Condurango

Gonolobus cundurango. Condor plant. (High altitudes in Ecuador, S. America.) N. 0, Asclepiadaceae. Tincture and trituration of the dried bark of the stem. Unreal— Anus, rhagades of . Breast, tumours of. Cancer, Cracks. Epithelioma. Fistula. Headache. Locomotor ataxy. Rodent ulcer. Small-poz. Stomachy affections of. Syphilis. Ulcers.

Characteristics

Ctfiuttinxf belongs to the "Milk-weed" family, and is thus related to Asclepias Syriaca, and Tuberosa, and also to Calotropis The action of the latter in syphilitic conditions may be compared with the power of Cundurango over cancer. The Condor pint was introduced into medicine as a cancer remedy by Dr. Bliss, of Washington. Clotar Mulier cured with it severed cases of "old, obstinate, foul-smelling, ichorous ulcers''; one case of " carcinoma of the lips, an unclean and sinuous ulcer.'* Burnett, who proved it, and whose symptoms were of a severe nature, observed that it produced "a painful crack in the right comer of the mouth." These cracks he has seen produced in several patients who were taking the drug ; and he has cured similar cracks with it. He regards them as a keynote indication, and has cured patients of tumours, some undoubtedly cancerous who had that symptom as a concomitant. In his opinion Cundur. is antipsoric (Tumours of the Breast^ p. 28). Dudgeon (H, W,, xxiv. 543) has recorded a cure with Condur, i of an undoubted case of cancer of left breast in a woman of sixty-nine. The nipple was so retracted as to be invisible. A hard tumour the size of an egg on the outer side of the nipple was the centre of lancinating pains radiating from it, the whole breast being very tender to touch. The tumour increased steadily under Hydrast and Phytolacca and was only checked temporarily by Conium. Under Condur* it entirely disappeared. Cundurango has found its chief use as a cancer remedy, especially in cancers originating in epithelial structures. Rhagades at muco-cutaneous orifices and warty excrescences are a leading indication for it Cutting, stinging, burning, tingling, constrictive, and piercing pains are complained of. The skin manifests much of the action of the remedy : blotches ; eczema ; pimples ; pustules ; indolent ulcers ; lupus ; varicose ulcers; syphilitic affections ; epithelioma, and scirrhus. Burnett considers it has a very strong affinity for the tongue. He cured with it a jagged ulcer of the tongue (doubtful whether cancerous or syphilitic) ; tongue and lips red. One prover had a sight creeping pain along periosteum of right humerus ; and I observed " a creeping sensation up the back, and headache in right temple " in a patient taking it in the ix tincture. An old-school authority, Dr. Guvvenot (fiu//. Gen. de Therap. No. 32, 1890) credits Condurangin with causing a '' veritable locomotor ataxia/' It appears late, and he thinks it is due to the formation of some toxic substance by the splitting up of the alkaloid in the organism.

Relations p. 631

Compare : Ant. tart, (pustular eruptions) ; Arum tri. (comer of mouth cracked ; sore throat) ; Bapt. (sore throat ; open cancers with very offensive discharges); Ars., Con., Hydrast., Phytol, Trifol. prat, Kreos. (cancer, especially of breast) ; Hydrast, Kali sul., (rodent ulcer, lupus, cancer of stomach) ; Thuja (epithelial cancer, assures at muco-cutaneous outlets) ; Silic. (fistulous ulcers).

Mind p. 631

Feels miserable.

Head p. 631

Severe dull headache all day.— Violent pain in l. temple ; cutting in L temple and through ball of l. eye. — Sensation as if forehead were broad and high ; as if l. half were bigger than r. (l. half feels heavy, r. clear).

Eyes p. 631

Appearance of objects before eye.-— Flat epithelioma on lower eyelid.

Nose p. 631

Much glairy mucus from nose alternating with unusual dryness.— A state of nose giving a nasal sound to voice. — Stiffness in nose. — Pressive full feeling in bridge. — Flat epithelioma l. side of nose.

Face p. 631

Deep crack in corner of mouth, warty growths occupying edges. — Ulcer on chin, r. side perforating to gums.

Mouth p. 631

Slight pain in l. half of tongue. — Small painful pustule on r. side of tip of tongue, on upper surface towards edge. — (Cancer of tongue.)

Throat p. 631

Aching in throat, extending to stomach, with great burning

Stomach p. 631

Persistent sore throat. — Sore throat with burning and aching, and a husky feeling which causes a dry, hacking cough. iz« Stomach. — Anorexia. — Slight nausea arising from r. hypochondrium. —Cancer of stomach.

Abdomen p. 631

Pain in r. hypochondrium.

Stool and Anus p. 631

Constipation. — Rhagades at anus ; terrible pains when bowels are moved ; cracks at angles of mouth.

Urinary Organs p. 631

Incontinence of urine.— Urine scanty; highcoloured, loaded with phosphates.

Chest p. 631

Ulcer on false ribs as large as hand, apparently cardnomatous. — On r. waU of thorax, esp. round nipple, several swellings in size from pigeon's to hen's egg, some suppurating, nipple being on a hard, painful swelling; axillary glands swollen; emaciation. — Tumours of breast on either side.

Heart p. 631

Constrictive pain.— On rising in morning sharp, distinct pain in heart, followed by passage of flatus.

Neck and Back p. 631

Dull, heavy, continuing pain in l. scapula.

Limbs p. 631

Soreness all over body, like rheumatism, < through 1. shoulder and under l. scapula (burning). — Rhagades on hips and in bends of knees.

Skin p. 632

Some small congenital warty excrescences enlarge and look fresh. — Blotches, pimples, and boils in many parts.