WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Zea
AMYLUM
The fecula or starch of the seed of Zea Mays, Linné (Nat. Ord. Gramineae). (Formula: C6 H10 05). Common Name: Corn Starch. Description.Irregular, angular, white masses, or a fine, white powder; inodorous, with a slight but characteristic taste. Insoluble in alcohol and cold water. When boiled with 15 parts of water and cooled, it yields a whitish, translucent jelly (starch paste). PreparationGlyceritum Amyli, Glycerite of Starch. Action.A carbohydrate food contributing to the production of animalheat, and when consumed in too large quantities for long periods increases fat and gives rise to flatulence and gastric acidity. Under the same conditions it may cause sugar to appear in the urine. Therapy.External. A valued dusting powder for intertrigo, erysipelas and irritated skin, and as starch-water (diluted starch paste) a useful demulcent for inflammatory disorders of the lower bowel and a medium for rectal medication. The glycerite alone (or as a vehicle for other medicaments) is a bland and non-irritating application to relieve the heat of eczema, erythema, excoriations, and other irritated or inflamed disorders of the skin. Internal. The antidote for iodine poisoning. Diluted starch paste may be used as a lenitive after other forms of irritant poisoning, and as a mucilage for the administration of medicines. 1
The fecula or starch of the seed of Zea Mays, Linné (Nat. Ord. Gramineae). (Formula: C6 H10 05). Common Name: Corn Starch. Description.Irregular, angular, white masses, or a fine, white powder; inodorous, with a slight but characteristic taste. Insoluble in alcohol and cold water. When boiled with 15 parts of water and cooled, it yields a whitish, translucent jelly (starch paste). PreparationGlyceritum Amyli, Glycerite of Starch. Action.A carbohydrate food contributing to the production of animalheat, and when consumed in too large quantities for long periods increases fat and gives rise to flatulence and gastric acidity. Under the same conditions it may cause sugar to appear in the urine. Therapy.External. A valued dusting powder for intertrigo, erysipelas and irritated skin, and as starch-water (diluted starch paste) a useful demulcent for inflammatory disorders of the lower bowel and a medium for rectal medication. The glycerite alone (or as a vehicle for other medicaments) is a bland and non-irritating application to relieve the heat of eczema, erythema, excoriations, and other irritated or inflamed disorders of the skin. Internal. The antidote for iodine poisoning. Diluted starch paste may be used as a lenitive after other forms of irritant poisoning, and as a mucilage for the administration of medicines. 1
USTILAGO
A parasitic fungus, Ustilago segetum Bull (Ustilago Maydis), developed on the fruit of Zea Mays, Linné, or Indian Corn (Nat. Ord. Fungi-Ustilagineae). Dose, 1 to 20 grains. Common Names: Corn Smut, Corn Ergot, Corn Brand. Principal Constituents.An alkaloid ustilagine, trimethylamine, and sclerotic (maizenic) acid (probably not identical with that of ergot). Preparations.Specific Medicine Ustilago. Dose, 1 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.Feeble spinal and sympathetic innervation; feeble capillary and venous circulation; impaired circulation of cerebrum, with dizziness and unsteadiness; uterine derangements with excessive flow of blood or other discharges; lax genital tissues, with uterine pain; pain in top of head; uterine inertia; post partum and passive hemorrhages. Action.This fungus unquestionably possesses power, acting as a spinal excitant and producing convulsions and destroying life either by tetanus or exhaustion. It dilates the pupils. Upon animals it acts as an abortifacient and produces a shedding of hair, hoofs and horns. Its action has been compared to that of ergot and nux vomica combined. Therapy.Ellingwood is authority for the statement that ustilago is preferable to ergot as a parturient because it produces intermittent (clonic) instead of tonic contractions; and decreases after-pains, conduces to better uterine involution, and controls hemorrhage. Neither, however, is scarcely used by practitioners of the present day for parturient purposes. Scudder advised it to relieve false pains during the latter months of pregnancy, and other unpleasant sensations in the pelvic regions. It is also claimed that it arrests a too prolonged lochial flow by giving tone to the uterine wall. Observing the specific indications noted above, it may sometimes give relief to the disorders arising from masturbation and nocturnal pollutions, much as ergot and belladonna do, and in the ovarian and menstrual derangements, (chiefly of excessive discharges) in women with lax pendulous abdomen, weak and flabby enlarged uterus, and full toneless perineal and vaginal tissues. It is little used, but undoubtedly could be restudied with advantage.1
A parasitic fungus, Ustilago segetum Bull (Ustilago Maydis), developed on the fruit of Zea Mays, Linné, or Indian Corn (Nat. Ord. Fungi-Ustilagineae). Dose, 1 to 20 grains. Common Names: Corn Smut, Corn Ergot, Corn Brand. Principal Constituents.An alkaloid ustilagine, trimethylamine, and sclerotic (maizenic) acid (probably not identical with that of ergot). Preparations.Specific Medicine Ustilago. Dose, 1 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.Feeble spinal and sympathetic innervation; feeble capillary and venous circulation; impaired circulation of cerebrum, with dizziness and unsteadiness; uterine derangements with excessive flow of blood or other discharges; lax genital tissues, with uterine pain; pain in top of head; uterine inertia; post partum and passive hemorrhages. Action.This fungus unquestionably possesses power, acting as a spinal excitant and producing convulsions and destroying life either by tetanus or exhaustion. It dilates the pupils. Upon animals it acts as an abortifacient and produces a shedding of hair, hoofs and horns. Its action has been compared to that of ergot and nux vomica combined. Therapy.Ellingwood is authority for the statement that ustilago is preferable to ergot as a parturient because it produces intermittent (clonic) instead of tonic contractions; and decreases after-pains, conduces to better uterine involution, and controls hemorrhage. Neither, however, is scarcely used by practitioners of the present day for parturient purposes. Scudder advised it to relieve false pains during the latter months of pregnancy, and other unpleasant sensations in the pelvic regions. It is also claimed that it arrests a too prolonged lochial flow by giving tone to the uterine wall. Observing the specific indications noted above, it may sometimes give relief to the disorders arising from masturbation and nocturnal pollutions, much as ergot and belladonna do, and in the ovarian and menstrual derangements, (chiefly of excessive discharges) in women with lax pendulous abdomen, weak and flabby enlarged uterus, and full toneless perineal and vaginal tissues. It is little used, but undoubtedly could be restudied with advantage.1
ZEA
The styles and stigmas of Zea Mays, Linné (Nat. Ord. Gramineae). The common Indian corn of America. Common Name: Corn Silk (Stigmata Maydis). Principal Constituents.Volatile oil and maizenic acid. Preparations.1. Infusum Zea, Infusion of Corn Silk. (Silk, 2 ounces; Boiling Water, 16 fluidounces). Dose, Ad libitum. 2. Specific Medicine Stigmata Maydis. Dose, 1/2 to 2 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.Zea (Stigmata Maydis) is diuretic, slightly anodyne, and is said to exert a stimulant effect upon the heart and blood vessels. The infusion, the best preparation, is an efficient stimulating diuretic in urinary irritation and inflammation, pyelitis, and catarrh of the bladder. It is especially valued when the urine contains phosphatic and uric acid concretions, and there is a disposition to dropsical accumulations. Its action is quite positive in pyelitis, chronic cystitis and to relieve ardor urinae in gonorrhea. For the bladder affections of children it is one of the most valued of urinary sedatives, and may be freely administered where there is a disposition to decomposition of the urine while still in the bladder. The virtues are attributed mostly to the maizenic acid present.1
The styles and stigmas of Zea Mays, Linné (Nat. Ord. Gramineae). The common Indian corn of America. Common Name: Corn Silk (Stigmata Maydis). Principal Constituents.Volatile oil and maizenic acid. Preparations.1. Infusum Zea, Infusion of Corn Silk. (Silk, 2 ounces; Boiling Water, 16 fluidounces). Dose, Ad libitum. 2. Specific Medicine Stigmata Maydis. Dose, 1/2 to 2 fluidrachms. Action and Therapy.Zea (Stigmata Maydis) is diuretic, slightly anodyne, and is said to exert a stimulant effect upon the heart and blood vessels. The infusion, the best preparation, is an efficient stimulating diuretic in urinary irritation and inflammation, pyelitis, and catarrh of the bladder. It is especially valued when the urine contains phosphatic and uric acid concretions, and there is a disposition to dropsical accumulations. Its action is quite positive in pyelitis, chronic cystitis and to relieve ardor urinae in gonorrhea. For the bladder affections of children it is one of the most valued of urinary sedatives, and may be freely administered where there is a disposition to decomposition of the urine while still in the bladder. The virtues are attributed mostly to the maizenic acid present.1
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.