Aconitum Napell′us

[Linn.] Syn. Aconi′tum , Ph. L., E., & D.; Aconitnapèl, chaperon de moine , Fr.; Eisenhut, Blauersturmhut , Ger. Early blue wolfsbane, or deadly aconite. Hab. Various parts of Europe; grows wild in England, flowering in June and July. The fresh and dried leaves ( ACONITI FO′′LIUM ), Ph. L. & E. The root ( ACONITI ra′dix ), Ph. L. & D. This is the species of aconite ordered in the pharma copœias, and commonly used in medicine. When chewed it imparts a sensation of acrimony, followed by a pungent heat of the lips, gums, palate, and fauces, which is succeeded by a general tremor and chilline . The juice applied to a wound or the unsound skin affects the whole nervous system. Even by remaining long in the hand, or on the bosom, it produces unpleasant symptoms. Fatal cases of poisoning, by eating the root in mistake for horseradish, have been common of late years. The two roots may be, however, easily distinguished from one another; when scraped aconite emits an earthy, and horseradish its well-known pungent odour. Moreover, the shape of the roots is very different. In the accompanying figure a represents aconite root, and b horseradish root. IMG:596405606043057898_i048.png: The leaves should be gathered as soon as the flowers appear. The root should be taken up in autumn. When the whole plant is employed, it should be gathered as soon as the flowers begin to open. The strength (richne in aconitia) varies considerably with the time of the year. 1 oz. of the fresh root contains 1 ⁄ 4 to 3 ⁄ 4 gr. of aconitia; 1 lb. of the dried English root contains from 12 to 36 gr. (Her a path). The leaves po e the greatest activity just before flowering; the root, after it. The root is at all times fully six times as strong as the leaves or herb. The wild plant contains much more aconitia than that which is cultivated. The herb, and all its preparations, lose their efficacy if long kept. The powder, more particularly, cannot be relied on. Mr Holmes says it is difficult to find in a commercial sample of aconite root one root in a dozen, which upon fracture appears sound and in good condition. Properties, Antidotes, . See Aconite . Tests, . See Aconite . Uses, . In small doses aconite is narcotic, powerfully diaphoretic, and sometimes diuretic; in larger ones, the symptoms are similar to those action, and destroys sensibility without disturbing the mental faculties. It has been given in chronic rheumatism, gout, paralysis, scirrhus, scrofula, cancers, venereal nodes, epilepsy, amaurosis, intermit tents, .; but its exhibition requires the greatest po ible caution. As a topical be number it has been used with great advantage in painful affections depending on increased sensibility of the nerves. Externally it “is most valuable for the cure of neuralgic and rheumatic pains. In neuralgia, no remedy, I believe, will be found equal to it. One application of the tincture produces some amelioration; and after a few times’ use, it frequently happens that the patient is cured. In some cases, the benefit appears almost magical. In others, however, it entirely fails to give permanent relief.” “I do not think that in any (case) it proves injurious.” “When it succeeds, it gives more or le relief at the first application. When the disease depends on inflammation, aconite will be found, I think, an unavailing remedy.” “In rheumatic pains, unaccompanied with local swelling or redne , aconite is frequently of very great service.” (Pereira, iii, 691.) Dose , of the powder, 1 to 2 gr., gradually increased to 6 or 8. Dr Stocrk was the first who gave wolfsbane internally, about the year 1762. It has since been succe fully employed in Germany in cases of chronic rheumatism, gout, ., some of which were of long standing and had resisted every other remedy. In England it has been le extensively used.