American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Specific Symptomatology—When the pulse is small, hard, quick and
sharp, the skin dry and hot, the secretions suddenly suppressed, the
temperature rising, chilliness up and down the spinal column, a
shivering when the bed coverings are moved, or from a slight draft, or on
the least exposure, the agent is directly indicated.
It is also indicated when the pulse is full and hard and sharp, with
suppressed secretions in the initial stages of acute inflammation of any
organ, and at the onset of protracted fevers and especially of
exanthematous diseases.
In asthenic fevers, which are usually protracted, the pulse small, feeble,
frequent, sometimes wiry and corded, with or without evidences of
impairment of the capillary circulation, the agent is specifically
demanded, but in small dosage. With these phenomena, its use may often
be continued for a few days, then discontinued to be resumed later as
before, if needed.
In the early stages of local inflammatory disorders, which involve the
mucous membranes, where the secretions of these membranes are
perverted or suppressed, the agent in small doses is indicated. This
condition is found in laryngitis, tonsillitis and bronchitis, also in
gastritis, colitis, or enteritis, and especially in cholera infantum.
Therapy—Aconite has become the greatest of the agents used by the
profession in the control of fever; but its indication must be complied
with.
At the onset of fever Aconite is the remedy. At that stage of the disease
when the evidences of some disorder are apparent, and yet its
localization can not be determined, the indications for treatment
pronounced, why should the physician wait until a group of symptoms
appears that has a name—that is known as disease—when the
indications for one remedy are so conspicuous? We have known of many
cases where all the evidences of approaching inflammation were plainly
apparent, where the initial fever has been promptly met with Aconite and
no inflammatory condition has ever developed. It is the experience of all
physicians.
Aconite is specifically the fever remedy in childhood. Infants are
susceptible to minute doses often repeated, and it is kind and soothing
in its action. Five drops of the tincture to four ounces of water given in
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 7