Guarana

Paullinia sorbilis, Mart.

Natural order , Spindaceæ.

Common names , Guarana, Gurana-üva, Brazilian cocoa.

Preparation , Triturations of the seeds.

Authorities.

1 , Montegazza; general effects of 1/2 to 4 grammes; Bull. Gén. de Thérap., August 20th, 1867, from Annales d'Omodei, April, 1865; 2 , Dr. W. Macdowell; J. D. G., aged 28 years, took 1/2 a drachm, first day; 1 drachm, twice, second day; 1 drachm, three times, third day; 3 drachms, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh days; 4 drachms, eighth day; Practitioner, Sept. 1873, p. 172; 3 , J. G. took 1 ounce in drachm doses, ibid.; 4 , Dr. Macdowell himself took 30 grains, twice, first day; 30, 45, and 60 grains, second day; 90 grains, twice, third day; 90 grains, four times, fourth day; then after two weeks' interval, 1 drachm, first day; 3 drachms, second and third days; 8 drachms, fourth and fifth days; 1 drachm, three times, eighth day; 1 drachm, twice, ninth day; 1 drachm, three times, tenth and eleventh days; 2 drachms, 4 times, twelfth day; ibid.

MIND

• Gayety, 1.
• Extravagant behavior, 1.
• Mental hyperæsthesia; intellectual excitement, 1.
• He thought he was more lively and readier for work than usual, 3.
• Unusual humor for continued hard work (second day), 4.

HEAD

• From 9 P.M. till bedtime my head felt rather confused; I was quite "out of sorts," and unable to settle to work (first day), 4.
• He awoke at midnight, and complained of a tightness across the forehead (second night); he fell asleep shortly, and had no return of pain in the head when he awoke next morning, 2.

EYE

• Persistent twitching of the eyelids (after first dose, second day), 2.

STOMACH

• Loss of appetite, 1.

STOOL. [10.]

• Bowels moved normally at 10.30 A.M., and a small motion occurred at 8 P.M. (fourth day); operated normally at 11.45 A.M. and 10.15 P.M. (fifth day), 4.
• Slight constipation, 3.
• Very slight constipation (third day), 2.
• Bowels operated at noon; decidedly constipated (second day), 4.
• Bowels operated at 11.45 P.M. for the first time for about seventy-two hours; a very unusual occurrence for me to be so very long constipated (third day), 4.

URINARY ORGANS

• Spasm of the bladder, 1.

HEART AND PULSE

• Diminution of the heart-beats, 1.
• Before the proving the pulse averaged 70 in the morning; 75 at midday and during the afternoon; 78 at 9 P.M.; 75 at midnight; during the proving, 73 during the morning; 70 at midday; 76 during the afternoon; 78 at night, 4.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS

• I felt unsettled, restless, and unable to work with vigor; there was a really distressing fulness and throbbing in the head, chiefly in the temporal regions, afternoon and evening (second day), 4.
• Spasmodic restlessness, 1.

SKIN. [20.]

• Urticaria, 1.
• Prurigo, 1.

SLEEP

• Sleeplessness, 1.
• (It prevented or removed drowsiness after food), 2 . [He found that our diet had a very soporific effect upon him; indeed, if I mistake not, he got into trouble on one occasion for falling asleep dinner when he was on duty; he found that a drachm of Guarana entirely prevented this heaviness, and he did not experience that feeling of congestion of the head which occurs so often a liberal meal.]

FEVER

• Temperature before the proving averaged 98.3° during the morning; 98° at midday; 98.1° during the afternoon, at 9 P.M., and 98° at midnight; during the proving, 98.3° during the morning; 98.2° at midday; 98.1° during the afternoon; 98° at night, 4.

SUPPLEMENT: GUARANA. Authority.

5 , V. Franque, Bayer. Intell. Blat., No. 17, Schmidt, vol. cxv, p. 291 (Sydenham Yearbook, 1862, p. 459), effects of doses of 16 to 20 grains; 6 , German authority, quoted in Bost. Med. Journ. (New Remedies, vol. v, 1876, p. 339), a patient suffering from facial neuralgia, due to a central lesion, took Guarana; 7 , same, effects.

• Giddiness, 5.
• Tinnitus aurium, 5.
• Dysuria is a frequent phenomenon, 7.
• Redness of the face, staring eyes, slight irregularity of the pulse, moisture of the skin, delirium, dulness of hearing, and vesical and intestinal spasms, 6.
• After its use in neuralgic headache, phenomena of its poisonous action may be observed from the appearance of a malaise, more distressing than the headache, which has disappeared under its remedial agency, 7.
• Sensation of pricking and cold, extending to the whole cutaneous surface, 5.