The ergot is indicated, and may be administered, 1. When, in lingering labours, the child has descended into the pelvis, the parts dilated and relaxed, the pains having ceased, or being too ineffectual to advance the labour, there is danger to be apprehended from delay, by exhaustion of strength and vital energy, from hemorrhage or other alarming symptoms. 2. When the pains are transferred from the uterus to other parts of the body, or to the whole muscular system, producing general puerperal convulsions. After premising copious bleeding, the ergot concentrates all these misplaced labour-pains upon the uterus, which it soon restores to its appropriate action, and the convulsions immediately cease. 3. When in the early stages of pregnancy, abortion becomes inevitable, accompanied with profuse hemorrhage and feeble uterine contractions. 4. When the placenta as retained from a deficiency of contractions. 5. In patients liable to hemorrhage immediately after delivery. In such cases the ergot may be given as a preventive, a few minutes before the termination of the labour. 6. When the hemorrhage or lochial discharges are too profuse immediately after delivery, and the uterus continues dilated and relaxed without any ability to contract.]
SENEGÆ RADIX. L.E.D.
(Polygala Senega.) Radix.
Qualities. Form, the dried root is internally white; externally it is covered with a brownish grey, corrugated, transversely cracked cuticle. Odour, none. Taste, at first sweetish, but afterwards hot and pungent, producing a very peculiar tingling sensation in the fauces. Chemical Composition. Its virtues reside in resin. Solubility. Alcohol extracts the whole of its active matter; hot water only partially. Medicinal Uses. As a stimulant; but it is rarely used. In America it is used against the bite of the rattlesnake.[[633]] Officinal Preparations. Decoctum Senegæ. L.E.
SENNÆ FOLIA. L.E.D. (Cassia Senna.)
Senna Leaves.
Qualities. Odour, faint and sickly; Taste, slightly bitter, sweetish, and nauseous. Chemical Composition. Extractive, resin, mucilage, and saline matter; it contains within itself a purgative principle and a bitter element; and although the latter is per se inert, yet in combination, its presence aids and exalts the efficacy of the former. M. M. Lassaigne and Fenuelle have lately announced the fact of their having procured the purgative principle of Senna in a separate form, and to which they have given the name of Cathartine. It is said to be an uncrystallizable substance, of a reddish-yellow colour, and of a particular smell, and bitter nauseous taste, soluble in alcohol and water, in all proportions; but farther experiments are required upon this subject. Solubility. Both water and spirit extract the virtues of Senna; to water and proof spirit the leaves communicate a brownish colour, more or less deep according to the proportions employed; to rectified spirit they impart a fine green colour. The powdered leaves of senna are very apt to undergo a change by exposure to a humid atmosphere, becoming covered with a kind of mouldiness which contains a small proportion of potass. Medicinal Uses. See Infus: Sennæ. Officinal Preparations. Confectio Sennæ;, L.E.D. Extract: Cassiæ Sennæ. E. Infus: Sennæ. L.D. Infus: Tamarind: cum Senna. E.D. Pulv. Sennæ comp: L. Tinct: Sennæ. L.D. Tinct: Sennæ comp: E. Syrup: Sennæ. L.D. Adulterations. The leaves of Senna are imported from Alexandria in a state of adulteration, being mixed by the merchants of Cairo with the leaves of Cynanchum Oleafolium, (Arguel) and with those of Colutea Arborescens; the former are distinguished by their greater length as well as by their structure, which differs from the leaves of Senna in having a straight side, and being regular at their base, and in not displaying any lateral nerves on the under disk; the latter are so different from Senna leaves, that there is no difficulty in at once recognising them. The Tripoli Senna contains a much larger proportion of Cynanchum, and of the other adulterations; as a general rule, those leaves which appear bright, fresh, free from stalks and spots, that are well and strongly scented, smooth and soft to the touch, thoroughly dry, sharp pointed, bitterish, and somewhat nauseous, are to be preferred.
SERPENTARIÆ RADIX. L.D.
(Aristolochia Serpentaria, Radix.)
Serpentaria Root. Virginian Snake root, or Birthwort.