directly to the heart (of the frog), it paralyzes it. When an animal is poisoned with jervine, the frequency of the pulse is diminished, and the arterial pressure falls greatly, due to the direct action of the drug on the cardiac muscle, as well as to paralysis of the vaso-motor centres. Respiration death takes place from asphyxia. The alkaloids exist, in both V. viride and album, in but small proportions, and can scarcely be profitably extracted.

The effects of veratrum viride are similar to those of its alkaloids. It is an active local irritant. Taken internally, it somewhat promotes the flow of urine, and in doses of about five grains, proves emetic. In continued doses it produces a marked sedative action on the circulation, irrespective of the nausea induced, which indeed may be prevented by careful administration. The temperature of the body is much lowered. It has not generally proved laxative. No fatal effects are recorded from its use-stimulants invariably counteracting any excessive sedation. Recovery has taken place after f3j of the tincture had been swallowed.

Uses.-Veratrum viride is used principally as a cardiac and vaso-motor depressant. Within a few years past, the medicine has been largely used in our southern States in the inflammatory and febrile affections, particularly typhoid fever and pneumonia, with a view to its sedative action; as the danger, however, in pneumonia is chiefly from failure of cardiac power, the use of veratrum in this disease requires caution and is, generally, serviceable in the early stage only, before consolidation has taken place. It has been also used in cardiac affections, as overaction of the heart, or hypertrophy unaccompanied by valvular disease. In active hæmorrhage and in acute congestions generally it is also of value. It has been used in gout, rheumatism, and neuralgia. It has been recommended lately in puerperal eclampsia, on account of its depressing influence on the reflex centres of the cord (Fordyce Barker, Boyd, N. L. Guice, etc.); it should be given in doses sufficiently large to reduce the pulse to 60 or 80 beats per minute and maintain this effect. A few drops of the tincture repeated every hour or two, according to the condition of the pulse, will abort an

ordinary "cold in the head," if given early enough (H. M.). Dose, of the powder, gr. j-ij to begin with; of the tincture, gtt. v-x; of the fluid extract, gtt. iv-v.

VERATRINA (Veratrine) (C2H52N2O) is an alkaloid or mixture of alkaloids obtained from the seeds of Asagræa officinalis (Nat. Ord. Melanthacea), an herbaceous plant of Mexico. It is made by evaporating a strong tincture of the seeds to the consistence of an extract, from which the alkaloid is dissolved by diluted sulphuric acid, and afterwards precipitated by magnesia. For purification, it is dissolved in alcohol, from which it is evaporated, again converted into a sulphate, decolourized by animal charcoal, and finally precipitated by ammonia. When pure it is white, but it is usually a grayish or brownish-white powder, without odour, but very irritant to the nostrils, and of a bitter, acrid taste, producing a sense of tingling or numbness in the tongue; scarcely soluble in cold water, but readily soluble in alcohol. It has an alkaline reaction, and strikes an intensely red colour with concentrated sulphuric acid. The most delicate test for veratrine is Trapp's-a permanent lilacred colour, resembling a solution of potassium permanganate, afforded by boiling it in hydrochloric acid.

Physiological Effects.-Locally, veratrine acts as an irritant, producing heat, pain, numbness, and perhaps redness in the part to which it is applied. Nervous system: the reflex excitability of the spinal cord is diminished in animals after the administration of a large dose (Ott). Veratrine acts as a direct poison upon nerves (Ott, Wood, H. C., etc.), but whether it affects the nerve trunk or its end-organs is still sub judice. Circulation and blood: in animals, small doses stimulate the excito-motor cardiac ganglia and increase the frequency of the cardiac beat; large doses stimulate the pneumogastric nerve, and as the excito-motor ganglia become exhausted, the cardiac beat is slowed. It also poisons the cardiac muscle. The bloodpressure is, at first, elevated, then lowered, and the blood is rendered less coagulable. Respiration and temperature; small doses increase, while larger doses diminish, the frequency of the respiratory movement, and the temperature is lowered. Excretion: the excretions from the skin and kidneys are in

creased. Gastro-intestinal tract: in large doses it is an irritant poison, causing severe vomiting and purging. Muscular system: muscular irritability is at first exalted (producing convul sions), but is afterwards entirely lost. Elimination: it is

eliminated by the kidneys.

Stimulants and ethereal inhalation would be the proper treatment in cases of poisoning.

Uses.-Veratrine has been used internally, in nervous disorders, dropsies, gout, rheumatism, etc., in doses of gr. to repeated; but it is most used externally, in the form of ointment (4 parts, to alcohol 6 parts, and benzoinated lard 96 parts); or dissolved in alcohol, as an application to rheumatic, paralytic, or neuralgic parts. Oleatum veratrinæ (veratrine oleate), consists of veratrine 2 parts, to 98 parts of oleic acid.

PULSATILLA-PASQUE-FLOWER.

The HERB of Anemone pulsatilla, Anemone pratensis and Anemone patens (Nat. Ord. Ranunculacea), found in both hemispheres. It should be collected soon after flowering and carefully preserved, but should not be kept more than a year. It contains an acrid volatile oily substance, easily converted into anemonin, CH12O6, and anemonic acid, CHO, (Maisch.)

Fhysiological Effects.-Locally, fresh pulsatilla is an irritant, and after prolonged contact with the skin may cause inflammation, or even gangrene. When the powder is inhaled, it produces itching of the eyes, colic, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc. (Phillips). Nervous system: motor and sensory paralyses are produced in animals by large doses, but how they are produced has not been ascertained. After poisonous doses, dilatation of the pupil, sopor, coma, and convulsions occur. Circulation: pulsatilla is a cardiac depressant, and lowers the arterial pressure. Respiration and temperature: it slows the respiration (Clarus), and reduces the temperature. Gastro-intestinal tract: it is an irritant poison, in large doses producing vomiting and purging. Elimination probably takes place through the kidneys. Incompatibles: caustic alkalies, tannic acid, and metallic salts.

Medicinal Uses.-Pulsatilla may be used in catarrhal inflammations of the mucous membranes, unaccompanied with gastrointestinal disturbance (Bartholow). It is, however, recommended by Phillips in certain forms of dyspepsia, seen in persons of phlegmatic temperament, accompanied with great nervous depression, loss of appetite, thickly-coated white tongue, nausea, flatulence, heartburn, cold clammy extremities, etc., and the editor has also seen good result from its administration in these cases (H. M.). It is useful in acute meningitis, whether cerebral or spinal (Bartholow). It has been given in functional amenorrhoea, where the menses are delayed or scanty, in suppressio mensium from fright or chill, and in functional dysmenorrhoea where the discharge is scanty. Dr. Piffard recommends very small doses, frequently repeated, in epididymitis.

The powdered herb may be given in doses of gr. ij-v, or an extract or tincture may be made.

ARNICA.

Arnica Flores, Arnica Flowers; Arnica Radix, Arnica Root. Arnica montana, Leopard's Bane (Nat. Ord. Compositæ), is a perennial herbaceous plant, found in northern Germany and other northern countries of Europe, and also in the northwestern portions of America. The FLOWER HEADS and the RHIZOME and ROOTLETS are the officinal portions. Both contain volatile oil, arnicin, resins, etc; the root contains, in addition, inulin and tannin.

Effects and Uses.-Locally, arnica is a stimulant and often an irritant to the skin. The internal effects of this drug are not well understood. Large doses cause headache and dilatation of the pupils; poisonous doses paralyze the nervous system, and death ensues from collapse. Small doses are said to increase the cardiac action, but this has been doubted (Wood, H. C.). Large doses depress the action of the heart, lower the arterial pressure, and depress the respiration and temperature. Small doses are said to excite the action of the skin and kidneys. In large amounts it is an irritant to the gastro-intestinal