The medicinal virtues of this substance have been attentively examined by Theodore Martius, (Op. cit.), and more particularly by Dr. Gavrelle (sur une nouvelle substance médicinale, etc.: Paris, 1840), who employed it very often while in Brazil, as physician to Don Pedro, and afterwards in France. By both it is considered a valuable remedy, and an important addition to the Materia Medica. By the vulgar it is held to be stomachic, antifebrile, and aphrodisiac; is used in dysentery, diarrhœa, retention of urine, and various other affections. It stimulates, and at the same time soothes, the gastric system of nerves. It reduces the excited sensibility of the cœliac plexus, thereby diminishing febrile action, and strengthening the stomach and intestines, particularly restraining excessive mucous discharges, increasing the action of the heart and the arteries, and promoting diaphoresis. It is therefore indicated as a valuable remedy in fevers, or reduced vital power resulting from cold or prolonged wetness, grief, to great muscular exertion, depression of spirits, long watching, and also in colic, flatulence, anorexia, nervous hemicrania, or in a dry condition of the skin. It is contra-indicated in a plethoric or loaded condition of the abdominal viscera, and when there exists determination of blood to the head. It is said to increase the venereal appetite, but to diminish the fecundating power.
In cases where irritation of the urethra or urinary bladder succeed venereal or attend organic disease, it exerts a most salutary effect in soothing the irritability of the mucous {247} membrane, relieving the nervous prostration which accompanies these affections, and exalting vital power. Unlike the disagreeable remedies which are generally, and often without success, employed in these affections, it is taken with pleasure, and with an amount of success which, as far as my experience extends, is universal.
If we examine guaraná according to its chemical characters, it must be guarded as a most valuable substance, from its possessing in so great a proportion that important nitrogenous principle guaranine. This, if not identical with caffeine, is at least analagous to it, and to theine, and theobromine,—all important elements of food and grateful stimulents. From its chemical constitution, then, we may predict with great certainty its physiological action being powerfully tonic; but in the combination in which it is found, experience indicates that it possesses conjoined more valuable properties than belong to the simple tonics. Its power of correcting generally the discharges, and restoring the normal vitality of the mucous membranes, must be viewed as one of these.
Guarana, in the state of powder, is exhibited in doses of
j, three or four times daily, mixed with water and sugar, or with syrup and mucilage, conjoined with an aromatic, as cinnamon, vanilla, or chocolate. A convenient form is that of extract, obtained by treating the guaraná with alcohol, and evaporating to the consistence of pills. This may be exhibited in the form of solution or pills. The Brazilians, however, use the powder with sugar and water alone, and consider this draught grateful and refreshing.—Monthly Jour. of Medical Science, May, 1852.
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COLORED FIRES FOR PYROTECHNICAL PURPOSES.
Erdmann, in the last number of his journal, gives the following formulæ for preparing colored fires, which he has proved and found to answer the purpose intended admirably. He particularly enjoins the caution that the ingredients, after being powdered in a mortar separately, should be mixed with the hand, as dangerous explosions would inevitably follow from the ingredients being rubbed together with any hard substance.