American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Other observers have spoken most highly of its action in developing
phthisis pulmonalis. Positive claims are made that, judiciously
administered, it has aborted the disease.
While I have spoken against its use in continued fevers, there are several
writers who have given it in full doses at the onset of typhoid fever, while
sthenia was yet present, and have had most salutary results.
In the early stages of acute rheumatism, its indications are present
sometimes quite conspicuously, and if given in emphatic doses, it will
sometimes quickly terminate the disorder. In articular rheumatism, it
may be applied freely, externally, over the swollen and inflamed joints.
In the treatment of rheumatic fever, one writer says that when with the
fever there is rapid strong pulse, caused by the toxines, veratrum used as
a sedative is especially valuable because of its alterative properties,
exercising a double influence, removing the causes of the disorder as
satisfactorily as any other known remedy.
It is given in sthenic inflammations with the above symptoms, in
erysipelas with general symptoms of inflammation, with a red stripe
through the center of the tongue; in nervous irritation, with threatened
convulsions; usually those which have suddenly appeared. In these cases
the pulse is rapid, but may be full, or it may be corded or sharp, hard and
wiry.
In cases where there is previous gastric irritation usually shown by a
long, narrow and pointed tongue, with red tip and red edges, the agent
will not be of benefit, but will increase that condition. Where there is
nausea from the presence of undigested or foreign matter in the stomach,
the rapid pulse, etc., being present, its action may be beneficial. In these
cases the tongue is usually pale, broad and thick.
For bilious colic Dr. Bates wrote some years ago that he relied upon this
remedy.
There are some cases of chorea in which veratrum will serve an excellent
purpose. These cases are more or less acute in development, and are
usually very violent. The heart is irritable and the pulse rapid.
Dr. Woodward speaks very highly of veratrum in the treatment of asthma.
In spasmodic cases he is confident of its beneficial influence, but he has
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 454