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Materia Medica
Franciscea Uniflora.
Brazilian Manaca-root. N. O. Scrophulariaceae. Closely allied to Brunfelsia. Tincture of fresh root. An alkaloid, Franciscein, is also used.
Clinical.-Headache. Pericarditis. Rheumatism. Syphilis.
Characteristics.-Franciscea u. is a Brazilian remedy of great local repute as an anti-syphilitic and anti-rheumatic. It is called "vegetable mercury." In large doses it is a poison, causing violent purgation and emesis. Many cases of acute, sub-acute, and chronic cases of rheumatism have been reported cured with the tincture by homoeopaths; also pericarditis complicating rheumatism. Hansen gives these symptoms as characteristic, though I do not know of any proving: "Intense headache like a band around the head, pain in occiput, neck and spine, lancinating, sticking; terrible aching all over, with great heat, followed by profuse sweat, which > all symptoms."
