Its influence extends to the synovial membranes, and contributes powerfully to the absorption of the effusions which exists in almost all cases of acute rheumatism. Its influence on the nervous system is very remarkable: as soon as the doses are a little increased, there is observed by a certain excitement of the brain, characterized by nocturnal visions by a peculiar gaiety, and a great vivacity of impressions; the circulation of the brain also appears to be modified in such a way as to produce vertigo; with dazzlings and flushes of heat in the face. The digestive organs were organs were but little or not at all affected. Appetite returns after the second or third day, and remain good. Some complain of a disagreeable mouth, and have a little whiteness of the tongue. The stools were increased in frequency in one case only; but not altered in quantity or quality. Hence Lombard was forced to consider that this remedy acts neither as a derivative nor a sudorific, but as a specific remedy against rheumatic inflammations, one whose action is upon the fibrous and tenacious parts which surround the joints, as well as upon the synovial membrane lining them.-J.C.P.
Dierbach classes Aconite among the diaphoretica-acrida in company with Ledum-palustris, Rhododendron-chrysanthum, Rhus- toxicodendron, Dulcamara, Pulsatilla-nigricans, Chelidonium majoris.
Lombard says Storck, who first used this remedy in rheumatism, thought he observed a sudorific virtue in it, and was struck with this indication. However, in eight or ten cases of acute articular rheumatism, which Lombard treated with Aconite, there was but one in which its use was followed by abundant perspiration; all the other cures were obtained without any sudorific action and even in one case it ARRESTED copious sweatings which had lasted fifteen days.
Vogt says, in small doses it frequently causes a great increase of the secretions; but thinks this action is most marked upon the skin, where besides copious sweats, it often causes violent itching, and formication with springing up of vesicles.
Storck noticed its great affinity to the skin, especially when perspiration has been suppressed.-J.C.P.
Dierbach says, even in small doses it exerts a great influence upon the skin; this Storck noticed in his experiments upon himself, and thence drew the conclusion that it might prove serviceable in rheumatic and arthritic affections. The diaphoresis takes place under violent itching, and in arthritic and rheumatic diseases not infrequently passes over into profuse sweats; which at times, however, only show themselves on the most diseased parts, upon which red vesicles (perhaps like rheumatic miliaria) or pustules, filled with watery fluid, at times spring up. In some persons, it also excites an abundant secretion of strongly saturated urine. Sobernheim thinks it acts especially upon the skin and uropoietic organs; causing increased and altered urine, which is very much saturated and highly tinged.
Dupont has published a curious case of chronic general perspiration, which had lasted upwards of six years, and resisted all treatment, until extract of Aconite was given; at first, in one-half grain doses, gradually increased until sixteen grains per day were taken (See “Wilson on the Skin,” p. 272). J.C.P.
Our experience has confirmed most of the above observations, with the exception, perhaps, of croup. In angina- membranacea, or true croup, the continued use of Aconite involves a vital loss of time: Tartar-emetic, or Bichromate of Potash, should be instantly applied, according to their indications. In the advanced stages of phthisis pulmonalis, a sudden sense of suffocation sets, in attended by prostration and expressions of death, which we have promptly palliated by repeated doses of this drug.-ED.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS.
Shooting pains, or rheumatic, which are reproduced by wine or other stimulants.-Sufferings which, particularly at night, seem insufferable, and which generally disappear in a sitting posture.-*Attacks of pains, with thirst and redness of the cheeks.- Distressing sensibility of body, and especially of the parts affected, to every movement, and to the slightest touch.- Pain as from a bruise, and sensation of heaviness in all the limbs.-A sensation of drawing, with paralytic weakness in the arms and legs.-Failure of strength and stability, pains and cracking in the legs.-Rapid and general decay of strength.- Attacks of fainting, chiefly on rising from a recumbent posture,- and sometimes with congestion of blood in the head, buzzing in the ears, decay paleness of countenance, and shuddering.- Uneasiness, as if from suppressed perspiration, or in consequences of a chill, with pain in the head, buzzing in the ears, colic, and cold in the head-Sensation of cold and of stagnation of blood in all the vessels.-Shaking in the limbs. Cataleptic attack, with cries, grinding of teeth, and sobs.- Swelling of the whole body, which assumes a blackish color.
CHARACTERISTIC PECULIARITIES.
Acute local, and especially congestive inflammations, with great erethism of the nerves and the vascular system; violent fever, the pains appearing intolerable. Congestions, especially of the chest, heart, and head, arising from plethora.-Inflammation of the serous membranes. Neuralgia rheumatism, and arthritis, accompanied with stinging pains, as with a lame and numb feeling in the affected parts, violent intolerable pains, and great nervousness.-External and internal dry heat of the affected parts.- Great sensitiveness of the affected parts from contact and movement.-Pains as if bruised.-Paroxysms of pain, with thirst and redness of face.-Various affections consequent upon fright and chagrin, especially in females, during the catamenia- Aconite is particularly suitable to persons with bright redness of the cheeks, especially young girls of a plethoric habit, disposed to rushes of blood, who are lively, nervous, irritable, and lead a sedentary life. Wine and other heating substances renew the pains.-The pains are particularly intolerable at night, and disappear, for the most part, when sitting.-Many of the symptoms appear in the evening, or early in the morning, and frequent diminish in the open air.-Complaints arising from a cold, especially from the effects or dry and cold weather, from a current of air, and particularly from the east wind (this is a dry and sharp wind in Germany).
SKIN.
Crawling, itching, and desquamation of the skin, especially of the parts affected.-Itching over the whole body, especially on the genitals.-Entire body (of a child) painful, and distressingly sensitive to the touch.-Skin dry and burning.-A sensation of crawling and burning, extending through the entire body, especially the arms and feet.-Swelling and burning heat of injured or suffering parts.- Yellowish color of the skin.- Single, long continued stitches, here and there mixed with a sensation of soreness, and finally terminating in a diffused sore feeling.-Fine prickings, as from needles, on different parts of the body-Spots similar to fleabites on the hands, on the body, and elsewhere.-Vesicles red and broad, attended by itching._Reddish vesicles, filled with an acrid fluid.-Morbilli.- Purpura miliaris.-Rubeola.-Variola.
SLEEP.
Great desire to sleep, even while walking, but principally after dinner; frequent yawning and stretching.-Drowsiness, with anxious fancies and rapid respiration.-Dreams and confused reveries during the waking state, and springing out of bed.
sleeplessness, with anxiety, restlessness, and continued tossing from one side to the other, in consequence of pain, with inability to lie either on the right side or back.-Startings in sleep-Anxious dreams, with nightmare.-Dreams, with a sort of clairvoyance. Light sleep.-Impossibility of lying on the side. -During sleep, one lies on the back, with one hand under the occiput; or gets in a sitting posture, with the head inclined forward. Nightly delirium.
FEVER
Cold shiverings over the arms and feet, continually, or of the back and arms; also on the face, or ascend from below interiorly to the chest; sometimes in the evening, after lying down, also with frequent yawning after rising early in the morning.- Universal chilliness, with internal dry heat, hot forehead, and tips of the ears; or, with redness of cheeks and pains in the limbs; or, coldness, with stiffness of the whole body, heat and redness of one cheek, and coldness. with stiffness of the whole body, heat and redness of one cheek, and coldness and paleness of the other; open, and staring eyes, and contracted pupils, which dilate slowly and lightly, and only in the dusk-Coldness and chilliness, and paleness, at first of the finger-points and then of the fingers, followed by cramp in the calves of the legs and in the soles of the feet, and finally, chilliness of the forehead.- Chilliness if uncovered in the least (*or by movement) during the hot stage of fever.-Frequent shiverings, with dry, burning heat of the skin.-Chilliness and coldness of the hands and feet, towards evening; then inclination to vomit, which ceases after taking food, that is neither craved nor disliked, followed by heat of the face, and sad and despairing thoughts.- Burning heat, especially in the head and face, towards evening, with redness of the cheeks, shivering over the entire body, pressing-outward headache, with thirst and anguish-Alternating paroxysms of redness of the cheeks; either with heat of the head, universal shivering, and natural taste; or heat over the whole body, headache with rolling the eyes, and puerile gaiety; or, shiverings attended by weeping, and oppressive headache; or obstinacy and opposition, with burning around the navel.-Fevers, inflammatory, and with local inflammation, violent dry heat, burning dryness of the skin, excessive thirst, redness, or alternate redness or paleness of the countenance; great nervousness, restlessness, moaning and tossing, fears and anxiety, painful congestion of the head, vertigo and delirium, the latter chiefly at night.-Slight perspiration over the entire body.-Copious sweat, with diarrhoea and increase of urine.- Constant sweat, especially on the covered parts.-Sour sweat.- Pulse hard, frequently intermittent pulse.-Pulse feeble, 120, intermitting after every second stroke.
