Cundurango
belongs to the "Milk-weed" family, and is thus related to Asclepias
Syriaca, and Tuberosa, and also to Calotropis. The action of the latter in syphilitic conditions may
be compared with the power of Cundurango over cancer.
The Condor plant was introduced into medicine as a cancer remedy by Dr. Bliss, of
Washington. Clotar Muller cured with it several cases of "old, obstinate,
foul-smelling, ichorous ulcers"; one case of "carcinoma of the lips, an unclean
and sinuous ulcer." Burnett, who proved it, and whose symptoms were of a severe nature,
observed that it produced "a painful crack in the right corner of the mouth."
These cracks he has seen produced in several patients who were taking the drug; and he has
cured similar cracks with it. He regards them as a keynote indication, and has cured
patients of tumours, some undoubtedly cancerous, who had that symptom as a concomitant. In
his opinion Cundur. is antipsoric (Tumours of the Breast, p. 28). Dudgeon (H.
W., xxiv. 543) has recorded a cure with Cundur.
1 of an undoubted case of cancer of left breast in a woman of sixty-nine. The nipple was so
retracted as to be invisible. A hard tumour the size of an egg on the outer side of the
nipple was the centre of lancinating pains radiating from it, the whole breast being very
tender to touch. The tumour increased steadily under Hydrast.
and Phytolac., and was only checked temporarily by Conium. Under Cundur. it
entirely disappeared. Cundurango has found its chief use
as a cancer remedy, especially in cancers originating in epithelial structures. Rhagades at
muco-cutaneous orifices and warty excrescences are a leading indication for it. Cutting,
stinging, burning, tingling, constrictive, and piercing pains are complained of. The skin
manifests much of the action of the remedy: blotches; eczema; pimples; pustules; indolent
ulcers; lupus; varicose ulcers; syphilitic affections; epithelioma, and scirrhus. Burnett
considers it has a very strong affinity for the tongue. He cured with it a jagged ulcer of
the tongue (doubtful whether cancerous or syphilitic); tongue and lips red. One prover had a
slight creeping pain along periosteum of right humerus; and I observed "a creeping
sensation up the back, and headache in right temple" in a patient taking it in the 1x
tincture. An old-school authority, Dr. Guyvenot (Bull. Gén. de
Thérap. No. 32, 1890) credits Condurangin
with causing a "veritable locomotor ataxia." It appears late, and he thinks it is
due to the formation of some toxic substance by the splitting up of the alkaloid in the
organism.