Baptisia Tinctoria

Questions

What is Baptisia?

It is the IVi'/d Indigo, and a tincture is prepared from the fresh root.

What is its general action?

The influence of this drug is shown by its effects on the blood, where it sets up a disorganizing process, tending to putrescence, similar to that seen in low fevers. It produces great prostration, and also ulceration of the mucous membranes.

In what disease do we find it most indicated and what are its indications?

Typhoid conditions. The patient's mind wanders; he is restless and disturbed; he cannot sleep, and he thinks he is double or scattered about and he must move to get his pieces together again; there is great prostration; the back and limbs ache, and the patient feels bruised and tired all over; he is weak and faint.

How does the face look?

It has a heavy, besotted look, as if drunken; the eyes are stupid and heavy.

What other symptoms would still further indicate Baptisia in Typhoid fever?

High temperature and pulse, tenderness in the iliocoecal region, yellow oflfensive stools, patient may be in a stupor and fall asleep while answering questions, brown, dark streak through the center of the tongue, all exhalations are offensive, sordes on the teeth, fetid breath, offensive urine and sweat.

How would Gelsemium compare with Baptisia in Typhoid fever?

1 . Both have muscular soreness and prostration. 2. Both have drowsiness and nervous excitement. 3. Both have feeling of expansion as if head and body were large. 4. Both have afternoon exacerbation of fever. The difference is simply one of intensity, Gelsemium being milder.

How does Rhus tox compare?

The restlessness in R/ms is to relieve pain, and there is a triangular red tip to the tongue, and the discharges are not so offensive as under Baptisia.

What are the indications for Baptisia in sore throat ?

Solids cause gagging; excessive putridity, ulcerations with an excessively offensive odor from the mouth and throat.

What is our use of Dolichos, another of this same family?

A violent itching all over the body without any visible eruption; useful in intense itching of jaundice, which is worse at night.

What is the chief characteristic symptom of Robinia, another member of the same family ?

Acid dyspepsia with weight in the stomach and eructations of a sour fluid; intensely acid vomiting, it sets the teeth on edge.

What is our chief use of Melilotus alba or the Sweet clover ?

In a violent congestive headache, where it seems as if the brain would burst through the forehead with throbbing almost as violent as under Glo7iodine; sick headache relieved by nose bleed. "What members of the Anacardiaceae family do we employ in our Materia Medica?

Anacardium Orientate, Anacardmm Occidentale, Comodadia Dentata, Rhus Toxicodendron , Rhus Glabra, Rhus Radicans and Rhics Venenata.

What is characteristic of this whole family?

They all poison the skin, producing an erythema, ending with erysipelas.