American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy

Its influence upon the circulation is more marked in its local than its
constitutional or central effects, although it does influence general
capillary tone. It increases the action of the heart only in extreme cases
and in large doses. It barely increases the pulse beat, although it
materially alters its character and it does not influence the appreciable
temperature.
Specific Symptomatology—It is directly indicated in general enfeebled
conditions, with impairment of nerve influence. In general atonic
conditions, with relaxation of muscular fiber; in plethoric conditions and
lethargic affections, with general impairment of tone, with deficiency of
functional force, energy or activity—in these conditions, because of its
local and general effects, it is markedly different from other stimulants.
The indications are marked nervous depression, tendency to capillary
stasis; dry, harsh tongue, with brown coating; scanty and glutinuous
buccal secretion, tendency to tympanitic distension, cool extremities
and gastric uneasiness. Furthermore with quinine in malarial troubles,
with small doses of hydrochloric acid, excellent results have been
obtained in rheumatism of malarial origin, coming on periodicidly.
Therapy—Its influence upon the nervous system is shown by the fact that
in general paresis, and in some cases of paralysis, local and general of
central origin, it has rapidly promoted cures without the use of other
agents. In one case after passive cerebral congestion, it was given in
strong infusion, and the tincture applied to the paralyzed arm and
muscles, and restoration of nerve influence followed in a few days with a
generally improved condition of the nervous system.
It certainly deserves a more extended use in these cases, because of the
possibility of its being pushed to the extreme without danger of
disturbance of function or structure, or impairment or derangement of
any organ. It is a harmless agent, however used; if concentrated, local
irritation should be avoided.
It has long been combined with tonics, stimulants and general
restoratives in seriously impaired nerve tone of the dipsomaniac, with
results which were ascribed to other agents used. It has an influence in
these cases which resembles that of strychnine, and yet is quite unlike it
although fully as important.
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy - Page 94