constitutional effect. It has been employed successfully in subcutaneous injections for sciatica and sprains. The experimentation has so far been imperfect and incomplete. We hope soon to have a fuller account of this new alkaloid, and to be able to give further information thereon. The amount injected subcutaneously was four minims of a four per cent. solution. Dr. Reid anticipates a brilliant future for the drug in the domain of nervous and cerebral diseases.

URETHANE.-Dr. Andrews has conducted some interesting experiments with this hypnotic. Having first tested the effects of the remedy upon himself, he proceeded to try it in six cases of acute mania, four of paresis, four of melancholia, two of chronic mania, and two of dementia. The results of these experiments were on the whole decidedly favorable; but the author justly observes that before definite conclusions can be arrived at a more extended series of trials is necessary. Irrespective of this fact, however, the results obtained by Andrews are decidedly encouraging. The dose usually employed by him was thirty grains. On two occasions, however, doses of sixty grains were given. The result of these observations goes to show that urethane possesses marked hypnotic properties. Throughout these experiments no unpleasant effects were observed, and there were no phenomena pointing to other than an action affecting the cerebrum. The effects of the drug were felt, so far as Andrews was able to estimate them, within an hour after its administration.

ACUTE MELANCHOLIA CAUSED BY IMPACTED FECES.-- Dr. Hutchinson has detailed an interesting case of this kind occurring in a married woman of forty. At the time of her admission into the Western Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, the patient suffered from acute melancholia, was very weak and extremely emaciated, her skin was bronzed, dry, and harsh, her hair was dry and falling out, and all the secretions of the body were perverted. On examination, distinct tumor could be felt through the abdominal walls, following the course of the rectum and sigmoid flexure and making the introduction of a catheter to relieve the distended bladder almost impossible. The tumor was immediately thought to be an accumulation of hardened fæces. Accordingly, the scope and appropriate injections were employed for several days, with the ultimate result of removing the mass entirely. Rapid improvement in the patient's health,

both mental and physical, followed this evacuation, so that in less than one month she was discharged, being then in the enjoyment of perfect health of body and mind alike.

ERGOT IN THE TREATMENT OF DYSENTERY.-Dr. Du Rocher reports the history of a severe case of dysentery in which, after four days of unsuccessful treatment with other remedies, ergot was ordered, forty-five grains a day, in six doses. During the first day's use of the ergot there were only two decidedly diarrhoeal passages, containing a little mucus, but not a trace of blood; the next day there was only one; on the third day the patient was cured. The author is inclined to think that ergot will prove a valuable drug in the treatment of dysentery.

A NEW HYPNOTIC.-Dr. Ghillany, pharmacologist to the Vienna General Hospital, has succeeded in preparing an alcoholic extract from the roots of Piper methysticum (Kara Kara), which is called "Extractum Kara depuratum." Experiments made with this drug by some physicians of the hospital proved it to be a valuable hypnotic. In all the cases where it was administered, sleep was produced, without any disagreeable consequence; even headache, following generally the exhibition of hypnotics, did not occur. It was given as a powder, from two to five centigrammes being a dose; or as a suppository containing two centigrammes.

THE ACTION OF GRINDELIA ROBUSTA ON THE HEART AND CIRCULATION. From experiments made under the direction of Professor Botkine, on animals and clinically, with the fluid extract of Grindelia robusta, the following conclusions are made: The drug diminishes the number of the heart-beats and increases the blood-pressure in the vessels. The effect is produced by excitation of the moderator of the heart, particularly at its center of origin in the medulla oblongata. The increase of the blood-pressure is in part due to the action of the drug on the walls of the blood-vessels themselves, and in part to the excitation of the vaso-constrictor centers in the cord, medulla, and brain. The excitability of the various nervous or musculonervous systems of the heart and vessels is sensibly diminished under the influence of the drug. Diminished excitability is equally noticed in the motor nerves and voluntary muscles. The nerve-centers are sooner influenced than the peripheral nerves, and these sooner than the muscles.

NOTE ON SOME USES OF THE OIL OF ERIGERON.

BY ROBERTS BARTHOLOW, M. D., LL. D., PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. Professor of Materia Medica, General Therapeutics and Hygiene in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, etc.

The oil of erigeron has not been much employed as a medicine at any period, and of late years, hardly at all. A quarter of a century ago its value as a remedy for certain kinds of hæmorrhage was known to a few physicians of Philadelphia, but that fact never obtained general recognition. An accident led me to the discovery-if I may venture to use so imposing a term-of its remedial virtues in certain affections of the genito-urinary tract, and to these observations I now briefly call attention.

That oil of erigeron is entitled to the repute it had at one time as a remedy for certain kinds of hæmorrhage, I am well assured by recent experiences. Sometime since casting about for a remedy in a case of metrorrhagia that had severely tried my resources, I fell on erigeron oil but with a rather despairing sense of its probable inutility. I was proportionally pleased to find that it acted admirably. As one case can no more establish the value of a remedy, than one swallow can make a summer, I have since made numerous observations with the view to ascertain its real powers. I am accordingly in a position to re-affirm the statements formerly made, and to express my belief that in oil of erigeron we have a valuable remedy for certain cases of menorrhagia and metrorrhagia and, probably, passive hæm

orrhages in general. In some cases of neurasthenia, it now and then happens that menorrhagia becomes an embarrassing complication; but I have found erigeron oil to act very efficiently, and whilst it has moderated the flow to proper dimension, has improved the general condition and lessened the nervous irritability.

For the most part the uses of oil of erigeron for the conditions above mentioned, are not novel. Finding, however, that it is a really effective remedy in menorrhagia and metrorrhagia, I then had recourse to it in these conditions having their origin in albuminuria, and then it was I ascertained that it checked. remarkably the waste of albumen. From this point it was but a step to observe how far this remedy affects the course of Bright's disease or such chronic forms of albuminuria as are due to tubal and interstitial nephritis and the cases combining these two morbid processes. No attempt was made to arrive at an exact differentiation, if indeed such be possible. It suffices to state that the chronic cases of nephritis united by the common symptom-albuminuria were included. In the chronic form of Bright's diseases, erigeron oil lessons the amount of albumen, lowers the abnormal vascular tension, and improves the general condition. It has also seemed to have a most favorable action on the headache, the nausea and other symptoms of uræmic character. Whether it be actually curative in cases not too far advanced, can be determined only by careful and sufficiently protracted trials. Thus far it can be said to promise well.

Oil of erigeron also acts in a very beneficial manner in cystitis, lessening the irritability of the bladder, and diminishing the catarrh. In a case of prostatic disease with very great irritability of the bladder and much catarrh, it seemed to have an excellent effect.

In catarrh of the bronchial tubes, chronic bronchitis, and in cough of a nervous character I have seen very considerable relief given by it. Indeed, in these affections it has seemed to me to afford as much relief as terebene which has been much vaunted of late, and with justice.

In administering it, I have usually directed it in five drop doses every three or four hours. It may be conveniently exhibited dropped on a lump of sugar. It appears to me to do better in moderate doses rather frequently administered so as to maintain a constant impression, than in occasional larger quantity.

Besides the foregoing practical experiences it may be mentioned that oil of erigeron is an antiseptic and in this capacity

may prove useful. But if it have no other practical applications than those suggested by my own experiences, it will deserve a prominent position as a remedy.

I learn from Professor Lloyd of Cincinnati, to whom I am indebted for specimens of the pure oil, that erigeron oil is much adulterated and that probably no really pure article is to be found in the market. It appears to be adulterated to some extent, according to Professor Lloyd, with oil of erechthiles (fireweed), but this apparently has similar properties, and well deserves investigation, which I intend to give it presently, to the extent its utility may warrant. Meanwhile I venture to hope that those members of the profession interested in our indigenous materia medica will make trial of the erigeron and report the results.

ACUTE PUERPERAL MANIA: RECOVERY.

BY P. E. NAGLE, M D, BILLINGS, MISSOURI.

On January 25, 1886, I was sent for in haste to see Mrs. E. I was not at home at the time, but returned a few minutes afterward and went to see the patient. Her friends had been too much alarmed to await my arrival and had sent for another doctor who, I found, was already in attendance. I noticed that the patient was very much excited, very talkative, and that she insisted on keeping her head under the clothes. Her face was flushed, pulse full, but not very rapid, and her temperature 101.5° Fahrenheit. Her tongue was slightly coated and tremulous. As I did not consider the case mine, I immediately departed, having suggested to the doctor that bromide of potassium in large doses might prove beneficial. He had already given her an opiate and tincture of gelsemium. In the afternoon, I was again sent for and found the patient much more excited, in fact, force and persuasion were necessary to keep her in bed. I had not time to give her a dose of chloral and bromide before she overcame all resistance and made for the door, slightly wounding herself on a hot stove, and, in the struggle, biting two of the assistants. I immediately administered chloroform, and as soon as she was under its influence she was again put to bed. She slept quietly for sometime after the effects of the chloroform had passed off, and when she awoke she begged for more chloroform, which was sparingly given.

The patient was a stout, healthy looking, well-formed woman, twenty-two years old. Her parents are both living, and there is