Avena Sativa – Pathogénésies de l’an 1900 – Robert Séror

Pathogénésies
de l’an 1900
New, Old And
Forgotten Remedies
By Edward
Pollock Anshutz
Presented by Dr Robert
Séror

Avena Sativa

Natural Order

:
Graminaceae.

Common Name

:
Oats.

Preparation

: The
fresh green plant, gathered in August, is pounded to a pulp and
macerated with two parts by weight of alcohol.

(Comparatively little has been written concerning this remedy, the
tincture of oats.

It acquired a bad reputation somewhere in the “eighties” by
being advertised as a proprietary remedy making wonderful cures, but
analysis showed the advertised “Avena” to contain opium.

The following outline of the drug is by Dr. E. H.

Russell,
in North American Journal of Homoeopathy)

Avena sativa

is
pre-eminently an anti-neurotic, quieting the nervous system to a
remarkable degree.

Its special sphere of action seems to be upon the male sexual organs,
regulating the functional irregularities of these parts perhaps as much
as any drug can.

It is a most useful remedy in all cases of nervous exhaustion,
general debility, nervous palpitation of the heart, insomnia, inability
to keep the mind fixed upon any one subject, etc., more especially when,
any or all of these troubles is apparently due to nocturnal emissions,
masturbation, over sexual intercourse, and the like.

For these disorders it is truly specific.

It is one of the most valuable means for overcoming the bad effects
of the

morphine
habit.

In most cases in which the habitue has not used more than four grains
daily the Opiate may be abruptly discontinued, and even substituted,
without any serious results.

If a larger quantity than this amount has-been taken for some time,
it is better to gradually reduce the daily dose of morphine, in the
usual manner, simply prescribing the

Avena
in addition.

The latter should be given in the same dose, as a rule, regardless of
the amount of morphine taken. In other words, it is not necessary to
increase the

Avena
as the opiate is
withdrawn.

When the quantity of morphine has not exceeded four grains daily it
should be stopped at once, as stated above, and

Avena
given in its
stead in fifteen drop doses, four times a day, in a wineglassful of hot
water.

By this method the disagreeable after-effects will be much less than
though the dose of morphine is gradually reduced, and the patient will
find life quite bearable, as a rule, at the end of a week.

Avena sativa

should
always be given in appreciable doses of the tincture.

Fifteen drops three or four times a day, well diluted, will. usually
meet the case.

It may be given in doses of from five to sixty drops in rare
instances. it should, however, never be given in larger quantities than
twenty minims unless the patient is thoroughly accustomed to the remedy,
and has found the usual dose insufficient.

Otherwise there is danger of getting the physiological effect of the
drug, which is

pain
at the base of the brain.

When this symptom makes its appearance the medicine should be
discontinued for a day or two, and then given in reduced doses.

There seems to be no danger whatever of forming the habit of taking
this drug, as it can be suddenly abandoned at any time without evil
consequences, even when given in large quantities.

In one case it was prescribed by the writer in sixty-drop doses,
night and morning,

for
one year, and
then abruptly stopped, nothing being substituted therefore, without bad
effects.

Whenever a quick action is desired, and in all cases where

Avena
is given to
overcome the morphine habit, it should be prepared in hot water.

It is also a good plan to prescribe it in this fashion wherever
indigestion complicates the case.

The writer has employed this drug in his private practice for a
number of years with the most gratifying results.

He has very rarely found it to fail when indicated, and on account of
his high opinion of the remedy he has taken great pleasure in thus
bringing it prominently to the attention of the medical profession.

Collected,
arranged and edited by  Edward Pollock Anshutz : New, Old And
Forgotten Remedies.
Papers by many writers. Philadelphia, january 2, 1900.