Leonurus Cardiaca.

Leonurus cardiaca. Motherwort. N. O. Labiatae. Tincture or infusion of fresh plant.

Clinical.-Dysentery. Haemorrhages.

Characteristics.-The popular name of this plant sufficiently indicates its traditional virtues. The only experience with it is an involuntary proving recorded by Clarence Bartlett (Med. Adv., xx. 280). A married woman, 40, took an infusion to produce miscarriage. Twenty-four hours later Bartlett saw her, and found her vomiting and retching, passing bloody stools, suffering severe abdominal pains, which were provoked by drinking anything more than a small quantity of water, which she did to allay her great thirst. Dry conjunctivae, dry, cracked tongue were noted. The bowel symptoms were < midnight to 3 a.m. Ars. 3x relieved all symptoms. She did not miscarry.

Relations.-Antidoted by: Ars. Compare: Mentha pulegium, Hedeoma puleg.

SYMPTOMS.

3. Eyes.-Conjunctivae had a very dry appearance; looked as if wiped dry.

8. Mouth.-Tongue dry, coated or brownish white; covered with cracks in arborescent arrangement, main crack down centre.

11. Stomach.-Intense thirst, yet drinking more than a very slight quantity of water, warm or cold, provoked epigastric pains.-Shortly after taking the drug seized with vomiting and retching, more retching.

12. Abdomen.-Very severe abdominal pains, with soreness to touch; when lying on side > drawing up legs; when on back > with legs out straight.

13. Stool and Anus.-During the (first) night frequent calls to stool; stools dark brown at first, afterwards bloody.-Later stools contained larger quantities of blood, never any mucus.