Cactus Grandiflorus.

Properties: Tonic, antispasmodic, diuretic.

Indication: Irregular pulse with feebleness of the heart's action. Oppressive sensation in the region of the heart, sensation of constriction as if a tight band was around chest. Feeble and irregular pulse. Headache in top of head. Indicated where there is feebleness and irritability of the heart; asthenic conditions.

Use: Increases heart's action by stimulating the vasomotor and spinal motor centers. It increases their tone and activity and thus improves the nutrition of the nerves and muscles of the heart. Has a direct action on the sympathetic system, influencing it to normal performance of action. Increases the contractile power and tone of the heart muscles through the inter cardiac ganglia and accelerator nerves; increases arterial tension and force of pulse wave. A fine heart and nerve tonic and restorative having none of the irritating qualities on the heart muscles as strophantus, nor the gastric irritating and accumulating qualities of digitalis. In enfeebled heart muscles, progressive valvular insufficiency with irregular and intermittent pulse in mitral or aortic regurgitation. In endocarditis and pericarditis following severe disease. Bicycle and tobacco heart. In intractable temporary blindness, neuralgia, general excited action, the result of wrong of heart's action, it has been used with success. Cactus cannot be called a sedative nor a stimulant, but it has a tendency to bring about normal action of the heart.

The Materia Medica and Clinical Therapeutics, 1905, was written by Fred J. Petersen, M.D.