Spigelia Marilandica

Spigelia Marilandica, L.

Natural order , Loganiaceæ.

Common names , Pink-root, Indian pink, etc.

Preparation , Tincture of the root.

Authorities.

1 , Linning, New Edinb. Experiments, Part I, from Hahnemann; [Observations of effects of too large doses in children. -Hughes.]

2 , Dr. Thomson's Inaug. Diss., Phila., 1802 (Eberle's Mat. Med., vol. i, p. 201), Dr. Thomson took large doses of the root; 3 , same, gave 3 or 4 gills of a strong decoction of the root, in large and frequent doses, to a patient, a boy of six years; 4 , only ill-effects afterwards seen from this medicine, although prescribed many times; 5 , G. W. Spalsbury, Bost. Med. and Surg. Journ., vol. lii, p. 72, a girl aged four years, suffering from worms, took three doses of an infusion.

MIND

• Suddenly affected with complete mental derangement, precisely of that kind which is sometimes produced by the seeds of Stramonium; he distorted his countenance into a variety of shapes; was affected by alternate fits of laughing and crying, and run and skipped about the room incessantly; the pupils were greatly dilated, and his talk was wild and incoherent; these symptoms went off in the course of about twenty-four hours, and left him quite as well as he had been before the pink-root, 2.

HEAD

• Vertigo, 1.
• Slight giddiness, 4.

EYE

• A peculiar wild staring expression of the eyes, giving the countenance a very singular, in fact, ludicrous appearance, 5.
• The musculi adductores et abductores oculorum seem to be greatly affected, from their irregular motions, while the other muscles of the eye, so far as I have had an opportunity of observing, remain unaffected, 1 . [Revised by Hughes.]
• Strabismus of the right eye, 5.
• Pain in and above the eyes, 1.
• A sensation of stiffness of the eyelids, 2.
• Dilatation of the pupils, 4. [10.]
• Pupils greatly dilated, 3, 5.
• Dimness of sight, 4.

FACE

• Face especially about the eyes, including the lids, much swollen, 5.
• Flushed face, 2.
• Tongue pointed and tremulous, 5.

PULSE

• Acceleration of the pulse, 2.
• Pulse 110, and irregular, 5.

GENERALITIES

• On attempting to assume the erect position, the patient would be seized with a general tremor, which would pass off in a few seconds, and leave her apparently quite exhausted, 5.

SLEEP

• Drowsiness, 2.

FEVER

• Skin hot and dry, 5.