We have an abundance of testimony in all schools, that Veratrum viride will cure pneumonia during the first, or congestive stage, and here it resembles Aconite. After the second stage, that of complete hepatization has fairly taken place, in my hands, it has failed, but the effects upon animals, show that it will prove useful until the stage of suppuration commences.
In bronchitis, it must prove one of our most useful remedies, especially when it is of the vesicular nature.
From its irritating action upon the vagus, the heart’s action is lessened to a wonderful degree, but we could find no structural changes in the substance of the heart, with the microscope.
Just here let me say, that if any member of this society wants the gratitude of a patient afflicted with asthma, let him try Veratrum viride as a palliative to cut short the paroxysm. No remedy has given me such quick and pleasing results in asthma.
I use it in full doses, so as to get the nauseating effects of the remedy. It reduces the respirations in the healthy full one half, and in pneumonia from 40 to 16 and 12 in a minute.
Skin.- Upon the skin it acts as a mild diaphoretic; however, in some instances the perspiration is very profuse, but generally the skin is soft, moist and very cool.
Nerves of Motion.-This remedy has a wonderful action us upon the motor nervous system: generally producing complete paralysis of the whole motor apparatus, but in some cases, violent spasms are the most prominent symptoms. The spasms are both tonic and clonic; frequently come on like galvanic shocks.
As a remedy in chorea, no remedy has given better satisfaction. There is now an immense number of cases on record of cases on record that have been permanently cured by it.
Two years ago I was called to a most heart rending case of poisoning by strychnine, in a noble little boy of six years of age. An old school physician had prescribed strychnine sugar- coated pills, each containing 1-32 of a grain, to the boy’s uncle for ague. How many he ate, we never could learn. When I reached him he had been in spasms two hours; the lest touch of his body, the noise made in shutting the odor, or the movement of his body, would bring on the most frightful spasms, lasting from one to five minutes; his arms and legs were rigid; the muscles of the chest so rigid that respiration would ceases; face livid, and saliva was running from his mouth.
I immediately gave him nearly one teaspoonful of the fluid extract of Veratrum viride, and then two drops every ten minutes.
He had nine spasms first hour, the second but two, which were the last. The Veratrum had completely relaxed his muscular system, so that he could hardly move a limb. The third day he was up and playing about the house. The wonderful action of the Veratrum in subduing those fearful tetanic spasms caused by strychnine, gave me more confidence in the remedy tan I can express to you.
Nervous of Sensations.-Its action upon the nerves of sensation, that originate in the posterior portion of the spinal cord, is but slight, but pain and hyperaesthesia are often allayed by it.
Muscular and Fibrous Tissues.-The striped muscular fibres of animal life lose their power of contractility, and are profoundly prostrated. This muscular prostration is due to the paralyzing influence the remedy has upon the functions of the cerebellum and antero-lateral portion of the spinal cord. My experiments upon animal were too short too produce much structural change in the spinal cord, and consequently it was not examined with the microscope. This I much regret, and I hope some one will finish what I have neglected. No remedy produces relaxation and prostration of the whole muscular system; in half an hour the animals were completely prostrated and not able to move a limb.
The animal would remain in any position in which it was placed. I would call the particular attention of the profession to this complete relaxation of the whole muscular system. The power of the Veratrum in controlling spasms has been so marked in my hands, that I believe it will prove to be a complete antidote for the spasms produced by strychnine. My own case certainly goes to prove this statement. There is no known antidote to strychnine, and if this will prove to be, it will be great blessing to many a poor mortal who has tried to take his life, and then repented when too late. Its specific action upon the muscular system is shown in its wonderful power in curing chorea. I would call the particular attention of the profession to the use of Veratrum viride in chorea.
In myalgia and muscular rheumatism it must prove of great value. The Eclectic physicians are enthusiastic in their laudations of this remedy in acute rheumatism, especially when it affects the heart. Our school have not used it enough in this disease to learn its real value. I have used it in one case of rheumatism of the splenius muscle, where its action was most marked and pleasing, after Aconite, Bryonia, Belladonna, and Rhus tox. had completely failed.
Locally it ought to be one of our best remedies for myalgia.
The late Dr.J.C.Peterson has used this remedy in many cases of rheumatism, with quick and marked results. He thinks it acts better upon the left side. This I doubt not from the action it has upon the liver.
Complete prostration of the whole muscular system is one of the most prominent symptoms the remedy is capable of producing.
To get the best results of this drug, Squibb’s fluid extract is the preparation that should be used. The tinctures that I have used never have given good satisfaction. Why, I cannot explain, but nevertheless it is a feet.
GRAND CHARACTERISTICS
Head.- Intense cerebral congestion, feeling as though the head would burst open; accompanied with nausea and vomiting.
Can hardly hold the head up from paralysis of the muscles of the neck.
Loss of sight from paralysis of the heart’s action, with great faintness.
Dimness of vision from congestion of blood to the base of the brain.
Ringing in the ears, from congestion of blood to the head, with nausea and vomiting.
Sudden spasms from intense congestion of blood to the head.
Pale, cold face; livid color of the face in convulsions; nose looks pinched, cold and blue.
Digestive Organs.- Copious secretion of saliva.
Frequent and long continued hiccough, with a constant sensation as if a ball were rising in the oesophagus.
Tongue coated yellow.
Violent and long continued vomiting, without much nausea.
Sudden nausea, with violent vomiting and hiccough.
Vomiting of food, and large quantities of glairy mucus.
The least quantity of food produces violent vomiting.
Neuralgic pains in the abdomen; heavy aching pains in the umbilicus.
Generative Organs of Women.-Menstrual colic with nausea and vomiting.
Dysmenorrhoea with nausea and vomiting.
Puerperal peritonitis, or metritis, with nausea and vomiting.
To increase the secretion of milk, and prevent puerperal fever, Dr. R.Ludlam has found it of great value.
In puerperal convulsions, with intense congestion of blood to the brain, Veratrum viride, in nauseating doses, is the most valuable remedy we possess; but it must be given in large enough doses to produce emesis.
Respiratory Organs.-Acute congestion of the lungs, with nausea and vomiting. No remedy can equal it. Inflammation of the lungs, first stage where the functions of the par vagum are implicated; it has cured hundreds of cases.
As a palliative in asthma, where the respiration is extremely laboured; cold sweats on the forehead, and great anxiety of mind, Veratrum viride, given so as to nauseate the patient, is the best remedy I have ever used.
Myalgia of the muscles of the chest, applied locally, as well as internally.
Muscular rheumatism, especially if the functions of the pneumogastric nerve are involved.
I have taken the most of what I have written on this remedy from my article on Veratrum viride, in the U.S. Medical and Surgical Journal, No.27, page 268. And for a full account of all that is known about this remedy the reader is referred to this Journal.
(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