On the Use of Gelseminum Semp. in Fevers. By J. S. Douglas, A. M., M. D., Prof. of Mat. Med. and Special Pathology, in the Western Homoepathic College, Cleveland; author of "Treatment of Intermittents," &c.

Such has been the general result of the treatment of the fevers of this country, that most Homoeopathic physicians deny the possibility of breaking up a fever when once established.

Those who labor under this impression, will be soon convinced of the error by properly employing the Gelseminum semper virens, or yellow Jasmine. Having proved this drug repeatedly on myself and seven or eight others, it was impossible to avoid the conviction that it would be homoeopathic to the ordinary fevers of this country.

The pathogenetic symptoms, almost uniformly experienced, are the following, the dose being from one to five drops:

Within a few minutes, sometimes within two or three, a marked depression of pulse, which becomes 10, 15 or 20 beats less in the minute, if quiet, but greatly disturbed by movement. Chilliness, especially along the back, pressive pain of the head, most generally of the temples, sometimes in the occiput, at others, over the head. The chilliness is soon followed by a glow of heat and prickling of the skin, and quickly succeeded by perspiration which is sometimes profuse and disposed to be persistent, continuing from twelve to twenty-four hours. As soon as the re-action takes place after the chill, the pulse rises as much above the normal standard, as it was before depressed below it. With these symptoms is a puffy, swollen look and feeling of the eye-lids, slimy and disagreeable or bitter taste in the mouth, languid feeling of the back and limbs, and sleepiness.

As example affords the best illustration, we will give one to illustrate the usual action of this drug in fevers:

P. W., aged 21, sanguine temperament, had been complaining of languor, and want of appetite for three weeks. For a week has been unable to attend to business. Took a cathartic, and was, of course, worse. For the last thirty-six hours had been seriously sick. June 30, 1858, had the following symptoms: Pulse rather full, but weak and vascillating, about 100 per minute. Tongue red and dry; hands tremulous when extending them; tongue trembles when protruded; the mind wanders; he reaches after imaginary objects; lips dry and parched; he is uneasy, restless. Now this, all will recognize as a case which had been long in coming on, and was fairly established, and was not likely to be broken up by ordinary means. He took one drop of Gelseminum tincture to be repeated every hour, if needed. The next morning he reported that he had been in a perspiration ever since fifteen minutes after taking the first dose, had slept quietly during the night, the tongue and lips were moist, mind clear, pulse 80, and steady. The next day I found him dressed and down stairs, with good appetite and free from disease. I could give sixty cases of equally prompt results from this precious drug, in fevers which make their attack rather suddenly, whether from cold or otherwise, and attended with chilliness, pain in the limbs, head and back, variously disordered taste of the mouth, with great restlessness. The almost uniform effect, in these cases is, a cessation of the chills, within from two to five minutes, quickly followed by a glow of heat and prickling of the surface; and within from five to twenty minutes, perspiration with progressive abatement of all the pains and restlessness. The patient falls asleep, and after a longer or shorter time, wakes with a consciousness that his disease is broken up—and this proves to be the truth. Like all other drugs, the dose must be various, generally one drop repeated every half hour, till the desired effect is produced repeated afterwards as occasion may require.

In simple cases of fever, I regard it as the remedy, not only, but the only remedy required. There are, of course, many cases of fever, with local complications, as inflammation of the liver, &c., &c., where other remedies will be necessary. Half a drop, or even a quarter, is often sufficient. The largest I have yet given is five drops, and this in only one case.

Several Homoeopathic physicians to whom I have recommended it, have made equally favorable reports of it.

My experience has been, that not a few of our Western fevers, especially if neglected beyond the incipient stages, are accompanied by such gastric and bilious disorder, as to require Mercurius, China, or Podophyllin, after the general febrile symptoms are removed by Gels. But at an early stage, the Gels. alone will prevent the development of these complications.

The drug seems to me to act specifically and energetically, not only upon the circulatory system, but equally so upon the nervous system, allaying nervous irritability more effectually in fevers, than Coff., Cham., Bell., Nux, or any other drug we possess. As it acts very quickly, the first dose may be soon repeated and increased, if no effect is observed.

FOOTNOTES