Botanic Remedies 269 



Homeopathic authorities have long claimed that 

 the "mother tincture" of quebracho is an effective 

 remedy in many cases of asthma, stimulating the 

 respiratory center and increasing the oxygen in the 

 blood, and they have given it in dyspnea. Larrion 

 stated that it causes a diminution in the number of 

 pulse-beats per minute and lessens the frequency 

 of the respiratory act. Hale called it "the digitalis 

 of the lungs." There is much more or less conflicting 

 research recorded concerning it. 



The most elaborate study of its alkaloids was 

 made by Douglas Cow, and appeared in The Jour, 

 of Pharmacology and Exper. Ther., March, 1914. 

 He studied quebrachine, aspidospermine, quebrach- 

 amine, and aspidosamine, the first-named proving 

 the most toxic; it stimulated the central nervous 

 system, as did the other alkaloids in less degree. 

 The obvious effect was quicker and deeper respira- 

 tion (not slower) in small dosage. Larger doses had 

 a paralyzing effect on nerve-cells, including the 

 autonomic system, the brain and cord. Still larger 

 doses paralyzed the vagus, the sympathetic and 

 motor nerve-endings. He concluded that it belongs 

 to the curare-nicotine-coniine group of drugs, causing 

 death by respiratory paralysis. 



The normal rhythm of the heart is disturbed by 

 quebracho. 



THERAPEUTICS. The exact indications for que- 

 bracho need further study, but it is established that 

 it is of value in asthma and dyspnea not of cardiac 

 origin. It's a bitter which aids the appetite. 



The fl. is given in doses of 5 to 30 minims, the 

 latter doses acting very promptly but doing no 

 harm. In severe cases, 60 minims may be given. 



