Asclepias cornuti

Volume I — Main text

ASCLEPIAS^

Aul^ias CQrni^ti, Decaisne, syr'iaca, L. ; milk-weed, silk*weed. A. tuhirhsHt L. {

butterfly. weed J pleurisy root. Nat. Ord., AicUpiadacea.

Asolepias syriaca. L Provbigi^ — i a. Dr. Clersorne took wineglassfril of infusion of dried root 3 times a d. for 5 d,, without effect save slight nausea* and increased flow of pale urine, of lighter up. gr, than usual. On taking same 4 or 5 times daily there was also vomiting and ardor urinae. Infusion of fresh root proved still more active in same direction,

k Of inspissated juice of fresh herb he took 3 times daily 3 grs», increasing dose up to 5 grs., when he had to desist on account of excessive nausea, tickling in fauces, and violent headache chiefly between eyes,

f. Of fluid extract of dried root, each Jj representing Jj, he took, July 14th, to dr%. writhout eflect. On %$th^ 9 a.m., 13 drs.; at noon 10 drs, more, followed by decided diuresis. a6th, — 10 dr. at 1 1 a.m. and a p.m. caused same, with dizziness for i h,^ and tickling in fauces, 27th. — 30 drs. at 11, and ao at a ; diuresis, tickling at end of penis, uneasiness at stomach, severe headache, quick (91) full pulse. aSth. — Awoke with severe headache, and disagreeable feeling at stomach. Omitted med. for % d. 30th, — At noon 35 drs., and at 3 p.m, 15 drs,, after which nausea, inclination to stool, slight colic, and diuresis. At 8 p.m. copious evacuation, brown and sofr, with slight griping; pulse 98^ heart's action sensibly increased. 3tst. — 4.0 drs. at it a.m. pro* duced vomiting, leaving system much relaxed and pulse frequent and feeble. Aug. md. — ^30 drs, at lo a.m, and 12. 30 p.m. Again vomiting, severe and long-continuedt leaving sense of rawness in stomach and slight pain, coldness of surface, feeble pulse^ and feeling as if some sharp instrument were thrust through from one temple to the other. 5rd. — At 9 a.m, 20 drs. At noon soft yellowish stool j appetjte much increased. He continued taking fl. extr. until nearly Jij w-ere ingested daily. He gives no further daily record, but states his symptoms to have been, — violent vomiting, with retching j burning and tickling sensations in fauces and throat ; stomach feeling painful and raw ; increased secretion of bile, leading to copious fluid yellowish stools,

with some griping pain and excoriation at anus ; headache, constrictive across forehead, or between eyes ; hunger even soon after a hearty meal. {Amer. Joum, of Med. Sc, vol. xlii.)

1. Dr. Potter took, during about 6 d., full doses of cold and warm infusion, and of tincture, of root. First proved diuretic, second diaphoretic, third caused headache and drowsiness. All increased bronchial secretion. For 3 d. preceding experiment his urine averaged 35 oz. per diem ; sp. gr. was 1019 ; solid matter 568 gn. Pulse was 68. On ist d. of proving (cold infusion) urine was 128 oz. ; sp. p. 1020 ; solid matter 600 grs. j pulse 67. On 2nd d. there was but a small increase ot water ; sp. gr. and solid matter same j pulse 66. On 3rd d. quantity 139 oz., sp. gr. 1019; solid matter 608 grs.; pulse 63. On 4th, 5th, and 6th d. quantity averaged 135 oz. per diem, solid matter 700 grs. ; pulse 60. (TiUen's Journ. of Mat. Med., vol. i.)

2. Same gave to a young healthy man, at 9 p.m. in bed, Jiij of warm infiision. *In i h. sweating began, which in 1 h. was profuse ; and, infusion being repeated every a h., continued all n. Effect on brain was agreeable at first ; afterwards somewhat soporific. Same occurred following n. On 3rd d. saturated tinct. of dry root was conmienced, 5J every 3 h. during d., and continued for 4 d. After 2nd dose (8 p.m.) he felt in I h. some dizziness and headache ; slept soundly, with moist skin, and passed

4 oz. more urine than usual next m. After the 4th d. little relish for food ; appeared dull and stupid j bowels acted oftener than usual ; tongue white furred ; pulse (normally 75) 64. In a few d. he was in his usual health. (Ibid.)