The Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics Volume 2 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 Excerpt: ...of the dust of ipecacuanha, in the process of powdering it, by a druggist's assistant. It is mentioned by Dr. Priegher." The patient, who was suffering from catarrh and cough, inhaled, during three hours, the dust from the root; in consequence of which, vomiting came on, followed by a tightness of the chest. An hour after this he complained of a sense of suffocation, and constriction of the trachea and throat; his appearance was pale and deathly. The physician who was called in bled him, and gave assafetida and belladonna, with temporary relief; but in five hours a fresh attack came on, with the most imminent danger of suffocation. A strong decoction of uva-ursi, with the extract of rhatany, was administered with almost imme Scott, Phil. Trans, for 1776, p. 1-B. Aims' Mag. B. xxxii. H. i. S. IKS. diate relief, and in an hour his breathing was much freer. He was able to leave the house in two days, but suffered several days with difficulty of breathing. When taken in small and repeated doses, ipecacuanha principally directs its influence to the secreting organs, especially those of the chest, whose activity it promotes. It specifically affects the bronchial membrane, in some morbid conditions of which it promotes expectoration, while in others, attended with a profuse secretion of phlegm, it exerts a beneficial influence, and often contributes to the restoration of the part to its normal condition. In sometcJiat larger doses it creates nausea, with its concomitant phenomena, depression, increased secretion of saliva and buccal mucus, &c. If a diaphoretic regimen be adopted, it exerts a powerfully relaxing influence over the skin. In full medicinal doses it occasions vomiting, followed by a tendency to sleep. Its operation as an emetic is exceed...