APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.
A. cannabinum, L. Nat order,
Apocynaceæ. Common name, Indian
hemp.
Authorities.
[No. 1,
from Lond. Med. Gaz., 1833 (A. H. Z., 4, 870); 2, N. A. J., 4, 529; 3,
“Peters’s Elements;” 4, An Inaugural Dissertation on Indian
Hemp, etc., to the Jefferson Med. Coll., by M. L. Knapp, 1825.] 1, Black; 2,
Peters; 3, Marcy; 4, Knapp (took infusion of the powdered root
in warm water (15 grains to cupful), two tablespoonfuls every fifteen
minutes).
MIND.
►
*Bewildered, [4].
HEAD.
►
Unusual heaviness of the head, with aching pains in the small of the
back and limbs (evening, eighth day), [8].
► Headache, [4].
EYE.
►
Woke early in the morning, with severe irritation of the left eye, as if
several sharp grains of sand were in it, attended with much heat,
irritation, and redness; after lasting several hours, this disappeared
as suddenly as it came on, [2].
NOSE.
►
Without any other sign of having taken cold, he would wake up in the
morning with the nostrils and throat filled with thick, well-concocted
yellow mucus, as if he had a severe catarrh for at least seven or ten
days, and which had skipped its first stage and commenced in the second,
[2].
MOUTH.
►
Dryness of mouth on waking (fifth morning), [3]. ►
Increased secretion of mucus and saliva from the mouth and fauces, which
kept me constantly spitting, [4].
THROAT.
►
The bitter subacrid taste was persistent in the fauces, [4].
STOMACH.
►
*Thirst on waking, [3].
[10.] ►
Slight nausea (fifteen minutes), [4].
► Nausea, [3]. ► Efforts
to vomit (thirty minutes), [4]. ► Nausea, and even vomiting, [1]. ► After
sleeping an hour, woke with extreme sickness, followed by two spells of
full vomiting (two and a half hours), [4].
► Vomited slightly (one and a quarter
hours), [4]. ►
On waking, felt a sinking at the stomach, [3].
► Occasionally, a sense of sinking at
the pit of the stomach, [2].
ABDOMEN.
►
Decided distension of the abdomen, especially after a
moderate dinner; all the sense of fulness seemed about the stomach,
liver, and spleen, while the lower bowels did not appear more flatulent
than common, [2]. ► Occasionally, some flatulence and
slightly uneasy sensations in the bowels, [2].
STOOL AND ANUS.
[20.]
► Occasionally, it seemed as if
diarrhœa would occur, but it did not, [2].
► It proved a gentle cathartic;
“I felt the stimulus of it passing onward into the
intestines;” a gentle movement the next morning without any
griping, and the bowels were kept soluble for a day or two, [4]. ►
Loose, but not very copious, bilious stools, [2]. ►
Increased inclination towards constipation, [2]. ►
*Evacuations exceedingly scanty, [2]. ► Bowels
sluggish, but fæces not hard or costive, [2].
URINARY ORGANS.
►
There seemed to be but little expulsive power about the bladder, [2]. ►
The little water that was passed
flowed as easily as if it were oil, [2].
► Copious secretion of urine, [1]. ►
Urine augmented, [4]. [30.] ►
Urinary secretion increased in quantity, and much lighter in color than
in health (eighth day), [3]. ► *Diminished urine (sixth day), [3]. ►
*Decided scantiness of the urine, [2]. ► *Urine
diminished to one-third the usual amount, without pain or
uneasiness about the kidneys or bladder; on the contrary, these organs
seemed remarkably comfortable; they seemed simply torpid, [2]. ► Urine
generally of a light, golden, sherry-yellow color, not depositing any
sediment from exposure to cold, [2].
RESPIRATORY APPARATUS.
► *Short dry cough, [3]. ► Once
during the evening, and twice upon different nights, sudden and violent
attacks of hard and frequent coughing, annoying him for at least one or
two hours, then disappearing without leaving a trace of cold behind, [2]. ►
Scanty expectoration of white mucus, [3].
► Irresistible disposition to sigh, [3]. ►
*Short and unsatisfactory respiration, [3]. [40.] ►► *Sense of oppression about the
epigastrium and chest, several times
so great that there was the greatest difficulty in getting breath enough
to smoke a cigar or to speak with any comfort, and this happened after
lighter meals than ordinary, [2].
HEART AND PULSE.
►
Pulse, between attacks of vomiting, 45 (two and a half hours), [4]. ►
Pulse 50 (one and a half hours), [4].
NECK AND BACK.
►
Slight soreness in the region of the kidneys, when bringing the muscles
into action, [3].
LOWER EXTREMITIES.
►
Hard aching several times in both knees, sufficiently severe to make him
fear that an attack of inflammatory rheumatism was coming on, [2].
GENERALITIES.
►
General restlessness on going to bed, [3].
► Weak and sleepy, and went to bed
(one and a quarter hours), [4]. ► Sense of general but transient debility, [2]. ►
Though it diminished the pulse, it produced no deathlike prostration, [4].
SLEEP AND DREAMS.
►
On going to bed, desire to sleep, without the ability to do so, [3]. [50.]
► Great restlessness and little sleep
(fifth night), [3]. ► Drowsiness, [4].
FEVER.
►
On going to bed, unusual heat of the skin, [3]. ► Sweat, [1].
CONDITIONS.
►
Aggravation. ► (Morning), Early, on waking, irritation of
left eye, etc.; on waking nostrils and throat filled with mucus; on
waking, dryness of mouth; thirst; nausea; sinking at stomach. ► (Evening),
Heaviness of head, etc.; attack of cough. ►
(Night), Attack of cough. ► (Going to bed),
General restlessness; desire to sleep, etc.; heat of skin. ► (After dinner),
Distension of abdomen. ► (Exerting muscles of the part), Soreness in
region of kidneys.
SUPPLEMENT: APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.
Apocynum Cannabinum. John H. Griscom, M.D., Am.
Journ. of Med. Sci., vol. xii, 1833, p. 55. General effects.Its first operation when taken into the stomach is
that of producing nausea if given in sufficient quantity (which need not
be large), and if this be increased, vomiting will be the result. It
very soon evinces its action upon the peristaltic motions of the primæ
viæ, by producing copious feculent and watery discharges, particularly
the latter, which action when once excited is very easily continued by
the occasional administration of a wineglassful of the decoction. The
next operation of this remedy is upon the skin, where it displays its
sudorific properties often in a very remarkable manner. Copious
perspiration almost invariably follows its exhibition. The activity of
its diuretic properties does not appear to be so great in many instances
as in others. As a sternutatory also it has a very powerful effect, as I
have experienced in my own case; the fumes, on one occasion, produced
not only long-continued and violent sneezing, with an increased
discharge from the Schneiderian membrane, but were unquestionably the
exciting cause of an attack of erysipelas of the face and head.
Proving N°1.
–Apocynum cannabis. Essay,
submitted to the Faculty of Hom. Med. College of Penna., by Wm. T.
Helmut. 1853. Proving.The tincture was obtained by digesting the fresh root
in alcohol, and afterwards expressing the juice.Shortly after talking half a teaspoonful of the
tincture, a feeling of nausea was experienced, which seemed to commence
at the throat, and extend downward to the stomach; this symptom
continued for nearly an hour, however there was no inclination to vomit.
There was an accumulation of water in the mouth, causing constant
expectoration of a thin transparent fluid, after which there was dryness
of the fauces. The fancy became exalted, with a flow of good spirits,
well pleased with every one; in about an hour this gradually died away,
leaving a pain in the forehead, particularly above the superciliary
ridges, of a heavy drawing character, together with throbbing of the
anterior temporal artery; great drowsiness, with drooping of the
eyelids; at times rumbling with darting pain in the lower part of the
abdomen. About 12 M. these symptoms had almost disappeared, when another
teaspoonful of the tincture was taken, producing the same effects as
those noted above, only in an aggravated degree, together with a
constant desire to urinate, the urine passing very copiously and freely.
On awaking the next morning a severe bruised sensation was experienced
in the limbs, all the joints, and particularly in the small of the back,
almost impeding motion, which disappeared after walking.The bladder seemed much distended, and after
evacuating the urine, which was very turbid and hot, a thick mucous
sediment was thrown to the bottom of the chamber. The urine after being
voided left a burning in the urethra, which continued nearly half an
hour.All the next day (Jan. 5th), there was experienced
headache, and a discharge of a thin watery fluid from the urethra; the
pain in the head was confined to the vertex and forehead and was
throbbing in character; there was also vertigo when rising, but
particularly when yawning or stretching; pain at times in the left eye,
as though it were wearied, with drooping of the eyelids. Coldness was
sometimes perceptible in the hands and feet. Frequent call to stool,
four or five times during the day; the stools were soft and copious,
being passed with little pain, with a general feeling of relaxation.
Discharge of much urine, with the same sediment as before mentioned
which was found to coagulate by heat, and in very many respects
resembled albumen.The tonsils and throat, for a day or two, seemed
coated with mucus which had dried upon them.
Proving N°2.
–Dec. 15th, 10 P.M. 1 drop
in a teaspoonful of water. Slept as usual.Dec. 16th, 9 A.M. One hour after breakfast, dose as
before. Immediately after taking a slight burning sensation on the red
part of upper lip. Slight nausea, which soon disappeared. Two hours
after each meal there was experienced a very distressing oppression at
the epigastrium; also a sensation as if there were a working in the
stomach: This symptom lasted about two hours, and then disappeared.Dec. 16th 9 P.M. Two hours after a meal, dose as
before. Slept as usual.Dec. 17th. Morning before breakfast, 2 drops in a
tablespoonful of water. The same sensations at the epigastrium as
yesterday. Evening, 2 drops as before. Here it was taken purposely on an
empty stomach to ascertain positively if the effects produced would be
similar to those previously experienced. About ten minutes after taking
it a similar sensation of distress at the epigastrium was experienced,
and to such a degree as to compel me to leave my sitting posture and
walk about, which gave me some relief. In the evening after taking the
drug, about three hours a meal, not so much inconvenience was produced
as when the medicine was taken on an empty stomach.Dec. 18th. After breakfast, dose as before. Felt
better to day; distress at epigastrium less. 9 P.M., 5 drops in a
teaspoonful of water; soon after taking it a sensation of working in the
stomach, as from wind, with empty eructations, after which relief was
experienced; slight pinching pains in the epigastrium, shooting from
right to left. Slept as usual.Dec. 19th, A.M. and P.M. 5 drops two hours after
meals. No marked impressions, save the epigastric symptoms were about
the same.Dec. 20th. Five drops two hours after breakfast;
slight nausea soon after talking the drug, which was of short
continuance. Felt less distress at the epigastrium today. P.M., 10 drops
in a teaspoonful of water, soon after there was a rumbling in the
abdomen, and the peculiar sensation of working in the stomach; several
short pinching pains across the middle of the abdomen. Sensation as if a
ball were pressed against the inside of the stomach, at the pyloric
region. Slept as usual.Dec. 21st. No medicine. Felt uncomfortable today, on
account of above sensations.Dec. 22d. No medicine. Symptoms beginning to
disappear.Apocynum cannabinum. Edward Chapin. Thesis presented
for the gold medal N. Y. Hom. Med. College, 1878.
Proving of Louis Faust
, M.D. -Age
twenty-one years. Normal pulse 66. Normal amount of urine passed every
twenty-four hours, thirty fluid ounces. Average specific gravity of the
same 1028. Color of hair brown; dark complexion; eyes gray. Habit,
strictly temperate.Commenced the infusion of the tops of the fresh plant
July 20th, 1877 at 3 P.M.; took 1/2 oz. with no effect.July 21st. At 8.15 A.M., took 1 oz. Soon after slight
nausea, which soon passed away. At 11.10 A.M. burning pain in the
stomach, causing me to feel uneasy. Shooting pain in right ear, lasting
over one hour. (Have never before been troubled with earache). Urine for
the twenty-four hours 40 ozs., and specific gravity 1020. At 4 P.M. took
1 1/2 ozs.July 22d. Took none. Urine passed during twenty-four
hours 36 ozs., specific gravity 1022.July 23d. At 5 P.M., took 2 ozs. Soon after singing I
had partial deafness in left ear, which continued over one hour, with
occasional sticking in same ear. Urine for twenty-four hours 24 ozs.,
specific gravity 1025.July 24 th. Was restless all night; have had temporal
headache all day with heaviness and pain in my eyes, as if I had use
them too much, although I have used them more than usual. At 4.30 took 2
1/2 ozs. Urine, twenty-four hours 30 ozs.; sp. gr. 1028.July 25th. Same heaviness over eyes as yesterday.
Have had ravenous hunger since commenced proving. Get hungry an hour
before mealtime. Bowels have a tendency to be loose. At 7 P.M. took 3
ozs.July 26th. While a breakfast was taken with violent
pain in abdomen which continued until I had a passage. The stool was
very soft, painless relief after stool, but have felt weak all the
morning. Face pale, with cold perspiration. Rumbling in the abdomen.
Urine, twenty-four hours, 42 ozs. sp. gr. 1024. No medicine.July 27th. Passed a very restless night. Have an
uneasy feeling in my abdomen, but no tendency to stool. Urine,
twenty-four hours, 23 ozs.; sp. gr. 1026.July 28th. Great weakness with my stomach. Although I
eat hearty meals I get hungry long before the next. Bowels still loose,
they seem to be loose generally in the morning, as I have had no passage
in the afternoon since proving. Stools painless. Urine, twenty-four
hours, 24 ozs.; sp. gr. 1028.July 29 th. Same uneasiness in stomach. Urine,
twenty-four hours 34 ozs.; sp. gr. 1022.July 30th. The uneasiness and weakness in stomach
have increased to a gnawing this P.M.; it commenced about an hour after
dinner. I feel as though I was constantly being threatened with an
attack of cholera morbus (I am very careful in my diet). Urine,
twenty-four hours, 24 ozs.; sp. gr. 1028.July 31st. Bowels are natural, but the same sensation
of gnawing and hunger continues in stomach. Urine, twenty-four hours, 24
ozs.; sp. gr. 1028.August 1st. Although I ate a hearty breakfast I have
now (10 A.M.) that gnawing in my stomach. Urine, twenty-four hours, 34
ozs.; sp. gr. 1020.August 2d. Feel well to-day. The gnawing and hunger
have left me. Bowels are natural. At 5 P.M. took 2 1/2 ozs. Immediately
after nausea, which soon passed away.Had peculiar sensation in thorax, causing me to sigh
constantly.
Proving of Byron E. Mead
, med. student,
age twenty-four. Weight 148 lbs. Height 5 ft. 5 in. Sanguineous
temperament. Hair black. Complexion fair. Eyes black. Temperate in
habit. Pulse full and strong, average about 73 beats per minute. At the
time I began this proving, was in a good state of health. Bowels
regular, one passage per day, stool of ordinary size; for urinary record
see tables at the end.Preparation, cold infusion of the fresh root.
June 19th, 1877. At 10 P.M.; took 1/2 oz. Retired at
11 P.M., having felt no effect from dose. Slept well during the night,
and on waking in the morning felt rested and refreshed, and ready for my
morning meal.June 20th. At 7.30 A.M. took 1 oz. upon going to
breakfast. No effect. At 8.30 took 1 oz. About one hour after taking
last dose felt sick, with an inclination to vomit; also frontal
headache, pains darting, passing from one temple to the other; first,
from left to right, and vice versâ.
At times feel dizzy, sensation as if I was going to tumble over. Vertigo coming quickly, and passing away as
suddenly. This last named symptom is a very marked one in my case, as I
am never subject to vertigo unless it can be traced to some definite
cause. I also fell dull and unable to think well. Cannot fix my thoughts
on any one subject, and retain them for any length of time. At 11 A.M.
took 1 oz. Symptoms same as before, excepting the nausea, which was more
marked and remained longer.Hot infusion of the root. (Had no more of the cold).
June 20th. At 1.30 P.M. took 2 ozs. of hot infusion
of root, and at 2.20 P.M. was taken suddenly with intense tenesmus, and the desire for stool so
great that I was compelled to leave the drug-room and get to the
water-closet as soon as possible. Stools large and light yellow,
accompanied by rumbling in the bowels, and flatus. Ther seems to be
almost complete loss of power of the sphincter muscles of anus. After
stool, considerable nausea and frequent desire to vomit, but did not. At
5 P.M. passed another large stool, accompanied by great rumbling in
bowels, and flatus. Also frontal headache, with sharp, darting pains.
Pain in right shoulderblade. General muscular weakness. Feeling of
lassitude. At 6 P.M. took 2 ozs. After taking the dose went to dinner,
and while there was taken short, and passed an exceedingly
large stool (in water-closet) light yellow, fetid, with great
flatus and the same rumbling of the bowels. Same frontal headache, and
constant flashes of heat; face looks flushed and hot. Respiration
affected, slight suffocating feeling. Hungry all the time, could eat
every hour in the day, relish all kinds of food, and seem to digest them
well. Rheumatic pains in the joints. Increased action of the heart, fluttering at times, and sensation as
if it would force its way out through walls of chest.June 21st, 7 A.M. Have passed a good night, slept
well, and feel refreshed, and ready to take my regular morning meal. At
10.30 A.M. took 2 ozs. About an hour after had a sudden desire for
stool, and passed a large one of same color as before, and accompanied
by same rumbling and flatus. Impossible to tell when I am through
passing, for I get up from water-closet and think that I am through, and
another pain takes me, compelling me to hurry and sit down again, and
nothing passes but wind. No headache to-day, but considerable vertigo,
feel as if I were going to tumble over. Pain in orbital region, and dull
heavy feeling over the eyes. General lassitude. No ambition. Cannot
concentrate my thoughts. Burning sensation in anus. Complete loss of
power of sphincter muscles. At 1.30 P.M. took 2 ozs. About one half hour
after had an urgent desire for stool, preceded by intense pain in
bowels. Passed a large musty stool,
and lots of flatus. Sphincters seem to be relaxed, and cease to perform
their proper function. Urine burns when passing, and feels hot. Head
dull, heavy feeling in forehead and heaviness over the eyes. Slight
vertigo. Some pain in right shoulderblade, and in muscles of forearm.
Cannot concentrate my thoughts. At 4.30 P.M. desire for stool, but in
trying passed nothing but flatus. Slight dull pain in region of kidney.
Slight palpitation of the heart. At 6.30 P.M. feel too tired to go to
dinner, but am exceedingly hungry, and will go. Ate a hearty meal, and
when I got through my hunger seemed unsatisfied. On returning, desire
for stool, accompanied by flatus and rumbling; passed a large mushy
stool, which was light yellow. Soreness and bearing down in rectum.June 22d. Feel exceedingly weak this morning, limbs
and muscles feel sore slept well last night, but do not feel rested.
Appetite good. Had one passage this A.M. on getting up, and of the same
nature as before. Burning in the anus. Bearing-down
sensation, inclination to hæmorrhoids. ►
6 P.M. Have not taken any medicine today. Have had four passages since
morning, and feel weak and tired. Pain in joints nearly all day, also
frontal headache.June 25th. For the few days past my bowels have been
loose, having from three to four passages per day, and nearly every one
accompanied by flatus. Appetite good all of the time and no unpleasant
effects after eating.At 10.30 A.M. took 2 ounces cold infusion of tops.
About an hour after felt sick at stomach, and desire to vomit. Frontal
headache and vertigo. 1.30 P.M. Have just returned from lunch and feel
urgent desire for stool, accompanied as before by rumbling in bowels and
flatus. Stool large, thin and watery, bearing-down pain in anus, and
soreness in rectum. General muscular weakness and inability for labor.
Some frontal headache and very marked vertigo. 3 P.M. Desire for stool
so intense that I had to run from the drug-room to avoid an involuntary
evacuation; passed a large, thin yellow stool and a great deal of
flatus. Soreness in rectum and bearing-down sensation. Strong
inclination to vomit, but have not as yet. Pain in right shoulderblade
and in muscles of forearm. Heaviness over eyes and general lassitude. At
6 P.M. Have just had another stool, but very small, and no rumbling in
bowels. Sphincters still relaxed. Frontal headache and heaviness over
the eyes. Increased heart’s action and flushes of heat to the face.June 26th. Slept exceedingly well last night, and
feel rested this morning.
General Remarks
. ►
Have noticed that my bowels were loose for some two or three weeks after
taking the drug, and I had two or three passages per day during that
time. I have also noticed a bearing-down pain in rectum and strong
inclination to hæmorrhoids. The relaxed condition of the sphincter
muscles lasted for some three weeks. The effect on the system was so
great that for months after the more smelling of the drug would make me
fell sick at the stomach.
Proving of J. Clark, M.D.
-Age
thirty-four. Height 5 feet 9 3/4 inches. Weight 155 pounds. Color of
hair brown, of eyes hazel. Habit temperate. General health good.
Complexion dark and of a bilious temperament.
Used θ of the whole fresh plant
.
August 23d, 1877. At 6 P.M. began with 3j doses two
hours; was called to an obstetric case and did not get second dose until
9.15 P.M., and then at 11.15 P.M. ►
August 24 th. Took dose at 8 A.M., felt a slight burning sensation in
stomach while at breakfast. Took it every two hours all day excepting at
2 o’clock. To-night have nausea almost to vomiting, and slight headache.
Have an unpleasant grumbling in bowels, but not much pain with diarrhœa.August 25th. Both this and yesterday morning had some
vertigo on rising from stooping posture. Had furious diarrhœa last
night, painless. I did not want to leave the water-closet when I was
through, more from a sense of weakness than otherwise. Began this
morning at 8 o’clock to take medicine. Don’t feel very well this A.M.
Abdomen feels as though I had drank large quantities of water.Evening on the 25th. Have not felt well all day, sick
at stomach again to-night. Had hiccough both last night and this
morning. Have felt very tired and weary all day. Nausea worse at night
about 7 or 7.30. Had a severe pain when walking, in lower part of left
lumbar region. Did not take drug very regular to-day, I was too sick.
Had three passages through the day but none last night.August 26th. Commenced again to take medicine at 4
P.M. Have taken three doses and feel very sick. Want to vomit but can’t.August 27th. Stools thin, light lemon-yellow, mixed
with mucus, large in quantity. Don’t dare to pass wind or water for fear
that fæces will pass; twice thought that I would allow wind to pass
when a small quantity of fæces passed. I lost
confidence, and so quit. Have been very sick all day, so much
so, that I have not taken any medicine since 12 o’clock, noon. Have been
covered with slight perspiration. Stools this evening as well as during
morning frothy, rather more watery; light yellow as above. Have felt
weak and exhausted throughout.August 28th. Was not called up to water-closet last
night. This morning mouth dry, tongue sticking to roof of mouth. Still
have a little nausea. Vertigo on rising from stooping position. Although
twenty hours have passed since I took last dose, still when I thought I
would allow a little wind to pass, fæces came instead. Stools still
quite watery. One symptom I have noticed several
times, viz., when urinating I hardly know when through, the urine still
seems to want to pass, or dribble away. My bowels were not back to their
natural condition for sixty hours or two and a half days.® 2000
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