SPHERE OF ACTIONS
This remedy belongs to the cerebro-spinal group, and spends most of its action upon the pneumogastric nerves, and the spinal filaments of the vasomotor nervous system.
No drug in the Materia Medica produces such profound paralysis of the whole circulatory apparatus, and this leads us to believe that one of its. grand centres of action is the medulla oblongata; that being the nervous center of the vaso- motor system. Its irritation produces contraction of the arteries and increased blood pressure in the heart. Its section, on the contrary, paralyzes the vaso-motor nerves, the arteries become dilated and filled with blood and the heart almost empty.
Paralysis of the functions of the medulla oblongata is prominently portrayed in all animals poisoned with the Veratrum viride. The medulla is also the nervous centre that controls respiration, and no drug interferes with respiration more than this remedy.
Just here is the place to show the grand difference between the action of Veratrum viride and that of Aconite. Aconite although acting on the same organs and tissues, spends the most of its action on the spinal filaments of the vaso-motor nerves of the capillary blood vessels, so as to produce congestion in every tissue in the body that contains capillaries.
Veratrum viride, on the contrary, selects for its centre of action the cerebro-spinal system, the most of its action centering upon the pneumogastric nerve, and by paralyzing its functions, produces congestion and inflammation in every organ and tissue to which it is distributed. The action on the great sympathetic of both remedies, is only through sympathy, or incidental.
Another difference between the two remedies is this, Aconite’s main centre of action being spent on the capillary vessels, cures congestion and inflammation in any and every organ and tissue in the body. Whereas, Veratrum viride only cures congestion and inflammation in the brain, and the organs that are under the immediate control of the par vagum. This, you see, makes its sphere of usefulness much less than that of Aconite.
Diseases, that call for these remedies must have their starting point in the cerebro-spinal nervous system.
Brain.-The action of Veratrum viride upon the brain is to utterly prostrate its functions, and thereby produce intense congestion of its capillary vessels. On the contrary, Belladonna produces its congestion by exciting the cerebral functions.
Through the kindness of my friend Dr. C.Adams, I am able this evening to show you with the microscope, the pathological changes Veratrum viride is capable of producing in animals poisoned with the remedy. The microscope has given us definite and valuable knowledge, showing just the changes the remedy is capable of producing in the various tissues of the body. In the study of this drug, Dr. Adams has rendered me invaluable service, and I hope the Academy will tender him a vote of thanks for this microscopical treat.
The microscopical examination of the brain revealed intense capillary congestion of both the white fibrous structure, and gray cineritious substance; there being more congestion in the cerebellum than in the cerebrum. Nothnageal says, The convulsive centre is located in a limited space on the floor of the fourth ventricle in the pons Varolii. We found capillary congestion of the pons, and this solves the problem why Veratrum viride is so valuable in spasms of a congestive nature. In puerperal convulsions that have for their origin some emotional cause, and when there is excessive cerebral hyperaemia, Veratrum viride, is, of all remedies, the first to be though of. Belladonna, Chloroform, the first to be thought of. Belladonna, Chloroform, and the whole list of narcotics cannot equal it. That acute observe, Dr. Kitchen, of Philadelphia, says he has been successful in many cases of puerperal convulsions with the Veratrum viride.
Many other physicians have used it with great success. My use of this remedy in this disease and in spasms of children, has been so pleasing and universally successful, that I feels as though I cannot urge you too strongly to give this remedy a trial, not only in puerperal convulsions, but in sudden spasms of little children where intense cerebral hyperaemia exists.
In puerperal convulsions this remedy should be given in doses large enough to produce nausea.
Eyes.-Its action upon the eyes I believe to be in sympathy, from its action upon the intra-cranial nervous centres, especially the corpora quadrigemina. The dilated pupils is caused by paralysis of the circular fibres of the iris.
The pupils are so greatly dilated under the action of this remedy, I believe it would take the place of Atropine in surgical operations upon the eye.
Ears.-Veratrum viride produces paralysis of the auditory nerve, from its action upon the brain at the origin of this nerve.
Face.-The facial symptoms all point to a deep seated intra- cranial disease.
Mouth, Fauces and OEsophagus.-The yellow coating upon the tongue, and the bitter taste in mouth, point to a functional derangement of the liver. The motor force of the pharyngeal branches of the pneumogastric is so powerfully irritated as to throw the oesophagus into constant spasm, as shown by the frequent and long continued singultus, and the constant sensation as if a ball were rising in the oesophagus. In my proving, spasm of the oesophagus was one of the most prominent symptoms the remedy produces. The microscopical examination of the mucous membrane of the oesophagus revealed intense congestion1 of its vessels, and this shows that the spasm of the oesophagus was really due to inflammation of this tube; a fact well worth remembering, for there are but few remedies that cause inflammation of the oesophagus.
Stomach.-Veratrum viride produces intense congestion of the pneumogastric nerve, at its origin in the medulla oblongata, and the whole length of the nerve; the microscope revealed its vessels perfectly gorged with blood;
this explains the phenomena of the action of Veratrum viride upon all the organs to which the par vagum is distributed. It is capable of producing inflammation in every organ under the control of the par vagum. No remedy can produce greater congestion and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach as you can see by examining this stomach with the microscope.
Through the filaments of the vagi, the mucous follicles of the stomach are greatly excited, so as to cause them to pour out an immense amount of mucus. Its emetic action, causing nausea and long continued vomiting, is caused from its irritating action upon, not only the filaments, but the whole of the par vagum, making the vomiting neurotic, as well as gastric.
Liver.-Through the filaments of the pneumogastric never, Veratrum viride produces congestion and inflammation of the liver. The microscope revealed the intra-lobular veins perfectly gorged with blood. The action of this remedy upon the liver, producing inflammation, has nerve been hinted at by any writer before; this is a practical fact that I hope the profession will make good use of. It also greatly increases the secretion of bile. In bilious fevers, where the poison centres upon the par vagum, and there is much vomiting of bile, this is one of our best remedies.
Intestines.-Upon the intestines, its action is but slight; from its action upon the liver, we have more or less venous congestion of the bowels; hardly ever acts as a cathartic, but is more liable to produce constipation.
Kidneys.-Allopathic physician clam that it is an excellent diuretic, increasing the solid constituents of the urine. As a diuretic, I believe we have many remedies more useful than the Veratrum viride.
Female Organs of Generation.-In many congestive diseases of these organs, it will be found of great use.
Dr. Peterson says he has relieved hundreds of cases of menstrual colic with this remedy, in drop does of the tincture.
Dr. Ludlam has great confidence in it, to prevent puerperal fever, and inflammation of the mammae. In any congestive disease of these organs, where we have reflex symptoms that centre upon the par vagum, we ought to think of this remedy.
Chest.- We have no remedy in the Materia Medica that will produce such sudden and intense congestion and inflammation of the lungs, as will the Veratrum viride. The twelve. cats and three dogs killed with the Veratrum all had inflammation of the lungs of the most marked character. The microscope revealed intense congestion1 and a large number of the capillary vessels ruptured. Sections of the lung were so completely hepatized that, when thrown into the water, they immediately sunk to the bottom of the vessel.
Thus you see we have positive evidence that-
Veratrum viride well not only produce congestion, but inflammation of the lungs. This congestion and inflammation I believe to be due to paralysis of the motor filaments of the pneumogastric nerve.
Upon the mucous follicles of the bronchial mucous membrane, it has a specific action, causing them to secrete an immense amount of mucus. This the microscope most beautifully illustrated, the smallest air-cells being completely filled with mucus.
(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