Synonym. Ailanthus Glandulosa. Natural order. Simarubaceae. Common names. Three of Heaven. Chinese Sumach. Habitat. A poisonous tree, native of the Molucca Islands, and cultivated as a shade tree in the United States. Preparation. Tincture from the fresh shoots, leaves and blossoms.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Ailanthus acts directly upon the brain and cerebro-spinal centers, producing a low, adynamic condition, greatly simulating low types of fever, and malignant forms of scarlatina. It also has a special affinity for the skin, giving an eruption similar to that of scarlatina.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.
Mind. Semi-conscious; cannot comprehend what is said to him (Baptisia, Gel., Phosphorus ac., Rhus tox.). Stupor delirium, and insensibility (Belladonna, Hyosc., Opium). Constant muttering, delirium, with sleeplessness and restlessness (Agaricus, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus).
Head. Severe headache, wit dizziness, and red, hot face.
Eyes. Eyes suffused and congested; startled look when aroused; pupils dilated and sluggish (AEth., Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Stramonium); photophobia.
Nose. Copious, thin, ichorous, and bloody discharge from the nose (Arsenicum, Arum., Cepa.,). Nostrils congested; secretion suppressed.
Face. Red and hot, covered with a rash (Belladonna, Rhus tox.); mahogany colored.
Mouth. Teeth covered with sordes (Baptisia, Rhus tox.). Tongue dry, parched, cracked (Arsenicum, Baptisia, Belladonna, Rhus tox.). Tongue moist, coated white (Antim crud., Mercurius). brown in center; lips and edges livid (Belladonna).
Throat. Throat tender and sore on swallowing, or on admitting air. Throat livid, almost purple (Naja.); swollen’ tonsils prominent, and studded with many deep, angry-looking ulcers (Apis) oozing a scanty, foetid discharge; external neck swollen and sensitive (Baptisia). Irritability of the throat, and hawking up of mucus. Thick oedematous, dry, choky feeling in the throat. Throat dry and scrapy
Stool. Thin, watery, offensive diarrhoea (Arsenicum); passing involuntary with the urine (Hyoscyamus, Acid Muriaticum).
Respiratory Organs. Breathing hurried, irregular, heavy; dry, hacking cough. Cough in violent paroxysms before retiring and on rising; painful; deep. Hawking up of mucus.
Pulse. Rapid, small pulse, weak, frequent, and irregular.
Neck. Tender, and very much swollen.
Skin. Eruptions of military rash in patches of dark, almost livid color; most on forehead and face. Eruptions disappear on pressure, returning very slowly.
Sleep. Drowsy, restless, soon passes into insensibility.
Compare. Anacardium, Arum, Arsenicum, Baptisia, Gelsemium, Hyoscyamus, Lachesis, Phosphorus, Rhus tox., Stramonium
THERAPEUTICS.
Has been found very useful in low, adynamic forms of disease characterized by sudden and extreme prostration, stupor, vomiting, and purplish appearance of the skin (Bapt). In malignant scarlatina, with above characteristics, and especially when there is much swelling both external and internal, throat dusky red, ichorous discharge from the nose (Arum), diphtheritic exudations and slowly appearing eruptions. Also in diphtheria with similar symptoms. Farrington recommends Ailanthus for hay- fever if the symptoms correspond.
ALLEN CORSON COWPERTHWAITE was born at Cape May, New Jersey, May 3, 1848, son of Joseph C. and Deborah (Godfrey) Cowperthwaite. He attended medical lectures at the University of Iowa in 1867-1868, and was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1869. He practiced his profession first in Illinois, and then in Nebraska. In 1877 he became Dean and Professor of Materia Medica in the recently organized Homeopathic Department of the State University of Iowa, holding the position till 1892. In 1884 he accepted the chair of Materia Medica, Pharmacology, and Clinical Medicine in the Homeopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan. He removed to Chicago in 1892, and became Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College. From 1901 he also served as president of that College. He is the author of various works, notably "Insanity in its Medico-Legal Relations" (1876), "A Textbook of Materia Medica and Therapeutics" (1880), of "Gynecology" (1888), and of "The Practice of Medicine " (1901).