Saponinum

Volume IV — Main text

Baponinum, glucoside found in Senega, Saponaria, and other plants (known alio as polygaline, sencgine, &c.), CjjHj^O,,.

I. Provings. — i. Schkoff found S. produce, in man, in dose« of gr. \ to gr. iij, a certain amount of nausea, with bitter taste and prickling in mouth. From ibe larger doses (2J — j gr.) irritative cough also resulted, and secretion of mucui in biocchial tubes lasting several h. There was no effect on Iddneys or skin. (UM, /_ Pharmakologie, sub voce.)

1. Dr. D — , in excelJent health, took, June nth, 1874, a dose of jrd diL IK I p.m. At 3, experienced sudden pain in 1. arm about insertion oF deltoid; irm^ seem weak, with desire to let them nrop down at side, muscles feeling exhausted lu:^ after lifting heavy weights by one unaccustomed to it. An h. later, numbnes i^ tingling in 3rd and 4th I. fingers, extending up palm \ and same sensation in which are hotter than usual. 6.30, another dose. Dull aching in (umbo-: region and down (highs and calves, with increased tingling in sules ; symptoms marked while sitting. 12th. — Slept well all n., still some weakness in hands feet } soles sore, swollen, and tender, with slight tingling. Took another dese 8 a.m. 9.30, tingling, tickling, and formication here and there all o»er ixjdf^— Tonsils are swollen and of a bright red colour, with dysphagia, i j, took anolli*' dose. Painful stitches in 1. hypochondrium ; exhausted weary feeling in limbs, wid very slight inclination to nausea ; head feels heavy ; lassitude very marked, esprojU^ in legs, but it is not felt while walking in open air. 3 p.m., still weakness of ttj* lietter when sitting down quietly, but numbness is then more felt. 6th, took iniiilte dose. Throat innamed and swollen j insipid taste in mouth ; tongue coated yello«>i<i -^ white at back, red at tip and edges, raised papilla; on it, especially at tip; «ntt (» roughness in mouth, and same felt on tongue (with slight tenderness) on pressing «agamst hard palate. Medicine was now omitted, owing to throat feeling so bw and symptoms gradually subsided. (Dr. Arthur T. Hills' provings, Irwu.rfl^ - Y. State Horn. MtJ. Soe., 1875, p. 104.)

3, Miss P — took dose of nth dil. at 10 p.m. one Monday, and at 7 a.m. onfo*^ lowing m. About 9 a.m. came on severe headache, outward-pressing in '^^^Z temples, with throbbing, dull and heavy in forehead. Soon after felt severe dull f "-^ in sm.ill of back, and sense of weight there, as if all her clothing was hanging itae-^ it ; this sense of weight extended even to knees. The jar of riding in the cars in-"^ creased both pains. Headache gradually disappeared during m., but pain in bscl^-continued; and when out walking p.m. back and limbs felt very tired and feet quite heavy. Rest took off the fatigue, but not the pain, which prevented her stamJiof" erect. Pressure on sacrum relieved. Several times during d. had slight luuscx, «i<J' pale face ; and about 6 p.m. had a sharp but transient chill. Woke very early ontli' Wednesday. Headache was quite severe during m., with nausea ; pain in back «till present, but less. Found at n. between scapulae circular patches of eruption, siieof dollar, feeling like small grains under skin ; no pain or itching ; these continued, gradually disappearing, for about 24 d. Constipation and distension of abdoioes, continuing 8 — 10 d.; scanty stooj of this d. whitish in colour. Woke early nciii m., and on Friday and Saturday felt very unsettled and cross, and this mental disturbance did not entirely subside till after a fortnight. [IbiJ.)

?. R — look one dose of 30th. About i h. after had the most severe headache

experienced, with throbbing in carotids, hot head and face, dry skin ar\d

pain «r»s maittiy on I. side, involving eyebrow, inner canthus of eye, noie haJf-

*n, and mastoid cclLv. Three h. later, pulse had risen (tVona 70 j to 90. She

-jn high fever for 4 b., head feeling as if something would press out, worse

.' and movement, better from bathing it in cold water. Urine copious

ired. {Ii>id.)

Y. H. M — took 6 doses of i, trit. during j d. ^vithout effect. On 4.th d. took

idiL 11 9,50 a.m. During afternoon became extremely restless, must move about

or feet " on the go ;" at same time mind seemed clouded, could not

I felt indilferent to all going on around her. In e. and n. frequent

luii, iiitie urine at a time but total quantity above normal, pale in colour.

: m. all symptoms gone. Three d, later repeated dose with like effect, though

laurkcJ.

i. S. B. P — took 30th. On d. after, peculiar taste in mouth on waking; dry

lips; pain in temples, dull in r., sharp in 1. All znd d. dull frontal

ch«; sharp but short-lasting pain in r. renal region while walking ; small angry

lies on chest. On jrd d. headache extreme, with lachrymation j involuntary

i of urine while walking ; lancinating lumbar pains, worse on movement ; pain

I of I. forearm and in 1. groin. (^Iliui.)

1. A medical student, a;t, 15, of nervous temp, but in good health, took dose of and

.11 10 a.m. and at noon. Depression of spirits ail d. and deficient memory ; urine

piuus than usual. Took another dose at midnight. Sleep disturbed by

Jrtamt of urinating. Above symptoms were repeated for 3 d., and then

Or. W — took lath dil. 3 rimes for 3 d. After a dose at n. and next m. at ><-ia., headache in both temples as if they were being pressed outwards. On fuK "^g i-t i'-tn., similar feeling in occiput, and on 3rd d. over r. eye, Headache lasted "it ui h. each time. (Jbiii.)

.A.B.C — took I ich dil. at 1 1.40 p.m. At 5, pain over r. eye. Very sleepy in

(4«}y, n. restless. On getting up in m. slight headache over eyes, dull

»f)r " pain i some catarrh. Symptoms soon passed away. (Ibid.)

. *. .NCiss J. A. A^ took 3rd dil, 3 times a day from June ajrd, without sym-

"1 i.Tth, nrhen about 3 a.m. she had quite severe but short-la.sting colic. On

lit 6, was attacked with same pain so severely that she went back to bed

a steady pain all over abdomen ; no flatulence. It passed off this time

h., and returned Alightly for last time that n. at retiring. Continued

fill Aug. ist without further effect save two daily evacuations instead of

I delay (for a week) and diminution of catamenia.

tfL 4th, about a week after menses, commenced a second proving by taking rtltk, J limn a day. No marked symptoms occurred, but menses this time came * "tek too soon. On 2ind began taking ii trit. Only effect was severe smarting ■ftkrcat on taking first dose, lasting an h. or two. (Ibid,)

'I. <. Dr. W. P. F — took, Dec. iSih, two doses of 30th without effect. 19th. Krpnicii dose at 9 a.m. At i 1 had a slight chill, accompanied by sensation of liUiMs, former soon passing off but latter remaining for some h. At time of chill tW wan dull pain ann feeling of constriction in 1. chest. 30th. — Repeated dose at }*-itL, and at 11 had a flight chill without faintncss or constriction. He continued ♦"like daily doisc of 30th till Jan. <ith, but no other symptoms occurred,

/. On Jan. 6th, at 6 p.m., took dose of ist trit. In ^ h. constrictive scraping sen-

**l»«l in vault of pharynx, with fine sharp pains in r. infra-oibital nerve. These

7Bpt continued for about t h., and then passed off. 7th. — Repeated dose at 4

In i h. dull heavy pain in both temples, with the scraping sensation in

Itrynx. In e., sensation of fulness in eyes. 8th. — Pain in temples passed off

ling n. ; but recurred, with pharyngeal scraping, after another dose at 4 p.m.

j.— Same symptoms as yesterday, loth. — Took a dose at 10 a.m. In i h. raw

wion in pharj-nx, with scriping ; dull pain at root of nose and in temples, lasting

ik. nth.— Took powder at 6 p.m., soon followed by dull pain in temples and

; of nose; raw sensation in pharynx. lath — isth. — Took a dose daily, but no

^fmptoms showed themselves.

diarrhcEic slool, painlcv. but urgent -, at 8 another loo»e pauage. 17th. — Diarrbizi, with some colic after a passage ; dull pain in temples, worse at d. iSth. — Hci»y dull pain in temples, with sense of exhaustion ; 3 stools between 1 and 4 p.m., dull piin about navel after each. 19th. — Exhaustion, with weak puUe and dull pain in ttni. pic*, worse p.m. ; diarrhoea as on previous d. On 20th and list there waj no irtjoa of bowels ; pain in temples was declining on loth, and exhaustion on xist. (Hi-^)

1. H — took lath dil. j times one d. After and dose dull pain all rhniugh licid, followed by sleepy condition all afternoon. At n. felt very sleepy, but could not sleep, and was very restless till m. Took then one more dose. P.m., had dull arb. ing in pectoral muscles, and pain at insertion of biceps ; muscles sore on preuui?,

2. 1. A. T. H — look, Sept. iith at 4 p.m.,doscof i^ trit. In 1 h. dull \mn in 1. hypochondrium, changing to epigastrium, where it wa% very severe, then up under I. scapula, aggravated by motion and relieved while sitting. At-ing, dull pain in lambar region and lower extremities, relieved somewhat by lurtiit/ exercise } soon passing ort". On joth took similar dose. Very soon, throat began to smart and feel rough -, dull pain through r. forearm j dull throbbing pain under L scapula, running upward. On Dec. Z5th took another dose, followed by acrid raitc in mouth and smarting in throat, with flow of saliva { later, dull aching in I. lunibir region and lower extremities — muscular pains. From i8th to 30th took a doseiliiljr. That of aSth was followed by sore smarting feeling in throat ; dull feeling in lowti extremities ; head felt dull, was unable to fix mind on any particular thing, uJ absent j dull pains through head and in region of heart ; dry coryza and fr«\aetx sneezing j throat very sore and sense of consfiiction and difficulty on swallowing, On a9th, tough tenacious mucus in posterior narts extending into larynx ; bowel* con. stipated, with smarting of anus after stool ; still unable to concentrate thoughts On joth, conjunctiva yellow and a little congested ; dull pain in forehead and over I. ere; dizziness and nausea on stooping, latter continuing for a longtime; dull pain In I. Ice; vision dull; dull pain through abdomen in m. After omitting drug, Uh splendidly well, and mind was unusually clear.

b. Jan. I ith, took dose of 3rd dil. at bedtime. Aroused early in m. to pass urine, which threw down tenacious brick-dust sedimcnr. On getting up took another drnt; soon, irritation in throat as from dust; anterior nares became buffed, posterior fortiird thick mucus ; !>tabbing pains at times during d. in r. lung. At 7 p.m. repeated diM. Two h. after, dull aching in 1. lung, some sharp pains in r. Symptoms all of ihori duration. On 15th, took same. P.m., inability to speak of things he knew ptr- (cctly well, to rcc.ill names, &:c. For some d. desire for e. in addition to in. MCH'I- At 6 p.m. took dose of 1, dil., and repeated this next m. During 1 6ih great c<j|Jne« of extremities; feet felt as if he had damp stockings on, hands similarly; pulse vti) weak, hardly perceptible ; face pale and nose cold. (Ibij.)

1. Dr. P — rcx)k a dose of 3rd trit., and did not notice any effect for some d., wh'" he became troubled with great dilHculty in remembering word.s, especially namt"- He was Very busy at the time, and noted nothing else ; but this was so marked »«" unprecedented as to force itself on his attention. (I6U.)

2. a. Dr. S — took 30th n. and m. from Oct. 23rd to 18th. On aSih there *"• jn dull heavy headache beginning in furehead (especially I.) and spreading later ^'j occiput, with heat in forehead and aching and .soreness of eyeballs. Pressure \ cold relieved, bending forward aggravated much. After getting up next d.saraep^^ in head and eyes, but les.s marked ; "gone" feeling at stomach, no appetite; s^ nausea and vertigo. On attempting to apply mind, became very nervous and ir"^ table ; least thing disturbed him ; nothing went right ; wanted to be quiet and J^ talk. P.m., sensation of heat spreading up and down from chest, especially op ; toi head full and hot; sinking at stomach with thirst, not relieved by drinking. Ate e. without appetite ; 1 h. before marked lassitude, muscles feeling weak ; feeling formicaLion deep in substance of lung. 30th. — Headache continues, much worse 410 p.m., aggravated by lexst mental exertion or bodily movement; mind dull. M. st was softer than usual, with slight burning in rectum ; two more stools in e., muc looser, burning more severe, tenesmus following and colic preceding; great itchini_ of skin, some fine red spots visible. Symptoms continued for 4 d. more, with aggra vation every afternoon; also slight sore throat, raw and smarting as if he had dnii ' hot water.

mk

b. Dec. 8tb and 9tb, took one dose of 12th dil. On 9th dull heavy headache, with depression and disinclination for study ; worse 4—6 p.m. Temp, was found 96° only. loth. — Slept well, but next d. had same headache, preventing study, and making him very irritable and fault-finding } eyes very sore on moving them, which would cause pain to dart back to occiput ; much burning in urethra during micturition. {Jl>id.)

1. Miss M. A. B— took and trit. m. and n. Jan. 1 5th — 17th without effect ; but on 1 8th three oysters taken for supper violently disagreed with her. {IbU.)

2. Mr. T— t, suffering from rheumatism for a long time, took 30th dil. on m. of Jan. 15th and i8th, and every i h. during i6th and 17th. It made him feel ill from the i7tb, and from the 20th he had a crop of boils, some very angry and painful. On 30th a feverish attack set in, from which he was not convalescent till Feb. 7th, even then very weak. He had no rheumatism, however, from time of taking first dose. [This observation would not have been inserted but for what follows. — Eds.]

3. Mr. B — , Kt. 30 (nothing said as to any ill-health), took medicine like Mr. T — for » d. On 3rd d. a boil appeared on r. temple, and within 3 d. afterwards he had 9 well-developed boils on various parts of body. {Ibid.)

4. Miss A — , St. 24, took medicine in same manner, and experienced nothing unusual till period, 7 d. after taking first dose. For 24 h. before menses appeared she had colic, cramps, and profuse watery leucorrhcea. Pains lasted through period, leaving her weak and depressed. With the colic there was great nausea and retching, and a considerable quantity of greenish-yellow fluid was thrown up ; vomiting was accompanied with agonising pain in both temples, decreasing during intervals. There was also a fine miliary eruption on face, neck, and head. (Ibid.)

5. Keppler injected o'l grm. into inner side of his 1. thigh. Immediate local effect was development of a dermatitis resembling erysipelas, but much more painful. This increased in volume for 24 h., remained stationary for same length of time, and then diminished rapidly. General symptoms produced thereby were such as would be excited by any very painful injection. The specific local effect of S., anesthesia, set in about 15 m. after the injection, and lasted less than ism.; its area was identical with the pallor caused by the introduction of the solution. Of the specific general effects of the drug the n^iost important was undoubtedly its action on the temperature. This rose steadily for 3 h., and then fell gradually to the normal point, which it reached within 24 h. For the 2 next d. there was some fever, but on 5tb d. temp, fell as low as 93° } pulse also, which had been somewhat elevated, sinking to 65. Other general effects of the drug were marked bodily and mental depression, somnolence, and salivation } also pain, exophthalmos, and strabismus of 1. eye. Temp, was more depressed on 1. side than on r. (M Y. Mtd. Record, 1879, P- '53-)

III. Expirimtntt on ammtUt. — i. a. Kohler experimented with S. on cats and

frogs. Five m. after injecting a few dr. of a concentrated sol., there occurs entire

suspension of reflex excitability of the part, and also paralysis of both motor and sen-

soiy nerve-filaments. Shortly after, muscles of part lose their power of responding to

stimuli. The nerve trunks and centres do not become affected unless larger quantities

»tt injected, and then probably through absorption, as effects are general. The

vterioles at selected spot become greatly contracted, and so do the larger vessels — as

vena cava and aorta — when drug is applied directly to them. When it is applied to

'^e lieart, beats gradually become less frequent and then cease altogether (in diastole).

'^''^^al application to spinal cord induced complete paralysis, gradually involving

^^d tilla oblongata and cerebrum, and producing asphyxia, deep coma, and dilatation

*™ .(supils. When S. is introduced into stomach, blood-pressure is reduced, and

^^^^*j Ttm. and temp, all sink, though slowly. Paralysis o( extremities does not

^^■*-«.r in this case.

. •^B K — gave to a tom cat, dry on the tongue, gr. ij — iv daily for 26 d. During i'"''^ week effect was immediate salivation; then loss of desire for drink, and.

. — igh appetite seemed present, difficulty of swallowing food. He was stupid. ** ^~^ng second week these symptoms continued j and cough which had begun on 7th ; ^^^^ xcreased, with rattling of mucus in larynx and larger bronchi. Stools also

^"Snged through olive.brown to greenish hue, then were clay-coloured, then dark »^^~2fen, and finaBy olive-brown again. During third week stupidity increased, cough ^!5^ other symptoms remaining the same, and stools still varying. He continued in ^^^ state till i^th d., when he was killed. Thick tenacious mucus was found in

kryiuc ami bronchial lubes, and gattric mucous inembrane was in a catarrbal condition- No other lesions were found,

e. K — concludes that S. causes death by paralysis, first of the respiratory centres in the medulla, then of the vaso-motor centres, then of the cardiac nerve* and muscle. It produces the most profound depression of circulation and nc»piration, as wcJI as great sinking of temperature of body. The heart under its influence is like one with the nerves from the vagu» and sympathetic all divided, and running upon the cardiac ganglia alone. Digitaline is antidotal to it all along the line, save in resped of the lowering of the temperature. (Ana>lh. durch Saponin, HaUe, 1873 ; in Ibid.)*