[net.med] Rx for coryza that works- why?

np12el@sdcatta.UUCP ({np12el}) (10/05/83)

The following compound was obtained in France for a sinus condition
and it seems to work- why?  Ingred:
Calcii carbonas  3 drams
Calcii fluoridum 3d.
Mangani sulfas   3d.
Belladonna       3d.
Sabadilla        3d.
Heparis sulfuris calcareum  3d. (of course!)
Hydrastis        3d.
Dikalii sulfas   4d.
Silicea          5d.
Thuya            2d.
Kalii dichromas  5d.
Cinnabaris       4d.
 
Aside from being folk medicine, the stuff actually works... what's the
active ingred. besides belladona?    Ed Lange  Scripps..

dyer@wivax.UUCP (Stephen Dyer) (10/10/83)

This folk preparation contains extract of belladonna, which "dries up"
parasympathetically mediated secretions, such as saliva, tears, and to
a lesser extent, the runny nose of the common cold.  This is the same
rationale that OTC drug makers use when they include antihistamines in
their "shotgun" nostrums--they are being used for their belladonna-like
side effects, NOT because a cold has anything to do with histamine.
If you look at what's in Contac time pills, they cover all the bases and
include both an antihistamine and belladonna alkaloids.

/Steve Dyer
decvax!wivax!dyer
decvax!genrad!wjh12!bbncca!sdyer