A Text-Book of
Materia Medica.
(Characteristic,
Analytical, and Comparative.)
By Pr.
Allen Corson Cowperthwaite, M. D., PH. D., LL. D.
JABORANDI.
(Pilocarpus Pinnatus.)
Natural order.- Rutaceae.
Common name.- Jaborandi.
General Analysis.-
Acts powerfully upon the salivary and perspiratory glands,
producing irritation and excessive secretion.Its characteristic effects are thus described :
“Very soon the face becomes red ; the temporal arteries throb
more strongly ; then there is a peculiar feeling of heat in the mouth
and on the face, and the flow of saliva begins.In a little while the forehead becomes moist, and the face more red
; then beads of perspiration appear on the forehead, cheeks, and
temples.The flow of saliva increases, all the salivary glands successively
contributing to this effect ; the mouth is filled with immense
quantities of fluid, and expectoration is incessant ; at the same time
perspiration covers the face and neck ; then the whole body becomes
red and moist, and a pleasant warmth is experienced ; in a few minutes
perspiration breaks out over the whole surface, and soon runs down on
all sides.Meantime other symptoms have supervened. The eyelids first become
moist, then the lachrymal secretion gradually augments, and, after
collecting in the canthi, rolls slowly over the cheeks ; at the same
time there is a copious discharge from the Schneiderian membrane,
increased by the tears which escape through the nasal canal ; moreover
there is increased activity of the mucous glands of the pharynx,
trachea, and bronchi.All these effects reach their maximum intensity in about
three-quarters of an hour after taking the drug, continuing thus for
thirty or forty minutes.Lying on one side, that the saliva may run more freely, the patient
spits ten or fifteen times a minute ; the flow is so rapid that he can
hardly speak ; the salivary glands are enlarged and the mouth becomes
hotter.The body is bathed in perspiration ; a shirt is wet through in a
few minutes ; now a feeling of comfort, or of weakness, as the case
may be, is experienced. Thirst is intense. The pupils are slightly
contracted.By degrees the excessive activity of the secretory processes is
diminished ; in an hour and a quarter, or an hour and three quarters,
the lachrymation, the nasal discharge, the bronchial expectoration,
and finally the flow of saliva and the perspiration are sensibly
lessened, and the parts involved gradually return to their normal
condition.When the perspiration and flow of saliva have ceased, the subject
is prostrated and drowsy. The parts which secreted so copiously are
now very dry, especially the mouth and the pharynx. There is also much
thirst.”The rapidity of the circulation is notably increased, but the
arterial tension and the temperature are lowered.Therapeutic Range.- (Jaborandi)
Excessive perspiration either during convalescence from acute
diseases, or in the course of chronic diseases, as in phthisis ;
ptyalism ; myopia ; dropsical effusion of pleura and lungs ; cardiac
dropsy ; renal dropsy ; diabetes insipidus ; prurigo.Compare.- (Jaborandi)
Atrop., Physos., Amyl nit.