Scutellaria laterifolia

Volume IV — Main text

SCUTELLARIA.

SaUtUaria lateriflora, L. Mad dog skull-cap. Nat. Ord., Labiatte.

I. Previmgs.—i. a. Dr. F. W, Gordon, aet. 28, healthy and robust. Nov. xist, 1865, took 3 times 10 dr. of tinct., and continued it after same manner till 27th, increasing by i dr. daily. On n. of asnd sleep disturbed by frightful dreams. Rose next m. a little stupid and with a slight dull headache, which passed away soon after breakfast. Next n. was rather restless, and that of 24th still more so — the frightful dreams causing sudden wakings. During ajth inclination to be inactive and indisposition to study. Slept late on m. of 26th, and woke with severe headache ; feeling of great fulness and oppression about head, as if brain were confined in too narrow a case ; eyes felt as if protruding from orbits. Slight feeling of chilliness on getting up. Soon after breakfast was seized with vertigo, which did not last long ; but headache continued all d. Pulse, hitherto normar(7o-72), was this d. at first full and bounding, then gradually became weaker, and occasionally intermittent : at 7 p.m. it was 64. Woke next m. with stupid feeling, but headache was much less severe than on previous d. Considerable inability to fix mind on study ; occasional sharp pains in lumbar region, especially 1. Urine rather scanty ; pulse more normal. On now discontinuing medicine, symptoms gradually passed away.

. h. Dec. 4th, feeling quite well, he recommenced proving, taking 50 dr. before each meal. No effect was observed till after 3rd dose, when pulse became affected, at one moment being strong and full, then gradually diminishing until it became exceedingly soft and thmdHke. No such headache was felt as before, but strong desire to be moving about ; could not confine attention to any single subject ; occasional slight tremor or even considerable twitching of muscles in different parts of body. N. disturbed as before, and he had languor and dull frontal headache on waking. He took no more of drug, and symptoms soon passed away.

e. 8th. — ^Took 30 dr. before each meal. Before rising next m. was seized with hemicrania, pain being most severe over r. eye ; relief from moving about in open air. No further effect through d., though medicine was repeated (as also on 3 following d.}. Towards e, some deeree of restlessness was felt ; mind confused on attempting to study. At 10 p.m., pulse 64 only ; occasional twitchings of arms and lejgs. loth. — Woke feeling well, and felt nothing abnormal during d. ; but soon after taking last dose in e. slight oppression was felt about chest, and occasionally sticking pain in region of heart, i ith. — Considerable uneasiness, with twitching of muscles, and sticking pains In various parts of body, occasionally extending up along each side of forehead. Towards e. dull oppressive feeling came on, with flushed countenance, and sense of throbbing about heart ; pulse strong and full, but occasionally intermitting. Felt somewhat relieved before going? to bed, and slept soundly. On m. of i*th, soon after taking medicine, pulse was obser'ed to be hut 54; ^ h. later it had risen to 64, without exercise or change of posture. A dull pain was felt extending .vertically beneath sternum ; on attempting to urinate, slight difficulty was experienced, as if partial paralysis of the muscles had taken place ; dull headache was felt most of time. While attefiipting to fix attention upon small objects, was seized with slight vertigo and photophobia ; headache was increased, with feeling of great fulness, eyes feeling as if pressed from within outwards. Bowels acted regulany, but stool was very white. At 6 p.m., pulse was 52 and intermitting. Medicine was now discontinued. Rested quite well through n., but rose next m. with feeling of languor ; and soon after commencing to study was again attacked with dull oppressive headache ; pupils somewhat dilated ; pulse considerably increased and beating rapidly. On 14th, all symptoms had disappeared. (Hale, New Remedies, snd ed.)