Veratrinum

Veratrinum.

Veratria. (An alkaloid obtained chiefly from seeds of Sabadilla and roots of Veratrum.) C32H52N2O8. Trituration.

Colic. Diarrhoea. Dysentery. Dysuria. Intestines, catarrh of; neuralgia of. Jaw, snapping of. Neuralgia. Oesophagus, stricture of. Paralysis. Spine, neuralgia of. Tetanus.

"Large doses of Veratrinum cause violent sneezing and great gastro-intestinal irritation, vomiting, purging, and symptoms of collapse, the pulse being rapid, small, and irregular; and often involuntary muscular tremors come on. A peculiar creeping and prickling sensation in the skin generally accompanies these symptoms. Externally applied to the unbroken skin it has no marked action, but if rubbed on with some fat, it passes through the epidermis and acts on the true skin, causing first irritation and then paralysis of the ends of the sensory nerves, and producing a prickly and creepy sensation, succeeded by numbness.

This effect is produced whether applied locally or taken internally. Its irritating action in the sensory nerves is also observed if it be inhaled through the nose, when it causes violent sneezing, which also occurs after absorption through the stomach" (Brunton). A large number of the effects of Vern. were the result of inunctions. Vern. is both a paralyser and a great pain producer.

It causes electric pains; sensation like electric streams in nerves; shooting pains like electric-shocks in veins, muscles and joints. Vern. causes tetanus, which Farrington distinguishes from the convulsive action of Nux in that Vern. causes purgation and vomiting with the spasms, and that general paralysis does not take place from exhaustion as with Nux, but from devitalisation of the muscles. Twitchings, subsultus tendinum, fibrillary twitchings are marked. Startings and tremors occur in limbs previously affected by paralysis or pain.

The pains are tingling, sparkling, prickling, burning. There is a drawing pain along the spine. Sensations: of oppression in head, suffocation; of boiling water running over the back. As if a stream of warm air or drops of hot water issued from various parts.

As if a frozen atmosphere round feet to knees; or cold water poured on them. Shocks in head. Twitching of facial muscles. Snapping, closure of lower jaw.

One Peculiar Symptom is: "Dull pain, afterwards burning, in lower, part of spinal column, followed by pain in bowels and prepuce, accompanied with jerking in lower limb."

Antidoted by: Coffee mixed with a little lemon-juice. Compare: Sabad., Acon., Coniin.

Vertigo.—Peculiar sense of oppression and anxiety in head, a sense of suffocation.

Frequent sneezing.—After vomiting had been produced, violent sneezing came on and lasted half an hour.

Diarrhoea: slimy; profuse watery; of bloody mucus; of mucous substances; with tenesmus.

Breathing hurried.

Paralysis and numbness of limbs.

Painful jerking in toes.

Trembling and uncertain movements when he wants to lay hold of anything, he misses his grasp Subsultus tendinum Twitchings: slight in various muscles; starting or tremors in paralysed or previously affected parts Faintness: collapse

After an excellent night's rest felt dreadfully tired and weak Great agitation with violent vomiting Tingling, sparkling, prickling in parts remote from stomach half an hour after dose; sometimes with sense of warmth; sometimes with coldness Warmth in stomach extending to other parts, cold or tingling exactly as after local application of Veratria

Electric streams in nerves Electric shocks in muscles.