Individual Drugs. ABIES (Tsuga canadensis). - Southwest School of ...

early, usually in association with other agents sure to be indicated,
and continued through the active stage; and if a dry cough persists it
should still be continued and used freely. There is no kindlier cough
medicine than asclepias, and when fever is present it is an ideal aid to
the special sedatives. Asclepias should form an important part of the
medication in acute pleurisy and pleurodynia, conditions in which it
is most efficient and in which it first earned a therapeutic reputation. It
may need to be fortified by the intercurrent use of aconite or bryonia,
or both, and in any case it will enhance the value of these agents.
In pneumonia and in bronchitis asclepias is best adapted to the acute
stage, where the lesions seem to be extensive, taking in a large area of
the parenchyma of the lung or the bronchial structures and the
mucosa. Webster declares it best adapted to control vascular
disturbances in the area supplied by the bronchial arteries, and
suggests that by reserving it for this use we shall lessen its liability to
confusion with other appropriate remedies. In the convalescent stage of
pneumonia and other respiratory lesions, when expectoration is scanty
and dyspnea threatens, small doses of asclepias are helpful. It renders
a similar service in dry, non-spasmodic asthma. The dose for these
purposes should be about 5 drops of the specific medicine.
Asclepias is an admirable or adjuvant remedy for the acute catarrhal
states of the broncho-pulmonary or gastro-intestinal tracts when
produced by recent colds. Full doses will sometimes “break” ordinary
colds. Asclepias, euphrasia, and matricaria are the best three agents for
"snuffles" or acute nasal catarrh of infants. In the irritable mucosa and
distressing cough of phthisis it is a suitable agent, being also useful to
control the excited circulation and excessive sweating, as well as
being sedative to the stomach. In the acute gastro-intestinal disorders
of a catarrhal type, especially in the very young who are impressed by
the variable weather of the summer season, asclepias in small doses
frequently proves a helpful remedy. It is adapted to those of weak
constitutions, sensitive stomach, and alternate attacks of diarrhoea or
dysentery. These disorders frequently occur in wet seasons, or when a
cold, wet spell quickly follows the exhaustive heat of very hot seasons.
By aiding the checked perspiration less of a burden is put upon the
internal organs, and this is the work which asclepias does. It
sometimes relieves flatulent colic in infants and headache in children
due to disordered digestion. The fractional doses are preferred.
Felter’s Materia Medica - (A) - Page 42