Botanic Remedies 91 



PHARMACOLOGY. As indicated by the action of 

 cymarin, apocynum lowers the pulse-rate and in- 

 creases blood-pressure. As a heart remedy it is 

 very slowly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal 

 tract, even more slowly than digitalis. So, in 

 general, it must be classed as of less range in cardiac 

 affections than that possessed by digitalis. On 

 the other hand, owing to the confusion over digi- 

 talis proximates, the ampules of CYMARIN (see 

 N. N. R.) (1-60 grain) intravenously, or the tablets 

 (1 to 3 of the 1-200 grain tablets) injected intra- 

 muscularly, are of certain action akin to that of 

 strophanthin. 



Marked emetic and cathartic properties are pos- 

 sessed by apocynum in full dosage; and it is diu- 

 retic, especially in infusion or decoction, which is 

 unfortunately, very disagreeable. It requires doses 

 of about 15 grains of the drug to secure this effect, 

 sometimes gradually increasing, or reducing if 

 nausea is induced. 



THERAPEUTICS. The pharmacology of this drug 

 exactly indicates its therapy. It is highly valuable 

 in various types of dropsy, especially cardiac forms. 

 To nearly the same degree is it effective in that of 

 renal type, many nephritic cases doing well under 

 its administration. Wherever atonic blood vessels 

 favor exudation, apocynum may be used with reason- 

 able hope of benefit. 



ADMINISTRATION. Only in most urgent cases is 

 it necessary to inject cymarin. As with digitalis, 

 there is more or less difficulty with the administra- 

 tion and deciding in which form to administer in a 

 given case. In my experience, a good alcoholic 

 extract is usually effective. As the Eclectics have 



