Antispasmodic

“ As it is conceded that its efficacy as an antispasmodic [13] depends upon its power to prostrate every vestige of tone and elasticity in the muscular fibre, prudence would dictate that it should be used with the utmost circumspection, when the system had been previously exhausted by the disease, or by the antecedent method of cure. Melancholy instances are on record, of the fatal effects of this medicine when administered without this caution, both as an internal remedy, and as an external application in cutaneous diseases. ”

“ In combination with the fluid extract of rhubarb and potassa, [X] it has generally proved very prompt and efficient. In cases of partial collapse, when the patient is suffering from severe cramps, Hunn's Antispasmodic Mixture [XI] is an excellent remedy. In cases of violent spasms, it has been administered every ten minutes in doses of from one to two tea-spoonsful in hot brandy-and-water sweetened, with great advantage, and it is peculiarly applicable in such cases where there is not too great irritability of the stomach. ”

“ Loss of Control.—Occasionally in elderly neurotic people over-fatigue induces an attack of asthma about the time that sleep becomes deep. This usually occurs after the first hour or two of sleep. The inhibitory power of the nervous system over spasmodic contraction of the lung tissues seems lost in deep sleep and then the asthmatic condition develops. The greater the effort to breathe the more intense does the contraction become, until the antispasmodic effect of the presence of a lessened amount of oxygen and an abnormal quantity of carbon dioxide in the blood makes itself felt. ”

“ This antispasmodic liniment may be used in obstinate rheumatisms, and in some other cases accompanied with extreme pain and tension of the parts.
PILLS. Medicines which operate in a small dose, and whose disagreeable taste, or smell, makes it necessary that they should be concealed from the palate, are most commodiously exhibited in this form. No medicine, however, that is intended to operate quickly, ought to be made into pills, 685as they often lie for a considerable time on the stomach before they are dissolved, so as to produce any effect. ”

“ It is stimulant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, powerfully antacid, exceeding in this respect the 275fixed alkalies, and in large doses it is emetic. It is highly useful as a stimulant in those gastric affections which supervene habits of irregularity and debauchery; combined with opium it affords a powerful resource in protracted diarrhœa attended with debility of the alimentary canal: and in cases of muscular atony so frequently witnessed, as the sequela of chronic rheumatism, ammonia, in large doses, offers the best remedy ”

“ Actions and Uses.—It is claimed that this compound acts like morphine without producing constipation, nausea or lassitude. It is the conclusion of some good observers that it possesses no advantage over codeine. Applied to the eye, it causes a local vasodilation, leading to acute conjunctival edema. Dionin is recommended to relieve pain, especially in respiratory affections, as an antispasmodic in whooping-cough, for insomnia and externally in the treatment of corneal affections, conjunctivitis, iritis, etc. Dosage.—0·015 to 0·06 gramme (1⁄4 to 1 grain) . ”

“ If ʒvj of assafœtida be triturated with ʒss of camphor, a mass results of a proper consistence for a plaster; if triturated with carbonate of ammonia, it is easily reduced to powder, but undergoes no other change. Forms of Exhibition; in mixture or in pills. The Indian physicians have an idea that on account of its stimulating powers, it will, if administered to a pregnant woman, produce abortion. Dose, gr. v. to ℈j. Form. 23, 29. Medicinal Uses, stimulant, antispasmodic, expectorant, and anthelmintic; in coughs, attended with pulmonary weakness, and a tendency to spasm, it is very beneficial ”

“ Antiphlogistic means could never prove hurtful in this case; they would become useless only if disorganisation were already operated; but then, since all hopes were gone, what means would not prove superfluous? We recommended the application of numerous leeches to the temples, behind the ears, and along the course of the jugular vein; a large blister between the shoulders, and sinapisms to the feet, as affording, though feeble, yet the last hopes of success. Dr. B., being the patient's physician, had the casting vote, and prepared the antispasmodic potion which Dr. ”

“ It is frequently incorrectly applied to anodynes and narcotics, which soothe pain, but do not repress muscular spasm. Ammonia, assafœtida, bark, camphor, castor, chalybeates, chloral hydrate, chloroform, ether, Indian hemp and cannabine, musk, opium, saffron, and valerian, with many other similar substances, are regarded as antispasmodics. ”

“ Antimony, experiments concerning, by Basil Valentine, 48; restored to public favour by a French decree, 51; its sudorific powers increased by Opium, 153. Antiseptics, origin of remedies so called, 75. Antispasmodics, how they differ from Narcotics, 78; must be considered as both absolute and relative agents, 78; may be frequently combined with Tonics, or Narcotics, 164. Antispasmodics, definition of, 78. ΑΝΤΙΘΗΡΙΑΚΑ, by W. Heberden, M. D., 38 (note.) Antionius Musa cured Augustus by the cold bath, 30. Apoplexy, use of suppositories in producing counter-irritation in a paroxysm of, 197 ”

“ As to medicines, the whole round of so-called antispasmodics is usually tried by routine physicians. I have never seen them do any good. Iron and bitter tonics are indicated in cases of anæmia or exhaustion. As the disease is sometimes induced in children by the presence of worms in the alimentary canal, diligent inquiry should be made relative to symptoms indicating irritation from these parasites, and if they are found to exist, anthelmintics should be administered. ”

“ All this time these convulsions are merely a symptom; that symptom depends upon, and denotes, most important disease in the brain: the only chance of saving life, is the prompt and vigorous application of proper remedies to the brain; but the practitioner whose mind is occupied with the symptom, and who prescribes antispasmodics, not only loses the time in which alone any thing can be done to snatch the victim from death, but by his remedies absolutely adds fuel to the flame which is consuming his patient. ”

“ In hot climates the disease is occasionally produced by exposure to cold, or by suddenly suppressed perspiration. The last variety is curable; the former one scarcely ever so. The proper treatment is a matter still undetermined. Sedatives, antispasmodics, and powerful stimulants, have each had their advocates. Large doses of wine and spirits, in conjunction with opium, have occasionally been administered with success. Electricity and the vapour bath have also proved useful. In all cases the bowels should be moved by active aperients, either by the mouth or per anum. ”

“ Dyspnœa is the feature that is common to them all, and is the principal exciting cause of wakefulness. In recent cases, which are characterized by spasm, the various anti-spasmodics are useful. Tincture of lobelia, tartar emetic, and ipecac, are of great service. Inhalations of ether or of chloroform, or of nitrite of amyl, will often cut short a paroxysm; but the nervous system soon becomes tolerant of their action. Chloral hydrate and alcoholic stimulants are less vigorous, and cannot be long tolerated by the stomach, especially if there be a gouty diathesis behind the disease. ”

“ These spasmodic pains are sometimes very violent; the patient writhes in agony, tossing herself from side to side upon the bed, and sometimes it is necessary for a number of persons to hold her. These symptoms sometimes become so violent as to end in convulsions, it is said. Spasmodic after-pains appear to happen, for the most part, with those who are excessively nervous, and particularly with such as have been in the habit of using strong tea and coffee, opium, and other narcotic substances. ”

“ Spasm is a marked symptom in many diseases of the brain and of the spinal cord. Spasms may result from irritation of the motor nerves as conductors, or may result from irritation of any part of the sympathetic nervous system, and they usually indicate an excessive action of the reflex motor centers. Spasms may be induced by various medicinal agents given in poisonous doses, or by effete materials in the circulation, such as nux vomica or its alkaloid strychnia, lead preparations, or an excess of the urea products in the circulation, etc. ”

“ In one of the most violent hysteric cases I ever met with, says a correspondent, where the usual anti-spasmodics, and even musk had failed, two teaspoonfuls of the powdered root procured immediate relief; and on repeating the trials with the same patient, it afforded more lasting benefit than any other medicine. In those spasmodic affections of the abdominal muscles during parturition, or after delivery, this root has proved an effectual remedy. In chronic rheumatism, and erratic pains of a spasmodic nature, it often performs a cure, or affords essential relief. ”

“ With regard to the treatment of the muscular spasms, and the disturbance of the nervous system, we have before described, there is no invariable plan of cure to be followed. Until we are better acquainted with the nature of the affection, it is impossible to apply a remedy to the root of the complaint. All I can do here, therefore, is to point out the means by which I have best succeeded in averting and palliating its painful symptoms. ”

“ Such are Antimony and Ipecacuanha. By diminishing the morbid irritability of the pulmonary surface, they prevent the continued secretion of mucus. By allaying a spasm of the small [Pg 286] bronchial tubes, and controlling the nervous sensation of want of breath, they may promote the evacuation of that which is already secreted.
Opium and Stramonium, classed among Narcotics, depress the function of this nerve as well as the nervous forces generally. So do other medicines similar to them. Opium in small doses allays irritability and diminishes spasm, and is then an indirect Expectorant ”

“ We are justified, it seems to me, in supposing that mescal effects its peculiar actions by producing a kind of violent but temporary neurasthenia and cerebrasthenia. In other words, it rapidly overstimulates and exhausts the nervous and cerebral apparatus, more especially on the sensory side. It is true that such an explanation might be said to apply to the action of many drugs, including all those that are commonly called stimulants. The day has gone by when it could be supposed that a stimulant put anything into the system. ”

“ Spasmodic asthma may be relieved by the same treatment. It often comes on when lying down, and cold towels applied as above directed will generally relieve. Fomentations must be given to the feet and legs, if any feeling of chill is felt.
Where there is difficulty in breathing on lying down, usually the heart is at fault. Sometimes the heart is all right, and this hard breathing is nervous, caused by too sudden lying down. To lie down, propped up with pillows, which may be removed one by one, is often sufficient to cure it. ”

“ Before long the poison fiend will demand a larger fee; you have to increase the dose. The "delightful and exhilarating stimulant" has palled, the quantum has now to be doubled to pay the blue-devils off, and to the majority of their distracted victims that seems the best, because the shortest, road to peace. Restimulation really seems to alleviate the effects of the poison-habit for a time. The anguish always returns, and always with increased strength, as a fire, smothered for a moment with fuel, will soon break forth again with a fiercer flame. ”

“ Diluted with alcohol it forms the spirit of chloroform, [Pg 82] a remedy which is useful in all cases for which the compound spirit of ether is usually prescribed. In this form it is an excellent addition to various mixtures designed for the relief of spasmodic coughs by which sleep is disturbed. Ringer recommends it in the treatment of the irritative cough so characteristic of fibroid phthisis. It should also be used in cases of spasmodic asthma. The asthmatic paroxysm may frequently be arrested by inhalations of the vapor of chloroform or ether ”

“ They are less marked in old age than in the middle period of life, and they are not by any means so frequent or strong in fat, as in thin, muscular persons. I have seen the spasms take an epileptiform character in a few cases; but by gently continuing the chloroform, they have always been subdued. In a great number of cases, the patient mutters in an almost inarticulate and a perfectly unintelligible manner, just as the muscular rigidity and spasm are subdued. ”

“ Facial Spasm.—Clonic contraction of the facial muscles (histrionic spasm) occasionally results from irritative lesions in the cortex or pons. Sometimes all the muscles are involved, sometimes only one, for example the orbicularis oculi (palpebrarum) —blepharospasm. This condition may be induced reflexly from irrigation of the trigeminal nerve, notably of branches that supply the nasal cavities and the teeth.
The treatment consists in removing any source of peripheral irritation that may be present, in employing massage, and in administering nerve tonics, bromides, and other drugs. ”

“ Colic, or painful half spasm, half paralysis of the large intestines, is the best example of a kind of spasmodic pains to which some authors accord the name of neuralgia, as it seems to me without good reason. They appear to be quite independent of the operation of the neurotic temperament, and to be caused entirely by the operation of some local irritant, or narcotic irritant, upon the muscular fibres of the viscus. In the case of colic this influence is most frequently and most powerfully exerted by lead, which undoubtedly becomes locally deposited in chronic poisoning with that metal ”