Asafoetida

Asafostida is a gum having a decided alliaceous odor. It is espe- cially useful in two classes of disease: First, in nervous diseases de- veloping a perfect type of hysteria; it acts upon the muscular fibres, producing a reverse peristaltic action in the oesophagus and intestines. Thus, it causes a sensation as though a ball started in the stomach and rose into the throat; this being provoked by over-eating, by mo- tion, or by anything that can excite the nerves. It produces a burst- ing feeling, upwards, as though everything in the abdomen were com- ing out at the mouth.

This is common in colic from hysteria, after

45° A CUNICAI, matkria medica.

belching of wind of a strong rancid taste, and is associated with an empty gone feeling in the stomach at n a. m. like Sulphur.

The second action of Asafoetida is upon the bones. It produces periosteal inflammations, resulting in ulcers, especially upon the shin bones. A characteristic of these ulcers is an intolerance of all dress- ings. The parts around are exceedingly sensitive to the application .of even charpie.

We find Asafoetida curing hysteria arising from the sudden suppres- sion of discharges.

Asafoetida produces inflammations of the eye. Thus it may be in- dicated in iritis after the abuse of mercury, especially when it is of syphilitic origin, with burning, throbbing pains, and soreness of the bones around the eyes. The nearest remedy here is Aurum, which has relief by warmth. Asafoetida has relief from pressure on the eye- ball itself, which Aurum has not.

Phellandrium aquaticum we find to be indicated in headache which involves the nerves going to the eye. There is a crushing feeling on the top of the head, with burning of the eyes and lachrymation.

Phellandrium also causes sharp pains in the course of the lactifer- ous tubes when the child nurses.

Petroselinum comes into use in urethral disease, especially in gonor- rhoea, when the inflammation has travelled back, and the patient com- plains of pain at the root of the penis. There is a sudden irresistible desire to urinate, and itching deep in the perineum.

Coniiun causes chronic cystitis, with intermittent urination. The urine flows and stops. That symptom of the drug I have utilized in the treatment of enlargement of the prostate in old people.

iETHUSA CYNAPIUM.

sEtkusa cynapium is a frightful poison, having narcotic properties as well as paralyzing effects. The principal use we make of the drug arises from its action on the stomach. It produces a deathly nausea and sickness, with vomiting. In the case of a child the vomit con- sists of curdled milk, which is often green.

After vomiting, the child falls back exhausted and goes to sleep. It awakens hungry, eats and vomits again. The face is pale, and there are dark rings about the eyes. The analogue here is Antimonium crudum, which differs from sEthusa in having a white-coated tongue.

Calcarea oslrearum or Cal- carea acetica, has vomiting of curdled milk, and the child is apt to have diarrhoea with sour-smelling stools.

THE BERBERIDACE^E. 451

Cicuta virosa, another member of the order, when taken in any quantity produces congestion at the base of the brain and in the me- dulla oblongata. At first, the patient is rigid, with fixed staring eyes, bluish face and frothing at the mouth and unconsciousness. Next, there passes a shock, or series of shocks, from the head through the body. The jaws are locked, the patient bites the tongue.

These spas- modic symptoms are followed by profound exhaustion. These symp- toms indicate Cicuta in epilepsy, spasms from worms, and also in some forms of puerperal spasms.

We notice, too, that Cicuta, in addition to these symptoms, develops phenomena which resemble the remote effects of concussion of the brain. The pupils are dilated; there are vertigo and headache, and sometimes epileptiform convulsions.

Cicuta also attacks the skin, producing a pustular eruption, with yellowish honey-colored scabs, particularly about the mouth, and matting the whiskers. It has even cured two cases of epithelioma when the cancerous growth was covered by these honey-colored scabs.

Next, we will study the

BERBERIDACE^E.

Of this order we have time to study but two drugs, namely, Berberis vulgaris and Podophyllum peltatum.