its
influence is not marked in these cases.
VERATRUM ALBUM. WHITE HELLEBORE.
Synonyms—White Veratrum.
CONSTITUENTS—
Jervine, pseudojervine, and protoveratrine.
PREPARATIONS—
The dose of the powder, from one to eight grains.
A preparation of thirty drops of the tincture in four ounces of water,
may be given in teaspoonful doses, to infants.
Twenty drops of an ordinary tincture is the dose.
Specific Symptomatology—Diarrhea with large watery discharges
expelled with violence, spasmodic pains in the bowels, cramps, cramp
colic, pain producing prostration, with cold skin, cold sweat and sunken
eyes.
Therapy—This remedy, in small doses frequently repeated, is specific in
cholera infantum, cholera morbus, and in various forms of acute
diarrhea. It has some of the indications of arsenite of copper. It has been
found beneficial in Asiatic cholera. It is not in general use. It was at one
time given to act upon the skin and as an emetic. It is said to be found
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 449