Southern Medical and Surgical Journal - Georgia Regents University

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—28 Yellow Jessamine. [January,There are very many cases in which it is desirable to administeran anodyne, and equally desirable not to produceconstipation, or to suspend the peristaltic action of the intestines.In such cases chloroform, in my experience, is anadmirable remedy, not only calming the nervous system andpromptly inducing sleep, but creating no inertia of the digestiveorgans, and causing no vascular determination to the brain.There are persons also, in every community, who cannot takeopium, or any of its preparations. These, I should think, mighttake chloroform with impunity, although I have had no opportunityas yet for testing the experiment. [Stethoscope andVirginia Med. Grax.Gelseminum Sempervirens, or Yellow Jessamine. Bv II. M.Nash, M.D., Norfolk, Va.This plant, no part of which is officinal in the United StatesPharmacopoeia, the Bignonia Sempervirens of Linnaeus, andthe Gelseminum Nitidum of Michaux and Puroh, belongs toSex. Syst. Pentandria Digvnia; Nat Ord. Apocynaceae. Ithas a smooth twining glabrous stem, with leaves dark greenabove, paler beneath, entire lanceolate, perennial and apposite,and short petioles, bearing flowers in March and April. Itflourishes throughout the Southern states, where its value, inthe treatment of the various fevers incident to the country andclimate, has so recently been discovered, and introduced to thenotice of the medical profession; and nowhere is it producedmore abundantly than in the forests and by the road sides ofour own immediate vicinity, making known its presence inflowering season, at considerable distances, by its most fragrant,but rather narcotic odor.The tincture of the root is the preparation used in experiments.It has a characteristic odor, and may be given indoses, for adults, of from ten to fifty drops, in a little water;and even one to two teaspoonsful have been administered, as itvaries in strength, there being no fixed standard. It will befound sufficient for all practical purposes, though the wholeplant, doubtless, possesses valuable medicinal virtues.Jessamine appears to be narcotic, antispasmodic and sedative,seemingly spending its influence chiefly upon the sensory ganglia,spinal cord, and voluntary muscles, leaving unaffected theintellectual faculties. It reduces the circulation, and promotesperspiration and the secretions generally, without causing nausea,vomiting or purging, and has been given in every stage offebrile disorder.Its physiological effects are dimness of vision, doublesighted-
—;1854.] Yellow Jessamine. 29ness, inability to open the eyelids, stiffness of the jaws, generalmuscular debility, and complete prostration. These soon passoff. however, upon withholding its use, leaving the patient comfortableand refreshed. I have used the article in every caseof idiopathic fever that has fallen under my treatment withinthe last six months, with perfect impunity, and with the mostdesirable results, age or sex not effecting its exhibition ; butnot having relied solely upon it in ali cases, especially in thoseof higher grade, I am not prepared to pronounce it. as othersfarther South have perhaps too rashly done, a specific (a termrather to be avoided in medicine) in the above diseases.Accompanied by a gentle purgative, it has been my customto give it in appropriate doses, repeated at intervals of one ortwo hours, until some of its prominent physiological effects areproduced, as dimness of vision, &c, when it may be suspended,its equalizing and quieting powers becoming apparent. Inmild cases no other treatment is required, but generally fromone to ten grains of quinine, according to the severity of thesymptoms, should follow each dose of the jessamine, therebyeffectually preventing a relapse, in a short time, from want oftone, resulting from the relaxing effects of the remedy.In two instances, I have, by the above course, succeeded inrelieving patients within twenty-four hours, whose cases presentedall the primary symptoms of veritable typhoid fever, andhave seen a full dose of the tincture, with five grains of quinineadded, stop almost immediately a severe chill, no fever superveningat all.In the case of a child two years old, under my charge, completeprostration, with seeming paralysis of the muscles ofdeglutition, induced by the carelessness of the nurse in givingan o\ier dose, was relieved by repeated injections of a strongsolution of quinine, in a very short time. This would proveeffectual in any such case accidentally happening, but withcautious use no fears may be entertained.In the course of experiment I have used it in several otheraffections, as rheumatism, haemoptysis, &c, with evident advantage,though not sufficient to predicate its success in suchcases.The medicinal actions and uses of jessamine deserve fullyto be investigated by all medical men. Of its future extensiveuse in the South, where it abounds (a provision not to be lookedupon as purely accidental) as a febrifuge, I have little doubtand if its reputation becomes not what 1 would venture to predict,a coefficient with quinine in treatment of the diseasesindicated, it is that my enthusiasm in its favor obscures myhumble judgment.[Ibid.
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Page 4 and 5: we—' 'Wilson,on Female Medical Ed
Page 7 and 8: —1854.] -on, on Female Medical Ed
Page 9 and 10: —V^ ilson. on Female Medical Educ
Page 11 and 12: ——1854.] Wilson, on Female Medi
Page 13 and 14: ——1854.] Wilson, on Female Medi
Page 15 and 16: 1854.] Booth's Case of Delirium Tre
Page 17 and 18: —1854.] Carithers' Case of Mammar
Page 19 and 20: —1854.] RicorcTs Letters upon Syp
Page 21 and 22: 1854.] RicorcTs Letters upon Syphil
Page 23 and 24: 1854.] Chloroform. 25I allude to it
Page 25: ;1854.1 Chloroform. 27siderable thi
Page 29 and 30: ——1854.] Incipient Pulmonary PJ
Page 31 and 32: —1854.] Quinine in Acute Rheumati
Page 33 and 34: IS54.] Intermitting Diabetes,
Page 35 and 36: ——1854.] Case of Suffocation. 3
Page 37 and 38: ;1854.] Acute Peritonitis in Infant
Page 39 and 40: ;1854.] Acute Peritonitis in Infant
Page 41 and 42: —1854.] Acute Peritonitis in Infa
Page 43 and 44: 1S54] Cancerous Growths. 45the prep
Page 45 and 46: —1854.] Modus Operandi of Fecunda
Page 47 and 48: 1854.] Modus Operandi of Fecundatio
Page 49 and 50: 1854.] Modus Operandi of Fecundatio
Page 51 and 52: ——1854.] Impalement upon a Pitc
Page 53 and 54: 1S54.] Extensive Laceration and Con
Page 55 and 56: 1854.] Diabetes Mellitus. 57conditi
Page 57 and 58: ;1S54.] Diabetes Mellitus. 59in the
Page 59 and 60: 1S54.] Editorial 61of theEDITORIAL
Page 61 and 62: 1854.] Editorial. G3muscles will gr
Page 63 and 64: 1854.] Miscellany. 65Ether and Chlo
Page 65 and 66: !1S54.] Miscellany. 67great fact th

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