420-2 
About the first introduction of this plant into medicine was the experiments 
of Dr. Vandesveer, in 1772, who claimed to have found it curative and prophy- 
lactic in canine rabies, his reported cases being fourteen hundred; this seems a 
large number to fall to the lot of one physician ; his son after him claimed the cure 
of forty cases more in three years. On account of the apparently slight properties 
inherent in this species by physical examination its worthiness was greatly doubted 
and the plant much railed against, even by many who never tried it. Following 
Vandesveer, many empirics and regulars used the remedy with success, while 
many others wrote essays against its being relied upon as an antihydrophobic. 
Dr. White, of Fishkill, assured Rafinesque that the plant preserved him from 
rabies after being bitten by a dog from whose bite others died. Rafinesque 
states his full belief in the prophylactic prowess of the plant, and adds that many 
laymen and physicians claim that the plant never fails to ward off or cure the 
disease. The dose given was a gill of the infusion four times a day, and the plant 
applied to the wound. Dr.S. W. Williams, whose cry of “ charlatan” and “ quack” 
was always raised upon the slightest pretext, lends his support to the probable 
virtue of the plant. Mr. Youatt, a distinguished veterinary surgeon, spoke highly 
of its virtues in this direction, but omitted it entirely from his treatise on canine 
rabies. The natural order Labiate yields species of many of its genera that are 
valued by the aborigines of countries in which they grow as antihydrophobics. 
Some value should at least be considered under these circumstances, as native 
medication is always the result of long and more or less successful experiment. 
The plant has proved itself a useful antispasmodic, nervine, and tonic in 
chorea, convulsions, tetanus, tremors, delirium tremens, wakefulness in chronic 
disorders, and many other diseases when a tonic combining nervine powers might 
be deemed necessary ; it is also considered diaphoretic and diuretic. — 
Scutellaria is officinal in the U.S. Ph. as Extractum Scutellarie Fluidum ; 
in the Eclectic Materia Medica it is recommended in the same preparation as well 
as Extractum Scutellarie Alcohohcum, Infusum Scutellaria, Extractum Scutellari@ 
Composita,* and Pilule Valeriane Composite.+ 
PART USED AND PREPARATION.—The whole fresh blossoming plant, 
gathered in August, when fruiting is well advanced, is treated as in the preceding 
species.{| The resulting tincture is opaque. In thin layers it has a deep brown 
color by transmitted light: its taste is extremely bitter and very astringent; and 
its reaction acid, 
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS.—According to the analysis of Cadet, this 
species contains: a, a greenish-yellow fixed oil, soluble in ether; 3, an essential 
oil; y, a bitter principle, soluble in water, alcohol, and ether; §, a peculiar volatile 
matter; ¢,a peculiar astringent principle; £, albumen; 7, a sweet mucoid body ; 
and the usual ao constituents. 
fed + Scutellaria, Cypripedium, Humulus, and Lactuca. 
7 Scutellaria, Valeriana, Chamomilla, Eupatorium, aes and Ca: ysicum. 
a Page I1g-2. 
