176 Botanic Drugs 



neuralgia does not yield readily, although the pain 

 of pleurodynia, often thought to be neuralgia, comes 

 under the influence of small and frequent doses. 

 Neuralgia due to hyperemia of the brain and cord is 

 benefited; that due to organic changes and toxic 

 influences is not relieved. 



Cerebral hyperemia occurs symptomatically in 

 many conditions, and in some fevers. In functional 

 cases gelsemium may be a main or an adjuvant 

 remedy, due to the sedative effect upon the cerebro- 

 spinal centers in other words, the coniine action. 

 If the irritation is partly vascular, aconite combines 

 well with gelsemium in high blood-pressure; and 

 gelsemium sometimes cooperates with the bromides 

 or hydrated chloral; but be very careful here; you 

 are dealing with two-edged tools. The cases of 

 hyperemia in which it is indicated have bright eyes, 

 contracted pupils, and are restless. These cases 

 may range from delirium tremens to central irrita- 

 tion from teething, and several of the fevers may 

 manifest them. Remember that gelsemium is 

 purely a symptomatic remedy in these hyperemic 

 cases, and it requires considerable discrimination 

 to use it wisely; this is attained only by clinical ex- 

 perience. Always watch the case; it is the case, not 

 the specifically named disease, you are treating with 

 gelsemium. Don't expect to appreciably reduce 

 fever with this drug, used alone. 



As a terminal antispasmodic, some cases of hysteria 

 are amenable to it the active and reflex ones. Spas- 

 modic conditions of the urinary tract, spasmodic dysmen- 

 orrhea, ovarian neuralgia, uterine colic, and irritable 

 sphincters are often amenable. Don't give it in labor; 

 it may be provocative of post-partum hemorrhage. 



