An inquiry into the physiological and medicinal properties of the veratrum viride : together with some physiological and chemical observations upon the alkaloid veratria obtained from this and other species : being the prize essay to which the American Medical Association awarded the gold medal for MDCCCLXIII / by Samuel R. Percy.

  • Percy, Samuel R.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the physiological and medicinal properties of the veratrum viride : together with some physiological and chemical observations upon the alkaloid veratria obtained from this and other species : being the prize essay to which the American Medical Association awarded the gold medal for MDCCCLXIII / by Samuel R. Percy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    the normal standard. Its effect is sedative, not narcotic, on the respiratory nerves. Thus it is expectorant, increasing the secre- tion from the pulmonary mucous membrane; first, by its action upon the blood and bloodvessels; and secondly, by lessening or subduing irritability of the lungs. Owing to the diminished circulation and respiration, the tem- perature of the body is decreased while under the full influence of the veratrum. As a means of diagnosis in pneximonia, hroncMtis, pleuritis, and in incipient phthisis, I have spoken fully in Section Fourth. DIVISION FOURTH. ITS ACTION ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. Veratrum viride exerts a sedative effect upon the nervous sys- tem, but whether it produces its primary effect upon the vascular or the nervous system, we will consider when we discuss its modus operandi. In medicinal doses it simply allays, controls or deranges nervous influences, but in poisoning doses it destroys them. Though it seems to exert but little action upon the onind, it makes the individual languid, quiet, disposed to sleep, and un- willing to be disturbed; and this effect is marked where it has been given in small and frequently repeated doses, controlling the heart's action, withoiit producing nausea and vomiting; but it is most noticeable where it has been taken in large and poisonous doses. These effects succeed its emetic action. Even in these cases the mind is clear, or but little confused ; and although by diminishing the rapidity of the supply of blood to the brain, it produces vertigo, especially on moving, it seldom causes headache. In full doses it undoubtedly diminishes sensibility, but I have never noticed any marked impairment of either sight or hearing when administered, to man. In animals I have noticed both. Its effects upon the brain temporarily resemble those produced by loss of blood, and they are undoubtedly produced by the sedative action on the circulation. Under the full influence of the medicine a change of position will produce vertigo or even syncope. It frequently induces sleep; not by any narcotic action, but by elieving congestion, irritability, and pain.