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  • Epimedium pubescens Maxim. Berberidaceae. Horny (sic) Goat Weed. Distribution: China. Marketed as an aphrodisiac, with the ability to act like sildenafil and for osteoporosis. Side effects reported include dizziness, dry mouth, vomiting and cardiac irregularity. It is not listed in Wiart (2006) or Wichtl (1994). Its reputation began, apparently, when a Chinese farmer observed increased sexual activity in his goats after they had been eating Epimedium. Given the enormous profits made by medicines such as sildenafil, it is indicative of its therapeutic value that it has not been taken up by a pharmaceutical company. Poor absorption from the gut and lack of information on toxicity may be responsible. It is not licensed for sale in the UK as a Traditional Herbal Remedy (Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration, January 2013) and has not been assessed or approved by the European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Veratrum nigrum L. Melanthiaceae Distribution: Europe. Cows do not eat Veratrum species in the meadows, and human poisoning with it caused vomiting and fainting. In the 1850s it was found to reduce the heart's action and slow the pulse (Bentley, 1861, called it an 'arterial sedative'), and in 1859 it was used orally in a woman who was having convulsions due to eclampsia. Dr Paul DeLacy Baker in Alabama treated her with drops of a tincture of V. viride. She recovered. It was used thereafter, as the first choice of treatment, and, when blood pressure monitoring became possible, it was discovered that it worked by reducing the high blood pressure that occurs in eclampsia. By 1947 death rates were reduced from 30% to 5% by its use at the Boston Lying-in Hospital. It works by dilating the arteries in muscles and in the gastrointestinal circulation. A further use of Veratrum species came to light when it was noted that V. californicum - and other species - if eaten by sheep resulted in foetal malformations, in particular only having one eye. The chemical in the plant that was responsible, cyclopamine, was found to act on certain genetic pathways responsible for stem cell division in the regulation of the development of bilateral symmetry in the embryo/foetus. Synthetic analogues have been developed which act on what have come to be called the 'hedgehog signalling pathways' in stem cell division, and these 'Hedgehog inhibitors' are being introduced into medicine for the treatment of various cancers like chondrosarcoma, myelofibrosis, and advanced basal cell carcinoma. The drugs are saridegib, erismodegib and vismodegib. All the early herbals report on its ability to cause vomiting. As a herbal medicine it is Prescription Only, via a registered dentist or physician (UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • Veratrum album L. Melanthiaceae Distribution: Europe. Cows do not eat Veratrum species in the meadows, and human poisoning with it caused vomiting and fainting. In the 1850s it was found to reduce the heart's action and slow the pulse (Bentley, 1861, called it an 'arterial sedative'), and in 1859 it was used orally in a woman who was having convulsions due to eclampsia. Dr Paul DeLacy Baker in Alabama treated her with drops of a tincture of V. viride. She recovered. It was used thereafter, as the first choice of treatment, and when blood pressure monitoring became possible, it was discovered that it worked by reducing the high blood pressure that occurs in eclampsia. By 1947 death rates were reduced from 30% to 5% by its use at the Boston Lying in Hospital. It works by dilating the arteries in muscles and in the gastrointestinal circulation. A further use of Veratrum species came to light when it was noted that V. californicum -and other species - if eaten by sheep resulted in foetal malformations, in particular only having one eye. The chemical in the plant that was responsible, cyclopamine, was found to act on certain genetic pathways responsible for stem cell division in the regulation of the development of bilateral symmetry in the embryo/foetus. Synthetic analogues have been developed which act on what have come to be called the 'hedgehog signalling pathways' in stem cell division, and these 'Hedgehog inhibitors' are being introduced into medicine for the treatment of various cancers like chondrosarcoma, myelofibrosis, and advanced basal cell carcinoma. The drugs are saridegib, erismodegib and vismodegib. All the early herbals report on its ability to cause vomiting. As a herbal medicine it is Prescription Only, via a registered dentist or physician (UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • A camp of wigwams, during the outbreak of bubonic plague in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • A segregation camp, Karachi: aerial view. Photograph, 1897.
  • A group of plague staff, part of the Karachi Plague Committee, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • People living in the town of Dhobi Ghat, during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Officers on horseback in the Nusserpuri camp, set up as part of the Karachi Plague Committee, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • The Machi Meani camp, operated by the Karachi Plague Committee, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Quarantine area, during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • People doing laundry at the dhobi ghat, during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Plague house being marked with paint, during an outbreak of bubonic plague in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Street near Khardar, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Patients who are about to be discharged from hospital, during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Patients being discharged from hospital, during the bubonic plague outbreak in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • A segregation camp during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Quarantine area, during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Female patient with bubonic plague in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Discharged hospital patients after bubonic plague outbreak, being given relief money, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Man in turban in Old Town, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Man being injected by doctor, during the outbreak of bubonic plague in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Staff of the Karachi plague committee in the town of Dhobi Ghat, during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Shop selling sweetmeat, during the outbreak of bubonic plague in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Four men from the Karachi Plague Committee, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Female patient recovering from bubonic plague, during the outbreak in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Patients and staff at a hospital camp, during the outbreak of bubonic plague in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Runchore segregation camp, set up by the Karachi Plague Committee, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Pathway through the centre of a segregation camp during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • Man being shaved in one of the hospital camps, during the outbreak of bubonic plague in Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.
  • A segregation camp during bubonic plague outbreak, Karachi, India. Photograph, 1897.