American materia medica, therapeutics and pharmacognosy : developing the latest acquired knowledge of drugs, and especially of the direct action of single drugs upon exact conditions of disease, with especial reference to the therapeutics of the plant drugs of the Americas / by Finley Ellingwood ; with a practical consideration of the principles of pharmacy and pharmacognosy, by John Uri Lloyd.

  • Ellingwood, Finley, 1852-1920.
Date:
[1919], ©1919
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: American materia medica, therapeutics and pharmacognosy : developing the latest acquired knowledge of drugs, and especially of the direct action of single drugs upon exact conditions of disease, with especial reference to the therapeutics of the plant drugs of the Americas / by Finley Ellingwood ; with a practical consideration of the principles of pharmacy and pharmacognosy, by John Uri Lloyd. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    and this fact explains its immediate influence upon these organs and struc¬ tures. Specific Symptomatology—In two marked conditions apparently diamet¬ rically opposite in their character, this agent is specific. First. In excessive secretion of mucus—catarrhal discharges from what¬ ever cause, especially if there be relaxed, enfeebled, atonic mucous mem¬ branes. It may be given with confidence. Second; in gastric or intestinal inflammation, or in persistent fevers, with dry, red, glazed tongue, dry mucous membranes—tympanites, with suppres¬ sion of the secretions of all gastric and of intestinal glands. It is also indicated by a steady distress or dull grinding pain in the abdo¬ men, a sensation of hardness across the abdomen, with tendency to constipa¬ tion, with general inactivity of the entire glandular structure of the gastro¬ intestinal tract. It increases the tone and capillary circulation of all the mucous struc¬ tures, and in the abdomen of the muscular structures of the intestines also. Its antiseptic powers are great, destroying parasites and germs of disease, and inhibiting putrefaction and fermentation. In intestinal disorders of childhood it prevents the formation of lactic and butyric acids, and the irritation caused by their presence. Therapy—The specific indications suggest the use of turpentine in acute and chronic bronchitis when there is an excessive discharge of mucus. Its influence may be observed from the first. It controls the cough, allays the excessive bronchial secretion, soothes the irritation throughout the chest, relieves the diffused soreness and promotes the cure. In pharyngitis and laryngitis it is of value also. In acute inflammations within the chest its external application is of much value, especially in pneumonitis or capillary bronchitis with diffused sore¬ ness. Soreness and tenderness in acute fevers and inflammations are re¬ lieved by the external use of turpentine, while quick, sharp, acute pain is best combated by the external use of mustard and anodyne counter-irritants. In croup its influence is direct. In both the mucous and membranous forms it has accomplished excellent results. It is given internally, applied ex¬ ternally, and its vapors are inhaled in these cases for a short time, careful watch being kept for evidences of its irritating influence upon the kidneys. In some extreme cases where it has not been previously used, a single large dose of ten or fifteen drops to a child of five years or above, will apparently exercise a prompt influence. . In diphtheria with occlusion of the larynx, throat or nasal passages, from the membrane, it should be dropped on the surface of hot water in a close¬ mouthed vessel, and the vapor inhaled for a few minutes every two or three hours. It may be used in this manner with excellent results with an equal amount of the oil of eucalyptus. It may be also used in an atomizer for this purpose. In all throat difficulties its external application is beneficial. It is a remedy for acute and chronic nasal catarrh and if given persis¬ tently it will prove most serviceable, even in stubborn, chronic cases. In gastric or intestinal catarrh it is a remedy of much value given in proper doses in palatable emulsion. Pain due to this condition is quickly relieved by turpentine, and atonic, relaxed and enfeebled mucous or muscular struc¬ tures quickly restored, and normal function attained. Turpentine is a most excellent remedy in the treatment of typhoid typhus and low forms of fever, and in typhoid complications of acute inflammations. In these conditions, when the tongue is dry, glazed and dark red, the tempera¬ ture persistently high, the pulse small, wiry, rapid and feeble, with distention of the abdomen from tympanites, the urine scanty and dark, the intestinal