Juniperus Virginiana

The effects of Jun. v. have been largely observed on women who have taken it

to procure abortion or bring on the menses. A number of fatal cases have occurred, the patients

passing into violent convulsions, followed by an apoplectic condition, insensibility, and collapse.

During paroxysm (of fever) raved incoherently—Moaned most

piteously.—Fright.—During the morning of her death lay in a stupid state; answered no questions

and did not appear to be sensible.—As the convulsions continued the stupor became more and

more profound; when they ceased coma ensued.—She lay apparently in a deep comatose sleep

until about nine o'clock next day., when she woke to perfect consciousness, with no recollection

of what had occurred since swallowing the oil.

Twitching of the muscles —A most violent convulsion came on and all further

consciousness was lost for twelve hours.—All voluntary muscles tightened with the most rigid

spasm, whole body jerking, eyes glassy, pupils dilated a little, pulse 60, respiration struggling,

catching, and strangling; followed by another paroxysm, which, as in other cases, began by a

jerking of the eyes, followed by a jerking of the head, contraction of muscles of one side of face

and neck, then those of the other side, of back of neck, of arm, trunk, and extremities,

accompanied by an imploring reaching out of the arm, groan, if groan that noise could be called,

glaring eye, and natural language of the most extreme terror and amazement, and this succeeded

by jerking of the whole body; so heart-sickening was her appearance that some bystanders

fainted; the interval between the paroxysms was imperfect and the patient was inconstant

motion; three men could not hold her. Something had to be kept between the teeth to prevent

them shutting.—After the convulsions ceased an apparently apoplectic state came on with

stertorous breathing, twitching of voluntary muscles, venous countenance and slow pulse.—After

the fever, much exhausted.—Much exhausted or in a state of prostration when she attempted to

inspire; when the air passed out of the chest, all strength seemed wanting.—Sore all over.

Eyes began to glare and twitch; felt as if bursting from their sockets.—Jerking of eyes

and head.—Pupils dilated.

Very red face.—Venous aspect.—Face swollen and livid—Veins of face, head, and neck

fully distended.—One half lower lip and part of chin and side of mouth much swollen and dark

coloured as if bruised; tongue and gums also involved in the swelling and lividity—Jaws firmly

fixed.

Thought it would take the skin from her mouth and throat.—Could not speak so as to

be understood; she articulated like one having hemiplegia.

Great thirst.—Sick and distressed at her stomach—Vomited between the fits;

vomited matter smelt of cedar 01l1—Vomited black matter; afterwards green; vomiting continued

• ▸all day.
• ▸—Considerable distension and tenderness at pit of stomach.
• ▸—Pain in stomach.
• ▸—Burning in

stomach.

The soft parts about the neck were sucked down at every effort at

inspiration, and the lower jaw descended.—Stertor continued for a few minutes; it was succeeded

by breathing of a very different kind; and the chief character of this was an unsuccessful heaving

of the chest in inspiration for breath, and a limp dropping together of the chest in

expiration.—Expiration slow and without assistance from the expiratory muscles, the chest

appeared to fall together from its own weight.

Pulse less than 60, afterwards sank to 45, then intermitted.—Pulse fluttering, feeble,

slow, very irregular—Almost pulseless.

Rigors followed by fever.—Feverish.—Considerable fever and pains like labour-

pains.—Skin dry and parched.

• ▸Apoplexy.
• ▸Convulsions.
• ▸Eyes, twitching of.
• ▸Strangury.
• ▸Tetanus.
• ▸Uterine h¢morrhage.