Nux moschata

Volume III — Main text

NUX MOSCHATA.

Kernel q( Mjrhtica o^daaiis, L. Nutmeg, Nat. Ord., Mjrhticaceof,

1. Frovings.— i, Purkinjb. An entire nutmeg, taken piecemeal with 9Ugar, produced nu other effect than a certain dulncss of the organs of sense and some heaviness in locomotion. Three of them, however, taken after a moderate meal, caused irresistible somnolence, and a deep sleep with quiet agreeable dreams. On awaking, he went to a theatre. On the way, he lost all thinking power, and fell into a peculiar state of hallucination. He feared he had not taken the right road, felt it impossible to make que where he was, and found the distance and the time taken excessively long — thinking he had been an hour on the way and should miss the beginning of the piece. During the whole performance^ dreams and reality contended in his mind, till at last the disorder of mind gradually subsided. There were no other symptoms. Later, P— took 6 grm. of the grated nut in brandy j and this time, Instead of quiet somnolence, he was seized with a general agitation of the muscular system, accompanied by vertigo. (A''. Breslauer Samml.^ 1828,)

2. Helbig. Provings on self and 26 others, without information as to subjects or dosage.

a, Al — , woman. — 1st d. Indifference. She is all d. as if drunk, her head is heavy^ there is first pain on I. side through forehead and temple, then it goes into occiput. Blue rings about eyes. Appetite increased, but fell oft' next d. Movement in abdomen as though colic were coming on. Uncommonly sleepy, eyes always close. As if intoxicated and sleepy, she knows not where she is, her eyes close. As soon as she comes into the cold and damp air she shivers and

becomes pale, e. — 2nd d. Commencement of griping; began on 1. side of abdomen and spread to r. and downwards, — 2nd and 3rd d. Commencement of pinching under stomach, with feeling as if it would come to actual culic. No stool ist d., 2nd d. hard and passed with difficultr, 3rd d., instead of flatus some watery evacuation canae away. Ii easily chilled in cold air. — No time given. In m., taste on tongue is after a debauch. She feels no proper call to stool at the usual time, the evacu;ition is hard and passed with difficulty. {HeraklideSy part i, 1833.)

1. Ant — , woman. After i h., feeling as if bellyache would coooe on. Tickling and pricking in nose, making her rub it. — ist <i. Pressure on r. side of head, partly over ear, partly on r. corner of occiput, as if it pressed on the bone internally, transient. {Ibid.)

2. C — , a man. — No time given. All n,, restlessness, dry heat, sleeplessness, dry sticky lips and tongue, without thirst j feeling as if all the blood-vessels were throbbing \ a throbbing pressive pain oa small spots of head, especially on 1. eyebrow. {Ibid,)

3. Derle, man. After 6 h., pain, especially on tempIeS| when he shakes his head a waggling as if brain struck against skull ; temples painful to touch, and head hot. {Ibid,)

4. Dk — , man. Burning of eyes and lachrymation. (Ibid.)

5. Dl — , man. After 6 h., hands hot and burning, lasting i d.— ISC d. Lachrymose humour, with burning and weeping of eya. He drinks much. Pain like spleenic stitches, which drew him together, on r. side, near navel. — 2nd d. Slimy, diarrhceic stool, as when there are worms. (Ibid.)

6. Grimmer, man. Towards e., distension of abdomen and nausea ; twitching about navel, which sometimes goes towards heart, sometimes downwards ; thread-worms passed by stool. After doing very little, must lie down exhausted. (Ibid.)

7. Hartmann, man. Staggering and great anxiety. {Ibid,)

8. Dr. Helbig. — a. From tinct. Immediately, confusion and dulness of forehead. Pressive pain in forehead, drawing towards L eye, with stupefied feeling, for 2 h. After ^ h., warm feeling in stomach. After 3 h.^ when reading, he gradually sinks into an absence of thought, which is apt to pass into sleep. After 5 h ., before answering a question, has to think for awhile ; often, in spite of every effort, he is unable to give a suitable answer, — a kind of slow flow of ideas. He staggers when walking, and when thinking he has but one idea, until he wakes up from his loss of thought, and he has then to recall to mind where he is. After 6 h., a jerking shooting in chest anteriorly, coming upwards in a slanting direction and taking away breath. After 7 h., hot stitches on chin. On account of dry feeling in mouth, he constantly presses the tongue against palate ; at same time a peculiar taste, something like the after-taste of very salt food, all d. After 21 h., though there was always slight griping, with tendency to flatus and diarrhoea, and a sensation as if diarrhoea was coming on, he must strain to expel a stool of normal consistence, which was bright yellow, and showed undigested bits of fruit. After 24 h., though the faeces were not hard, the evacuation was slow, and it felt as if some remained behind. Urine decreased in quantity, but saturated and clear.— ist d. When walking in open

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air in e., he staggers greatly towards the 1,, instead of walking straight. Along with connjsion of mind, there is a painful feeling in upper part of brain and skull as though that was compressed from above and from the side and spasmodically affected or contracted, with drowsiness. Dryness of eyes, reading by candle-light is difficult, the eyes close as if from sleep, head and forehead confused, e. Some stitches in cars. The saliva and mucus in mouth seem so thick that the buccal cavity feels quite dry ; this makes him inclined to drink, though he is not thirsty ; at the back of tongue a feeling as if after taking much salt. Tongue and palate dry, and nose as if blocked up with thicJc mucus 5 no thirst, but tongue feels like leather, n. Increased appetite, it has hardly been satiated when it recurs anew. Slight nausea, alternating with increased appetite. Cutting and distension in upper part of abdomen. Cutting from navel extends in 2 rays to either side, down-, back-, and side-wards, n. Pinching in umbilical region, in bed, n. Urging to stool and feeling as if swollen in anus, but nothing comes. Spasmodic pain in penis, going from below upwards. Cannot help falling asleep after dinner, when awakened falls asleep again immediately, the sleep is not very sound. — 2nd d. M., pain in forehead. Full feeling in eyes, pupils seem contracted. Pains in ear, as if a not quite blunt instrument were pressed hither and thither in it. A pain betwixt aching and shooting in r. ear, m. Spasmodic compression and contraction from both joints of jaw forwards. Feeling of fulness above and anteriorly in chest prevents deep breathing, which causes pressive pains in jerks under sternum. The posterior muscles of r. thigh are painful when walking or when touched, as if he had fallen on them or been riding, m. Pressive pain in anterior aspect of 1. leg, when standing, m. — 3rd d. Soreness of skin under chin, as if an eruption of pimples would come there, all d. On moving arm pain in region of pectoralis muscle as from a blow, much increased by touch and pressure. Slight chilliness, bellyache and sacral pain, little appetite, white furred tongue, pressive pain in soft palate, breathing difficult from pressive pain in chest, great drowsiness, e. — 4th d. Tenderness and pain in 1. upper and lower molars. — 7th d. Sacrum and legs as if beaten and very tired. — 8th d. Pinching in navel after febrile cnill, c. in bed. To the sacral pain there is added, in e., chilliness, which in the cold increases to rigor, but goes off in room. At same time confusion of head, especially forehead ; little appetite, slimy tongue ; merry humour, disposed to jokes, e. — loth d. Hard pressing pains on top of head, a.m. Stitches in I. ear. — iith d. While driving, e., had a painful feeling, which seemed to go from inner car to posterior wall of fauces {Eustachian tube), as if a rough body were sticking there and were forcibly pressed out ; the sensation commenced first in fauces and then went to ear, and thence to buccal cavity. — I2th d. Pain in the parts lain on when he lies on a hard place. — 13th d. Tearing pain at 1, elbow in extensor muscles, hindering movement. — Several d. He has a difficulty in remembering things he learnt a short time before, his memory seems paralysed for such things. Pain as if a loose tooth were seized in order to be extracted, combined with the feeling as though a shock to the body was the cause of it, and this indeed some-

times causes it (going upstairs, &c.). — No time given, A kind of hot pressure on sides of head, especially temples, like pressing out. Single sharp pressures in 1. ear, appearing to increase by, and partly to depend on, movement of lower jaw. During most of the proving, tenderness of incisors and anterior molars when air penetrates into mouth ; at first warm liquids caused the pain, after a few d. not. Painfulness of chest in front, impeding respiration, sometimes accompanied by a pressive pain in r. side, but more anteriorly, e. When damp wind blows on him it causes pain in nuchal muscles. On flexor side of upper arm, shoulder- and elbow-joints a shooting pain, which occurs occasionally for several weeks and seems to be seated in the blood-vessels. R, knee feels constricted, as if someone took hold of it.

b. From tinct. ruhbcd on abdomen, — Soon he has a constant flow of merry conceits, and appears gay to himself, sees the ridiculous side of everything. Thirst for i h. Considerable hunger.

c. From mace {aril of kernel). — After 6 h., when writing, leaves out some letters, writes involuntarily in various alphabets, and goes from one thing to another. — ist d. When writing, he has only half written down his thought, when all at once he forgets what he was going to write, he must make a great effort to recall the remainder, and often he cannot do so, he must first rest ; he begins to write again, but cannot write more than a word, must again make a great eSbrt. Under 1. eye feels swollen. Feeling in rectum as though diarrhoea would come, a part of it seems forced down, but no stool till next m., and then with slight urging and a kind of tenesmus in rectum, faeces very scanty and rather diarrhoeic. Pain in sides of lumbar vertebrae as if he had got a blow from a fist. All d, looks very sleepy. — 2nd d. A forward-pressive pain in a small spot over 1. eye in forehead, m. Pressive pain in r. cheek towards ear and maxillary joint, m. Slight prickling in incisors, e. Tone of voice altered, dry feeling in larynx. Pain as if dislocated in some joints of 1. little finger on grasping, m. The r. knee pains as if sprained when moving, especially going upstairs. — 3rd d. About the arch of velum and on 1. tonsil a pressive pain, or as if he had swallowed a hard body and it had left soreness. When lying, noon, feeling of warmth and throbbing in inner border of r. foot. — 13th d. Head compressed from back and front on waking from siesta. — No time given. Little appetite, soon satisfied. In whole front of chest, but especially under sternum, feeling of pressure and weight, lasting all d., but is particularly severe on waking up from siesta and on going to bed at n., making him take deep breaths to expand chest. Nausea and flow of water into mouth, with great desire to sleep, though it is m. (Ibid.)

II. Dr. Hencke. Soon, heaviness and compression of head, with feeling as if the !. side of it and of the face were slightly swollen, with prickling sensation as from electric stream. Digging pressive pains in middle of soles, m. Wandering, digging, pressive pains, always on small parts, as if in bones, on forehead, eyebrows, upper arms, tibise ; they are like undulating squeezing pains, coming and going. Irresistible sleep, disturbed by vivid dreams. After ^ h. rumbling and gurgling in abdomen. After i h. dryness of lips, palate, and velum, withl)uming

feeling as in catarrh. Nose stopped up, chiefly 1. side, with creeping and sneezing ; must keep mouth open to breathe, goes off when he moves or gets up in bed. After 2 h. pain in sacrum as if he had been broken on the wheel, especially when at rest {also after 7 h.). Dull drawing pains in periosteum of r. tibia. After 3 h. out-pressing flatulent disturbance in 1. ilank. After 5 h. flatulent distension of abdomen. Dilatory stools, they are soft but passed with difficulty only after pressing and straining, with feeling of fEtccs remaining. After 9 h, prcssivc headache on a small spot above 1. frontal eminence. L. nostril stopped up, lasts several d. After 10 h. wandering, digging, prcssive pains, always on a small spot, not remaining long there, but soon returning, for several d. — 1st d. Sleep at n. disturbed by voluptuous dreams. — 2nd d. Teeth blunted, feci as if covered with lime. Taste like chalk, m, Scrapy eructation shortly after eating, — No time given. Confusion of head. Pustules on chin with broad red borders. Jerking drawing in 1. upper molars, from long and continuous speaking, also from entrance of air. Dryness at back of throat, no thirst. Scrapy dryness in throat. Sharp scrapy feeling in throat, especially when swallowing. Chalky taste. Qualmish sensation in distended abdomen, with pain in sacrum. Bellyache ; a kind of pinching in hypogastrium for several successive d., atter breakfast ; goes off" by resting. Flatulent distress, e,, pinching in bowels with discharge of much flatus with relief. Dilatory, difficult, and yet soft stool, for several d. Constrictive pain in pectoral muscles, with tightness of chest, making him breathe deeply, when moving. Pressive wandering pains on various parts, always only on small spots. Great heat in face and hands, with faintness and hypochondriacal disposition, a.m. [Ibid,)

1. Kade, man. — ist d. He cannot comprehend what he reads. The eyes, which feel dry, are as if stuck together, so that he can hardly open them ; drowsy, and the head drawn to 1. side. — 2ndd. The tendency to bleeding of gums increases. After pressing down towards pelvis there occur some thin evacuations j he has at same time a feeling in rectum as if some acrid fluid was there, which caused biting \ after the stool there remained a sensation as if more was to come. He is chilled when he comes into cold air. {Ibid,)

2. FCtz.l — , man. After 10 h. in the region where the diaphragm is attached, from scrobiculus to back and scapulae, a spasmodic pressing pain, like an outward and inward pressure, as from a weight; at same time impeded breathing, and need to breathe deeply and expand chest, with dry cough that seems to come from back and gets loose in m. This lasts several d., and is accompanied by drowsiness and dryness in nose. On 3rd d. there was, besides, pain in middle of back betwixt shoulders. {Ibid.)

14, LcK — , woman. Immediately, heat and redness ofcheeks. After 5 m. eructation like pine oil. After i h. tickling and pricking in nose, making her rub it. — ist d. Sour taste, Stool delayed, next d. early and diarrhoeic. — No t}m< given. She staggers. Pressure in eyelids as if sleepy. Some earache. {Ibid.)

1. fCoRNERiN, woman. — istd. Very tired all d., gasps for breath, felt as though bhc should faint. {Ibid,)

1 6. Ld — , woman. — No time given. Jerking here and there in abdomen. Menses 4 or 5 d. too soon, with forcing from navel downwards and drawing in limbs ; on the next occasion also they came too soon, and were irregular. Painful drawing here and there in thighs.

1. Ldin. — istd. Slight oppression In scrobiculus. Transient palpitation. Jerking drawing in arms, and sometimes boring out in elbow. Slight rigor followed by heat, m. and e. Agreeable warmth of hands and feet, e. (Ibid. )

2. LiNKE — , man. — ist d. He is as if intoxicated, and staggers, — No time given. Almost irresistible desire to sleep. (Ihid.)

3. Ml — , woman. Immediately, pain in forehead. After ^ h. pressure in head betwixt vertex and occiput. Shooting in throat, making her hawk. Griping in umbilical region, relieved by pressure. After 4 h. presssing-in on r. side of chest infcriorly, it then ran up to throat and mouth, into which bitter water flowed, with dry cough. After I h. headache when stooping, pressure from vertex to forehod. Constriction in r. upper abdomen when walking. After 24 h. dry feeling in fauces and choana towards front, with desire to swallow but no thirst. — ist d. Much urging but little urine passed, n. Sleeps restlessly n. — and d. Dry feeling in mouth, but it feels slimy, especially n. i at same time thirst, the palate feels floury and the nose dry. Two thin stools in i d. (in a child act. 6). Sleeps restlessly, m. — 3rd d. After drinking cold water peculiar jerks in molar, and cheek becomes red. [Ibid.)

4. Or — , woman. Immediately, heat rises up to crown, with feeling of constriction and pressing-in on top of head. After 18 h. tension round r. eye, especially in lower lid, as though she could not open it, and pressure in eye \ must contract the eye, when it seems to her as if she could expand it. — 1st d. Tension and dryness of lids. Discharge of fetid flatus. — No time given. Thinner stool than usual. Menses delayed 2 or 3 d., preceded by pain in sacrum as if a piece of wood lying crosswise were forced out, with headache on top of head, exhaustion, pressure on stomach, with watering of mouth and pain in liver \ the blood was darker and thicker, and after drying more gluey than usual. At the time when the menses were due there was only a slimy discharge. Dazed, as if intoxicated and sleepy. {Ibid.)

5. Os — , man. After 24 h. stool so hard that it can only pass through rectum with a great effort, and on doing so caused pricking as from needles there, painful contraction in rectum and anus during and after stool. — No time given. Increased hunger, with navel and belly very distended. [Ibid.)

6. ScHM — , man. Immediately, very much increased appetite. (Ibid.)

7. ScHULz, man. — ist d. Contrary to habit, several loose and easy stools in i d. (Ibid.)

8. Sh — , man. — No time given. Pressure and drawing in spermatic cord from above downwards, where the testicle had had a squeese some years previously. (Ibid.)

9. SsG — , man. After i. h. throbbing in 1. calf as though he had \

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burst a blood-vessel, for 20 m. After 2 h. on r. side not far from navel, confined to a small spot, contractive pain, a kind of pinching. — ist d. Oppression in chest, as if he had lard in windpipe which hindered the

from

lasted 8

ind

i^trating, c. m open pressure in abdomen, especially above bladder, as though diarrhcca would ensue, e. Next d. stool passed with greater difficulty than usual. Sore feeling in trachea with cough. — No time given. Pressive pain in sinciput with stupefaction ; it sometimes closed the eyelids and he yawned. Teeth feel blunt and soft. Dry feeling in mouth, in tongue, and in nose, without thirst. Clean tongue, with sensation of dryness in it and in nose. Fomenting sensation in muscles of upper arm. Drawing pains in muscular parts of limbs, worst when at rest, several d. Anxiety and tendency to tremble of whole body, Laxness of limbs, especially arms, and pressure here and there, weariness. {Ibid.)

1. biv — , man. Immediately, shooting outwards in temples, in jerks and soon ending. Soon, transient pressure and shooting pain in 1. temple. Pressure in stomach and burning there, rising upwards. Transient pain in upper and inner part of thigh, as though he had fallen on it, aggravated by movement. — ist d. Sometimes grave, sometimes disposed to laugh. Variable humour, at Hrst he is inclined to do something, but when it comes to the point he changes his mind. Quite contrary to usual, everything makes him laugh, which is particularly noticeable as he is in the open air. He stood sull in the street, made silly gesticulations, occasionally sunk in the completest absence of mind, and on collecting himself, everything that was around him appeared ridiculous \ at same time he looked stupid and childish, like a fool \ rather better in-doors. Loss of thought, like an intoxicated state, and absence of mind. He speaks little, confused images present themselves to his mind, he must always make an eft'ort when he wishes to speak. A violent pressing forwards in head towards forehead, which feels pressed out and twice as big ; at same time giddiness as after a debauch, and stageering. To the finger, it feels like a part asleep or as if covered with leather. Very great dryness in mouth, the saliva feels like cotton wool. Such great dryness in throat that he cannot swallow a bit of apple. Great want of thirst. Increased appetite for several d. At noon very ravenous hunger; he ate hurriedly, and although he had pressure in stomach, he would like always to cat. Dislike to tobacco. Pressure and distress in abdomen, as before hiirniorrhoidal flux. Feeling as if he had eaten too much and abdomen was over-distended. Pressing from both sides of abdomen towards scrobiculus, such as he used to have before hemorrhoidal flux, n. Stool less easily passed than usual. Has inclination for coitus, though genitals are lax. Feeling of cold in head, sneezing. Oppression on chest and congestion to heart. Hands cold and as if frozen, and when he came into the room he felt a kind of thrilling under nails. Painful weariness in lower limbs as though he had walked a great distance, the dorsum of feet pain as if a hard body had fallen on them, but the pain grows less above the ankles \ though treading increases the pain in the feet, he must constantly trample about on account of restlessness in legs. Great drowsiness and at same time much disposed

vol. HI.

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to laugh. Ri^or coming from loins, when he took down his trousers to go to stool. Cold feeling in feet with hot hands. — 2nd d. The feeling of dryness in mouth, lips, and throat continues. L. nostril feels colder, not dry or stopped up, but feels as if he could not breathe through it. The dry cough becomes loose, and he expectorates much mucus. Thrilling in all toes as if they were frozen, especially where the proximal phalanx joins the foot ; it extends over soles to heel, which pain as if excoriated, in all positions, and renewed by treading (also in 5 d.). — 3rd d. Frequent violent sneezing, m. Hoarseness. Raw pain in chest from coughing. — 4th d. Elevations the size of a millet seed where the frenum of the tongue is connected with m.m. of mouth, especially on 1. side ; they are bright red, shining, with sore pain, several together. In lumbar muscles pain as if he had been well beaten. State as if, after profusely sweating, he had got chilled, nape and bones are all painful, and there is pressing out at forehead. — 5th d. Drawing pain in Hesh at border of r. lower jaw. Velum and fauces slightly reddened ; their blood-vessels injected, with raw feeling. — No timt given. Dazedness and loss of thought, and when he rouses himself with an effort he has first to collect himself. On account of dryness and roughness in eyes he can hardly open and shut them. Dryness of eyes. Teeth begin to grumble as if they would become painful. When eating bread tenderness of teeth. Tongue feels dry on touching it. Blue spots on skin. Though previously greatly given to sweat, the skin is now always dry. (Ibid.)

1. Ww — , man. — 2nd d. Coughs up some blood, sometimes mixed with mucus, sometimes pure, with stitches in chest, [Ibid.)

2. No name of prover. Immediately, scraping, scratchy dry feeling in throat. Rumbling in bones. Intoxicated feeling in head, it is painful, and she was so sleepy she could not sit down without falling asleep. After 1 h. dryness in mouth, throat, and tongue, with fulness in stomach and anorexia. After 20 h. urine scanty or very saturated. On waking, m., some sudden spasmodic stitches in heart with slight colic. — 1st d. Without actual thirst, and though the tongue is not really dry, she has such a dry feeling in mouth and tongue that it seems to adhere to palate ; she feels as though she had eaten salt herring, e. Tongue and buccal cavity covered with white mucus, but yet dry feeling in throat and much thirst. Cutting in mid-belly, with monitions of flatulence and diarrhoea ; pain in temples, e. Chest in front pains as if beaten, especially during inspiration and when there is flatulent colic, e. — 2nd d. After looking out of window in m., there came a pain in 1. lower anterior molars, which spread thence to a r. molar where it pressed outwards ; recurred on washing and on getting a chili, e. Pain in front of cheek like a weight, and accompanied by oppression, impeding inspiration, e. — 3rd d. During inspiration, sudden pain around chest in region of diaphragm, a.m. — 4th d. Violent pain in r. check-bone, n. Feeling of weight in chest, impeding inspiration, e. While lying, when he suddenly moved r. lower limb, violent cramp in calf, relieved by pressing foot against something. — No time given. He never executes what he undertakes, but remains standing in one place without thought ; he seems quite different to those

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about him. Shooting pain in r. temple, frequentiy for several d. On both sides of tongue where the salivary ducts open a disagreeable, almost painful, pressivc sensation. Stool soft but passed with diffi* culty, with feeling of fulness and distension of abdomen ; several d. Want of desire for coitus, which is attended with little pleasure. Though there is some sexual desire, the erections are feeble and short. Sneezing. Scraping and tickling in r. side of chest superiorly, causing cough, m. Oppression of chest coming from pit of stomach. Out of breath after eating. Pain in sacrum and weariness of lower limbs as if he had had a blow on sacrum and calves. Pain in back when driving. Great weariness, his knees feel as if he had had a long walk, accompanied by drowsiness ; speaking even is too much for him. Sleepy, dreamy state, eyes close. Great sensitiveness to cold air. (Ibid.)

1. Hering, from chewing wild nutmeg* at 10 a.m. For a long time had burning externally on lower lip. After 3 m. pain in I. and upper part of forehead (organ of wit). After 4 m. violent pain in r. middle finger, as if in bone. After 5 m. the pain in forehead goes to over 1. eye, is of gnawing pressive character (in organ of locality). Limbs affected, especially thighs, superiorly and externally. For i h. pains in various spots J. side of top of head and over forehead, slight toothache on 1. side. After \ h. pain in 1. upper arm near middle, as from severe pressure by a hand grasping it. For several h. pains in 1. side of sinciput superiorly, and in 1. upper arm. Before i p.m. burning externally on I, side of lower lip. Slight burning in stomach ajid empty feeling. On crossing legs the r. feels congested, and then the 1. thigh feels as if going CO sleep, like congestion of blood, prickling, &c. At 1 p.m. very acute pain in I. forearm externally and near elbow in radial region, in the flesh of all the muscles and in the bones a kind of pressive gnawing, lasting till 3 p.m. In afternoon headache on r. side, and next m. a kind of pressure on a small spot on r. side of top of forehead. Headache all afternoon and e. ; very cross, unable to work, very lively on walking out. (Horn, F'jfrteljahrschrifi^ x, 90.)

2. Mr. — took to dr. of tinct. for 2 d. Fifteen m. after each

^dose repeated shooting in abdomen about level of umbilicus, from r. to

I. On 4th d. same symptoms without repetition of dose. After

further doses, painless diarrhoea all d. (Berridge, U. S, Med, Inv.j

1875, p. 101.)

II. Poisonings, — I. A nobleman, act. 36, of good temperament and excellent health, having felt for some d. a little Batulent colic, to ease this ate 4 nutmegs (weighing together about 2 oz.), drinking some beer the while. He had scarcely finished when he was seized with great heat, violent pain in head, vertigo, and delirium, and forthwith became deprived of speech, sight, and all senses. He was put to bed, where he remained 2 d. and 2 n., his body overpowered with lassitude, always drowsy, but nevertheless unable to sleep. 1 was called on the 3rd d.; 1 found the symptoms 1 have just reported j he was in the state known as coma'vigii ; pulse was feeble and intermittent. Under nervine stimulants he had on the 4th d. come somewhat tmt of his lethargic state, but he had entirely lost all memory of his past life. A continued fever

• Called by him " var. Sphcnocarpa," by Alien '* Myristica latua, Hoiitt."

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supervenedi accompanied by obstinate sleeplessness ; palpitation followed, and at length paralysis of all limbs. After 8 d. he recovered his reason, and said that during the first 12 h. of his illness it seemed as if a thick veil were before his eyes, and that a multitude of sparks continually issued from them. The symptoms now gradually went off, and after 3 mos. his health was completely re-established. (Schmidius, Eph. Nat. Cur.^ dec. ii, an. 2> obs. 120. 1683.)

1. A person by mistake cook 51] or a little more of powdered nutmeg. He felt it warm in his stomach, without any uneasiness, but m about an h. he was seized with a drowsiness, which gradually increased to a complete stupor and insensibility, and nut long after he was found fallen from his chair, lying on the floor of his chamber, in the state mentioned. Being laid abed he fell asleep, but waking a little from time to time, he was quite delirious j and he thus continued, alternately sleeping and delirious, for several h. By degrees, however, both these symptoms gradually diminished, so that in about 6 h. from the time of taking the nutmeg he was pretty well recovered from both. Although he still complained of headache and some drowsiness, he slept naturally and quietly through the following n., and next d. was quite in his ordinary health. (Cullen, Alat, Med,^ ii, 204. 1780.)

2. A shoemaker, troubled for 8 d. with diarrhcea, took a whole nutmeg, powdered, on bread and butter. The n. was quiet, and the diarrhoea ceased, but on waking next m. he found that he could not appreciate distances, his workshop appeared so far off that he felt he could never reach it. His whole body felt heavy, his head muddled and quite hot ; he could not find words to express his thoughts. He returned to bed, and drank an infusion of elderberries in rum. Such aggravation ensued that his physician found him unconscious, with protruding red eyes, open mouth, rattling breathing, pale fiicc, and contracted pulse. Copious bleeding and antiphlogistic purgatives restored him. (Thdmen, Bol. med. Ziit.^ ^'^11-)

3. I took a broken nutmeg and put it into my pocket, and in the course of 6 h, had eaten half of it. Soon after 1 felt a dizziness and an unaccountable derangement of intellect, transient loss of memory^ but perfect consciousness of all that 1 said or did. I became remarkably loquacious, and seemed to be neither in this world nor in the other; felt happy and free from any pain j was truly in an indescribable state. My friends were greatly alarmed, and the doctor was sent for in great haste; bleeding was proposed, but I was unwilling to submit to it. After keeping them laughing and crying till about 11 p.m.,, 1 retired to bed without anything having been done for me. I awoke in the m. as well as usual. [Communication to Portiand ■/fdvertlsgr(^Aho\it) 1840 ; from Hering, Alat. Med,^ vol. i.)

4. a. A man took about a teaspoonful of mace, eating it in small bits between 1 1 a.m. and 1 2.30 p.m. At latter time, he writes, ^^ I felt a pain on the crown of the head, extending over a space about the size of a penny piece, also slight nausea in stomach as if 1 had been smoking inordinately. 1 walked home, and dined about 3. 1 still felt the pain slightly, and also the nausea, with slight giddiness. On rising from dinner 1 felt the blood rush to my head, but the feeling was as if an

electric current had passed from the crown of the head downwards. I got mechanically downstairs, and then felt the same sensation which I suppose a person would experience who had become nearly insensible from extreme cold, and as if, should I yield to its influence, I could have slept away out of existence without pain. I felt this sensation twice. I walked about in the back yard to endeavour to drive away these extraordinary feelings, but in a few m. a cold shiver came upon me. I returned to the house, and lay down on a sofa near the fire. From that time I felt every variety of heat and cold from their respective extremes. At every time the blood went from and returned to my head the current changed the sensation, sometimes feeling myself very hot, and then very cold. I felt at one time such a pressure in the head that it appeared as if all the blood in the body had rushed to obtain possession of that region, and I thought I could hear it gushing in my cars. These symptoms gradually became weaker. Some brandy was then administered. The effect of this upon mc was as if I had been electrified from the roof of the mouth downwards in a straight line, current dying off towards the feet ; it then seemed to diffuse itself over the whole body, as if I had hold of slightly galvanised wires, apparently working in antagonistic directions, out of tune and jarring with each other. The state of the mind was, I should suppose, similar to that of the opium-eater, entertaining no apprehension of the result, though aware of the presence of some danger. The pulse during the several paroxysms was very varied, from 70 to more than too. During the attacks I felt every nerve in my teeth, but no pain."

l>. The reporter adds : — '* Pr:ecordial anxiety was remarkable. The feet were cold, and required artificial heat j head throbbed, eyes looked injected, and countenance acquired a singular expression, while the words patient employed to express his sensations were the very opposite of what should have been used. His temporal arteries beat strongly for several h. The persistence of the intellectual disturbance was remarkable ; for on the 3rd d. the excited state of the sensorium had not quite disappeared, so that he even then felt himself unable to attend to his office books. His thoughts hardly submitted themselves to his control unless by a consciously great effort." (Watson, Lond. Mid. GrfZ., 1848, i, 260.)

but in good health, ate 2 asleep. On awaking he

1. A man, a;t, 25, or nervous temp., nutmegs about 9 p.m. In 15 m. he was

experienced the following symptoms : — Head seemed bulky, and rolled round almost uncontrollably, was obliged to bring to its support one or both hands, while sitting at a table ; intense frontal headache, with tense and painful sensation in scalp j eyes felt enlarged, with intolerance of light, while objects seemed to float before vision ; lids drooped, and could only be fully opened by use of hands ; buzzing in ears ; paralysis of organs of deglutition, making it difficult to swallow saliva \ nausea, with shuddering aversion to food, vomiting, foul taste in mouth ; pressure in pit of stomach ; constriction about waist and abdomen, so persistent and distressing that hands are placed on side to try and relieve it by lateral pressure ; a most distressing urgent want of breath and painful feeling of oppression upon chest, to relieve which he would

straighten up, when rush of blood to head occurred, obscuring sight ; quivering of heart or violent palpitation, — the organ labouring under fearful embarrassment; pulse intermitting, intervals between pulsations being so protracted as to excite fears of impending dissolution ; nape of neck tremendously constricted, all bodily energy lapsing into passive suppleness in the grasp of the unseen giant ; arms and legs felt sorish, large, and heavy; great languor and drowsiness, with no desire to move, felt unwieldy like a mass of metal ; chilliness. Went to bed, and slept profoundly. In m. was several times called before he could rouse ; could not account for his strange feelings on waking, but was painfully conscious of some powerful influence exerting itself upon his system ; started for office through a park, but to retain footing was obliged to catch hold of trees and fence, turned home, went to bed, and did not get about again for 2 or 3 d. (M. M. Dowler, from Hering.)

1. A woman, set. 30, in order to check a too profuse menstruation grated 2 nutmegs into a half-pint of boiling water, and began taking the "tea" about 8 — 9 a.m., stirring before sipping. She continued this during m., being unusually lively, laughing, and bright ; but about I she began to feel giddy and light in her head, chilly and cold all over. She stopped taking mixture at 2, symptoms gradually increasing in severity, with loss of memory, thought uncontrollable, objects would vanish for an instant, and at times she would lose consciousness alike momentarily, though it seemed to be for \ h. Sickness at stomach, but no vomiting. About 4, feeling as if blood were rushing to heart, thence to head, then all over body, then again to heart, and so on (the extreme coldness and the other previous symptoms being still present). The alternate paleness and redness of the surface, indicating this disturbance of circulation, was distinctly visible. About 5 she complained of sensation as if heart was grasped, with sharp cutting pain in cardiac region. At 5.30 I found her sitting up in bed, tossing from side to side. Surface cold and blue ; deep blue semicircles under eyes ; hippocratic countenance ; pulse almost imperceptible ; skin cold over whole body. She complained of feeling faint, with lightness, giddiness, and emptiness of head. She answered promptly and correctly all questions put to her, but had great fear of death. Under stimulants and a mustard foot-bath she promptly recovered. (Roberts, Hahu. Monthly^ iii, 530.)

2. I ate 2 nutmegs between 8 and 9 a.m. In about an h. I felt somewhat elated, light-headed, and bewildered ; this feeling kept increasing ; my mouth and throat felt very dry and I seemed to choke with thirst. I kept on at my desk till 11.30, when I went to dinner. I ate it mechanically ; my wife noticed that I acted very strangely, but was not alarmed. After dinner I returned to business, all the previous symptoms becoming intensified. My head seemed to be v»hirling round, my eyes starting from my head ; I felt that my legs and feet were getting numb, and on trying to write I found my hands almost useless. I now began to feel alarmed, and a little before 2 started for home. Twice I thought I should fall down ; by sheer strength of will I reached my house. By this time my breath was coming in long gasps ; my blood seemed dried up ; ears and lips were white ; knees

+23

knocked together i hands had lost all power; tongue clave to roof of mouth ; and I thought my end had come. After taking two doses of salts and sennii 1 felt a little better, but my whole body seemed benumbed and dried up. I was in bed all next d. and do not think I fully recovered from the attack for 2 weeks. (Med. Counselor, Sept., 1880.)

g. Airs. G — , set. 24, was confined about 10 d. since. She made a rapid recovery ; but as there was some lochial discharge still, a friend advised her to take some nutmeg. She took nearly a whole one about 9 a.m., and soon experienced a severe burning sensation in lips, mouth and throat. About i p.m. she felt strangely over the whole system, with almost irresistible desire for sleep, much jactitation of muscles, vertigo and pain in frontal region, with great confusion of ideas. I was called to see her at 4 ; found her sitting in a chair, her husband rubbing her extremities, which felt numb; there were momentary paroxysms of blindness, when she would grasp her head saying how strange it felt i there was great incoherency in attempting to explain her ideas 1 marked muscular erethism, especially of extremities, simulating chorea ; many ridiculous or extravagant acts and expressions, while she seemed perfectly conscious, and at the next moment would appear chagrined at her conduct, saying she could not control her actions ; disposition to laugh or jest at everything ; changeable humour, one moment laughing, the next crying ; once stupid look for a moment ; great dryness of lips, mouth and throat, without thirst ; strong inclination to sleep, without the ability. Next. d. there was pain in lumbar region and considerable prostration ; but as camphor was used rather freely as an antidote, the prostration may in part have depended upon that. In 3 or 4 d. she had fully recovered, (C, L. Hart, Jm, y, of Horn. Mat, Me4.^ iv, 5.)

1. a. A woman, at. 30, 5 mos. gone in pregnancy, having a leucorrhceal discharge, was advised to take a nutmeg. She grated one upon an egg and a little sugar, and got through the whole between II a.m. and 5 p.m. During e. she had dulness of senses and loss of voluntary power and control. The upper lids were swollen, red round their edges, and drooping; she looked as if she had been crying. Her hand seemed to her red, covered with red spots, and enlarged. Indistinct sight. At 3 a.m. Dr. H. N. Martin was called to her, and learned above facts. She was suffering now with labour-like pains, having sensation as if something had fallen against rectum, causing desire and frequent efforts for stool, which came abundantly in a semifluid state. Mouth was dry without thirst. All these symptoms were relieved in an h. by a dose of nux vomica.

A. Patient subsequently gave further account of her sensations. *' From the time I commenced taking the nutmeg, my mouth and lips were very dry, but 1 had no desire for drink. There was frequent micturition of pale clear urine in small quantity, with constant desire to pass it. There was also rectal prolapsus. My head felt full and dilated, without pain ; I was foolishly mirthful, but could not speak, had no desire to do so, 1 never felt so famished in my life, could scarcely control my appetite or indeed myself. Everything seemed to

me too large, my hands double their size. There was a dark mist before the eyes, which felt as they looked. There was a sensation as if a string was tightly drawn round my arms, and all the blood kept in my hands, which felt full and numb. I felt myself entirely without energy, nothing could excite me. Stools were at first very dark and hard, then watery, then pappy. I walked about all e. with my husband, and trembled and swayed about while going.'* (Hahn, Monthly, 1870,63.)

1. July 20th, 1881,1 had to see Mrs. S — ,whom I found suffering from the effects of a dose of nutmeg, which she had taken for the relief of a severe colic accompanied by diarrhoea. She had often taken a similar dose without ill effects. Her usual method had been to grate up a small, thoroughly dried nutmeg, adding a little sugar and some brandy. Upon this occasion she had no brandy, and used water instead. The nutmeg was larger than usual, and not so dry. She took half the mixture at lO a.m., and the other half 15 m. later. The quantity of nutmeg taken was equal to a large teaspoonful. In about 10 m. after taking the second dose her "head commenced to feel queer ;*' this was followed by great dizziness. In a few m. a sense of swelling ensued, until her " head felt as large as all outdoors." At this time she became utterly unable to reply to any questions, although her eyes were open and she apparently understood everything transpiring around her. Her pupils were markedly dilated j eyes staring into vacancy \ face ashy pale i respirations laboured and shallow. When spoken to loudly she could be awakened from this semiconscious state, and would endeavour to reply, but would immediately lapse into her former semi-comatose condition. At first her pulse was small and rapid^ but during this unconscious period it became irregular, fuller, and exceedingly weak. Mustard and warm water were given, and a free emesis obtained. A few drops of the spirit of camphor were administered as an antidote, under which she regained consciousness. Afterwards digitalis was prescribed, on account of the weak pulse. At 3 p.m. she had so far recovered from the poisoning as to give a clear account of her sensations. When consciousness first returned she kept her hands to her head. This, she said, was to prevent her head from dropping off; was also obliged to use her hands to move the head^ it being too large and heavy for her body. The explanation she gave of the superficial breathing was, that her chest felt as if it were in a vice which allowed it to expand only to a very limited extent. A strange mental condition remained some days ; this was an inability to use words properly. Frequently she would be obliged to stop in the middle of a sentence and change it entirely, because she could not think of the appropriate words which she wished to use. The patient was also very irritable and nervous. No new symptoms appeared after those primarily developed. There was no subsequent difficulty with the digestive tract, or with the function of menstruation. (A. P. Williamson,^. T. Med, Times^ Jan., 1882.)

2. About an h. after a mid-day dinner I set out for a country walk of some six or seven miles ; it was during this that bv dint of perseverance I succeeded in consuming a whole nutmeg. I more than once

thought of desisting on account of a nauseous feeling it created. It was about 10 p.m. the same d. when the first unpleasant symptoms manifested themselves by a gradual coldness and faintness ; these sensations came and went several times, and although I did not faint I felt the power of breathing was leaving me. I got to bed quickly and slept well, but on waking in the m. and attempting to dress, 1 found I was weaker than I anticipated, and every now and again a tendency to faint came on and compelled me to pause, I succeeded in walking to Dr. — , about half a mile from my rooms, and told him what I had done, and he immediately said — '* It is nutmeg poisoning." I felt the faintness coming on whilst with him, for which he gave me a dose of camphor. These attacks diminished in strength, but continued for a year, occurring at no regular period. Another feature was that the abdomen felt as though full of wind but unable to relieve itself, and "the heart seemed to beat in a vacuum ; it also had a numb cold feeling and as if it dripped sometimes j at times its action seemed suspended. There was a tendency to drowsiness and loss of energy. After eating the nutmeg I felt sick but rejected nothing. (Communicated, When patient saw me, some little time later, he mentioned also that objects seemed gradually to diminish in size as he looked at them. — R. H.)

1. MissM, R — , act, 24, tall, spare, nervous temperament. During the latter part of March, 1H72, and while menstruating, partook freely of several nutmegs to lessen the flow. At 2 p.m. on the 22nd March, she ate an entire nutmeg. Between 3 and 4 p.m. same d. ate a second. An h. later, having eaten another, she began to feel faint and discontinued eating. 5.30 p.m., inability to open eyes ; lids felt heavy and stiff; both eyes bloodshot and much swollen j looked bewildered, but visional time good. Later, objects looked misty. She now made an attempt to walk, but upon standing became very dizzy; she walked to the table and partook of her usual supper (bread, butter, meat, and fried potatoes). On going upstairs she felt weak and numb in her limbs with sensation as though she were floating through the air ; was seized, while ascending, with much feelmg of weight and oppression in the stomach. On lying down she quickly passed into a deep slumber, was very restless, and tossed about much for about half an hour. Calling her name roused her ; she heard the first summons and answered reluctantly, but could not thoroughly arouse herself, and was petulant and irritable when roused. Sleep was irresistible. The thought of a contemplated journey was uppermost in her mind, and f^hc asked to be taken to the train, but at once said she *^ could not JO, she felt too ill." Finally, her sister succeeded in awaking her ; she then went downstairs ; mouth and tongue now pasty and dry, having a velvety and spongy feeling. Tongue felt stiff, she could not articulate distinctly. On taking a seat the head dropped forwards, and could only be raised by a strong effort. Countenance now presented a silly look ; occasionally she would give a diabolical grin ; mind still running on her journey. 8 p.m., speech rather difficult ; tongue rolled in mouth like one intoxicated ; ideas confused ; eyes very dull and heavy ; indescribable feeling of languor over whole body ; felt especially bad about head ; while upright and walking could hold head erect, but

when sitting it dropped ; looked pale and distressed ; eyes bloodshot and swollen, so that she could scarcely see. Had much difficulty in getting into bed ; on lying down a sinking sensation as though she were going to die, with no fear, however, and free from pain. Felt happy and unconcerned ; sensation not complete j faculties undisturbed save in the expression of her ideas ; knew all that was going on ; later on ideas muddled ; tongue thick, with coldness commencing in lower ]imbs. Soon after g o'clock felt chilly, almost shivering, several chil's followed with intervals of freedom of several m. between. Conscious during chills, but in intervals a desire to sleep ; the movements of those around her prevented sleep ; hands were very cold ; rubbing made her petulant ; people moving in room annoyed her greatly. Both upper and lower limbs continued dead and numb until noon next d. Dr. von Tagen found following condition between lo and ii p.m. : Patient lying on back, breathing slow and heavy,apparently unconscious, not answering to her name when called loudly ; limbs rigid, hands clasped across breast and firmly clenched. Attempt to separate hands brought on convulsions (clonic spasms) \ jaws firmly closed ; was able to swallow after inhaling chloroform 5 then fell into deep sleep j on awaking, same spasmodic condition ensued. While under chloroform breathing natural, 18 per m. J pulse soft, regular, 78 per m. ; during spasms pulse small, feeble, and rapid, scarcely countable ; resp. 10 per m, ; eyes red, watering profusely, and pupils dilated. Lids could not be opened to inspect pupils during the spasms. Expression of face denoted much suffering -, much grinding of teeth and laceration of tongue j froth and blood escaped from the mouth. The auricular, epicranial, and palpebral groups of muscles seemed involved. About i a.m. symptoms of opisthotonos appeared, remaining only as long as the effect of the ana; thetic was withdrawn. Patient passed water during n. involuntarily while under spasms. Stomach very much distended. Skin in parts of body mottled and appeared bluish. Menses had ceased entirely ; womb and ovaries tumefied and much swollen ; considerable tenderness over both ovaries, especially 1., ever since. There was much retching during n., but fruitless efforts to vomit. The condition described lasted all n., lessening in severity towards m. About 9 o'clock next m. appeared to be sinking. She lay completely relaxed, almost pulseless, and breathing almost inaudibly. (Stimulants were then resorted to instead of chloroform.) 10 a.m , after more chloroform, swooned away, and for 20 m, lay as if dead. Patient began to arouse, and at once vomited a pint of green bilious fluid containing particles of undigested food and of nutmeg. From this time recovery dates. Towards noon slept lightly and fitfully, easily roused. Very sore, as if beaten ; severe headache ; weak and prostrate j deathly sickness on raising head from pillow. A year later there still remained considerable irritability about the pelvic viscera, especially at the monthly periods, when the ovaries and womb were much swollen and tender on pressure; also frequent micturition and bearing-down pains — a sort of strangury accompanies the last few drops of water. Another sequence is impaired digestion ; after each meal sense of weight over epigastrium, with empty eructations, preceded by and relieving a feeling as of a lumi

4*7

I I

the throat. Attacks of palpitation to which she was subject have been worse since the poisoning. On awaking in m. dryness of back of mouth and of throat, without thirst ; saliva thick and pasty. Starting in sleep continues, like electric shocks, with dreams and nightmare. Dreams of falling from high places and of being pursued by persons seeking to harm her. Trembling and weakness of lower limbs, especially going up or down stairs ; ea<ii]y startled, causing palpitation ; more or less constant desire to take a deep breath, which she cannot accomplish. (M Jmer. Journ. of Horn. ^ Feb., 1873, p. 315.)

1. A young lady took an ounce of finely ground nutmeg in half a pint of whiskey on going to bed. She went to sleep, but was awakened in n. with precordial anxiety and burning in the epigastrium. She rapidly grew worse, thought she was dying, and sank into a semiconscious condition, in which Dr. Howard found her at 8 a.m. Her pulse was 130, respiration oppressed, face ashy, and eyes sunken. She seemed to understand what was said to her, and would begin to reply, but forgot what she was saying in the middle. Complete loss of memory lasted several d. ; it seemed too much trouble tu follow a connected train of thought- Voices of persons in the room sounded far away ; words spoken seemed as if spoken a long time before ; objects appeared multiplied, and the extra images of different sizes. Her head felt much too large, and she had a sensation as if the head were being drawn backwards. Did nut dare to sleep for fear she should die \ sensation of brain constantly whirling round. Throbbing in every part of the body ; in '-^the ovaries " this feeling lasted a week. She lost all feeling all over the body, except the head. When she moved even the eyelids she had a sensation like " electric shocks ** all over, but when she did move she was surprised to find how much power she had. She found the numbness was relieved if anyone touched her. Next d. she complained of cutting pain in both ovarian regions, and a dull pain in the small of the back \ her stomach felt empty, but she could eat nothing; bowels moved freely ; urine profuse and smelling of nutmeg J profuse, greenish, acrid Icucorrhoea. Subsequently bowels costive, preceded by ciamps in abdomen. Stool small and narrow, lack of expulsive power ; dysphagia, food seemed to stop in oesophagus. She had a sensation as if someone were scraping her back between the shoulders. Always when sleeping, d. or n,, she had troublesome dreams of sexual excitement, and awoke weak and exhausted, with a swollen sensation in the ovaries. She was aftecled with stammering, which was unusual with her. All these symptoms gradually yielded to treatment, but the menstrual function was not established for some time. (The dose was taken to bring on the delayed menses.) (Hahn. Monthly Feb., 1880, p. 105.)

2. A porter in the employment of Messrs, Boericke and Tafel had diarrhoea for several d,, when he grated a whole nutmeg and took it in 80up at 6.30 a.m. The diarrhcra was checked, but at 9 a.m. he had nausea, great weariness, and sleepiness j eyes were dull, face pale; h« looked very ill. Could hardly reach his home, on account of terrible pains in both shins from knees to ankles. This pain increased so much p.m. that he could hardly walk across the room, .it felt '^ as though

the bone had been smashed to pieces." Next d. the pain was somewhat relieved, and it gradually went off. (Tafel, in Hering.)

III. Experiments on animals. — I. The volatile oil of nutmegs is a strong poison. Six drachms killed a middle-sized rabbit in 13! h. ; 5ij killed a strong rabbit in 5 d. ; 5J killed a small rabbit in about 30 h, ; 5J injected into stomach of a full-grown rabbit made it sick and ill for several d., after which it recovered. P.M. — In stomach was found extravasation of blood and formation of blood-vesicles on mucous membrane, which was partially softened and devoid of blood, without being inflamed in the adjacent parts. Interior of duodenum was much divested of epithelium and filled with mucus. In the first experiment (with 5vj) stomach and jejunum were injected with blood. The most important symptoms of poisoning were — frequent and powerful pulsation of heart; slight acceleration of breathing j at first restlessness, afterwards muscular weakness ; little or no diminution of sensibility ; evacuation of hard faeces ; ejection of a peculiarly smelling sanguineous urine after the smaller doses, but no diuresis. Later^ decrease of strength and of pulsation of heart ; difficult breathing; diminished heat in external parts ; death without convulsions. (Pharm, Journ, and Trans.y x, 350.)

Volume IV — Appendix

(See vol. iii, p. 4.1 1.)

. 16. One m. I received an urgent message to attend a farmer s country, who had been taken very ill during the n. On 'rival I found him lying on a sofa, with his knees drawn up, in a azed condition, crying out, '* Oh my head ! " His wife informed lat he had gone to bed the previous n. quite well, and had slept :ill about 6 a.m. When he attempted to get out of bed he found IS giddy and could not stand, had great pain in head, and could istmguish objects round him. He could now be roused to answer ions when sharply spoken to, and told me that he had great pain in ead and great thirst ; that his mouth and tongue were parched ; bat he had great numbness of the limbs. He was quite unable to

Pulse was 70, regular } temp, normal j pupils somewhat cond, acting to light and accommodation ; tongue clean, dry ; heart- Is normal. His wife now told me that the previous e., for boils s neck, she had grated up a whole nutmeg and given it him in

I administered calomel, followed by castor oil; and next m. [ him quite well but for a little headacne. (Bentlif, Brit. Mtd. «., Dec. 21, 1889.) 7. a. A patient ate one nutmeg as a cure for diarrhoea, and all

d. was stupid, giddv, and very drowsy. The symptoms passed ith use of castor oil and strong cofFee.

A middle-aged woman took a nutmeg, scraped and mixed with rater, for arrested menstruation. Two h. after taking it she was i with extreme thirst, giddiness, and prostration ; but to her the painful effect was, in spite of the prostration, an intolerable restas, causing her to tramp up and down the room almost inces- Yy holding on to the various articles of furniture for support ; there lIso *' tightness of the chest," obliging her to loosen her dress, symptoms continued (in spite of an emetic, strong cofFee, and sal ile) more or less all e. and n., and then passed off completely.

A young lady, one e. about 7, ate a whole nutmeg, being fond of Shortly afterwards, feeling sleepy, which she ascribed to having up the greater part of the previous n. at a ball, she went to bed, lept very heavily till late next m., when she was with some trouble ed. She got up and dressed, but had no appetite for breakfast, elt very drowsy, and vomited slightly several times. When I saw bout 10.30 a.m., vomiting had stopped, her face was pale, and she inable to raise her eyelids ; she did not complain of any giddiness, of great drowsiness and disinclination for exertion. The sym- 8 quickly passed off under the use of strong coflee, cold douching, air, and ammonia.

. I was called one e., about 10, to see Mrs. £. M — . I found her )laining of giddiness, faintness, and disturbed vision. Pulse was

e, skin cold and clammy, pupils dilated ; no pain anywhere. I told she had taken the whole of a medium-sized nutmeg, scraped id steeped in gin, as an emmenagogue. An emetic brought away

66o

2 large quantity of the nutmeg, and heat with stimulants restored th« circulation. Next m. patient was well but for a feeling of lassitude {Ibid., May 14 and 28, 1887.)