American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

continued. In the long protracted and sluggish forms of fevers, with great
depression of the vital forces; in ulceration of the nipples or mammary
glands, or of the cervix uteri, it is spoken highly of.
There is a dynamic influence exercised by baptisia upon the entire
glandular structure of the body when adynamia is present, more
particularly upon the intestinal glands. This influence directly
reinforces the blood in its effort to throw off the disease, and restore
normal conditions. It is because of this influence that it is of value in
typhoid.
Dr. Hainey says that in whatever condition the patient complains of
difficult respiration where the lungs feel compressed, where the patient
cannot lie down because of fear of suffocation, if he sleeps, he has found
baptisia in small doses every hour positively curative. He got this
suggestion from a homeopathist, and he has proven it to be reliable.
Others have found typhoid cases with the characteristic symptoms,
where the brain seems to be overwhelmed with toxines, where the patient
has times where the breathing is rapid or panting, alternated with slow
respiration, in which this remedy is very prompt. The condition may also
be present in diphtheria, and in the so-called black measles or other
highly infectious disorders.
Fyfe advises it in all diseases of the glandular system, and in hepatic
derangements especially, with symptoms of this- character, in the various
forms of stomatitis, putrid sore throat and scarlatina maligna, and in
inflammation of the bowels, where there is a tendency to typhoid
conditions, especially ulcerative inflammation of any of the internal
organs. In dyspepsia, with great irritability and offensive decomposition
of food. In scrofula and in cutaneous infections the agent should be long
continued. In the long, protracted and sluggish forms of fevers, with great
depression of the vital forces, in ulceration of the nipples or mammary
glands, or of the cervix uteri, it is spoken highly of.
It will thus be seen that the agent is properly classed among the
alteratives, as its alterative properties stand first, but its pronounced
tonic influences will be quickly observed. It overcomes weariness, “that
tired feeling,” produces a sense of vigor and general improved tone and
well-being.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 78