Equisetum

Extreme fullness of the circulation of the brain, flushed face, headache, bright, sharp eyes, great restlessness. The indications for its safe use in labor are: first, uterine inertia; muscular relaxation with a more or less general weakness; second, the first stage of labor must be completed, and the ostium vaginae must be fully dilated. There must be no obstacle to the free expulsion of the child. The contractions induced by this agent are not smooth, spontaneous, natural, rhythmical contractions, but are irregular and extreme, and if an overdose be given it may induce a tetanic contraction and a single, most violent, continuous expulsive effort which does not cease until the entire contents of the womb are expelled. With such an influence, if there be a rigid, undilated os or perineum, or malposition of the child, or extreme dryness of the parts, serious results, as rupture of the womb or extreme laceration of the perineum, are almost unavoidable. This profound and continuous pressure on the child and placenta arrests haematosis, greatly paralyzes the heart's action, and thus impairs the circulation, inducing cyanosis and often death of the infant before its expulsion is complete. Again, such pronounced action upon the womb structure may result in subsequent muscular paralysis, with great impairment of its contractile power, and if there be no post-partum hemorrhage there may be subinvolution more or less persistent. It will be seen, therefore, that this remedy in parturition is a dangerous one, and if used at all it should be used only when every contraindication is absent, and every indication present.

Therapy. A diuretic useful in suppression of urine from any cause. Useful in dropsy and in lithemic conditions, where the urine is scanty, of high specific gravity, and dark-colored. It is advised in hematuria, and is of much service.

Therapy. In labor, when there is threatened post-partum hemorrhage, or when the history of previous labors shows a tendency to such an accident, a full dose of ergot may be given just at the close of the second stage, or after the head has passed the perineum.

Physiological Action. Ergot causes both acute and chronic poisoning when taken in toxic closes. Acute ergotism is characterized by vomiting, purging, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, slowing of the pulse, dilatation of the pupils, dyspnea, pain in the chest and loins, confusion of the senses, formication, coldness, anesthesia, convulsions, swelling of the face.

Specific Symptomatology. Extreme fullness of the circulation of the brain, flushed face, headache, bright, sharp eyes, great restlessness. The indications for its safe use in labor are: first, uterine inertia; muscular relaxation with a more or less general weakness; second, the first stage of labor must be completed, and the ostium vaginae must be fully dilated.