SPHERE OF ACTION
Through the cerebro-spinal system, it especially affects the pneumogastric nerves. About opposite the pharynx, as the starting point, it passes in both directions, involving the phrenic, solar, and cardiac plexuses, and finally the cerebro-spinal system.-HALE. Not so, its whole sphere of action is upon the cerebro-spinal system.
Nerves of Sensation.-Lobelia first affects the nerves of sensation. The pneumogastric being made up of both sensory and motor filaments, the impression passes down the extremities of that nerve, and the brain sends a motor current to eject the drug. While this is being done, the sensation has gone on to the great sympathetic, and finally it is felt at the finger ends and toes. The sensation is felt most severely in the solar plexus; the depression upon this and other plexuses of the sympathetic system is such, that the patient imagines death is about to ensue.-HALE.
Nerves of Motion.-This system is brought most powerfully under the action of this drug, the inferior laryngeal seems to be the first one called into action, which causes a constricted feeling at the larynx; passing on the oesophagus, contracts its whole length; then the stomach contracts from below upwards; and emesis follows.
In the mean time the bronchi and chest contract, and the patient feels as if suffocation was impending. Now the voluntary muscles are called into action, and if the drug is carried far enough, convulsions and death ensue.
Muscular System.-This system suffers severely, the whole nervous energies being brought so completely under the control of this drug. The involuntary muscular fibres are the ones first involved, as we observe by the vermicular motion of the muscular fibres of the oesophagus, the contractions of the stomach and bronchi, and the lateral action of the heart. The voluntary muscles do not seem to be affected until the involuntary are completely under its influence.
In the reductions of luxations, the Eclectics use it much as we do Chloroform, to relax the muscular fibres, until the patient is as limber as a rag. This is why it is of service in rigidity of the os uteri, perinaeum, intussusceptions, and herniae.-HALE.
GRAND CHARACTERISTICS
Spasmodic asthma; worse from exertion; disordered stomach, and especially a feeling of weakness in the pit of the stomach.
Hawking up copious quantities of mucus.
Dyspnoea, wit a sense of a lump in the pit of the stomach rising into the mouth.
Dyspnoea in emphysema.
Burning, prickling in the air-passages.
Violent nausea and vomiting, with great loss of strength.
Chronic vomiting in paroxysms, with nausea, profuse perspiration, prostration of strength, with good appetite; lateritious urine.-Dr. JEANES.
After vomiting, breaks out all over with sweat, followed by a sensation as if a thousand needles were pricking the skin, from within outwards.-C.C.Smith.
Extreme tenderness over the sacrum, she cannot bear even the pressure of a pillow.-C.C.SMITH.
Sick headache with vertigo; dull headache, violent nausea, vomiting and great prostration.
Eruption between the fingers, on the dorsa of the hands, and on the fore-arm, consisting of small vesicles, accompanied by tingling and itching, exactly resembling the itch pustule.
Diseases that call for this remedy must have more or less irritation of the vagi.
(1836-1897)
Characteristic materia medica Published 1873
Physiological materia medica, containing all that is known of the physiological action of our remedies; together with their characteristic indications and pharmacology. Published 1881