SPASMODIC DISORDERS.—In spasmodic cough, with little or no secretion from the bronchial tubes, gelsemium generally gives prompt relief. It has been recom mended as a useful remedy in the spas modic stage of pertussis, the nervous cough of hysteria, the nagging cough of phthisis with scanty secretion, and in reflex cough from irritation of the laryn geal nerves. Hysterical spasms are con trolled by gelsemium, the patient becom ing calm and tractable.
Gelsemium recommended to control an hysterical patient or relieve a cough. The tincture of the green root, in doses of 2 to 20 drops, has proved most reli able. G. F. Schreiber (Peoria Monthly Med., Dec, '89).
Chorea, laryngismus stridulus, and spasmodic dysuria have yielded to gelse mium in many cases. 'Porticollis and localized facial spasm may be relieved by the drug.
intercostal, ovarian, and other neuralgias have proved amenable to gelsemium. Large doses are sometimes necessary, relief not appearing until the characteristic drooping of the eye, dilated pupil, and muscular languor appear. From 5 to 20 minims of the fl aid extract every three hours may be required.
Gelsemium considered the remedy par .reellenra for neuralgias of the lower jaw and the acute congestive stage of cold in the head. Fifteen to 25 minims of the fluid extract taken at night upon retiring will dis1 ono of the latter affec tion. It is useful in dysuria from what ever cause, as well as in the treatment of gonorrhoea when given in full doses and combined with an alkali. W. F. Jackson (Therap. Gaz., Nov. 15, 'SS).
FEVEP,S.—Bartholow has witnessed ex cellent results from the use of gelsemium in pneumonia and pleurisy. In the former it diminished respiratory activity, affording rest to the inflamed organ; it allays cough, lessens stasis of the pul monary capillaries, and lowers the tem perature. He suggests 5 to 10 minims of the fluid extract every two hours to maintain a safe, constant effect. The same method is employed in pleurisy.
Given in small doses,—that is, a tea spoonful of a solution containing 5 drops of the fluid extract in 4 ounces of water,—gelsemium has produced excel lent results in cases of pneumonia; these were even more satisfactory when the drug was combined with aconite in the same proportion. J. Lindsay Porteous (Edinburgh Med. Jour., Dec., '90).
In remittent and intermittent fevers, when the temperature is high, the pulse rapid or full, the pupils contracted, breathing rapid, full doses of gelsemium should be given. J. F. Griffin (Med.
Summary, Aug., '91).
Bilious and malarial fevers have been treated by the administration of gelse mium, especially in the Southern States, where it has enjoyed the reputation of a specific. Its utility is probably due to its
antipyretic action.
SKIN DISORDERS.—Buckley has rec ommended gelsemium for the relief of itching in eczema: 3 to 10 drops of the tincture are given and increased every half-hour until the physiological effects are observed or the patient relieved. Not more than 1 drachm should be given in all within two hours.
in watery solution (1 to 64) has been recommended by Tweedy for use as a mydriatic. He believes it equal to atropine. The effects disappear more rapidly. Its use is not without danger; it has not come into general favor.
GENTIAN.—Gentian (Gentiana, U. S. P.) is the root of the Gentiana lutea, or yellow gentian, indigenous to Europe. The root contains a bitter principle, gen tianin, and an acid, gentianic or gentisic acid.
Preparations and Doses.—Gentiana, 5 to 30 grains.
Extract of gentian, 5 to 10 grains. Extract of gentian, fluid, 10 to 30 min ims.
Tincture of gentian comp., 1 to 8 drachms.
Physiological Action. — Gentian in creases the flow of saliva and the secre tion of the gastric juice. Increased appe tite follows its use. Authorities believe this favorable influence on the appetite to be due to two factors: the sense of bitterness, which increases the desire for food, and the improved digestive powers which, enabling more food to be dis posed of, postpones the sense of satiety.
Gentian is capable of exciting the automatic centres of the stomach, and of thus' exaggerating its movements. Ferray (La Tribune Med., May 2S, '91).
It favors assimilation by removing morbid conditions of the intestinal mu cous membranes. This healthy stimula tion ceases after long use, and the effects of overstimulation are observed.
Therapeutics.—Gentian is a valuable bitter tonic. It is indicated in convales cence from acute maladies, in atonic dys pepsia, in chronic gastric catarrh, in ma larial fevers, and in chronic malarial poisoning. The compound tincture of gentian (gentian, orange-peel, and car damom-seeds) is a very useful stomachic.
Gentiana quinqueflora is a reliable prophylactic against abortion and all uterine disorders. It is especially valu able in menorrha,gia of metrorrhagia de pending wholly upon systemic causes. The author uses a tincture prepared as follows: Gentiana quinqueflora, bruised fine, 4 ounces; alcohol, 24 ounces; pure distilled water, S ounces. The mixture is allowed to stand for fourteen days; it is then filtered and ready for use. The tincture is given in doses of a table spoonful every four hours. J. R. Cross (Med. Brief, Mar., '92).