Trillium pendulum

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(White Beth-Root.)

Botanical Description. — Root oblong, tuberous, from which arises a slender stem, from ten to fifteen inches in height. Leaves, three, whorled at the top of the stem, sub-orbicular rhomboidal, abruptly acuminate, from three to five inches in diameter, on petioles about a line in length. Flowers, white, solitary, terminal, cernuous, on a recurved peduncle, from one to two and a half inches long. Sepals, green, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, an inch long. Petals, white, oblong-ovate, acute, one and a quarter inches in length, by half an inch broad. Styles, three, erect, with curved stigma.

This plant is common to the Middle and Western States, growing in rich soils, in damp, rocky, and shady woods, and flowering in May and June. Wood enumerates nine species indigenous to this country. King says "nearly all the species are medicinal, and possess analogous properties; among them the T. Erythrocarpum, T. Grandiflorum, T. Sessile, T. Erectuni, a -id T. Nivale are the most common, and consequently the most frequently collected and employed. These may be known by their three verticillate, net-veined leaves, and their solitary terminal flower, which varies in color in the different species, being white, red, purple, whitish 3'ellow, or reddish-white. Some have the peduncle erect, others recurved." The common names of the species are Wake-Robin, Birth-root, Indianbalm, Lamb's quarter and Ground-lily.

Pharmacological Observations. — From the remarks of King, quoted above, from the Eclectic Dispensatory, we learn that it is a matter of indifference which, or how many species of Trillium go to make up the preparations in use in that school. It is my conviction that no reliable knowledge can be gained by using a preparation made in this loose manner. For use in disease, some definite, reliable tincture, made from a single species should be used. I am satisfied, however, from my inquiries, that none of the tinctures or triturations now in use by homceopathists is prepared from the Trillium pendulum alone. We must adopt one of two methods — either one species exclusively^, or several combined.

If the T. pendulum is scarce, not sufficient to meet the demands, several species may be used in definite, equal proportions, not varying after once fixed upon.

The roots of these plants are oblong or terate, somewhat tuberous, dark or brownish externally, white internally, from one to five inches in length, and from half an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, beset with a few branching fibres, laterally. They have a faint, slightly terebinthinate odor, and a peculiar aromatic and sweetish taste; when chewed, they impart an acrid, astringent impression in the mouth, causing a flow of saliva, and a sensation of heat in the throat and fauces. The rootlets have but little of the acrimony of the root.

Officinal Preparations. — Tincture of the root; dilutions; triturations of the root. Trillin : triturations.

Analogues. — Asarum, Crocus, Copaiva, Chimaphila, Erigeron,Erechthite&, Hamamelis, Pulsatilla, Sanguinaria, Senecio, Sabina, Terebinthina, Thlaspi. (No provings.) Nose.

° Epistaxis — "A solution of Trillium, or the dry powder snuffed up the nostrils will immediately check epistaxis. {Eclectic.)

0 Nose-bleed may be easily checked by smelling the broken end of a fresh root of the red beth root. {Merrill.) Mouth.

° Hemorrhage from the gums and mouth; the diluted tincture

to be used as a wash. ° Useful in cancrum-oris. ° Putrid sore throat.

0 Bleeding from the cavity after extraction of a tooth.

Stomach.

Heat and burning in the stomach; rising up into the oesophagus.

0 Hoematemesis, with erosion of the mucous coat of the stomach.

Abdomen and Stool. Constipation; hard, dry stool, (p.) 0 Chronic diarrhoea; discharges, bloody mucus. (3.) 0 Dysentery, when the passages are almost pure blood. {Hale.)

Urinary Organs. ° Hematuria, passive. {Hale.) 0 Chronic catarrh of the bladder, etc.

0 Diabetes, (which kind?) "I have used it frequently in diabetes, and from the advantages derived from its use, we think much reliance can be placed upon it in that disease. (Dr. Jones, Eclectic.)

Generative Organs.

Female: 0 Hemorrhage from the uterus, with pain in the back, etc.

0 Hemorrhage after abortion. (Dr. Peterson.) ° Threatened miscarriage, with excessive flooding. ° Menorrhagia, with profuse yellowish leucorrhoea during the period.

° Metrorrhagia at the climacteric. (Hale, Peterson.)

° Post-partem hemorrhage.

° Facilitates labor, and prevents hemorrhage.

0 Vaginal and uterine leucorrhoea.

° Profuse lochial discharge. (Hale.)

Bronchi.

0 Cbugh of catarrhal nature dependent upon chronic bronchitis

or laryngitis. (Scudder.) ° Copious, purulent expectoration, troublesome cough in

phthisis. (Ib.) ° Cough with spitting of blood. (Coe.) * Haemoptysis from any cause. (Eclectic.)

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

etc. Less astringent than many other plants, it is far more alterative and tonic, yet it has decided efficacy as an astringent, when this indication is present. The late Dr. Williams used the powdered root in all kinds of active haemorrhages in doses of one drachm to an adult, repeated according to the urgency of the symptoms. Dr. Stone, of Massachusetts, has made very extensive use of it in all forms of bleeding, especially from the womb and lungs, and, as he thinks, with great and decided benefit. In the various forms of scrofula and cutaneous diseases he has also seen great advantage from its use. In popular practice the Birth root is used in parturition, and is believed to facilitate the birth of the child, hence its name. Dr. Lee found it employed extensively for this purpose among the Chippewa Indians, on Lake Superior. They also believed it to be a certain specific for the bite of a rattlesnake. It seemed to be their favorite remedy in all female complaints, especially those attended with discharges ; indeed, the evidence in its favor, in cases of vaginal and uterine leucorrhoea, is very strong and satisfactory ; also in passive broncliorrlioea and haemoptysis.

Dr. Coe (“Concentrated Organic Medicine”) says :

Its dynamic influences are chiefly directed toward the mucous surfaces, over which it seems to exercise a special control. Though mostly employed in affections of the uterine system, it is, nevertheless, of great utility in the treatment of all diseases involving the mucous membranes. It is decidedly antiseptic, and is useful in correcting a tendency to putrescency of the fluids, and the fetor of critical discharges. Slight haemorrhages occurring from wounds, cancerous ulcerations, etc., may he corrected by its local application.

The haemorrhages for which it is generally used are epistaxis, in which it appears to be very effectual ; melcena, or discharges from the bowels of dark, grumous blood ; dysentery, after all inflammation has been subdued and dark blood is discharged.

It does not seem to have been used in haematuria, but it has been given successfully in diabetes. Drs. Jones and King both assert its value in the latter disease, but do not say which kind it cured.

It is supposed that the Tannin found in the root of Trillium accounts for its value in haemorrhage, but Geranium contains much more, and has no such properties.

Its greatest popularity has been gained in the treatment of haemorrhages from the uterus. From allopathic and eclectic authorities we get the following testimony.

Dr. E. G. Wheeler reports the following cases illustrative of its effects in flooding, menorrhagia, and leucorrhoea.

Case I. — Mrs. G., at the third month of pregnancy, was taken at 6 o’clock

A.M. with a bloody discharge from the uterus, with pain in the back, considerable sickness at the stomach, and occasional chills. I was called in at 9 o’clock ; the flooding had greatly increased during the last hour, and the patient fainted as I went into the room. The pains had ceased ; os uteri dilated to the size of a twenty-five cent piece, but rather tense ; loss of blood very great. I made a strong infusion of the Trillium root and gave her two tablespoonfuls every ten minutes ; in half an hour the bleeding had greatly diminished ; the infusion was continued, but given at longer intervals, and in two hours from the time I was called in the haemorrhage had ceased altogether ; pains returned during the following night, and the foetus was expelled with but very trifling loss of blood.

Case II. — Was called at 4 o’clock p.m. to see Mrs. S., at the full term of pregnancy ; os uteri dilated to the size of half a dollar ; no pains ; flooding excessive. Administered the Trillium as in the preceding case ; it acted promptly, so that in an hour from the time of giving the dose the bleeding had entirely ceased. In about four hours labor-pains came on, and she was shortly delivered of wo healthy children, with no more than the usual amount of haemorrhage.

Case III. — Mrs. M., at about the third month of pregnancy, had had slight uterine haemorrhage for two or three days previous. At 8 o’clock in the evening of the third day she became alarmed by sudden and excessive flooding. I was immediately called in, but her fainting turns were so frequent and so protracted that I could not give the remedy as fast as I desired ; and, notwithstanding I brought all the means to my aid that I could command, I greatly feared I should lose my patient. In about three hours, however, she had taken an infusion made with about three drachms of the bruised root, as nearly as I could judge, and the haemorrhage was perfectly controlled. Thirty-six hours after these pains came on, and the foetus was expelled without any further trouble. It may not be amiss to state that I think I have found this remedy of decided utility in facilitating labor. I have treated cases of leucorrhoea satisfactorily. The plant I made use of is the Trillium atropurpureum.

It is decreed by some writers that the Trillium is most useful in passive haemorrhages, but the cases above reported were of an opposite character. We have no proving of this remedy showing its pathogenetic action upon the generative organs of women, nor can we decide with any certainty as to the pathological states which it would induce in the uterine tissue. To say it acts by giving tone to the uterus would not convey any exact idea, although it actually has that effect; it stimulates the uterine nerves to healthy action, and as a consequence we have muscular tonicity, and a healthy condition of the mucous membranes. Haemorrhages from the uterus either arise from relaxation or laceration of the bloodvessels of that organ, or from abrasion or relaxation of its mucous coats. Any drug, therefore, whose symptoms correspond, will possess the power of causing just such pathological

I

changes, and will, therefore, cure similar lesions. The analogues of Trillium are Terebinthina, Sabina, Pulsatilla, and Erigeron canadensis.

Dr. Chamberlain, of New Hampshire, recommends the “ Trillium in cases of uterine haemorrhage, and profuse flooding after confinement.” He prescribes half a teaspoonful of the powdered root in molasses, repeated every ten or fifteen minutes. Dr. Freeland has used it for thirty years, with success, in the same conditions.

The following clinical cases occurred in my own practice:

Case I. — Menorrhagia. — Mrs. M., aged twenty-eight, had been subject for several years to frequent and profuse menstruation. The menses came on every fourteen days, and lasted seven or eight. In the intervening periods there was puforse leucorrhoea, of a yellowish color and creamy consistence. The blood was once bright red, and but lately, owing to her anaemic condition, has been pale and mixed with a leucorrhoeal discharge. She took Crocus, Platina, and Sabina, but with no apparent benefit. Trillium 2d dec. was then given, in doses of one grain, four times a day. The first effect noticed was a diminution of the leucorrhoea, then the menses delayed one week. The medicine was continued, and the next menstrual period came on at the end of four weeks, and was not followed by leucorrhoea. She was then put upon the use of Ferrum met. 1st dec., and Helonin 1st dec., one grain of the former after taking meals, and a similar dose of the latter before eating ; and in a few weeks her strength and color returned. Several other similar cases were treated with the same medicine, and all recovered.

Case II. — Metrorrhagia. — Mrs. S., aged forty-six, passing through her climacteric, had occasional attacks of a profuse flooding, at irregular times, so profuse as to bring her down very low ; the blood was thick, dark, and clotted, and would continue several days. The attacks had been partially controlled by the use of Sabina and Crocus, but being called during the first day of a seizure, I determined to test the Trillium. Ten drops of the 1st dec. dilution were given every half hour ; in a few hours the flooding had decidedly diminished, and subsided completely in two days. This was continued, in alternation with Sanguinaria 3d, and she had no more attacks, but menstruation ceased normally.

Case III. — Mrs. T., aged fifty, had been subject to attacks similar to the above, but was anaemic, dropsical, and much debilitated. Apis 2d relieved the dropsy promptly ; Helonin gave her more strength and better digestion than she had had for months ; and when her attack of flooding came on, Trillium 2d decimal arrested it in two days. These attacks were of a peculiar character ; the discharge was pale, watery, only slightly tinged with blood, but very profuse, accompanied with prostration, vertigo, dimness of sight, palpitation of the heart, and a painful sense of “ sinking at the pit of the stomach.” All these symptoms, which usually lasted eight or ten days under allopathic treatment with Sulphuric acid and Mur. tine, iron, subsided in two days under the action of minute doses of

Trillium. In this case the discharge was really blood, as much as if it had been red ; but such was her anaemia that the red globules were very deficient. She had become jaundiced, but under the use of Leptandra 2d decimal, the liver resumed its normal functions, and her increased appetite and digestion soon brought some color to her pallid cheeks.

Case IV. — Haemorrhage after Abortion. — The foetus and placenta came away properly, but imprudence kept up the haemorrhage, which was dark, sanious, and accompanied with pain in the back, dragging in the loins, and soreness in the hypogastric region. All these symptoms subsided after using Trillium 2d decimal for a few days.

The late Dr. J. C. Peterson reports his experience with this drug in uterine haemorrhage :

Case I. — Mrs. C., abortion in the fourth month, with retention of the placenta. I was called in haste about midnight, and found her flooding excessively; extremities cold, face pale and anxious ; the os dilated, and the body of the uterus firmly contracted, so much so that it was impossible to remove the placenta- by force. Gave Trillium pendulum, two drops every fifteen minutes. She responded at once to the action of this remedy. The next day the removal of the placenta was attempted by means of the placenta forceps, but after an hour’s trial I was forced to abandon the attempt. It ultimately became disorganized, and passed on the sixth day. She had several attacks of flooding during this time, but the Trillium succeeded in arresting it at once. China, Secale, and Pulsatilla were given for other conditions. The patient fully recovered.

Case II. — Miss A., aged forty-eight. Menorrhagia at change of life. Was called to visit her in haste, and found her almost exsanguious. She had been flowing freely for some ten days, and for the last few hours the haemorrhage had been active. She presented all the physical symptoms of excessive haemorrhage. Gave Trillium pendulum tincture, three drops every fifteen minutes, which within an hour had completely controlled the flooding. Secale corn. 3d followed the Trillium. The patient has since that time (November, 1864) been well.

Case III. — Mrs. B. Post-partum haemorrhage. Was confined with her third child. Her labors with the previous children had been attended with almost fatal haemorrhage. Immediately following the birth of the third child she was seized as in her former confinements. Gave Trillium pendulum, a drop every five minutes, which arrested the flooding immediately.

In short, without citing other cases, I will say that I know of no remedy in the Materia Medica that so certainly controls active uterine haemorrhage. It excels Sabina, Secale, and Hamamelis.