Eclectic Medical Journal Volume 30 (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. 1870 edition. Excerpt: ...action of the Bean. If a small dose be swallowed, in about five minutes afterwards a peculiar feeling is felt at tho pit of the stomach like that caused by bolting a piece of solid food of too large size. Though slight at first, the sensation gradually increases until it is very painful. Next a feeling of dyspnoea supervenes, dizziness follows, and in a short time more or less loss of muscular strength in the extremities. When larger doses are taken these symptoms are intensified, and there are added to them twitching of the fibers of pectoral muscles, dimness of vision, flow of fluid in the mouth and flow of perspiration. Of the. after effects dizziness is the most prominent; it passes off after a night's sleep. The heart's action has been found to be tumultuous and irregular. Besides these symptoms, medicinal doses of Calabar Boan induce the pupils to contract, lessen the force of the circulation by weakening the force of the heart; and, if often repeated, they stimulate the intestinal glands and prove aperient. In morbid states they are decidedly anodyne and calmative, and as such are effective in allaying nervous irritation. Intelligence is not affected. Of tho symptoms so far mentioned several may be referred to increase of secretion, particularly of the perspiratory, salivary, and intestinal glands, the discharges that follow are occasionally free, producing severe sweating, insalivation and catharsis. A copious flow of tears has likewise been seen. These hypersecretions are due to a common mechanism, and appear to arise from (1, ) congestion due to gradual slackening of the pulmonary circulation, producing a temporary increase of the functions of the organs from which they proceed; and (2.) relaxation of the walls of the capillaries, part...