Pulsatilla Nigricans. (Pulsatilla.)

We employ the German tincture prepared from the fresh herb according to the Homoeopathic pharmacy. That prepared from the imported dried herb will not give good satisfaction. We usually prescribe it in this proportion: Rx Tincture of Pulsatilla, ʒj. to ʒij.; Water, ℥iv. A teaspoonful every four hours.

The principal use of Pulsatilla is to relieve certain cerebral symptoms with difficulty relieved by other remedies. In some diseases of women, in spermatorrhoea and prostatorrhoea, in heart disease, and some other chronic affections, we find certain head symptoms playing an important part, and giving a good deal of trouble. The patient is nervous, restless, has an active imagination for disease, a fear of impending danger, etc. These symptoms are very unpleasant, and not unfrequently prevent the curative action of remedies. Pulsatilla reaches them and gives prompt and certain relief.

I would not treat some cases of spermatorrhoea without I could employ this remedy. For with the unnatural excitement of the mind, no remedy would exert a curative influence. So in some cases of heart disease, the head symptoms are the most prominent and unpleasant features. Relieve the unpleasant mental sensations and dread of danger, and we have removed a permanent cause of excitement.

Though Pulsatilla is the remedy for nervousness, it must not be given with any expectation of benefit when the excitement depends upon irritation and determination of blood. In this case it will either exert no influence or it will be unfavorable.

The Pulsatilla exerts a marked influence upon the reproductive organs of both male and female. I regard it as decidedly the best emmenagogue, when the suppression is not the result of or attended by irritation and determination of blood; where there is simple suppression from atony or nervous shock, it may be used with confidence. In male or female it lessens sexual excitement. It does not diminish sexual power, but rather strengthens it by lessening morbid excitement.

There are other uses for the remedy, but those I have named are prominent ones, and readily recognized. I value the remedy very highly, and am satisfied from an experience of ten years in its use that I do not overestimate it.

Specific Medication and Specific Medicines, 1870, was written by John M. Scudder, M.D.