General therapeutics and materia medica: adapted for a medical textbook (Volume 2).

  • Dunglison, Robley, 1798-1869.
Date:
1853
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: General therapeutics and materia medica: adapted for a medical textbook (Volume 2). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    it is adapted foi oases in which the aromatic bitters are indicated. It is more used, perhaps, in atonic dyspepsia Fig. 136. than in any other affection. Like all the simple and compound hitters, it was once much given in intermittents. Infusion is the best form of prepara- tion. {Absinth, gj.; Aq.bullient Oj. Dose, f3iss. to t'Sij.) The dose of the powder is 9j. to 9ij. 18. ARTEMIS'lA VULGARIS.— MUGWORT. All the species belonging to the genus Artemisia possess bitter and aromatic pro- ] h ■ it ies. Artemisia vulgaris, Sex. Syst. Syn- genesia Superflua; Nat. Ord. Composite Corymbiferae, was, like the others, employed at one time as an aromatic tonic; but it fell into disrepute, until revived in Germany in modern times as a remedy in epilepsy. It has not, however, been much given as such in other countries of Europe, or in the United States. The root is the part em- ployed, which should be dug up in autumn, after the stalk has become dry; or in the spring before the stalk has shot up. Bur- dach recommends many precautions in its preparation. To remove epilepsy, he found it most efficacious, when given in the dose of a teaspoonful—from fifty to seventy grains—in warm beer; about half an hour before the paroxysm. Should this be impracticable, it may be ad- ministered as soon as the patient can swallow. He must be put to bed immediately; be covered up warm, and allowed warm small beer to drink, so as to occasion diaphoresis. This plan may be repeated ac- cording to circumstances. Burdach has entered into details on this subject, which the author has given elsewhere. (New Remedies, 6th edit, p. 109.) In general, it may be sufficient to prescribe a drachm of the powder three times a day, gradually increasing the dose; or it may be given in infusion or decoction. (Artemis, vulg. rad. concis. Ij.; Aquce Oiss.; boil for half an hour. Dose, half a teacupful every two hours in cases of epilepsy.) It is to be feared that the assertions of the German physicians are too strong, and that the advantages to be derived from the artemisia in epilepsy have been exaggerated. Where there is no organic dis- ease of the encephalon, substances, which, like artemisia are nause- ous, bitter, and aromatic, may be productive of advantage as tonics and revellents; and the author has seen one or two cases in which beneficial effects have resulted from its use. It has likewise been given Artemisia absinthium.