Ustilago. Ustilago maidis.

Synonym—Corn Ergot.

PREPARATIONS—

Fluid Extract Corn Ergot, miscible with water. Dose, ten to thirty minims.

Physiological Action—The ergot of maize or common Indian corn is similar in its properties and in its physiological action upon the central nervous system and upon the capillary circulation of these organs, to those of the better known ergot of rye.

It is, however, not so irritating in its influence, for, while possessing power, it works in a smooth, even and pleasant, but positive manner. It produces uterine contractions of a perfectly regular, intermittent and safe character, thus possessing a great advantage over the rye ergot.

Therapy—It is a useful remedy in uterine inertia as it does not exercise the irritating influence of the ergot of rye. Its mild influence prevents any possible injury to the child, and it possesses a very small percentage of the oil of ergot, which is supposed to poison the infant. It conduces to normal involution and tonic and permanent subsequent contractions, with no increase, but rather decrease, of labor pains. It is also an efficient remedy in post-partum hemorrhage.

The writer has used it to most excellent advantage in metrorrhagia, and especially in the hemorrhage from cancer of the uterus, holding the entire condition in check for a time relieving the pain.

In the conditions of chronic uterine hemorrhage or other disorder in which the ergot of rye is indicated for continued use, this agent will serve all the purposes with few of the dangers of the former remedy.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.