Serpentaria

Action and Therapy. In small doses Virginia snakeroot stimulates the appetite and promotes digestion; long continued it tends to derange digestion producing nausea, emesis and intestinal griping and tenesmus. In full doses it stimulates to a considerable degree, but may occasion gastrointestinal discomfort with nausea, vomiting, headache, and drowsiness, but with disturbed sleep.

Therapy. The action of snakeroot in restoring secretion after a severe cold, in sudden, acute inflammation, and in the early stages of acute fevers, is most strongly marked. It is valuable, also, in the advanced stages of fevers where there is persistent suppresslon of secretion, and where the prostration contra-indicates active diaphoretics, etc.

Properties and Uses. The root is very strong; actively and diffusively stimulating, and considerably relaxing. It is very warming and persistent to the taste, leaving bitterness behind, and stimulating the flow of saliva. It influences the capillary and arterial circulation, and by them the secretions of the skin and kidneys; also elevating nervous activity, and increasing the gastric and mucous secretions.

Description, Medical Uses, and Dosage. (See Serpentaria). This is a thin and transparent, deep reddish-brown concentrated tincture, having the bitter taste and characteristic odor of Virginia snake-root. It fully represents the virtues of the drug. This fluid extract forms a useful tonic, which may be used where the root is admissible. The dose is from 15 to 45 minims, 3 or 4 times a day.