felters materia_medica-l
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LACTUCARIUM.
The dried or concrete milk-juice ofLactuca viros a , Linn (Nat. Ord. Compositae).
Sou th a nd Cen t ra l Europe . Dose, 5 to 20 gra ins .
Co m m o n Na m e : Let tu ce Opiu m.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .Lactucin (C11H14O4), lactucerin (lactu cone),
lactucopicrin , lactucic acid, and a comphoraceous volati le oil .
P r e p a r a t i o n s .1. Tinctu ra Lactucarii, Tincture of Lactucarium, (50 per cent
s t rength) . Dose, 30 to 60 drops .
2 . Syrupus Lactucarii, Syrup of Lactucarium (prepared from Tincture). Dose, 1 -
3 f luidrachms.
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y . -A non-constipating calmative and feeble
hypnotic, sometimes proving useful in insomn ia from mental overworkand, as a syrup, in the cough of phthisis . Even garden let tuce (Lactuca
sativa) rel ieves i r r i tat ion of the broncho-pulmonic membranes and hasa tendency to induce drowsiness. Lactucar ium is of ten iner t ; when a
good preparation can be obtained it is fairly sedative for irritable
ch i ld ren .
LAPPA (Arc t iu m lap p a ).
The root and seeds ofArctiumLappa , Linn (Nat. Ord. Compositae). Europe, Asia,an d America. Dose, 5 to 60 gra ins .
Co m m o n Na m e : Bu rdock.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .The glucoside lappin , fixed oil, inulin , and an a l tered
tannin ca l led phlobaphene.
P r e p a r a t i o n s .1. Specific Medicine Lappa . Dose, I to 60 dr ops.
2 . Tinctura Lappa e S em inis , Tincture of Lappa Seeds. (Seed, 4 ounces; 75 per
cent Alcohol, 16 fluidou n ces.) Dose, 1 to 60 drops.
Spec i f i c Ind ica t ions .Feeble cutaneous circulation; dry, scaly skinerupt ions; aphthous u lcers ; recur rent boi l s and s tyes ; ur inary
irri tation ; ps orias is.
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .Lappa is a potent but neglected alterative and
diuretic. I t relieves urinary and bronchial irr i tation, favors the
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elimination of waste material , and secondarily proves tonic. Lappa is
especial ly valuable in psor iasis , crusta lactea, s tubborn eczema,
obst in a te u lcers , an d in ca tar rh al and aph thou s u lcera t ions . It is one of the best of agents for recurrent boils and styes. Bronchial cough, with
much irr i tation of the pulmonary tract, is relieved by it , and it is
sometimes beneficial in dyspepsia due to irr i tation of the stomach incachectic individuals. As it gently stimulates the kidneys and
promotes waste i t should be largely used in st rumous and cachect ic
condit ions, with tendency to dry, scaly, cutaneous erupt ion and low
grades of cellu lar in flam m at ion, with feeble circu lat ion in th e sk in .
LAVANDULA.
The flowers ofLavandulavera , De Candolle (Nat. Ord. Labiatae). Dry sterile soils
of mountainous elevations in southern Europe and northern Africa; cult ivated in
the Uni ted S ta tes .
Co m m o n Na m e s : Lavender, Lavender Flowers.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .A volatile oil (OleumLavandulae) containing linaolool
acetate, linalool (C10H18O) an d cineol or eucalyptol.
P r e p a r a t i o n s .1. SpiritusLavandulae, Spirit of Lavender (5 per cent oil). Dose, 10
to 60 minims .
2 . Tinctura Lavandulae , Composita, Compound Tincture of Lavender.
(Compound Spirit of Lavender.) (Contains Oil of Lavender, Oil of Rosemary, Clove,
Myristica, Saigon Cinnamon, Red Saunders, Alcohol, and Water.) Dose, 10 to 60
drops .
Ac t i on a n d Th e r a p y .External. Spirit of lavender is an agreeable and
soothing lotion for the headache of debility and in fevers. The
compound t incture is f requently added to carbonate of ammonium,
and constitutes smelling salts for the relief of headache and
tendency to faint ing.
Internal. Oil of lavender , the spir i t and the compound t incture aredelightful st imulants and carminatives. They are extensively employed
to al lay gastr ic uneasiness and nausea, in f latulent col ic , hyster ia ,nervous debili ty, general languor and tendency to fainting. For
nervous and weak individuals , who faint easi ly and are prone to
hyster ical seizures, they are simple and safe preparat ions. The
compound t incture is added to many mixtures to give color , and al l of
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the lavender preparat ions are used as corr igents and adjuvants of less
agreeable medicines. Scudder valued the compound t incture in
nervous irr i tabili ty in children, and incorporated it in a soothingsyrup descr ibed under Cypripedium, which see.
LEONURUS.
The tops and leaves of Leonu rus Cardiaca , Linn (Nat. Ord. Labiatae). Asia,
Europe , and comm on in the Uni ted S ta tes .
Co m m o n Na m e : Moth erwort .
P r in c i p a l Co n s t i t u e n t s .Resin s, a b it ter pr in ciple, an d pr obab ly an alkaloid.
P r e p a r a t i o n . Infusum Leonuri, Infusion of Leonurus. (1 ounce to Water, 16
fluidounces). Dose, 2 to 4 flu idrach ms .
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .A simple emmenagogue and ant ispasmodic,
evidently having considerable control over the nervous system. It has
been advised in nervous debi l i ty with i r r i tat ion and unrest , tendency
to chore ic movements or spasms, pe lv ic and lumbar uneasiness and
pain, and in bear ing-down pains and the discomforts incident to
debility of the female reproductive organs. A warm infusion may be
used in amenorrhea, and King praised i t for the restorat ion of
suppressed lochia. I t deserves restudy to determine its value in
n ervou s a ffections .
LEPTANDRA (Ver on ica st ru m virgin icu m ).
The rhizome and rootlets of Veronicastrumvirginicum (L.) Farw., (Leptandravirginica ,
Nuttall), (Nat. Ord. Scrophulariaceae). A tall perennial plant indigenous to the
eas te rn ha lf o f th e Uni ted S ta tes . Dose, 10 to 60 grains .
C o m m o n N a m e s : Culver's Root, Black Root, Culver's Physic, Bowman Root, Tall
Speed well , etc.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .A resinoid called leptandrin , formerly used but now
largely disca rded by Eclectic pra ctit ion ers, a n d a bit ter pr in ciple.
P r e p a r a t i o n .Specific Medicine Leptan dra. Dose, 1 to 60 drops.
D e r i v a t i v e .Lepta n drin (Resin oid). Dose, 1/ 4 to 2 gra ins.
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Spec i fi c In d ica t ions .Tenderness and heavy pain in the region of the
liver, with drowsiness, dizziness, and mental depression; skin, yellow;
tongue coated white; bi t ter taste , nausea, f rontal headache and coldextremities; thirst with inabili ty to drink; diarrhea with half-digested
passages, or clay-colored stools; enfeebled portal circulation, with
las s i tude , g loom , an d m enta l depress ion .
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .Leptandra is a gastro-hepat ic and intest inal
st imulant . The fresh root is viciously cathar t ic and has produced
bloody stools and abortion. Drying, however, deprives the drug of its
drastic quality and it becomes a safe cholagogue, laxative, and
cathar t ic . Apparent ly in ordinary doses i t s t rengthens the funct ional
activity of the intestinal glands, does not debili tate nor produce large
stools, a n d if th e circu lat ion is feeble, with a t en den cy to sta sis, it h as adec idedly ton ic effect.
Leptandra is a remedy for intestinal atonyespecially duodenal atony
associated with hepat ic torpor . I t has been employed in dysentery and
chronic diarrhoea, dependent upon const ipat ion of the upper bowel , or
upon imperfect elaboration of the food. These cases are accompanied
by dizziness, headache, visceral pain, mental depression and cold
extremities. In atony of the stomach and liver with the preceding and
the following symptoms it is decidedly stimulant and tonic. There is a
dry, hot skin, with cold feet, abdominal plethora, pale, white coated or
furred broad and thick tongue, heavy or dul l aching in the hepat icregion and the left shoulder, and a bit ter , disagreeable taste. In fact
with any of the preceding symptomsand yellowness of the skin and
conjunctiva and nausea, leptandra will prove very useful in atonic
dyspepsia, acute hepat i t is , acute duodenal catarrh, diarrhea of half-
digested aliment, muco-enterit is, and chronic enterit is. I t will be
evident from the guides given that leptandra, is a remedy for the
complex known as bi l iousness. I t a ids chionanthus, and sometimes
podophyllin to dissipate jaundice. In the early period of Eclectic
medicine i t was valued in typhoid fever, when ushered in with
cons tipa tion a n d before ma rked involvemen t of Peyers p at ch es h adbecome established. I t is questionable whether any laxative should beresor ted to in such condit ionsan enema is to be preferred. But for
pre-typhoid symptoms, not amounting to enteric fever, i ts use is
justifiable and even beneficial. Leptandra is better as a laxative in
malarial fever and prepares the system for the more kindly reception of
antiperiodic medication. I t is no longer employed in anasarca and
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asci tes, bet ter agents having supplanted i t . I t is a good medicine and
i ts f ield of usefulness has narrowed down to gastro-hepato-duodenal
atony, and at tendant or resul t ing disorders, in which i t proves anadmirable stimulant and corrective. I t acts well with hydrastis,
podophyllum, chionanthus, dioscorea, or chel idonium when these are
also indicated. I t is especially valuable in the diarrhoea of dentit ion.The nervous irr i tabili ty may be controlled with matricaria and the
followin g adm in istered: Rx Com poun d Syru p of Rhu ba rb a n d Potas sa , 3
fluidrachms; Specific Medicine Leptandra, 1 fluidrachm. Mix. Ten to
20 drops every hour unt i l the diarrhea ceases. Glyconda may be
su bs t itu ted for the n eu tra lizin g cordial , if su gar is con tra in dicat ed.
LEUCANTHEMUM.
The whole plant of Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. (Chrysanthemumleucanthemum ,
Lin n ) (Nat . Ord . Comp ositae.) In trodu ced into Am erica from Eu rope.
Co m m o n Na m e s : Ox-eye Daisy, Field Daisy.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .Probably an acid, aromatic, volatile oil, and a bitter
principle.
P r e p a r a t i o n .Infus um Leucanthemi , Infus ion of Leucanthemum. Dose, freely.
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .An infusion of leucanthemum is tonic and
should be considered in cases of colliquative sweating in which it isn ot desirab le to us e th e act ive an t ih ydrot ics, as atropine, mu scar in e, orcamphoric acid.
LIATRIS.
The rhizomes of several species of Liatris (Nat. Ord. Compositae). Middle and
sou th ern Uni ted S ta tes . Dose , 10 to 60 g ra ins .
Common Names: Button Snake Root (L. spicata); Blazing Star (L. s qua rrosa ); Gay
Fea the r (L. scariosa); Deer 's Tongu e (Carphe phorus odoratis s im us [L. odoratissima]).
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .Resins, volatile, bitter principle, and in some coumarin
(C9H6O2), a principle having a vanilla odor.
P r e p a r a t i o n .Infu s um Liatrid is , Infusion of Liatris (1 ounce to 16 fluidounces).
Dose, 1 to 4 f luidounces.
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A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .This drug is st imulant, bit ter tonic, diuretic,
an d em m ena gogu e. It is s ometim es u sed a s a gas tr ic tonic in dyspeptic
conditions associated with renal inactivity. Rarely it is used to relievepain in spasmodic bowel complaints and colic in children, in
backache in adul ts , and to rel ieve dysmenorrhea. I t is seldom
employed. Button snake root der ives i ts name from i ts t radi t ionalIndian reputation as a local alexipharmic (freshly-bruised root) for
rat t le-sna ke bi te , a m yth , it is n eedless to sa y, as yet u n ver ified.
LIGUSTRUM.
The bark and leaves ofLigus trum vu lgare , Linn (Nat. Ord. Oleaceae). A beautiful
shrub in woods and thickets in the eastern half of the United States; also
cult ivated. Dose, 10 to 60 grains .
Co m m o n Na m e s : Privet, Privy, Prim.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .The glucoside ligustrin (syringin), a bitter crystalline
body, ligustron , and an amorphou s b it t e r , syringopikrin .
P r e p a r a t i o n . Decoctum Ligustri, Decoction of Privet (1 ounce to Water, 16
fluidounces). Dose, 1 to 4 flu idou nces .
Speci f ic Indica t ions .Aph th ous sore mou th ; relaxed sore throat.
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .External. Next to coptis the most useful
application for thrush in infants and of value in pallid sore throat with
t iss u e relaxat ion , and in aph thou s sore mouth .
Internal. An astr ingent tonic of much value in ulcerat ive and catarrhal
condit ions of the mucous membranes of the stomach, bowels, and
rena l t ract .
LILIUM.
Th e whole plan t ofLilium tigrinum (Na t. Or d. Lilia cea e). Native of J a pa nan d Ch in a, bu t lar gely cu lt ivat ed.
Comm on Nam e : Tiger Lily.
Prepara t ion .Specific Medicine Tiger Lily . Dose, 1 to 10 dr ops.
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A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .This remedy has been acquired from
Homeopathy and is reputed slowly effective in controlling uterine
irri tation and congestion, being employed also to allay the nausea ofpregnancy and of uterine irr i tabili ty, in congestive dysmenorrhea, and
chronic ovarian neuralgia with darting, burning pain in the ovaries. I t
is also said to be of service when pelvic weight and prolonged lochiaaccompany a tardy recovery f rom par tur i t ion and in the bear ing-down
discom fort in ciden t to prolap su s u ter i.
LIMON.
The juice and outer rind of the fresh ripe fruit of Citrus m ed ica Lim onum (Risso),
Hooker filius (Nat. Ord. Rutaceae). Northern India, and cultivated in subtropical
coun t r ie s .
Co m m o n Na m e : Lemon .
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .A pale-yellow or greenish-yellow, fragrant oil (Oleum
Limonis ); an d a bit ter pr in ciple, hesperidin (C22H26O12)
P r e p a r a t i o n s .1. Lim onis S uccus , Lemon juice. This may be prepared by slightly
boiling strained lemon juice to remove mucilage, etc., and pouring it into
previously sterilized bottles filled to the neck; fill the neck with pure olive, sweet,
or almond oil, and cork tightly. Keep the bottle in an upright position. This, while
slightly bitter, will keep for several weeks. Another method is to add 10 per cent
of bra n dy to the s t ra ined ju ice . Dose, 1 / 2 to 4 flu idounces .
2 . Lim onis Cortex , Lem on Peel. A flavorin g agen t on ly.3 . Oleu m Lim onis , Oil of Lemon. Pale-yellow or greenish, having the taste
and odor of lemon peel. If i t has the odor of turpentine i t should not be used.
Average Dos e , 1 to 5 m in ims .
Spec i f i c Ind ica t ions .Elongated, reddened tongue with prominent
papillae; scorbutus; fevers with red, long tongue; excessively red,
inf lamed surfaces in inf lammatory rheumatism, with alkal ine ur ine
an d lon g, red ton gue, th in ly coated wh ite .
Ac t i on a n d Th e r a p y .Lemon juice and citr ic acid are the best knownprophylactics and curative remedies for scurvy (scorbutus). The juice
m ay be given in d oses of 1/ 2 to 2 ou n ces a d ay as a p revent ive, an d indoses of 2 to 4 ounces, three t imes a day, as a cure. The act ion of
lemon juice and citric acid is not exactly identical, probably owing to
the presence in the former of mucilage and citrate of calcium, but for
most purposes requir ing the acid, lemon juice is used and preferred.
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For preparation of the juice for long voyages, see above (Preparations).
Dilu ted lem on juice m ay be u sed in obst in ate h iccou gh , h epat ic torpor
and acute jaundice when the tongue i s red and the ur ine a lkal ine .Under l ike condit ions i t is useful in acute ar t icular rheumatism when
the parts inflamed are deeply red and the general indications for acids
are present. Lemon juice upon sugar will alleviate distressing cough,especially a persistent explosive cough, with spasmodic contraction of
the throat upon lying down; when rel ief comes a sl ight t ranslucent ,
jelly-like mass is expectorated. Lemonade is a delightfully refreshing
refrigerant drink for fever patients when acids are indicated and bowel
conditions will permit the use of large quantities of acidulated fluid. It
also sometimes rel ieves sick headache, and a hot lemonade is a
popu lar rem edy to brea k u p a cold.
LINUM.
The ripe seeds of Linumusitat issimum , Linn (Nat. Ord. Linaceae). Levant and
sou th ern Eu rope; cul t iva ted .
Co m m o n Na m e s : Flaxseed, Linseed.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .Mu cila ge, a fixed, viscid oil (Oleu m Lini), proteids (25
per cent), an d a minu te t race of am ygdal in .
P r e p a r a t i o n s .1. Oleu m Lini, Linseed Oil, (Oil of Flaxseed, Raw Lipseed Oil). A
yellowish oil of a bland taste and peculiar odor, gradually thickening anddarkening in the a i r and acquir ing a s t rong tas te and odor . Dose, 1/ 2 t o 1
fluidou n ce. Raw (n ot boiled) oil on ly sh ou ld be u sed .
2 . Farina Lini, Lin seed Meal, (Flaxseed Meal). For pou lt ices.
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .External. Flaxseed and its oil are emollient. A
flaxseed poultice (Cataplas m a Lini) applied early upon inflamed and
painful surfaces will relieve pain, cause relaxation, and sometimes
resolution. If applied after pus begins to form it will hasten
suppurat ion. Deepseated inf lammation can of ten be aborted by the
ju diciou s u se of a flaxs eed p ou ltice. Th e da n ger of fa vorin g seps is whenused upon open or abraded t i ssues should be borne in mind. Equal
parts of linseed oil and lime water form Carron Oil, the bes t pr imarydressing for burns and scalds. Linseed meal added to the wash water
will ass ist in rem ovin g the odor of iodoform from th e h an ds .
Internal. An in fu sion of th e seeds (1/ 2 ou n ce to Boilin g Wat er, 16
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fluidounces) is an excellent demulcent forming a pleasant
mucilaginous drink for inflamed or irr i tated membranes. I t is
especial ly useful in gastro- intest inal and renal inf lammations, and asa lenitive after acute poisoning by irritants. The addition of licorice
root or lemon juice and sugar makes of the foregoing an agreeable
linctus for irr i tative coughs and acutely inflamed bronchial mucousm embr an es. Lin seed oil is a good laxat ive an d is som etim es u sed as an
enema to remove ascar ides. Hemorrhoids have been cured by the
laxative influence of linseed oil given in daily repeated doses of 1 to 2
ounces. Linseed oil may be given freely in poisoning by alkalies, when
other b land oils a re not a t h an d.
LIQUIDAMBAR.
The balsamic exudate or concrete juice ofLiquidambarstyraciflua , Linn (Nat. Ord.
Hamamelaceae). The sweet-gum tree of the United States, Mexico, and CentralAmerica.
Co m m o n Na m e : Swee t Gum .
D e s c r i p t i o n .An opaque, almost black, soft , adhesive, resinous mass, or hard
masses breaking with a resinous fracture, of the pleasant odor of benzoin, and a
bit terish, pungent, benzoinic taste. I t softens in warm weather; becomes hard in
cold weather. Soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, and fats and oils. Dose, 1 to
15 grains.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .The resin styrol, cinnamicacid, styracin , and storesin, acomplex alcohol.
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .External. King highly valued an ointment ofl iquidambar and lard or tal low, equal par ts , as a sof tening and
antisept ic appl icat ion to ulcers and in anal f is tulae with indurated
edges, and especially for indolent ulcers and old sores upon the legs.
Like many balsamic preparations i t is said to benefit in parasit ic skin
diseases, as r ingworm of the scalp and porr igo scutulata . I t is also
reputed to give relief in hemorrhoids. I t should be tr ied in anal f issure,
as i t acts without causing pain. To render i t more efficient, though
probably at the r isk of causing some pain, we would suggest the
addition of a small amount of salicylic acid.
Internal. Like most balsams it is effectual in chronic coughs andcatar rhs .
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LOBELIA.
The leaves, tops, and seeds of Lobe lia inflata , Linn (Nat. Ord. Lobeliaceae).
Abu nd an t in th e Uni ted S ta tes . Dose, 1 to 60 gra ins .
C o m m o n N a m e s .Lobelia, Indian Tobacco, Wild Tobacco, Puke Weed, Emetic
Weed, E m etic Herb, Vom it Weed, etc.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .The unstable liquid alkaloid lobeline , combined with
lobelic acid; f ixed and volati le oil , and an unimportant nonbasic substance, inflatin .
The so-called lobelacrin of En ders is pr obab ly lobelin e lobeliate.
P r e p a r a t i o n s .1. S pe cific Med icine Lobe lia . Dose, 1/ 10 to 60 dr ops. (Usu al form of
administration: Rx Specific Medicine Lobelia, 5-30 drops; Water, enough to make
4 fluidou n ces. Mix. Sig.: On e teas poonful every 1 to 3 h ou rs .)
2 . S ub culoyd Lobelia . Dose, 1 to 30 drops. Designed chiefly for hypodermaticu s e .
3 . Pulvis Lobelia Com pos itus , Compound Powder of Lobelia (Emetic Powder).
Contains Lobelia (6), bloodroot (3), skunk cabbage (3), ipecac (4), capsicum (1).
Dose , as an emet ic , 2 drachm s in broken doses of 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 drachm , in warm
water, every 15 m inu tes. Used chiefly locally.
4 . Tinctu ra Lobelia Comp osita , Compound Tincture of Lobelia, (Acetous Emetic
Tin ctu re, Expectoran t Tin ctu re). Dose, 1 / 2 to 3 flu idrachm s.
5 . Libradol. For external use .
Spec i f i c Ind ica t ions .Fullness of tissue, with full veins and full
arterial f low; full labored and doughy pulse, the blood current movingwith difficulty; short, labored breathing; sense of suffocation; dyspnea
with praecordial oppression; pain in chest of a heavy, sore, or
oppressive character; pulmonary apoplexy (full dose); mucousaccumulat ions in the bronchi; dry croupal cough, with scant or
oversecret ion; asthmatic seizures; short , lancinat ing pain radiat ing
from hear t to lef t shoulder and arm; spasmodic muscular contract ion;
m u s cu la r r igidity; in fan tile convu lsions from irri ta tion of th e bowels , or
from respiratory obstruction; hysterical convulsions; r igid os uteri with
thick doughy and unyielding rim; perineal and vaginal r igidity during
labor; angina pectoris (full doses).
Action .Lobelia apparent ly acts upon the central nervous system, the
myoneural junction of the muscles of volit ion, and the sympathetic
nerve ganglia, and by some is classed with the nicotine group inpharmacological effects. It is a powerful gastro-intestinal irritant,
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producing emesis. Should i t fail to vomit, which is rare, purgation may
result . In large doses a state of near-collapse is induced. Small doses
act u pon th e cardiac in h ibitory ap pa ratu s, s lowin g th e hear t a ct ion, bu tthis is followed by a more or less accelerated pulse. During the
depressive stage bloodpressure is lowered, but subsequently becomes
increased. Small doses st imulate, and large doses paralyze therespiratory centers and the vagal terminals and ganglia in the bronchi
and lungs, death, when it occurs ( in animals), resulting from
respiratory paralysis (asphyxia). Lobelia is most largely eliminated by
th e kidn ey, thou gh som e is th ought to be excreted by th e skin.
If lobelia be chewed it causes an acrid, prickling, and persistently
pungent sensat ion in the throat and fauces, accompanied by sl ight
nausea and a feel ing of warmth and distent ion along the esophagealtract and in the stomach. The sensat ion is not very unl ike that
produced by tobacco. The sal ivary glands and those of the mouth areimpressed , pour ing out sa l iva and mucus in abundance . A sense of
epigastric depression succeeds, followed by profound nausea, and if
the amount chewed be large enough, severe and thorough emesis
resul ts . The gastr ic mucus is secreted in great abundance and ejected
with the contents of the stomach. The emetic action of lobelia is
extremely depressing, and is usual ly accompanied by profuse
perspirat ion. Oppres sive prostra t ion, relaxat ion of th e m u scu lar system,
and a languid pulse accompany the emetic stage. The depression,
h owever, is of sh ort du ra tion, a n d is imm ediately followed b y a s en se ofextreme sat isfact ion and repose. Under i ts act ion the mental powers
are unusual ly acute, and the muscles are powerful ly relaxed. The
circulation is enfeebled by large and strengthened by small doses, and
th e bron chia l secre t ions a re au gm ented .
Lobelia, in the ordinary sense of the term, is not a lethal poison.
Und oubtedly it s in ju dic iou s u se h as an d m ight produce death , bu t the
same is t rue of many other drugs that are not ordinar i ly considered as
poisons. That the alkaloid lobeline will kill animals has been fully
dem ons tra ted. A drop of th e alkaloida l solu t ion placed u pon t h e ton gueof a strong, healthy man instantly vomited him. To this property of i tsalkaloid is undoubtedly due the failure of lobelia to act upon man as a
lethal agent . I ts emetic act ion is so prompt and decided that the
contained alkaloid does not , under ordinary circumstances, produce
fatal results. Given in cases in extremis, the resulting exhaustion from
repeated emesis would very l ikely hasten death, but death would be
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more likely due to the act of vomiting exhausting the patient than to
any poisonous effect of the lobelia.
T h e r a p y .External. Infusion of lobelia, or the alcoholic preparations
di luted and constant ly appl ied by means of compresses, are among the
most efficient applications in rhus poisoning. A lotion or a poultice(with flaxseed or elm) often relieves insect bites and stings, articular
pain, the pain of bruises and sprains, and sometimes causes relaxat ion
in strangulated hernia, and relieves the discomfort of erysipelatous
inflammation. Powdered lobelia sprinkled upon a larded cloth and
applied warm, or the compound emetic powder similar ly used, is an
invaluable local application to the chest in acute thoracic diseases,
and gives marked rel ief f rom pleural and muscular pains and
alleviates the sense of suffocation and fullness accompanied by afeeling of soreness within the chest. Libradol is a more cleanly
application and owing to the presence of glycerin is more or lessdehydrating, thus making it a preferable application in swellings,
bunions, and inflammatory affections of the joints. Libradol, or a lotion
of equal parts of glycerin and the specific medicine, provides a grateful
application to relieve pain and reduce tumefaction in orchitis and
epididym itis; th e lotion is th e m ore eas ily app lied.
Libradol is an exceedingly efficient local application in many
disorders, to relieve pain and reduce local inflammations. I t is not a
cure-all, but covers two definite fields of action-the relief of diseasecon di t ions p resen t in g:
(1) Pain and inflammation, with or without exudation, as occur in
pneumonia, broncho-pneumonia, bronchit is , croup, pleur isy, acute
pharyngitis, tonsillitis, orchitis, ovaritis, arthritis, synovitis,
inflam m atory rh eum at ism , boils , a nd bu nion s .
(2) Localized pain, along nerve courses, in joints, and in the muscular
s t ruc tures , as in some forms of rheumat ism (subacute , non-
inflammatory, articular, etc.) , lumbago, facial , subscapular, andin tercosta l n eu ra lgia , p leu rodyn ia , an d n eu r it is .
The specific indications for Libradol are: Pain with or without swelling
or inf lammation; inf lammation with serous or mucous exudat ion;
sh arp , lan cin at ing pain in th e chest , a ggravated by respiratory or oth er
movements; congest ion and engorgement of par ts; dyspnea; soreness
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in the pectoral region; dul l , aching pain; subcutaneous and thecal
in flam m at ions ; pain of syph ilit ic n odes a n d lym ph at ic swellin gs.
Pulv i s Lobe l i ae Compos i tus or Com poun d Em etic Pow d er is seldom
used for the purpose indicated by i ts name a purpose for which i t was
originally intended and which it admirably fulfills. It is for its effectswhen ap plied local ly in bron ch o-pu lm onic affect ions th at it is s o h ighly
valued and that has caused i t to out l ive many other old Eclect ic
compounds. How i t actshow i t can produce the resul ts i t
doesremains yet a mystery and can not easi ly be explained
scientifically, but that it does act, and very decidedly, is a well attested
clinical fact, and its certainty makes i t a remedy that we will not be
likely to part with. I t is the first application thought of by many when
desir ing an outward appl icat ion in acute bronchit is , pleur isy,pneumonia, pleurodynia, and soreness of the pectoral walls. A well-
larded cloth is sprinkled with the powder. This is then well warmedand applied directly to the chest. Goose fat probably is the best
penetrating medium for i ts exhibition, and singularly recent scientif ic
tests of th e pen etra bility of fat ty bodies h as yielded th e h igh est place to
goose fat . Once more has science recognized the wisdom of the
domestic medicationists, whose only claim to skill rested on their
discriminatory clinical observation. The emetic powder may be freely
used without danger of unpleasant consequences. I t takes the place of
the heavy poultices and thus gives l i t t le or no discomfort to the patient.
If a cotton jacket (best prepared by lining an undershirt or waist with auniform layer of cotton) be worn over the larded cloth the effects are all
that can be desired f rom external appl icat ions. Petrolatum is
su bs t itu ted for oth er greas es by some ph ysician s.
Internal. From the early days of Eclecticism lobelia, through
Thomsonian introduct ion, has been a valued medicine. Many
properties were once ascribed it of which li t t le note is now taken. I ts
chief uses, however, were as an emetic, expectorant, and
antispasmodic, fulfilling all of these offices to the admiration of its
prescr ibers. As an emetic i t was regarded as not only prompt butefficient, but in order to render it safer and more efficacious, it wasoften combined with other substances, notably capsicum and
ipecacuanha. Ei ther as an expectorant or emetic , as the urgency of
cases required, i t was in f ree use in croup, whooping cough, asthma,
dyspn ea s imu la t ing as th ma , an d pn eum onia . In fevers it was u sed as a
relaxan t a n d to m odify the circu lat ion . Wh en u sed a s an expectoran t it
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was usually combined with t incture of bloodroot, syrup of senega, wine
of ipecac, or oxymel of squill. Doses of lobelia sufficient to excite
nausea and relaxat ion were employed in epi lepsy, chorea, cramps,hyster ia , te tanus, s t rychnine poisoning, and other convulsive at tacks.
Internally, or by enema, it was largely employed to overcome rigidity of
the uterus during labor, but i ts specific applicabili ty, as now known,was not then differentiated. As a relaxant, when employed by rectal
enema and in fomentat ions, i t was highly regarded in t reat ing
strangulated hernia and other intest inal obstruct ions; and to release
muscular contracture in tedious labors, and to faci l i ta te the set t ing of
fractures and reducing of dislocations. In extreme cases, oil of lobelia
was employed and entered into l iniments for severe neuralgic and
rheumatic complaints . The infusion was used in ophthalmia; the
t incture local ly in sprains, bruises, rheumatic pains, erysipelatous andsimilar inf lammations, eczema and other cutaneous diseases, and in
poisoning by ivy. Poultices of lobelia were similarly employed. Thesewere the days prior to the advent of specific medication through which
a bet ter u n dersta n din g of th e u se of lobelia was a cquired. Of th ese u ses
only the occasional employment sti l l survives for the same purposes in
crou p, as th m a, whoopin g cough , dysp n ea, children s convu lsion s, r igid
os , an d th e local su r face d isorders n am ed.
Lobel ia is nauseant , emetic , expectorant , relaxant , ant ispasmodic,
diaphoretic, sialagogue, sedative, and, secondarily, occasionally
cathar t ic and diuret ic and astr ingent . I t is in no sense a narcot ic . Asan emetic lobelia is now seldom employed. In selected cases where a
systemic emetic effect is desired it may still be employed with benefit.
By a systemic emetic we mean one which, l ike lobelia, not only causes
emesis , but reacts profoundly upon the nervous, circulatory, and
secretory appa ratu s of th e wh ole body, so th at m ark ed relaxat ion tak es
place and the stomach yields up a great quant i ty of thick, ropy mucus.
Su ch a n effect is s ometim es desirable as a p repara tory t reatm ent for the
better receptivity of medicines that would otherwise remain
unabsorbed by the stomach, or when antiperiodics act indifferently or
irr i tatingly unless a good cleaning of the stomach and relaxation ofnervous tension are f i rst insured. This is notably t rue of quinine, andoften of the special or arterial sedatives. Though momentarily
depressing, the reaction is decidedly beneficial , and it may well be
used when depression is not too great to begin with, and the tongue is
expressionless and foul ly coated at the base. In such instances we
believe it should sti l l be used in emetic doses in some chronic
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disorders of the stomach, and especially in the incipient stage of
intermittent and other all ied fevers. We have seen it arouse from a
general sluggish condition of atony those who have been il l for monthsand star t them on the way to bet ter heal th. When the emetic act ion of
lobelia is desired, small doses of specific medicine lobelia, or of the
powder in warm water , should be f requently administered unt i lprofound nausea i s induced; then the medic ine should be pushed
ra pidly to em esis. Lar ge drau ghts of warm (n ot h ot) water will h as ten its
action and render the act of vomiting easier. Lobelia should never be
given to children or the old and feeble as an emetic; nor is i t
admissible in ordinary cases of poisoning, where depression may be
in creas ed by it . Su ch a re to be t reated with st imu lat ing emetics.
The powerfully relaxant properties of lobelia make it an efficient drugwhere the s pa sm odic elemen t is a factor . As of old, n au sean t doses m ay
be given to relax hysterical convulsions, worm convulsions, theconvulsions of dentit ion, and other convulsive disorders of children.
When mildly asthenic, lobelia may be used alone; when sthenic,
bromide of potassium or gelsemium may be given with i t . Usually,
however, the indications are present for all three medicines. The best
combination of drugs we have personal knowledge of for the relief of
convulsions of chi ldhood caused by errors of diet , such as the
ingest ion of half-comminuted bananas, nuts , or shredded cocoanut
cakes, or of fresh flour dough, is the following: Rx Specific Medicine
Lobelia, an d Specific Medicin e Gelsem iu m , 1 flu idra chm ea ch;Potassium Bromide, 1 drachm; Water, enough for 4 f luidounces. Mix.
Sig.: One teaspoonful every five minutes until complete relaxation is
insured; then every two hours for a day. The warm bath and the enema
should not be neglected. If convulsions are due to dentit ion or to the
onset of infectious diseases, good will have been accomplished by
placing the system in repose and giving a better receptibil i ty for other
medication. Lobelia is of little value in epileptic convulsions, and is
rarely of service in tetanus. I t has been used in st rychnine poisoning,
but is not to be commended, especially if given late, lest attempts at
emesis provoke the already greatly excited reflexes and precipitaterepeated paroxysms; and less than emetic doses would have absolutelyno value. In puerperal eclampsia, in which it has also been advised, i t
is not to be compared with veratrum, gelsemium and chloroform in
efficiency. When intestinal obstructions are due to a spasmodic state of
the intest ines i t may be of service, as in intussuscept ion and fecal
impact ion; and i t may relax and rel ieve a st rangulated hernia. Too
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much t ime must not be consumed in a t tempts a t medica t ion in these
ser ious disorders, and an ear ly resor t to surgery is advisable.
Spasmodic col ic in both adul ts and chi ldren is sometimes quicklyrelieved by lobelia. In fact very small doses prove the very best
treatment in colic of very young infants. For spasmodic croup and
spasmodic as thma lobel ia in nauseant doses i s wi thout a peer in drugtherapeut ics .
Lobelia is the drug for angina pector is , neuralgia of the hear t , and
pulmonary apoplexy. Though evanescent in i ts action, large doses of
specific medicine lobelia (about 20 drops) may be administered with
the expectation of relieving the patient. The dose may be repeated as
necessary. Lobelia is a cardiac stimulant, therefore we class i t with the
sedatives, for all arterial or special sedatives in medicinal (small) dosesare hear t s t imulants . When the circulat ion exhibi ts a markedly slow
pu lse-wave it will be b etter corrected by lobelia th an by an y oth er dr u g.In fact the most prominent indication for lobelia is the full , oppressed,
sluggish, doughy pulse. Associate this with praecordial oppression,
thoracic pain, difficult breathing, soreness or bruised feeling within
the chest , nausea with tongue heavi ly coated at the base, ful lness of
t iss u e, an d we h ave before u s a fair ra n ge of th e action of th e dru g. It is
a good remedy in ca rd iac congest ion .
Lobelia is of specific value in obstetrical practice. It powerfully subdues
muscular rigidity. It is one of the remedies to overcome a rigid os,dur ing par tur i t ion, and at the same t ime i t relaxes the per ineal t issues,
thus defending the parts against lacerations. This specific effect of
lobelia has won many converts to specific medication. This i t does
when there is fullness of t issuea thick, doughy, yet unyielding os
uteri; when, however, the edge of the os is thin and closely drawn,
sharp like a knife edge, full doses of gelsemium are indicated. For this
ant ispasmodic act ion lobel ia may be given in nauseant doses,
preferably in h ot water , by mouth an d by rectum .
Lobelia is a stimulant to the sympathetic nervous system. It improvesinnervat ion of the par ts supplied by both the pneumogastr ic andsympathet ic nerves. The appet i te and digest ion are augmented by i t
and peristalsis of the whole gastro-intestinal tube greatly stimulated.
All this i t does best in small and repeated doses; and for these specific
purposes i t should be so employed and not for i ts nauseat ing and
emetic effects, which it causes by pushing this stimulation to i ts l imit.
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The conditions in which such violent and disturbing action is desired
are sufficiently set forth above. Specific medication has proved that
lobelia is indicated by the full , slow, labored, and doughy pulse,showing that the blood current moves with difficulty. Over the chest,
and par t icular ly in the praecordium there is a sense of oppression and
weight and often a dull , heavy pain or soreness of an oppressivecharacter and always associated with difficulty in breathing. Mucous
rales in the bronchi are prominent and the cough is aggravat ing, but
followed by free and full expectoration. The tongue is full, pallid, broad
and f labby-expressionless, nausea is a common indicat ion, and sick
headache with nausea f requently encountered. The sympathet ic and
the vagus are always below par when lobelia is indicated. With any or
several of these indications lobelia proves most valuable in the gastric
and respiratory disorders named below. Even in this specific f ieldcomes partly i ts beneficent action in angina pectoris, though
relaxation even to nausea apparently intensifies i ts amelioratingeffects.
The small dose of lobelia is of distinct value in atonic types of
indigestion and dyspepsia. In similar doses i t may relieve sick
headache due to gastr ic derangement , and is then indicated by a
feeling of qualmishness and nausea. Though sometimes overlooked
when we are seeking a drug to overcome intestinal atony, experience
has proved lobelia, continued for some time in moderately small doses,
to be one of the best agents at our command to gradually relievehabitual constipation. Rx Specific Medicine Lobelia, 1 or 2 drops, every
2 or 3 hours. This is accomplished by improving the innervat ion and
peristalsis , and st imulat ing the secret ions of the intest inal glands, as
lobelia is in no sense a laxative in such doses. Administered with
podophyll in and other cathar t ics i t tends to prevent the af ter-
cons tipative resu lts th at frequen tly follow th e u se of bowel pers u ad ers
when given in p u rgat ive am oun ts .
Lobelia is of value in common colds with a dry, irritative cough. It
ranks with the best of ant iasthmatics, and is equal ly serviceable inspasmodic as thma and in humid as thma, wi th scanty secre t ion in thefirst an d over-secret ion in th e lat ter . In as th m a, which is b u t a symptom
of some grave body wrong, the urine should be examined for albumin,
which, together with the asthmatic paroxysms, are sometimes the only
early evidence pointing to nephrit is. Nasal obstructions and
deformities requiring removal by the nasal specialist should also be
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taken into account, as well as other causes for reflex excitation. With
these absent lobelia is signally effective; it often fails in part or
al together when th ese a bn orma lit ies r ema in u n corrected. Lobelia is anequally certain remedy for the relief of spasmodic croup and the
as th m atic form of acu te laryngit is in chi ldren . In lobar p n eu m onia an d
in broncho-pneumonia i t renders good service when there is muchcongestion and breathing is greatly oppressed. In chronic respiratory
disorders i t is valuable either to increase or decrease secretion,
accordingly as the fuller or lesser doses are used, and to relieve cough.
For cou gh s, when dry, ba rkin g, or h acking, or wh en lou d m u cou s ra les
are heard, but there is difficulty in raising the sputum, lobelia may be
employed alone, or in mixtures or syrups as indicated. For chronic
coughs requiring lobelia a good form is the compound liniment of
stillingia (which see), which contains the so-called oil of lobelia. Forthe cough of measles, when a sluggish circulation and imperfect
eruption are factors, i t proves useful in quieting the laryngealirr i tation, controlling the catarrhal features, and more perfectly
bringing out a tardy efflorescence. In both scarlet fever and measles,
lobelia, by causing determination of blood to the skin, promotes the
erupt ion when tardy and re-establ ishes i t when retrocession occurs. I t
modif ies many cases of whooping cough where abundant secret ions of
a str ingy character almost strangle the sufferer. In short lobelia is a
most admirable resp i ra tory s t imulant when the mucous membranes
are dry, or when relaxed and secretion is free but difficult of
expectoration. I t should not be forgotten as one of the most valuablemedicines in all stages of la grippe and epidemic influenza, as a vital
stimulant, to regulate an imperfect circulation, and to control cough
and expectorat ion. I t is an admirable drug in post-gr ippal catarrhs,
following the specific indications as given. Lobelia is seldom indicated,
n or is i t well born e, in a dvan ced pu lm ona ry tu bercu losis .
It h as been a ss u med b y som e tha t lobelia poss esses th e proper t ies of an
antitoxin in the sense that that term is now employed in biologic
medicat ion. This assumption we bel ieve to be unwarranted without
definite and exact biological experimentation. Such unsupportedvagaries bring into discredit otherwise good and efficient drugs. Thatqui te remarkable resul ts have been obtained from i ts use in grave
blood -disorganizing and specific diseases seem probable. But lobelia
is essent ial ly a vi tal s t imulant , and this proper ty, more than an
antitoxic action as now understood, better explains i ts beneficent
effect in d iph th er ia a n d other dep ress in g sept icaem ic disea ses .
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Hy poderm atic Us e . For the so-called antitoxic and other general action,
lobel ia , hypodermatical ly administered, has come into prominent usein late years in many of the disorders for which the drug is given
internally. In this manner the probabili ty of nausea and vomiting is
lessened, while i ts relaxant properties seem not to be diminished. Inspasmodic asthma i t sometimes gives prompt rel ief , and we have
observed its effects most beneficially in gall-stone colic of a
continuously nagging, though not very severe, type. We have also
observed a remarkable increase of ur ine f rom the drug used in this
way. To catalogue the conditions in which many have obtained
asserted good effects would be to restate all the uses of lobelia given in
th is ar ticle, except th at of em esis.
The subject of hypodermatic medication, involving a large number of
vegetable medicines, has been purposely omitted from this work. Theauthor is unal terably opposed to this too general pract ice because of
the dangerous react ions tha t occur of ten enough to make one
caut ious. Thoughtless, and of ten unscrupulous, commercial ism in
medicine on the par t of a few has brought about a demand from
physicians for these hypodermatic forms of medicines, and to meet this
demand reputable manufacturers of drugs have unwil l ingly yielded
an d h ave su pplied a score or m ore of su ch p repara t ions. Realizin g tha t
such prepara t ions under the bes t of pharmacal care are l iab le to
deleterious change or disintegration, or to the development of toxicmater ial , the thoughtful manufacturer is unwil l ing to cont inue the
supply of such drugs. Certain vegetable proteins may, and of ten do,
become as obnoxious and dangerous as some animal pro te ins , and
may produce allergic, or anaphylactic effects, as well as direct
poisoning; and occasional ly the most unhappy and near fatal
consequences have resulted. Apparently lobelia and ergot are the
safest of these preparat ions and they should not be recklessly or
unnecessar i ly used, when other methods of medicat ion may be just as
effectu a lly em ployed.
Acetous Em etic Tinctu re . Like the Compound Emetic Powder, this agentis now seldom employed as an emetic . On the contrary i ts reputat ion
rests on i ts value as a remedy in coughs, colds, and broncho-pulmonic
complaints. I t is of service when the indications are present for both
lobelia and sanguinaria. These drugs are more effective when
tinctured with a certain proportion of vinegar, hence the superiority of
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this compound over the plain t inctures. Emetic t incture added to syrup
will often render good service when a cough mixture for irritative
cough, with deficient secretion, is desired. The dose of the t incture isfrom 20 to 60 drops.
RELATED MEDICINE.
Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum , Linn) and Nicotine . Tobacco was once used to a
considerable extent upon painful inflammatory swellings and to relax
strangulated hernia. I t is seldom employed as a drug at the present day. When
unaccustomed to i ts use in chewing and smoking i t acts profoundly, causing
vomiting and great depression; toleration is soon established. Nicotine is of
toxicological interest chiefly, but rarely it is used to subdue pain. A solution of
the combined alkaloids of tobacco, containing 1 per cent of nicotine, is on the
marke t a s Dynamyne, a preparation devised by Lloyd and Howe. It is a green-
colored hydro-alcoholic liquid designed for external use only, a solution of 1 to 4
fluidrachms in a pint of water being applied by means of a compress uponlocalized inflammations, and to relieve the pains of neuralgia, pleurodynia,
rheumatism, felons, abscesses, etc. Some persons are very susceptible to
nicot ine , hence th is prepara t ion must be used with great caut ion, and care
should be had in handling or inhaling it. A combination of tobacco alkaloids is an
ingredien t of Libra dol.
LUPULINUM.
Lupul in .
The glandular powder separated from the strobiles ofHum ulus Lupulus , Linn
(Nat . Or d. Can n ab aceae), th e comm on Hop. (See Humulus .)
D e s c r i p t i o n .Brownish-yellow (becoming yellowish-brown), resinous granules,
having the aromatic odor and bit ter taste of hops. I t is readily inflammable, and
deter iora tes u pon long keepin g. Dose , 5 to 20 gra ins in caps u le or p i ll.
P r e p a r a t i o n .S pecific Med icine Lupu lin . Dose , 5 to 30 drops .
Spec i f i c Ind ica t ions .Nervousness, irritability, disposition to brood
over trouble, delir ium, insomnia, cerebral hyperemia; genital andmental irr i tabili ty associated with spermatorrhea; fermentative
dyspeps ia, with acid eructa t ions .
Ac t i on a n d Th e r a p y .Lupulin is administered in disorders for which
infusion and tincture of hops were formerly given. It is a remedy for
nervousness, to allay irr i tation and to produce sleep. I t gives a sense ofFel ters Mater ia Medica - (L) - Page 20
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mental t ranquil l i ty which makes i t a valuable agent in nervous unrest
due to nocturnal seminal emissions, and relieves irr i tation of the
genital tract when associated with the latter . I t relieves irr i tation of thebladder, with frequent urination, and is quite efficient in chordee.
When del i r ium tremens is accompanied by cerebral hyperemia i t is of
considerable service. Insomnia due to nervous debili ty or to worry, orheadache associated with active cerebral circulation, is benefited by
lupulin; while for painful conditions i t may be employed when they
depend upon nervous debi l i ty . For the lat ter reason i t has been given
with success in dysmenorrhea, and other painful condit ions of the
uterus and in af ter-pains. Lupulin checks fermentat ive changes in the
stomach, thus proving useful in yeasty indigestion with acid
eructa t ions and d i la t ion of the s tomach, and in the headache due to
su ch gas t r ic d is tu rban ce.
LYCOPODIUM.
The spores ofLycopodiumclavatum , Linn (Nat. Ord. Lycopodiaceae) or Club Moss,
a creeping perennial found in most parts of the earth; gathered mostly in
Germa ny, Ru ss ia , an d Switzer lan d.
D e s c r i p t i o n .An odorless and tasteless, very mobile, light-yellow powder,
impervious to but floating on cold water, sinking when boiled with water, and
bu rn ing with a su dden flas h wh en in con tact with f lam e.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .Nearly 50 per cent of greenish-yellow fixed oil; sugar,2 to 3 per cent , an d a t ra ce of monomethylamine (CH3NH 2)
P r e p a r a t i o n .Specific Med icine Lycopodium . Dose, 1 / 10 to 30 d rops .
Spec i f i c Ind ica t ions . -Extreme sensi t iveness to the touch; ur ine
deposi ts red sandy or phosphat ic par t icles and readi ly stains the
clothing; water-brash; borborygmus.
A c t i o n a n d Th e r a p y .External. Lycopodium forms a good protective
and absorbent dust ing powder for i r r i tated and inf lamed surfaces, forwhich purpose i t is largely used in excoriations, intertr igo, herpes,
erysipelas, dermatit is, eczema, ulcers, etc. Possessing moisture-
repellant qualit ies i t is used in preparing pills of hygroscopic
chemicals, to facili tate the manipulation of pil l masses, and to keep
pills from adhering to each other. I t is also employed as the pulverulentba se of m an y in su fflat ions .
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Internal. According to Scudder, lycopodium is adapted to disorders
showing extreme sensitiveness of the surface; sensitiveness of a partand care to prevent i t being touched; slow, painful boils; nodes or
swellings; external sensitiveness of the organs of special sense, with
pale, livid, or dirty complexion.
Lycopodium is of much value in obscure forms of malarial fever, with
af ternoon exacerbat ions, and deep-red, scanty ur ine, which readi ly
stains the garments. The fever is not act ive, but very depressing and
intractable, and may be accompanied by sore throat , col ic , diarrhoea,
dysentery, or constipation. Used according to the specific indications,
i t is a useful gastric sedative, when in addition there is a sense of
fullness and tenderness of the stomach. I t often proves effective inpyrosis a n d ferm enta t ive in digest ion , with borborygm u s.
Lycopodium frequently relieves renal disorders with blood in the
urine, and is of service in catarrh of the bladder in adul ts with painful
micturit ion and grit ty concretions. I t should be given a fair tr ial in the
lith ic acid diath esis , when th e pas sa ge of u r in e is a t tend ed by pain a n d
red, sand-like particles are voided. The small dose, from the fraction of
a drop to f ive drops of the specific medicine, is the most advantageous
form of ad m in ist ra tion .
LYCOPUS.The whole herb Lycopu s virginicus , Linn (Nat. Ord. Labiatae). Common in shady,
mois t an d boggy places throu ghout th e Uni ted Sta tes . Dose, 1 to 60 gra ins .
Comm on Nam es: Bu gle Weed, Sweet Bu gle, Pau ls Beton y.
P r i n c i p a l C o n s t i t u e n t s .Tannic and gallic acids, a crystallizable glucoside,
res in, a n d a volati le oil .
P r e p a r a t i o n .Specific Medicine Lycopus . Dose, 1 to 60 drops.
Spec i f i c Ind ica t ions .Vascular exci tement , with rapid, tumultuous
act ion of the hear t , but lacking power; hemorrhage, passive and insmall quantit ies, resulting from determination of blood to the lungs,
kidneys, or gastro-intestinal canal; chronic debili tating cough, with
weak a nd rapid h ear t ac t ion a nd expectora t ion of mu cus or mu co-pus ;
morbid vigilance and wakefulness, with inordinately active but weak
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circulation; albuminuria with the above characteristic circulatory
disturbances; polyuria and some cases of diabetes with rapid hear t
act ion.
T h e r a p y .Lycopu s is seda t ive, su ba str ingent , an d ton ic. No other dru g
exact ly du plicates its value in circu lat ory distu rba n ces. App ar en t lygits force is ch iefly expend ed on th e vas cu lar s t ru ctu res a n d th e
symp ath et ic nervou s s ystem . Its s edat ive act ion is most cer ta in when
th e circu la t ion is excited-even tu m u ltu ous -with lessen ed card iac
power. Th is eviden t wan t of h ear t-en ergy, with qu icken ed velocity, is
th e mos t direct in dication for lycopu s. For th is p u rp ose esp ecially it is
great ly valu ed in th e advan ced sta ges of acu te disea ses with great
debi lity , an d in ch ronic disea ses with frequ ent pu lse. Its a ct ion u pon
th e stom ach is k in dly, an d being a m ild gas tr ic tonic th e app et ite issharpened and digestion facili tated. Normal secretion is favored by it ,
an d b lood-ma kin g an d n u t r it ion improved. Upon th e card io-vas cularsystem it h as been com pa red in a ct ion to d igital is , th ough it is far less
powerfu l tha n tha t dru g, an d bes ides i s non-poisonou s a nd n ot
cu m u lat ive. Th e in flu en ce of lycopu s exten ds t o all pa r ts u n der cont rol
of th e vegetat ive ch a in of n erves.
Lycopus is preeminently useful in passive hemorrhage, when the
bleeding is f requent and small in amount . Thus i t has acted well in
epistaxis , hematemesis , hematur ia , metrorrhagia, and intest inal
bleeding. I ts greatest uti l i ty, however, is in passive pulmonaryh emorrh age (h emopt ysis). It p roba bly acts by controllin g th e ra pidity of
th e blood-curren t . In th e first -n am ed h emorrh ages it m ay also act u pon
the u ns t r iped m u scu lar fibers , bu t in the pu lmona ry form these s mooth
f ibers are largely absent in the small vascular terminals where the
bleeding is most likely to occur. Therefore the control over the velocity
of the circulation, and not i ts vaso-motor effects, seems the most
rational explanation of i ts control in bleeding from the lungs. Whatever
th e cau s e of its a ction , it is n everth eless m ost d ecided ly effective.
Lycopus, by lessening irr i tation, allaying nervous excitement, andslowing and strengthening the hear t , and consequently reducing feverand pain, is of ten successful ly used in acute pulmonic complaints . I t
is more valuable, however, in chronic lung affections, to fulfill the
same purposes, besides control l ing or tending to prevent hemorrhage.
In chronic bronchitis, with copious expectoration, and in chronic
intersti t ial pneumonia, i t has rendered good service. While by no
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means to be ra ted as an ant i tubercular agent , i t s card io-vascular
control and ant ihemorrhagic power make i t an agent of unr ivaled
worth in those who show every evidence of tending toward a phthisicalend, a n d we believe it will do as m u ch as a m edicin e can do to stay th e
distressing ravages of pulmonary tuberculosis . When establ ished i t
aids in relieving cough, pain, fever and the rapid and excited heartact ion. In pulmonary hemorrhage we have frequently used with i t
specif ic medicines ipecac and cinnamon with the happiest of resul ts .
The chief guides to i ts selection in respiratory therapeutics are the
h em orrh age an d circu lat ory excita bi lity .
In hear t disorders, both funct ional and organic, lycopus should not be
disregarded. I t may be used where digitalis cannot be employed on
account of i ts offensive action upon the stomach. Administered topatients suffering from endocarditis and pericarditis i t has sometimes
subdued the inf lammation. I t is a good remedy in cardiac palpi tat ion,depend ent u pon ir r ita t ion of th e card iac n erve centers , or when ar i s in g
from organic lesions. I t is best adapted to those forms of heart disease
characterized by irr i tabili ty, irregularity, and weakness, with dyspnea
and praecordial oppression. Lycopus powerfully increases the
contract ion of the non-str iated muscular f ibers, par t icular ly those of
the hear t and ar ter ies, hence i ts value in cardiac di latat ion and
hypertrophycondit ions which have been known to undergo marked
improvement under i ts administration. I t quickly relieves the suffering
and anxiety near ly always exper ienced in hear t diseases; and is of especial value to relieve the rapid heart action of excessive smokers.
Lycopus is a remedy for morbid vigilance and insomnia attendant
upon either acute or chronic diseases; and is especially serviceable
when sleep is prevented by the exaggerated force of the heart . I t has
been il l-advised, and is largely over-rated, for the cure of diabetes and
th e relief of chr onic neph rit is. The m ost i t can do in th ese con ditions is
to a l lay unpleasant hear t symptoms and quie t nervous unres t . I t has
favorably influenced the circulatory aberrations in exophthalmic
goitre, but far more often it has failed. Painful and distressing forms ofindigestion are sometimes relieved by it , and it has been employedwith advantage in simple diarrhea (l ientery), dysenteric diarrhea, and
especial ly in the diarrhea of phthisis , and the gastr ic disturbances of
t h e d r u n k a r d .
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m o n o gr a p h s e x t r a c t e d fr o m
Th e Ec le c t i c Ma t e r ia Me d ic a , P h a r m a c o lo gy a n d Th e r a p e u t i c s
by Harvey Wicke s Fe l ter , M.D. (19 2 2)
NOTE: Throughout these monographs are references to Specific Medicines.
In some respects Specific Medicines are the single reason that Eclecticismsurvived so long in the face of Organized Medicine and were still being
manufactured for the surviving Eclectic M.D.s as late as the early 1960s.
Using u p t o eight organ ic solvent s a n d th e Lloyd Extra ctor, Specific Medicin es
represented the strongest possible concentration of the bioactive aspects of
botan icals th a t wou ld s tay in a collo ida l so lu t ion .
Perfected over fou r d ecades by J ohn Uri Lloyd, each Specific Medicin e was
prepared according to the nature of THAT specific plant. You cannot translate
a Specific Medicine into tincture or fluidextract. The latter are GENERIC
or standard strengths applied across the board to ALL botanicals. A Specific
Medicine represented the greatest s trength, without degradation, for aPARTICULAR plant, using anywhere from several to all of the solvents to
achieve this . The Eclectic physician was trained to use botanicals in an
oftentimes rural sett ing, and these medicines had to resist breakdown in the
deepest winter and the hottest summer. Since they needed to contain even
the most ephemeral consti tuents of a plant remedy, Lloyd approached each
plant separa te ly .
The amazing quali ty of these preparations assuredly maintained the Eclectic
Movemen t long after oth ers h ad fad ed. Lloyds recipes were Paten t
Medicines, were not official, and when relatives finally closed down the
Lloyd Broth ers Pha rm acy in Cincinn at i, thes e form u lae disa ppea red. On e of
the hottest topics for many years amongst professional herbalists in North
America and Europe has been So who has the Lloyd Formulas, already?
Since we cannot access them, the best approach is the use of well made
tinctures, capsules or tea. I might suggest the preparations and doses
recommended in my Herbal Materia Medica 5.0 as a start ing place.. . in many
respects I am perhaps a Neo-Eclectic at heart, and have tended to follow
th e la ter Eclect ics in m y app roach to p lants an d dosa ges .
Michael Moore
Bisbee, Arizon a
October, 200 1