330 Botanic Drugs 



phate, and 3 parts water, is a line of treatment 

 coming into vogue. 



Average doses (fl. l*/2 minims, tr. 8 minims) are 

 given to slow the pulse and reduce the blood- 

 pressure in sthenic conditions; this it does not do 

 by dilating the vessels, but by its stimulating the 

 central cardio-inhibitory mechanism (Wood). Many 

 parenchymatous and serous inflammations are sthenic 

 in type, and veratrum is of value in treating their 

 early stages. However, the old theory that, in 

 pneumonia, veratrum dilated the vessels will not 

 hold. There is considerable difference of opinion 

 regarding the use of the drug in pneumonia. 



In aneurism, irritable heart, and simple cardiac 

 hypertrophy, rather smaller doses are cautiously 

 employed. 



Sthenic cases of erysipelas, uremic convulsions 

 with high blood-pressure, acute tonsillitis, acute bron- 

 chitis, and other inflammatory conditions may have 

 veratrum as a symptomatic remedy. 



Veratrum, well diluted, may be used externally. 

 I employ lead-water and veratrum externally in place 

 of lead-water and laudanum, to which it is much 

 superior. Opium applied externally is not analgesic, 

 or so it is claimed. 



VERBASCUM 



MULLEIN, Verbascum species. The flowers official 

 in nine countries. They are used in the making of 

 "MULLEINED OIL." The blossoms, in a closed jar, 

 are subjected to the heat of the sun and are pressed. 

 The extract is combined with oil and, in some 

 formulae, a trifle of alcohol. This preparation is 

 widely used in earache and uncomplicated deafness. 



