American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

associated with the disease, and a combination of therapeutic action not
readily obtained in any other cardiac tonic.
Its diaphoretic and cathartic action cannot be relied upon in every case,
but as a cardiac tonic it is most efficient.
A recent writer has used this remedy in the treatment of chorea. He has
treated several cases of long standing and very persistent. He gives five
drops of the fluid extract of this remedy every two hours.
In the treatment of several cases of spasm in children, he has used this
same remedy as an antispasmodic, and has obtained very good results.
In the latter stages of typhoid fever, when the heart's action is weak,
rapid and irregular, with a tendency to collapse, given in conjunction
with strychnia, the condition of the patient rapidly improves.
This remedy is recommended for the reduction of blood pressure. A high
authority has suggested that one grain of the aqueous extract of this
substance be added to ten grains of distilled water and that combined
with two ounces of simple syrup, from one to two teaspoonfuls can be
given at a dose as indicated in that particular patient. This gives one-fifth
of a grain of the extract at a dose, especially recommended where there is
arteriosclerosis.
XANTHIUM. Xanthium spinosum.
Synonyms—Cocklebur, Clotbur.
PREPARATIONS—
Extractum Xanthii Fluidum; Fluid Extract of Xanthium. Dose, from
ten to twenty minims.
Specific Medicine Xanthium. Dose, from five to fifteen minims.
Physiological Action—The agent has mild diuretic, diaphoretic and
sialagogue properties. Xanthium is mentioned as a remedy influencing
the blood in malarial conditions, tending to overcome periodicity. As an
alterative some enthusiastic writers give it high rank, even claiming that
it will cure hydrophobia. It is advised in hemorrhages of a passive
character, to be relied upon even in post-partum hemorrhage. In the
writer's hands it has an influence which would seem to be advantageous
in hematuria of a passive character, as it has a soothing influence upon
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 465