ON  ASCLEPIAS  TUBEROSA  (PLEURISY  ROOT.) 
495 
"  Case  2d.  Robert  Brown,  aged  28,  stature  small,  habit  plethoric,  miner 
by  occupation,  was  attacked  January  30th,  with  lumbago — rheumatism  of 
the  loins.  On  my  first  visit,  I  found  him  unable  to  move  without  exceed- 
ing pain, — pulse  full  and  bounding.  Bled  to  the  extent  of  20  oz.,  and, 
owing  to  his  inability  to  assist  himself,  omitted  a  purge.  Commenced  the 
use  of  the  Asclepias  tuberosa  in  two  teaspoonsful  doses  every  two  hours, 
mixed  in  a  wineglassful  of  hot  water  ;  together  with  mustard  poultices  to 
the  back.  On  my  next  visit,  after  an  absence  of  twenty-four  hours,  I 
found  his  condition  more  comfortable ;  better  able  to  move.  Cupped  his 
back.  Gave  a  purge  of  senna  and  salts ;  continued  the  use  of  the  Ascle- 
pias in  one  teaspoonful  every  second  hour ;  no  opiates.  On  my  next  visit 
the  pulse  was  natural ;  pain  nearly  gone.  Directed  the  Asclepias  to  be 
given  one  teaspoonful  every  fourth  hour.  His  recovery  was  rapid.  No  un- 
pleasant symptoms  from  the  use  of  the  remedy.  In  this  case  the  perspira- 
tion was  profuse,  and  the  skin  continued  to  act  as  long  as  the  remedy 
was  in  use. 
"  Case  3d.  Mr.  John  Morgan,  aged  fifty  ;  farmer  by  occupation,  habits 
good,  temperament  sanguine  ;  was  attacked  on  the  31st  of  January  with 
violent  pain  in  his  head,  accompanied  with  rigors  and  vomiting.  The 
pain  in  his  head  was  intense.  Visited  him  at  midnight ;  his  pulse  was 
strong  and  full ;  no  general  fever.  Bled  to  the  extent  of  producing  syn- 
cope. Ordered  calomel  grs.  xv,,  jalap  grs.  x.,  gamboge  gr.  j.,  to  be 
followed  by  senna  and  salts  in  four  hours.  Visited  again  in  the  morning  ; 
medicine  had  operated  and  was  still  acting  ;  head  somewhat  relieved, 
but  still  acutely  painful ;  pulse  not  so  active  ;  eyes  bloodshot.  Ordered 
cups  to  nape  of  neck,  blisters  to  extremities,  and  to  take  the  Asclepias,  in 
teaspoonful  doses,  every  hour  for  six  hours.  Ice  applied  to  head.  Visited 
again  that  day  ;  no  relief;  blisters  not  yet  filled.  Ice  continued  to  head  ; 
remedy  continued.  On  my  next,  found  some  improvement ;  skin  moist;  pulse 
soft;  head  cooler  eyes  not  so  much  injected,  but  some  delirium.  Reapplied 
cups  ;  blisters  acted  well  ;  some  nausea,  attributed  to  the  Asclepias.  Dis- 
continued its  frequency,  and  gave  two  teaspoonsful  every  third  hour.  From 
this  time  he  continued  to  mend,  and  had  a  rapid  recovery.  I  think  the 
Asclepias  has  a  decided  effect  in  reducing  the  circulation,  and  producing 
perspiration. 
Case  4th.  Mr.  Dorr,  aged  45,  sober,  married,  temperament  sanguine, 
was  attacked  with  pneumonia  on  the  1st  day  of  Febuary  last.  On  my 
visit  to  bim  I  found  him  breathing  with  difficulty,  crying  out  with  each 
effort  to  inflate  the  lungs;  pulse  quick  and  corded  ;  bloody  expectoration  ; 
cough  incessant.  Bled  freely  to  the  amount  of  24  oz.  ;  cupped  between 
the  shoulders.  Bowels  have  been  freely  moved  with  castor  oil ;  blister  ap- 
plied to  the  right  lung.  Ordered  the  Asclepias  in  teaspoonful  doses,  with 
the  addition  of  4  gr.  tartarized  antimony,  and  ^  gr.  acetate  morphia,  every 
third  hour.    2d  of  Febuary:  condition  not  much  improved;  reapplied 
