Asclepias Tuberosa

(Plmirisy Bool.) Botanical Dbsckiption. — The root of this variety of Asclepias is per- ennial, and gives origin to numerous stems, which are erect, ascending, or may be trailing, round, hairy, of a green or reddish color, branching at the tou. and about eighteen inches in height, (It rarely exceeds this, althoagh

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60 ASCLEFIAS TCBEBOSA.

it is stated to be three feet hy some aulliorities,) TUe leaves are scattered, obloDg, lance-siiaped, very hairy, of a deep rich green color oo tlieir upper surface, paler beneath, and supported usually on short foot stalks. The flowers are of a beautiful reddish-orange color, aad disposed in terminal or lateral umbels, their stems rising along thn stalk, but differing in length, so as to make them all nearly on a level. The fruit is an erect, lance-shaped follicle, with flat, egg-shaped seeds, connected to a longitudi- nal receptacle hy long silky hairs.

This plant differs from other species of Asclepias in not emitting a milky juice when wounded. It flourishes from Massachusetts to Georgia, and when in full bloom, in the months of June and July, eshibits a splendid appearance. The root is Che part used in medicine. Tills is lai'ge, irregularly tuberous, branching, often spindle- shaped, externally brown, icternally white and striated, and in the recent state, of a sub-acrid nauseous taste.

When dried it is easily pulverized, and has a bitter, but not otherwise unpleasant taste.

This plant, under the common names of Pleurisy -root, White-root, "But. terfly-weed, Flus-root, Wind-root, Tnber-root, etc., is one of the oldest in use, and one of tlie most popular of our indigeneous remedies. It is best known by tlie name first mentioned, and is indicative of its well-known usefulness in painful affections of the thoracic organs.

OiTicrHAij PBffiPABiTioMS.— Tincture of the root. Triturations of the root. (No confidence can be placed in tlie so-called active principles of this plant. They are impure, and do not represent its medicinal qualities.)

Sphebb op Action. — In acute pains of the thoracic organs, catarrhal affections of the larjnx, bronchi and respiratory tract, and to some extent functional derangements of the stomach.

Analoooes. — Antimonium crud'am, Aeclepia* gyriaca. Arnica., Apoeynum etnnabinwm, Bryonia, Oimicifaga, CaulophyUum, Dioacorea, Dulcamara, Bryngi-am, Mvpatoriwm pmfoUatum, and. Eupatormm purpwrmm, Ipeeae- uanJia, Irii versicolor. Kali caTbonicum, Kali hydrojodif^in, Pulsatilla, Senega, Squilla, Tartar mietij.

Dull headache in the forehead and vertex, aggravated by

motion, and relieved by lying down. Headache, pressing deeply on the base of the skull; resembling

an Ipecacuanha headache. Swimming of the head, with dullness in the forehead. * Pain in the forehead from coughing, {also Bryonia.) Dull, gloomy feeling in the head.

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Afior,EFIA8 TITBEBOSA. 81

Noa9.

* Fluent coryza, wltli mncb sneezing Blowing of blood from one nostril.

Pale face, with dejected look, after the diarrlicea.

Yellow, tongh coating on the tongue, and putrid taste.

Transitory constriction and stinging in the throat, extending

to the larynx. Soreness and pain in the throat.

in the limbs, cramps in the feet, ete. Burning in the stomach.

Pressjve pain in the stomach, with rumbling in the bowels. Disagreeable feeling of weight in the stomach, with deficient appetite.

* Bilious and painful diarrhroa.

Enmbling and uneasiness in the bowels, with a feeling of

heat in the umbilical region. Humbling in the bowels, with sharp, cutting pains,

* Soft, fcetid stool, preceded by rumbling, and followed by

of the abdomen and pain on pressure. Stool like white of eggs.

Clammy stool, green ; smelling like rotten eggs. ° Catarrhal diarrhcea, in children, or in warm weather when

the nights were cool and damp.

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69 ASCLEPIAS TITBER08A.

" Dysentery, chiefly catarrhal and autumnal.

° Sub-aeiite mucous enteritis.

° Anomalous symptoms, supposed to be dne to the abuse ol tobacco; namely: Acute soreness, attended by sharp, grip- ing pains in the lower part of the abdomen; so severe that at times he was unable to walk or ride in a carriage. Five or six stools a day. At times the pain came on witli great violence at 2 or 3 o'clock in the morning, with sudden discharges from the bowels, leaving such soreness of the abdomen tJiat he could not walk. (Five drops of the tincture, in a wineglass of water, taken at one dose, cured this case of twenty-five years standing.) [Dr Martin.')

TTrinary Organs.

Frequent passing of clear urine. (^.)

Dark red, saturated urine, {«.)

Genital Organs.

Profuse menstruation, with violent pressing down pain.

Painful stitches in penis.

Sweat of genitals.

" Primary and secondary syphilis. (?)

Sensation of constriction of the larynx.

* Dry cough, with constricted sensation in larynx.

* Dr>', hard congh, with pain in forehead and abdomen.

* Shai-p pains shooting from left nipple downward, with stiff-

ness of left side of neck. Pain at base of left lung, with dry and spasmodic cough, mak- ing respiration painful, with some dullness on percussion there.

* Sharp cutting pain behind the sternum, aggravated by draw

ing a long breath, or moving the arms, by singing or loud speaking. Chest feels weak and sore; without congh.

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ABOLKPIAS TCBEEOSA. 63

* The spaces between the ribs, close to the sternum are sensi-

tive to pressore. Stitclies in tJie left side, sliooting over to the right side and op to ]eft shonlder.

* Acute pleuritic pain in right aide, with dry, hacking cough,

aggravated hy motion. " Sab-acute peri -pneumonia of a catarrhal origin. ° Pleurisy, (equals Bryonia in some cases.) " Catarrhal congh, hard, spasmodic, from initation of the

* Pain beneath the left nipple, with palpitation of the heart;

pulse rising from 6i to 88. Pains in the region of the heart, shooting iip to left shoulder,

* Pricking pains in region of the heart.

* Contractive pain in the heart.

Tenderness on pressure over the region of the heart,

" Acute rheumatic pericarditis (not very severe). {Hale.)

"Hard, heavy, foreibJe beating of the heart, with some

dyspncea. {Hale.)

Back and Bxtremities. Severe pains in back of the head, arms, legs, feet, shonlders,

dark red urine, and hot, perspiring skin.

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64 A8CLBPIAS SYKIACA.

Vesicles, pimples and pustules, all over the body, especially on

Uneasy sleep, with frightful dreams.

Pulse rises from 64 to 88, with increased action of the hearts Chilliness, in a warm room, with cold feet. * High tever, with hot sweat. ° Rheumatic and catarrhal fevers. " Bilious fever ( ?), " marsh fever of the rice plantations."

, languid, as if he liad been side a long time.