108 Botanic Drugs 



pulse. It acts similarly to aconite in inflammatory 

 processes, but more particularly upon the serous 

 membranes. Bryonia opposes inflammatory dryness 

 of the serous membranes if given in small doses fre- 

 quently repeated. Unlike aconite, small doses of 

 bryonia may be administered safely for long periods 

 of time. 



THERAPEUTICS. Homeopathic physicians employ 

 bryonia in congestive headache and meningeal in- 

 volvements. In my experience, this indication is 

 not well borne out in practice. The circulation can 

 be quieted better by other agents. Then, too, 

 meningitis is generally resultant from causes quite 

 beyond control by small doses of any drug. 



The Homeopathic and Eclectic use of bryonia in 

 affections of the serous membranes is well justified, 

 generally speaking, upon both scientific and clinical 

 bases; but in the meninges of the brain any increase 

 of fluid would be detrimental. But it is dryness of 

 the serous membranes bryonia benefits. Very minute 

 doses may be effective in some cases of such dry- 

 ness, but not in all. In certain frontal headaches, 

 with dry sinus membranes (frontal sinus), it is of 

 some value. While there may not be a true "rheu- 

 matic headache," there is a form of headache often 

 associated with rheumatism, and in this form bryonia 

 may be indicated. 



In rheumatic affections, after salicylates or other 

 remedies have reduced the swelling, bryonia is of 

 direct value in many cases. When the synovial 

 membranes are involved, and the parts are stiff and 

 aggravated by movement, bryonia will aid in what 

 might be called "resolution." But bryonia has no 

 specific influence upon rheumatism, like the sal- 



