This plant contains the very poisonous alkaloidal aconitin, which produces "a primary stimulation of the end organs of the sensory, motor and secretory nerves, which is followed by paralysis."

Locally applied, aconite produces numbness together with the abolition of the perception of sensations of heat and touch. It is anesthetic to mucous membranes.

Its internal administration results in a burning sensation in the upper digestive tract, followed by salivation, vomiting, and dryness. Aconite first produces diaphoresis by peripheral sensory irritation, but later the skin becomes dry. The skin tingles and smarts and chilly sensations are prominent. Other effects of large doses are weakness, convulsions, dyspnea and loss of sight and hearing; the temperature falls, the heart's action becomes weak and paralysis of the respiratory center, together with the arrest of the circulation, due to paralysis of the medullary centers, causes death preceded by gen -eral collapse. The cortex is not attacked by aconite, hence consciousness is usually retained until death.

The circulation is profoundly influenced by aconite. Therapeutic doses produce a primary acceleration of the heart's action, caused by stimulation of the motor ganglia and followed by slow rhythm, as the result of vagus stimulation.

Aconite stimulates the vasomotor centers resulting, for a brief period, in contraction of the blood vessels; soon, the center becomes depressed, terminating in vasodilation, as is evidenced by flushing of the skin. Therapeutic doses also bring about a lowering in blood pressure, caused by the slowing of the heart and vascular dilation.

Aconite is a protoplasmic poison, and in fevers, resulting from increased central stimulation, the temperature is lowered by metabolic depression. The dilation of the superficial blood vessels and the increased perspiration assist in producing this effect. It is probable, considered from the standpoint of pharmacology, that aconite also reduces the temperature of fevers by "a narcotic effect on the over-excited heat-regulating centers."

Maximum therapeutic doses of aconite probably cause more or less of a generalized congested condition of the various organs of the body. Especially is this true of the lungs, as has been observed in cases of poisoning in humans and in animal experiments.

"In the guinea pig it is found that aconite causes, in the lung, a distension of the large and small blood vessels, which are filled with blood. A large amount of exudate is present and the separate lobules are consolidated. The general pathologic picture compares with that of lobular pneumonia."

Therapeutics

Aconite: Here we have a remedy most often needed in the early stages of acute diseases of a sthenic character, more especially when these are characterized by high temperature, violence, great thirst, mental fear and restlessness, with apprehension concerning the outcome of the illness. Such patients are seldom ill, are usually robust and vigorous, but when sick are violently so. As exciting causes of their illnesses may be mentioned chilling from exposure to dry cold winds particularly, and violent emotional or psychic shocks, as, for example, the ill effects of fear or fright.

In febrile disorders the skin is hot and dry, the pulse rapid and hard. Inflammations are impending or have just begun, hence exudation is as yet absent or scanty. Hemorrhages may take place and the blood is then bright red in color. The face is hot, irregularly red and the countenance depicts anxiety. Aconite patients are sure that they are going to die and are, in consequence, obsessed by forebodings and fear.

In the acute inflammatory diseases of infancy and childhood, with these general characteristics present, this remedy is of great value and is frequently indicated in bronchitis, pneumonia, laryngitis and the acute exanthemata, particularly measles. In croup, a dry ringing cough, hoarse in sound and painful, together with high fever, thirst, anxiety and restlessness, will call for this remedy. Likewise in the sudden, violent attacks of entercolitis so often met in summer, where the stools are slimy, grass green or of pure blood, Aconite will quickly modify these severe symptoms.

In the early stages of acute pleurisy or of pneumonia in adults, similar symptoms will demand this remedy Pain, when present, is sharp, stitching, lancinating in character and always severe. The complaints demanding aconite are commonly aggravated at night, especially before midnight and are relieved when copious sweat appears.

Neurasthenics who are fearful in crowds and who are obsessed by fore-bodings of evil, will often be helped by this remedy.

Characteristic Symptoms Of Aconite

1. Numbness and tingling in all parts.

2. Skin dry, burning hot with intense thirst for cold water; red face sometimes changing to pale.

3. Croupy cough, awaking in first sleep, particularly with children after dry, cold west wind.

4. Conjunctivitis resulting from exposure to dry, cold wind, from surgical operations, or from a foreign body in the eye.

5. First stages of inflammatory fevers, before localization, eruption, or exudation has occurred, characterized by great anxiety and restlessness, often useful in chilly stages, before febrile symptoms have developed.

6. Hemoptysis; the blood comes up with an easy hawking, hemming or some coughing, either after mental excitement, after drinking wine, or exposure to dry cold air.

7. Numbness of the left arm, can scarcely move the hand.

8. From rising up, the red face turns deadly pale.

9. Heat with thirst, hard full frequent pulse, anxious impatience, inappeas-able, beside himself, tossing about with agony.

10. After a fright, with vexation during menses, to prevent suppression.

11. After a violent chill, dry heat and lancinating pain in the chest.

12. Complaints, especially respiratory, from sudden suppression of perspiration by exposure to cold, especially cold winds.