Strophanthus hispidus - Strophanthus
"CONSTITUENTS: Strophanthin. The active principle of the plant, a glucoside, a white crystalline powder, neutral, bitter, insoluble in water, insoluble in ether and chloroform. Dose: 1/600 to 1/200 of a grain. Strophanthidin and kombic acid.
PREPARATIONS: Tincture Strophanthus is prepared from the seeds alone. Dose: 1 to 10 minims administered cautiously . Specific Medicine Strophanthus is made from the seeds is of full strength, and should be given in smaller doses than the official tincture. The dose is from one-half to five minims. Granules of Strophanthin containing 1/500 of a grain are prepared and may be given, two or three granules every half-hour in extreme cases, until the force and power of the heart are improved, then every two hours.
Therapy: In rapid and feeble heart strophanthus reduces the pulse and increases the power. In some cases it also reduces the temperature.
Dyspnea is relieved in a few minutes after its administration, and the pulse becomes stronger and more regular in less than an hour. Its influence is exceedingly persistent and can be depended upon sometimes for weeks after the agent is discontinued.
In asthma the paroxysm is shortened and prevented, diuresis begins, and edema, disappears, not to reappear save in exceptional cases. The patient experiences a general relief.
It has been employed in fatty degeneration of the heart, in acute endocarditis, in atheroma of the arteries, in chronic Bright's disease, in ascites produced by cirrhosis of the liver, and certain pelvic tumors, in the enfeebled heart after acute and chronic fevers, in acceleration of the pulse, and reflex palpitation of neurasthenia, hysteria and chlorosis.
Strophanthus is contraindicated in ascites of tumors, hepatic, splenic and pelvic, in respiratory and circulatory troubles of vasomotor origin, in active hyperemia, and in cases in which there is a tendency to visceral hemorrhages.
In its influence upon the stomach it improves the digestion and increases the appetite. Like digitalis it may induce gastric irritation if given too long or too frequently, but this effect rarely occurs. It does not increase nerve tone.
In the Indian Medical Gazette, Dr. Sanders reported seventeen cases of cholera treated with tincture of strophanthus, all successfully. The results were quick recovery from collapse and a gradual rise of temperature.
Vacci claimed that in cases of persistent anemia of a chronic character, in acute anemia from flooding, especially where the heart's action is feeble and imperfect, he has found strophanthus to materially assist the appropriation of iron. In some cases where iron had been given a long time, causing insomnia, general nervousness and palpitation with indigestion where it seemed necessary to stop the iron entirely, he has used Blaud's pill with tincture of strophanthus with excellent results. Other forms of iron would probably act equally well.
Strophanthus has been prescribed in many cases of goitre, two drops of the tincture three times daily were given with a rapid reduction in the size of the enlargements, and in some cases a cure. In exophthalmic goitre it has accomplished marked results and has become a permanent addition to the therapeutics of this disorder. The dose in these cases is from five to ten drops three or four times daily.
Urticaria is reported as having, been cured with strophanthus given in full doses. It is credited with the cure of several cases of tetanus. Clapp, in the London Lancet, reported a cure of traumatic tetanus after antispasmodics had entirely failed. In this case it had a marked diuretic effect.
Strophanthin is a mild local anesthetic. It is only of service in operations upon the eye and not of great service here. Its effects are slow in appearing and remain long. In animals a cloudiness of the cornea is apt to appear after its use."
(Finley Ellingwood: The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1915)