Viburnum prunifolium

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(Black Haw.)

Botanical Description. — This is a shrub or small tree, growing from eight to fifteen feet high, with numerous spreading branches, and short, lateral spurs, which are sometimes almost thorny; leaves usually from one to two inches long, and rounded, smooth on both sides; petiole about half an inch long; cymes are about three inches in diameter, terminating the short lateral branches or spurs, the primary divisions usually about four; fruit about one-third of an inch long, bluish-black, and slightly glaucose when mature, the nucleus much compressed.

Found in woods and thickets, flowering in May and June, and the fruit maturing in September and October.

Officinal Preparations. — Tincture of the bark.

Analogues. — Pulsatilla (?), Caulophyllum (?), Gossipium (?}.

(No proving.) 0 Aphthte in the mouth and throat. 8 Ulcerations of an obstinate character. 0 Cancerous ulcerations.

0 A preventive in cases of habitual miscarriage. {Dr. Phares.) 0 Prevents miscarriages from any cause- — especially when attended by severe pains. {Ib.)

° Completely neutralizes the effects of the Gossipium when that drug is taken to cause miscarriage. {Ib.)

° It has never failed to prevent a threatened miscarriage, as far as I can learn. {Ib.)

° Renders the "pains of confinement milder and more bearable. {Ib.)

0 After pains — of a severe character.

0 Cramps in the limbs during pregnancy.

0 Palpitation of the heart, especially in pregnant women. (See Therapeutics.)

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

This species appears to possess some of the properties of the Viburnum opulus, but is probably not identical in its powers. It is said that it does not contain the Valerianic acid found in the latter species. I am not sure of this, for I prepared a tincture from the Black Haw bark, or what was sold as the Viburnum prunifolium, and it has the Valerianic acid odor.

In vol. vi, p. 129, of the “North American Journal of Homoeopathy,” were reported, by Dr. E. P. Fowler, two cases of cancer of the tongue. These were undoubtedly cases of malignant disease of the tongue. They were cured by the use of a decoction of the bark used topically.

I have used the tincture in threatened premature labor or miscarriage, dysmenorrhoea, and various spasmodic uterine pains with good results.

Dr. Phares, of Alabama (allopath ist), who has used the Viburnum prunifolium very extensively, writes of his experience as follows :

It is nervine, antispasmodic, tonic, astringent, diuretic, and may be used to very good purpose in urinary affections, ophthalmia, aphthous sore mouth, chronic diarrhoea, dysentery, indolent ulcers, etc. It is an excellent remedy in colic, cramp, spasms, palpitation, and other affections incident to pregnancy, or arising from uterine disorders, and for after-pains. But it is particularly valuable in preventing abortion and miscarriage , whether habitual or otherwise ; whether threatened from accidental causes or criminal drugging.

It tones up the system, preventing or removing those harassing nervous symptoms that so often torment, wear down, and disqualify the pregnant woman for the parturient effort. It enables the system to resist the deleterious influences of drugs so often used for the purpose of procuring abortion. It is well known that the inner bark of the cotton-root is used by many to induce miscarriage, one pint of the strong decoction being sufficient for this purpose. The regular exhibition of the Viburnum completely neutralizes the effect of the Gossypium, compelling the delinquent mother, however unwilling, to carry the foetus to full term. Some farmers on whose plantations I have used this medicine, and who have seen much of its effects on negro women who always managed to miscarry, declare their belief that no women can possibly abort if compelled to use the Viburnum. This may be claiming too much for it. But it has certainly prevented abortion in every case in which I have ordered it for the purpose. Negatively, miscarriage has never taken place, so far as I am informed, in any case in which this medicine was used as a preventive.

Brief notes of a few cases will give a better idea of my mode of employing this medicine.

Case I. — Mrs. , widely known as an authoress, of very pale, delicate appearance, aged about twenty-seven, when some three months married, aborted from injury received in leaping from the floor into bed. Once or twice subsequently she aborted at the same stage of pregnancy ; once, I learned, twins. In August she came under my care for severe intermittent fever ; and, on the 16th of September, 1864, being again pregnant, she consulted me with a view to prevent abortion. I ordered Tincture viburni, f^j bis, vel ter in die ; oftener, when threatened, till the danger is passed. She continued going on well for more than three months after the usual time for her misfortunes, when, removing beyond my reach, I lost sight of her. Several times she had to use the medicine very freely. I think it was on the 6th of October, an artillery and cavalry fight took place near the house where she was boarding ; her husband, wounded some time before this, was compelled to fly for safety ; charges were made through the yard ; a number of soldiers were killed about the place ; the house was ransacked, and an old gentleman living with the family murdered ; yet she passed safely through this time of excitement and trial.

Case II. — In March, 1865, Mr. W - consulted me in regard to his wife.

He said she had never gone to full term, but had had several children at the eighth month, all of them dying one month after birth. Frequent pregnancies and haemorrhages had seriously impaired her health, for improving which I ordered suitable remedies. To prevent premature parturition, she being again pregnant, I directed Tincture viburnum. At the eighth month, as usual, labor commenced vigorously, with copious sanguineous discharge. Both were soon arrested by a free exhibition of Viburnum. She went on till full term, and gave birth to a healthy boy, who still survives at a year old.

Case III. — Mrs. M , mother of several children, has for several years suffered much from dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhoea, haemorrhages, and abortions, and is pale, feeble, and despondent. I ordered iron by hydrogen to improve the blood and nervous system, Fowler’s arsenical solution to check leucorrhoea and prevent haemorrhage, and Tincture viburnum to allay uterine congestion, pain, irritation, and to tone up the reproductive organs. Some months afterward, March 2d, 1865, I was summoned in haste to see her. She was much improved every way, and supposed two or three months pregnant. Two bodies of troops had been ordered to form a junction and prepare for battle instantly, at a point a mile distant, but visible from the upper story of the dwelling. Running hastily up stairs to see the array, she was hurt ; pains commenced, and, almost immediately, pretty free haemorrhage, which alarmed her excessively. A Viburnum tree growing within a few paces of the house, I ordered infusion of the bark, which soon put a stop to both haemorrhage and contractions. On the 16th of August following, before day, she was alarmed by the escape of liquor amnii, and I saw her early in the morning. As there was no pain, contractions, or other indications of labor, I left her. This was a small leak, and she informed me that labor had been brought on in a previous pregnancy by a similar leak. About dark of the next day, forty hours after the flow7 commenced, I again saw her, and at 11 p.m. delivered her of a healthy eight months’ child, which still survives.

Case IV. — January 25, 1866, Mrs. L - , eighteen months married, had miscarried last year, in consequence of which she had suffered long and much, now pregnant and threatened with abortion. I ordered Tincture viburnum fgj thrice a day ; oftener, if necessary. She went on well till the 10th of April, when she was severely injured by a fall from her carriage. Strong uterine contractions ensued, but were arrested by the medicine, which had to be used freely for several days, gradually diminishing the quantity per diem. For nearly a week abortion was threatened whenever the use of the Viburnum was too long omitted. From this time she went on to full term without further accident, and was delivered of a large boy.

Case V. — January 25th, 1866, Mrs. H - , married in 1862, has had no children, but an abortion or tv7o, now pregnant, and threatened with abortion at the usual stage with her. I gave her Tincture viburnum, with directions to use pro re nata. March 4th, summoned again to see her. I find she has had considerable pains, contractions, and discharges for two days. She had taken the medicine as ordered, and was now up, easy, and the discharge a slight oozing merely. Ordered the medicine discontinued for the present. She had to use it again a

month later, and from that time continued well, and at full term gave birth to a healthy child.

Case VI. — July 11th, 1866, Mrs. J - , six or seven months pregnant, has

had labor pains increasing in frequency and force for over thirty hours. I ordered Tincture viburnum every hour, or as often as needed, until pains cease. Labor was soon arrested, and no further trouble has occurred.

Case VII. — Mrs. P - , April 16th, 1866, has had severe colic, after noon,

several days. Tincture viburnum f giss was ordered, and the dose was all required.

Many cases might be cited, but the above handful will suffice as well as a thousand. There will be cases and conditions, of course, in which no intelligent practitioner would attempt to prevent abortion by the use of Viburnum, or any other means ; as where the placenta is extensively detached, the membranes ruptured, the foetus partly expelled from the uterine cavity, etc.

I have therefore, for some years past, made known the use of this valuable agent, in conversations with members of the profession, as well as by letter. Its value as a medicine is so well ascertained as to justify a lengthy article in print, and its general use by the medical profession. The bark may be gathered at any time, but is best, perhaps, gathered in October and November. When practicable, I have preferred obtaining it from trees in open, exposed situations. Situation materially affects the qualities of plants. A plant, for instance, which, gathered on the level of New Orleans, is inert, gathered here is probably the best remedy in the world for tetanus, of which, more another time.

Viburnum prunifolium in Threatened Abortion and in Menorrhagia. — I send you a report of two cases in which Tincture viburnum was used with success ; you can publish same if you deem it necessary.

Case I. — On September 23d, 1878, I was summoned in haste to see Morilla

• , a colored woman, about thirty-two years old, who had received a wound

from a fall. On reaching her home I learned that patient, while attempting to replace a rope in a well-whirl, had fallen from the well upon the sharp, ragged edge of a rail which was driven in the ground near by, with one end protruding, making a wound about five inches long, just above pubes, penetrating as far as the muscles of the abdomen. The woman being somewhat advanced in pregnancy, the shock brought on strong labor pains. After dressing the wound with ligature and adhesive strips, I made examination per vaginam, found the os considerably dilated, pains continuing regularly. I gave her Tincture viburnum gj, Water, jjj, with directions to take the same quantity if the pains did not cease in one hour. Calling two or three hours after, I found the patient resting very quietly, with pains relieved. Woman recovered, and will soon be confined.

Case II. — The next case was a case of menorrhagia (excessive menstruation), in which the various preparations of Iron, Ergot, etc., were used without relief. I finally put patient on a teaspoonful Tinct. viburnum, beginning with the medicine two days before her period. Flow was considerably diminished. Ordered her to repeat same at her next period, which she did with marked relief. Patient was a married woman ; had been married two years ; no children. After taking, the Viburnum a second time she became pregnant and will soon have reached full term.

The medicine acts, no doubt, as a uterine sedative, but I cannot explain the action. I would be very glad if I could see something in reference to it in your valuable journal. — D. B. Nisbet, M.D., of Georgia, in “ Southern Medical Record.”