A manual of practical therapeutics : considered with reference to articles of the materia medica / by Edward John Waring ; edited by Dudley W. Buxton.

  • Edward John Waring
Date:
1886
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A manual of practical therapeutics : considered with reference to articles of the materia medica / by Edward John Waring ; edited by Dudley W. Buxton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    large to produce the full physiological effect of the drug, to be given every night at bedtime. This treatment is curative as well as prophylactic, breaking through the habit, which in diseases of this -class is most important. Dr. Anstie obtained excellent results in a case of spasmodic asthma by the hypodermic injection of atropia. According to Dr. G. Oliver,^ injections of the sulphate of atropia (gr. Yoo) ^^^ acetate of morphia (gr. yi), combined, prove more effectual in affording relief than either atropia or morphia employed singly. In other forms oi Spasmodic and Nervous Cough, belladonna likewise proves very serviceable, both administered internally, and applied externally in the form of plaster to the chest. 411. In Hooping Cough, the value of belladonna is well estab- lished. Small doses given at first may be rapidly increased, as children tolerate this drug well. Dr. Wiglesworth^ has successfully employed Atropise Sulph. internally in these cases, commencing with gr. yl^-jj- in Z] of water for children from i^ to 4 years old, once a day, either diminishing or increasing the dose as occasion dictates; when the nightly paroxysms are very severe, he repeats half the dose an hour before bedtime. Frictions of belladonna liniment to the spine may also be used with advantage in these cases. In Laryngismus Stridulus, it promises to be a remedy of consider- able value j it seems well worthy of attention in these cases. 412. In Epilepsy, Trousseau recommended its use, but it is now replaced in favor by the bromides. 413. In Tetanus, belladonna was successfully employed in several cases by Dr. Hutchinson. Another case cured by atropia (gr. -^-^ every three hours) is related by Dr. G. Oliver;^ belladonna liniment was also rubbed over the spine and rigid muscles every six hours. The patient was kept under its influence for three weeks, and then completely recovered. A case is related by Dr. D. H. Cullimore,* in which the hypodermic injection of atropia, gr. J-q three times daily manifestly controlled the spasms. During nine days two grains of atropia were injected without producing dilatation of the pupil or other physiological action, with the exception of drowsiness and slight heat of skin. It probably acts in these cases in the manner pointed out by Brown-Sequard, by reducing congestion of the blood vessels of the spinal cord and its membranes. 414. In Sciatica, Tic Douloureux and other Neuralgic Affections, belladonna takes the first rank in the list of sedatives and anodynes, both as an external and internal remedy; but, like all other reme- dies of this class, it occasionally fails to afford any relief. Dr. Fuller (p. 457) considers it especially adapted for the cases which are marked by spasmodic twitchings of the muscles, whether mani fested by cramp or by starting of the limb; and in these cases he advises the extract in doses of ^-yi or even ^ gr. two or three * Practitioner, Feb., 1876. 3 Practitioner, Dec, 1868. Lancet, April 12, 1879. * Lancet, July 12, 1879.