Acalypha Indica

{Indian AcalypTia)

A. plant found in the East Indiea. Proved by Dr. Tonnere, of Calcutta. An indigenious species grows in lie soutli, the A. Virginians, used by tlie people in asthma «ndercmp.

Botanical Description.— We have three American species, homely weeds, growing in fields and open places, fonnd in .flower in July and September ; one or two feet high, stems thick or rather hairy, often turn- ing purplish in autumn.

Officinal PRBPAHATioue.— Tinctnre of the plant with alcohol by maceration; dilutions.

AnArxJOTTKS. — Amicaif) JIamameli»{T) Ipecaeaanha{T) OaUarm carbm/- :ca{?) MilUfoUv,m{f)

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JSaCULUS OLABKA. 19

Bespiratory Organs.

* Dry cougli, followed by spitting of blood.

° HcBmoptysis. The patient had tuberculous affection of tlie upper portion of the left lung, with expectoration of blood ; in the morning, pure blood ; in evenvng, dark lumps of clotted blood; the iita of eoughiug were very violent at night. In this case the hcemoptysis did not return, {^Dr. Tonnere.)

° Hmmoptysis in three cases of consumption, in the last stage. (/5.)

° Haemoptysis, with lose of voice; the bleeding stopped, but the disease progressed. {Thom,as'.)

° Hfemorrhage from the lungs, a severe case, after other remedies had failed. {Holcomhe.)

[Used in the above cas^s in tlie 6th, 7lJi and 10th dilutions.]

° Leucorrh(Ba, sometimes thick, sometimes watery, in a con- sumptive patient, {Neidhard.)

.SISCULUS GLABRA.

{Ohio Buckeye)

Botanical Description, — Tliis is a large tree, growing abundantly in the rich alluvial bottom lands of Ohio, and other States watered by tlie Ohio river. The bwrk exhalea an unpleasant odor, as in the rest of the genua. Flowers small, not showy, stamens curved, much longer than the corolla, which is of a pale yellow, and consists of four upright petals. Fruit prickly when young.

Leaves opposite, pointing out. Leafiets fine, with a seri'alG or toothed edge and straight veins, like a chestnut leaf. This species Tieiongs to the .JJsoqIus proper, differing from the " Pavia," iQ 'h&vmg the frait coTiered with prifMeswhea. young. The fruit contains the most active poisonous qualities, The rind of the fruit, tlie bark and leaves also possess toxical powers,

OFFiciifAL PnttPAKATTONS.— Triturations of the dried fruit. Tincture from the bark and whole fruit, made by maceration with dilute alcohol.

Sphere op Action.— An irritant of the cerebro-spinal system ; affecla tlie intestinal canal, and probably the liver.

Analoodes. — .^seuius Mppocattanum., Aloes, Colli naonia, Coccttlus, Gym- jMcladus, Igiiaiia, Ifux Vomica.

Mental Sphere. Confusion of mind, always attended by vertigo, and generally followed by stupefaction and coma.

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20 SISCULUS HIFPOCASfANOM.

Thickness of speech, from paralysis of the tongue.

Great tympanetic distension of the stomach and ahdomen. Nausea, with loathing of food and vomiting, with cramp-like pain in the stomach.

Stool and Anns.

* Obstinate constipation; hard, knotty stools.

* Hemorrhoidal tumors, dark purple, with lameness and

Stupefaction, with confusion of ideas, followed by coma, state.

Spasms and convulsions, followed by paralysis.

^SCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM.

(Horse Clwatnut.) Tlie tieauty of the horse cheatnul consists chiefly ia its infloreicence— BUrpaasing that of almost all our native trees; the huge clustera of gay blossoms, which every spring are distributed with such luxuriance and profusion over the surface of the fiiliage, and 'at the extremity of the branches, give the whole tree the aspect of some monster flowBr, than of an oi-dinaiy tree of the largest size. Early in June this beautiful tree puts

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.^SCULCS HIPPO CAST AN CM. 21

forth, large pyramidal racemes or thjrses of flowers, of pink nnd wliiM, mottled with red. and yellow — fluely contrasting with the dark green of its foliage, wliich has great grandeur and riehness in its depOi of hue and massiyeness of outline.

HiSTORT The Lorse-cheatnut is a highly ornamental tree, and is greatly admired for its majestic proportions, and for the beauty of its flowers and foliage. It grows rapidly, and often attains the height of forty or fifty feet. It is a native of middle Asia, but flourishes well in tlie temperate climates of both hemispheres.

Its genus comprises about twelve known species, the genus Mseulii^, however, is incomparably the finest, and is the only one found in the Northern States, and ih.is, even, is not indigenous in New England.

It was introduced into Europe nearly three centuries ago, by Baron Ungnad, ambassador of the Ottoman Porte, who, in Ihe year 1576, sent the seeds of the common horse-cliostnnt to Clausius, at Vienna. It is now extensively cultivated as an ornamental tree in Europe as well as in this country.

The came .^sculus was originally applied to a species of oak, also to a tree which bore esculent fiuit, and probably is derived from esca — "food." It was ti'ansferred to this genus by Linnseus, to the esclusion of the earlier and more appropriate name of "hippocastanum" (korse-chsttnut), on account of the resemblance of the large seeds to chestnuts, and because the Turks often grind them into a coarse flour, which is mixed irith other food, and given to horses which are broken-winded.

In the Southern and Western States there are several species, which bear the name of buck-eye, flrora a resemblance of the seeds to the eye of that animal.

Medicinal Properties,— Tlie timbei' is not valuable. The large ferina- ccous seeds contain a considerable amount of nourishment, wliich is ren- dered unavaiiable, because of the intensely bitter and narcotic principle with which they are charged. Common horsej^hestnufs, nevertheless, with some precautions, are largely and advantageously used in Switzerland for fattening sheep. They are also ealen eagerly by deer, horses and oxen.

Btarch prepared from them is superior to that of wheat, and excels, as an article of diet, that of the potato. Paste prepared from them is preferable to any other, not only because possessing great tenacity, but also from the fact that no moths or vermin will attack anything cemented with it. They have been recommended as a substitute for coffee.

It may seem strange, that while so many persons consider the nuts poisonous, they are fed to animals, and even prepared for man. This is explained by the fact that the poison in the nut is r< moved by a process of prolonged cooking.

The young leaves are aromatic, and have been used instead of hops in brewmg beer.

The roots contain a mucilaginous and saponaceous matter, which Is thought to be poisonous. Active and poisonous properties prevail in the root, seeds, bark and foliage.

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93 JtSCULUS HIEPOCASTANtIM,

The bark lias little odor, but an astringent and bitter, tliougb not dia agreeable, taste. It contains, among other ingredients, bitter extractive and tannin, and imparls its virtues lo boiling water. Its active constituent is supposed to be tannin, hence it lias been employed in tanning. It ia recommended as a tonie, astringent, narcotic, and antiseptic; in fevers aa a febrifuge, for gangrene, and as an errhine. A strong decoction is recom- mended as a lotion to gangrenous ulcers.

It has attracted much attention in Europe as a substitute for Cinchona, altiiough it cei'tainly cannot be considered comparable to Peruviaji Bark in its power over intermittenta. It is at present seldom used, and never in this country. The bark of the brajiches from three to Qve years old ia considered tlie best. It should be collected in the sp:ing.

The powdered Isemel snuffed up the nostrils produces sneezing, and has been used with advantage aa a sternutatory in complaints of the head and eyes. In Europe the oil at present is a fashionable remedy for gout and

The bark contains an active principle termed .^sculin-^which is pre- pared from a strong hydro-alcoholic tincture, by distilling off the alcohol and setting the residue in a cool place for some time. It appears as a white powder, which ia formed of minute acicular crystals, haring a bitter taste; no odor; soluble in 13}^ parts water at 212° F., and in 672 parts at 50° F. ; partially soluble in alcohol ; insoluble in ether. It is colored red and then yellow by hydrochloric acid,

OrnciKAL Pkepaiutiohs. — Triturations of the meat of the nut, with the rind or shuck. It is usually prepared by grating both. When dry they can easily be reduced to a fine powder.

Tincture from tlie meat of the nuts and the shuck ; made by maceration, in.dilute alcohol.

Tincture from the bark, roots and flowers. If Cry, by maceration for an hour in a small quantity of hot water ; afterwards adding requisite amount of alcohol to the maceration. If fresh, in strong alcohol, one part to t«n.

For externa! use, in glyceroles, salves, cerates, etc.

As a lotion, J i of motlier tincture, to S 8 of water.

Analooueb, — jEseuius glabra. Aloes, CoUinsonia, Ignatia, Nii^ic acid, JVwif v<niiiea, M&raariiD, Sulphur, Podophyllum, Iris v^sicolor, HydTOtUs. Mhm.

Sphere op Action. — On the spinal cord, the mucous membrane of tbn alimentary canal, especially tlie lower portion, the liver and portal system.

Mental Sphere. Or. -waking, cannot recognize wliat she sees; knows not wlierq

she is, nor whence come the objects about her. Inward cheerfnlness and placidity of temper. Feels miserably; cross; sad; disinclination to perform anj

labor. Vertigo very annoying all tlic ibrenoon.

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^ESCULtra HHTOCASTANOM. 23

extending to the ears. A sensation of fullness and pressure, rather than of acute pain.

Eyea. Sensation of weight and heat of the eyes, flickering before the eyes.

° Can read without spectacles, and see at a distance, wliich she could not do before. {A prover,'} Nose, Severe fluent coryza, with bnrning and raw feeling in the nos- trils; thin watery discharge, and headache. Face, flying heat and redness of the left side of the faea Pale, ill-looking countenance.

Vomiting of thick, viscid mucus, with eructations. Pain in the stomach for four or live hours after eating, which

continues till food is taken, {Arnica.) A feeling of fullness and tightness in the stomach, with

labored breathing. *CardiaIgia; aching, cutting and burning distress in the

Fluttering sensation, with faintness, in the pit of the stomach * Congestion of the liver and portal s

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24 .aSCULUS aIlT0CA6TANUM.

Pain and distress in the stomach and bowele, attended with

a constant desire for stool.

rectnni. Dnli aching and burning in the nmbilica! region, " Hemorrhoidal colic, with pains in the hjpogastrinm, sacrum

aud loins, tumbling in the bowels, with distension aud bearing down.

Liver. Dull aching pains in the right hypochondriac region and

region of the gall-bladder. Pinching pains, stitches and aching in the liver, ejitending

between the shoulders. White, soft stool.

Bectum aud Stool. Frequent, loose stool, with constant urging (primary) diarrhoea,

composed of ingesta. Pressure in the rectum, with constant desire but ineffectual

region, followed by severe cutting pains in the rectum.

* Very hard, dry, knotted, difficult stool, Ibllowed by prolapsed

feeling in the rectum.

* Stool very large, hard and difficult, followed by severe pain,

with a sensation ae if something was protruding, with

severe pains in the lumbar and sacral regions. An evacuation, at first black and hard, then white and soft,

(the last four symptoms are secondary). Dryness and itching in the rectum, with a feeling of s

of the skin and adjacent cellular tissues. Dryness of the passage for several days, followed by a s

tion of moisture.

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^BCOLUS H1PP0CA9TANUM. 25

s of the rectum, witli a feeling as if something would pass off all the time.

* Dry, uncomtbrtable feeling in the rectum, which feels as if

it were filled with email sticks.

* Feeling in the rectum as thongh folds of the mucous mem-

brane obstructed the passage, and as if, were the effort

coatinued, the rectum would protrude. Soreness of the rectum, with increased secretion of mucus, l^essure in the rectum, with inclination to stool, with empty

eructations.

* Copious, soft stool, followed by burning, and a feeling of

swelling and constriction of the rectum. Soreness, aching and fullness of the rectum,

* Appearance of hemorrhoids, like ground-nuts, of a purple

color, very painful, and with a sensation of burning.

* Hemorrlioids, hlvnd and painful, rarely bleeding.

* Prolapsus of the rectum (after Podoph., Nitric acid or

Ignatia).

* Sharp, shooting pains running through the hemorrhoidal

Frequent urging to urinate, with scanty, high-colored urine.

compelling her to sit down. " Uterine congestions with soi'cness and throbbing pains in the

hypogastrium. ° Lameness of saero iliac region, during pregnancy. {Giiern-

8&y.)

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26 JESOULira HIFPOCASTANUW.

Pi-essure in the tliroat-pit, as if something had stack thera which I'eqiiired to be expelled.

° Chronic cough, with emaciation. {BiMihner.)

° Catarrhal laryngitis, laryngeal cough, and perhaps those coughs dependent on hepatic disorders. {Hale.)

Burning and heat in the chest, and raw feeling in the throat and cheet.

Pains in the sternum, as if a piece were torn out of the chest.

Sudden stitches through the chest.

Pain in right scapula and in the left side of the chest, increased on inspiration.

On the right side of the chest a sensation as if the lung pain- fully moved up and down at each respiration.

Tightness in the cliest.

* Palpitation of the heart ; severe, periodic, frequent, with

great anguish.

Neuralgic pain in region of apex of the heart and stomach.

Severe neuralgic pains in region of the heart, so painful as to arrest the breathing, lasting ten minutes.

Frequent stitches in region of the heart,

Duli, aching, burning pain in i-egion of heart for half an hour; pulse 66, soft and regular.

° Functional disorder of the heart from hemorrhoidal com plaints. (Sale.)

Back and Heok.

Wealiness, weariness and lameness in the back of the neck.

"Wealoiess, weariness and lameness in the small of the back.

Heat in the back of the neck and shoulders.

Severe dull aching pain in the lumbar and sacral region, aggra- vated by walking.

Tearing pain in the small of the back and hips.

* Constant back ache, affecting the sacrum and liips, aggra-

vated on stooping and rising from seat, but going off on

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AOAVK AMKEIOANA. Z7

Extremeties,

Tlie arm and hand of the left side become numb, as if para- lyzed.

The le^ and knees ache, witli the back ache.

Yawning and stupefying sleepiness.

Wakea with dull pressing pain the stomach.

Chilliness, with rigor.

Flashes of heat in the occipital region, back of the neck and shouldere.

Feverish sensations, with hot and dry hands.

Disposition to stretch and yawn.

Feeling of extreme illness, great weakness, faintness, and tottering gait.

AGAVE AMERICANA.

(American Aloe.)

The root and leaves, when cut, furnish a saccharine juice, which may he converted into syrup and sugar by evaporation, and into a Tlnons liquor by fermentation. The natives of Mexico manufacture from it tlieir favor- ite drink — the Pvlque — which is capable of causing considerable intoxi- cation.

The juice, when evaporated to the consistence of a soft extract, forms a lather with water, and is sometimes employed as a substitute for soap. The/yesA. juice is said to be diuretic, laxative and emmenagogue.

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28 AH-AKTUS GLAHDULOSA.

Ofpicial Prbpakation. — Tincture made by expression and macera- tion, orhy percolation ftom the fresh leaves and the root.

General Symptoms.

" Army scurvy, with pale and dejeoted countenance.

° Gums swollen, and bleeding, legs covensd with dark, purple

blotches, swollen, painful, and of stony hardness; pulse

small and feeble; appetite poor; bowels constipated,

° Eleven cases rapidly improved under the use of the Maguey

after hme juice and iemon juice had failed. The fermented juice intoxicates.