DYSPNCEA. — Quebracho has been recommended as a remedy for the relief of dyspncea of all kinds, whether bron chial, cardiac, or nervous.
In asthma accompanied by emphysema, even in the presence of pleurisy or bron chitis, Penzoldt finds that the dyspncea is relieved by the fluid extract given in doses of 20 to 40 minims several times daily. He also advises its use in bron chial asthma and cardiac asthma (where compensation is well established, but not when due to a weak, diseased heart).
Flint recommends this drug in dysp ncea from mitral insufficiency, and in all kinds of dyspncea in the absence of other organic disease.
In a case of double pneumonia in a child Lawrence witnessed decided im provement of the respiration and circu lation following the use of this remedy.
E. 111. Hale calls quebracho and its alkaloid aspidospermine "the digitalis of the lungs." He has used it successfully in most cases in which dyspncea was a marked symptom. As small a dose as
to grain of aspidospermine acts well in asthma and in spasmodic croup.
Huchard claims that dyspncea is re lieved only by the pure aspidospermine, which is the least toxic of all the active principles of quebracho. Bouchard has found aspidospermine valuable in the treatment of all varieties of functional dyspncea, in doses of from to 1 grain. The alkaloid or its salts may be given hypodeimically; the citrate, hydrochlo rate, and sulphate are soluble in water. He advises a solution (1 to 60) of the al kaloid, and gives 15 minims grain).
has used the fluid extract, in doses of from 20 to 30 drops, in cases of dysentery, with great relief. Enemata of the fluid extract (1 or 2 drachms to the pint of water) may be used for its topical effect, as it is both astringent and antiseptic.