VISCUM.—MISTLETOE. Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage

Narcotic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, and tonic. This plant possesses toxic properties. Vomiting, catharsis, with tenesmus and sometimes bloody stools, pupillary contraction, muscular spasm, prostration, coma, convulsions, and death have been reported from eating the leaves and berries. Viscum has been beneficially employed in epilepsy, hysteria, insanity, paralysis, and other nervous diseases. In using this agent, it is always necessary to regulate the condition of the stomach and bowels, and the menstrual discharge, and other faulty secretions, and remove worms, if any are present, previous to its exhibition. It is asserted of some value as an oxytocic, and to restrain postpartum and other uterine hemorrhages. It produces intermittent contractions, and by some physicians, especially Dr. Ellingwood, is declared to be safer, in many respects, than ergot. It is useful in amenorrhœa and dysmenorrhœa. It is also reputed a heart tonic. According to Dr. Tascher, it is a remedy for cardiac hypertrophy and dropsy, associated with enlarged heart. Cardiac hypertrophy, valvular insufficiency, feeble pulse, œdema, dyspnœa, and inability to lie down, were the symptoms of the cases favorably influenced by 20 to 30-drop doses of the fluid extract. Dr. Ellingwood advises it with strychnine to support the weak, irregular, and rapid heart-action, with tendency to collapse, in typhoid fever. It may be given in doses of from 30 to 60 grains, and gradually increased to 3 or 4 drachms, 3 or 4 times a day, and if it produces sleep or other narcotic effects, the doses must be diminished; fluid extract, 10 to 40 drops; specific mistletoe, 1 to 15 minims. Preparations of the fresh plant should be used, as the drug loses its properties when old. The powder is best given in an infusion of valerian.