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  • C14 Chinese medication chart: Delirium etc.
  • An alcoholic man with delirium tremens on his deathbed, surrounded by his terrified family. Colour lithograph after E. Burnand, ca. 1900 (?).
  • A bottle of liquor pointing a finger at a devil; representing alcohol as a cause of delirium tremens. Colour lithograph after I.A. Vol'nova, 1984.
  • Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi Lamiaceae. Baikal skullcap. Distribution: China. There are several hundred species of Scutellaria, also known as skull caps, so correct identification is important - in particular from Scutellaria lateriflora an American species known as Blue skullcap. The latter is used as an abortifacient and to expel placenta by the Cherokee and for cleaning the throat by the Iroquois (Austin, 2004). Much vaunted as a treatment for rabies with unlikely statistics (1,400 cases cured by one doctor alone). Also as ‘antispasmodic, nervine, [for] chorea, convulsions, tetanus, tremors, delirium tremens, [and as a] diaphoretic and diuretic'. Toxicity symptoms include mental confusion, stupor, headache, vertigo, photophobia, dilated pupils, difficulty in micturition, bradycardia, tremulousness and languor, followed by wakefulness and restlessness (Milspaugh, 1974). Hutchens (1991) reported that it reduces sexual desire and was used for almost every nervous illness. Scutellaria baicalensis contains baicalin, baicalein and wogonin (European Medicines Agency, September 2010). It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for treating inflammation, cancer, bacterial and viral infections of the lungs and gut and is one of the '50 Chinese herbs' in the lists of some authors. Scutellaria lateriflora (combined with Verbena officinalis, Passiflora incarnata and the seed of Avena sativa (oats) is licensed for use in Britain as a herbal medicine for temporary relief of mild symptoms of stress such as mild anxiety and to aid sleep, based upon traditional use only. Scutellaria baicalensis is not licensed for use in the UK (UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)). Photographed in the Medicinal Garden of the Royal College of Physicians, London.
  • A physician asks a nurse how his patient is: she replies that he is rambling and delirious but the last sensible thing he uttered was an insulting remark about the doctor. Wood engraving, 1891.
  • A physician asks a nurse how his patient is: she replies that he is rambling and delirious but the last sensible thing he uttered was an insulting remark about the doctor. Wood engraving, 1891.
  • A dying man surrounded by fantastic and mythological figures. Coloured etching.
  • A dying man surrounded by fantastic and mythological figures. Coloured etching.
  • Neck and lower part of the face of a woman who attempted suicide
  • Extreme congestion of the brain and its membranes
  • The spider and fly : the advertiser takes this opportunity of informing his friends and a discerning public, that he continues the trade of making drunkards, paupers, thieves, beggars, adulterers, and murderers, on the most reasonable terms, and without notice.
  • A doctor tells an obese lady all the possible horrendous diseases she might have. Wood engraving after J. Leech.
  • Theory of yangming syndromes treated with cheng qi tang
  • John Bull as a patient, in disarray, reclines on a sofa and receives medical treatment from politicians. Coloured etching by G. Cruikshank, 1813.
  • Papaver rhoeas L. Papaveraceae Corn Poppy, Flanders Poppy. Distribution: Temperate Old World. Dioscorides (Gunther, 1959) recommended five or six seed heads in wine to get a good night's sleep the leaves and seeds applied as a poultice to heal inflammation, and the decoction sprinkled on was soporiferous. Culpeper (1650) ' ... Syrup of Red, or Erratick Poppies: by many called Corn-Roses. ... Some are of the opinion that these Poppies are the coldest of all other - believe them that list [wishes to]: I know no danger in this syrup, so it be taken in moderation and bread immoderately taken hurts
  • Papaver rhoeas L. Papaveraceae Corn Poppy, Flanders Poppy. Distribution: Temperate Old World. Dioscorides (Gunther, 1959) recommended five or six seed heads in wine to get a good night's sleep the leave and seeds applied as a poultice to heal inflammation, and the decoction sprinkled on was soporiferous. Culpeper (1650) ' ... Syrup of Red, or Erratick Poppies: by many called Corn-Roses. ... Some are of the opinion that these Poppies are the coldest of all other - believe them that list [who wish to]: I know no danger in this syrup, so it be taken in moderation and bread immoderately taken hurts