American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

In the treatment of inflammations it is not as serviceable as atropine.
Because of the increased engorgement of blood in the part, it increases
the condition. A further advantage of atropine over this agent in
inflammations is its permanency or persistency of action.
AVENA. Avena sativa.
Synonym-Oats.
CONSTITUENTS—
Avenin, fixed oil.
PREPARATIONS—
Specific Medicine Avena. Dose, from five to sixty minims.
Concentrated Tincture Avena. Dose, from five to thirty minims.
As a nerve stimulant and permanent tonic, this valuable agent was
comparatively unknown, when the first edition was issued. The writer
took the responsibility of introducing it here through the confidence
acquired by observing its prompt and satisfactory action during an
experience of twenty years in the treatment of nervous diseases. There
are many well-known and lauded agents that are hardly to be compared
with this for prompt action upon the nervous system.
Administration—Avena Sativa should always be given in appreciable
doses. Fifteen drops, three or four times daily, well diluted, will usually
meet the case. It may be given in doses of from five to sixty drops in rare
instances. It should, however, never be given in larger quantities than
twenty minims unless the patient is thoroughly accustomed to the
remedy, and has found the usual dose insufficient. Otherwise there is
danger of obtaining the physiological effect of the drug, which is
announced by pain at the base of the brain. When this symptom makes its
appearance the medicine should be discontinued for a day or two, and
then given in reduced doses.
If administered in hot water during the day, its action is much quicker,
and in cold water at night on retiring it has a more extended influence.
When given in hot water, its action at times, is almost instantaneous.
Physiological Action—Its selective influence is directly upon the brain
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 71