A tincture is made of the seeds of this plant, which belongs to that great order of cardiac poisons, namely, the Apocynaceae. It acts directly upon the cardiac muscle. Compare Apocynum can., and allies. From a toxic dose, the heart, together with other muscles of the body, passes at the first onset from contraction to cadaveric rigidity, and its muscular fibre assumes and acid reaction. The action upon the heart is accompanied by an increase of blood- pressure, and in certain conditions by increase of urine and by lowering of the temperature. Face flushed, lips scarlet, eyes brilliant, temperature high, skin dry, pupils dilating and contracting alternately every few seconds, pulse 140, arteries distended, l. ventricle contracting with unusual vigor, aortic valves closing with a loud and distinct “tub”, a slight mitral regurgitant murmur, loquacity, not micturition for ten hours. Purging and vomiting.
Clinical
It has been found valuable for weak heart, the pulse becomes slower, stronger and more regular; it acts well in chronic nephritis, it increases the flow of urine and diminishes the dropsy, it, however, does not seem to act well when there is much oedema of the lungs. It acts best in functional disturbance of the heart, from alcohol, tobacco, tea.
Born in 1837in Westminster, Vermont. . He was an orthodox doctor who converted to homeopathy
Dr. Allen compiled the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica over the course of 10 years.
In 1881 Allen published A Critical Revision of the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica.