Arnica.

The flowers of Arnica montana.

Preparation.—Tincture of Arnica.

Dose.—Tincture Arnica gtt. x., water ℥iv.; a teaspoonful every hour or two.

Therapeutic Action.—From the experiments of Jorg, Arnica possesses acrid properties. "When swallowed it causes burning in the throat, nausea, vomiting, gastric pains and loss of appetite. The active principle becomes absorbed, quickens the pulse and respiration, and promotes diaphoresis and diuresis. Furthermore, it appears to exert a specific influence over the nervous system, running headache, giddiness, and loss of sleep." Sundelin considers it to he closely allied in operation to Senega, from which he says it differs in its stimulating influence over the nervous system, and in its causing constipation.

"Arnica is indicated in diseases characterized by debility, torpor, and inactivity. It is administered as a stimulant to the general system in various debilitated conditions, and in typhoid fevers; to the nervous system in deficient sensibility, as in amaurosis; to the muscular system in paralysis; to the vascular system and secretory organs when the action of these is languid and requires to have its energy increased." We have also used it with apparent advantage in prostration of the system from injuries, and in concussion of the brain, to promote reaction.

As an external application to injuries of any kind where the soft parts are bruised, it has no superior. It may be applied either in the form of a poultice of the flowers, or the tincture diluted with water as a wet dressing.

The American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1898, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.