Dulcamara

Dulcamara, or the "bitter-sweet," contains a small quantity of Sola- nine, a much smaller quantity, in fact, than an}7 other member of the group. The tender leaves and twigs have been used for the prepara- tion of the tincture. Several accounts of poisoning from the berries of the Dulcamara have been recorded. The symptoms thus produced are hard griping pains in the bowels, followed by unconsciousness and spasms which are tetanic, and are accompanied by hot, dry skin, tris- mus, loud rattling breathing, and, in one case, death.

The ordinary symptoms produced by the drug are not so severe. We find as the very central point around which all the other symp- toms of the drug group, this one: aggravation from cold, damp weather or from changes from hot to cold weather, especially if these changes are sudden. Thus we find Dulcamara useful in rheumatism made worse by sudden changes in the weather; twitching of the mus- cles of the eyelids or mouth whenever the weather becomes damp; dry

434 A CUNICAL MATERIA MEDICA.

coryza, sore throat, with stiffness of the neck; colic from cold, especially with diarrhoea at night; earache, when it returns with every such change in weather.

Dulcamara has a marked influence on the nervous system; but here again its use in practice is often based on the above aggravation. We have the tongue paralyzed in damp weather, with impaired speech; hyperemia of the spinal cord with the paretic state belonging to that disease when caused by lying on damp, cold ground, and intensified by every return of damp weather. It is also indicated in paralysis of the bladder aggravated by damp weather.

It is also of use in incipient paralysis of the lungs in old people, es- pecially if the symptoms are aggravated by change in the weather.

Dulcamara has a specific influence on the lining membrane of the bladder, causing catarrh of that organ. The urine is very offensive, and is loaded with mucus.

It also exerts a marked action on the skin. Thus, it develops a bright red eruption on the surface of the body. Here and there will be large wheals, which may be white or red, and along with these there is usually burning and itching.

It is indicated in urticaria traceable to gastric disorder when there is relief from cold air.

The complement of Dulcamara is Baryta carb., which also has aggra- vation in cold weather, especially in scrofulous children.