Copaiva officinalis

Volume II — Main text

COPAIVA .

Oleo-resin of Copaifera multijuga, Hayne. Nat. Ord., Leguminosa. I. Provings.-1 . HAHNEMANN (from a solution of the balsam in spirit ; no other information given.) Continual micturition. Scanty urine, passed guttatim. Burning in urethra between acts of micturition. Throbbing pain in urethra unconnected with micturition, urethral orifice open, swollen, inflamed. Pain at urethral orifice, as from a wound. Purulent blennorrhagia. Fever recurring for several d.; in forenoon, rigor and coldness, in afternoon, general heat, with thirst for water. Whitish diarrhea, chiefly in m. between rigors ; with cutting pains in belly, compelling bending forwards, before and between stools, preceded by constrictive pain as ifin medullary cavity of femur. Between febrile rigors also pain in dorsum of foot, while at rest after movement. Involuntary diarrhea. Metrorrhagia. ( Fragmenta de Viribus.) 2. TESTE.-" This pathogenesis is the result of two distinct experiments, instituted at two years' interval on myself and seven or eight persons besides, ofboth sexes. Each experiment lasted several weeks. The drug was taken in drop-doses of the 6th, by myself and some of my fellow-provers m. and e., by others more irregularly." a. Mind, &c.-Depression with anxious sadness; in m., immediately afterwaking, deep sadness, passing offduring exercise, but returning in e.; excessive sensitiveness ofwhole nervous system, so that least noise causes starting and irritates ; attack of weeping (in a young girl, on hearing sound ofpiano); periodical attacks of sadness andtears, p.m.,withcold extremities and flushes ofheat in face ; quarrelsome, irascible, gloomy, intolerable temper for a week, with vascular excitement, heat of head, and trembling of hands on meeting with least contrariety; absurd recriminations about trifling things that had happened a longtime ago; dislike to society ; insurmountable aversion to one's usual occupations. Complete inability to perform any mental labour ; head is empty and ideas are confused; dull pain at forehead when struggling against this irritability; deficient memory, causing impatience and gloomy depression of spirits ; anxiety about health. b. Head.-Passing attacks of vertigo; headache in m.; every step he takes jars his head for h., but feeling then goes off though he continues walking; pulsative, deep-seated stitches at occiput; dull pain at occiput; lancinating pressure, proceed. ing from r. occipital protuberance; stitches at 1. occipital protuberance, with occasional shocks in whole head, only in m.; 1. hemicrania, with boring pain, sense of

coldness in affected part, weeping and constant moaning, for 3 d. (in man of 22, disposed to hypochondria, after 3 doses) ; pressure at forehead; heaviness of head and especially of occipital region,-relievedby external pressure ; pulsative stitches at vertex, not synchronous with pulse; stitches intemples andbehind ears ; tearing pain in temporal regions, especially 1., relieved by gentle pressure; bruised pain in r. temple, e. and n.,becoming intolerable when affected part is pressed against pillow; sudden stitches in both temples, while washing face with cold water; sensitiveness ofscalp and even ofhair; falling of hair. c. Eyes. Formication incanthi,e.; redness ofl. eye; passing obscuration ofsight ; black points hovering before eyes; objects look paler with 1. thanwith r. eye ; con. traction ofpupils ; sensitiveness ofeyes to light ; involuntarycontraction oforbicularis, m.; spasm in r. upper lid, several times in d.,with slight pressive pain in eyes ; agglutination of lids in m. d. Ears. After 3 d. stitches in l. ear all n. obliging patient to cry out, followed some d. later by discharge of a little purulent matter from meatus; buzzing or humming in ears ; formication in ears ; excessive sensitiveness of hearing, especially to sharp sounds. e. Face.-Pale and sickly look ; bloating ; heat in m. on waking ; transient tearing in 1. cheek. f. Mouth and Throat.-Sensitiveness without appreciable swelling of parotid, but bruised pain and evident swelling of submaxillary glands; teeth on edge, or feeling elongated; gnawing and throbbing incarious tooth, worse from cold; sense ofcoldness in teeth ; teeth seem less firm in their sockets; dryness of mouth,especially atn. and in m.; flow of saliva in e., at n. and in m.; every now and then sudden profuse flow of sweetish saliva; foul breath in m.; tongue has whitish coating, greenish at base ; redness with smarting of sides and tip of tongue ; excoriative pain ingums, palate, and pharynx; tenacious phlegm in mouth and throat, which is constantly reproduced; sense as of a foreign body in pharynx; swelling of both tonsils (espe. cially r.) ; troublesome pressure in pharynx; constriction of throat; bitter taste in mouth. g. Stomach. -Thirst and diminishedappetite; excessive hunger for first 2 d., then loss ofappetite ; unwontedhunger ine.whenonpointof retiring; akind of fainting at stomach, without any real appetite; every article offood seems too salt; rush of bloodtohead andface during or after meal ; hiccough or eructations after eating ; sour or foul eructations ; flashes of heat in face, heat and sweat in palms with anxiety and general malaise after eating; beating at pit of stomach, followed by palpitation and clouding ofhead onleaving table after eating; pressure at pit ofstomach, even before breakfast; burning pain at stomach ; paroxysmal stitches in stomach ; spasms at stomach ; nausea in m. h. Abdomen.-Pressive pain in region of liver whichbecomes pulsative from time totime; whole epigastric region istense andpainful to touch ; stitches in hypochondria ; noisy borborygmi ; pinching coldness in abdomen; swelling; beating or pressure as from stone in hypogastrium; very fetid flatus. -Violent cutting pains followed by two diarrheic stools, i. Rectum and Stools. immediately after cup of café au lait; pressure on rectum,causing constant urging to stool; several soft stools every d. , especially in m., followed by general prostration diarrhœa in m.; violent diarrhea, 15 stools in n., with spasms at stomach, coldness ofextremities and cramps in calves ; whitish fæcal stools of sour smell, with discharge ofascarides; stools at first dry andformed, later diarrhœic ; stools like sheep's dung; insufficient stools ; no stools for 5 d.; stitches or spasms in rectum; burning itching at anus ; constant oozing from anus of serous or even purulent liquid. j. UrinaryOrgans.-Pressure ordullpain inbladder; frequent unsuccessful urging tomicturate; unpleasant itching at tip ofglans. k. Genital Organs.-Constant sexual excitement during whole time of proving; mucous discharge from urethra; profuse milky discharge, which, however, stops of itselfafter 3 d. though drug is continued; dull,heavy pain in testicles; swelling of 1. testicle, which is very sensitive to touch; same in inguinal glands. Constant pressure on uterus, as if prolapsus would set in; pulling pains in suspensory ligaments of uterus; deep stitches in vagina and neck ofwomb ; spasms of uterus; beatings in r. ovarian region when standing ; milky leucorrhea; acrid leucorrhea, excoriating vulva;heat and red spots on vulva; itching at vulva ; menses too early by 3, 7, or το

d.; menses appear on regular d.,but are pale and much less abundant than usual ; menses reappear after ceasing for several d. DIuring menses,-sadness in m., depression,pains in loins ; great nervousness; tightness at larynx, hoarseness in m., dry cough m.and n.; stomach-ache ; rheumatic pain in l. hip and knee, and uterine spasms ; cold feet and knees . 1. Respiratory organs.-Stuffing of nose for 2 d., only in m.; frequent sneezing ; fluent coryza with headache, pressive pain at rootofnose,and itchingin eyes ; dryness and roughness in larynx ; hoarseness in m.; excoriative pain in larynx, especially in attempting to emit higher notesof voice; cough excited by tickling in larynx, trachea, and bronchi ; dry cough m. and e.; rough cough with difficult expectoration of greenish mucus ; cough with profuse whitish expectoration, sometimes saltish, sometimes flat and nauseous ; heat in chest; stitches in r. chest; acute stitches in 1. axilla, penetrating into chest; sense of fulness atchest, compelling frequent sighing; laboured breathing while digging in garden ; pressure at sternum; stitches between shoulders , impeding breathing. m. Circulatory Organs.-Palpitation,during work ; pulsation here and there. n. Back and Limbs.-Rheumatic pain at nape and 1. neck; dull pain like spasms inlumbar region; stiffness in back, disappearing when walking ; burning pain in dorsal spine ; axillary glands sensitive to contact; stitches in 1. scapula; acute pain in 1. shoulder-joint ; numbness of arm on which one is lying at n.; pulling in forearms ; stiffness in fingers; cold hands; trembling of hands ; crampy pains in both hips, worse in r.; bruised pain in r. hip while lying on it ; bruised pain in r. thigh when walking, and when touching it ; dull paininknees; cracking inknees whenstretching legs; numbness of legs when sitting; pain as if sprained in feet, very troublesome when first commencing to walk, but which walking causes to disappear ; swelling of feet; icy coldness offeet from m. tillnoon ; twitching of limbs duringrest; intolerable uneasiness in lower limbs ; pulling in all muscles, especially in e.and at n.; trembling of extremities . 0. Skin.-Small, red, slightly itching pimples on upper part of forehead, and on scalp above ears, and at occiput ; small furfuraceous tetter at concha of 1. ear, with burning pain only when touched; itching of cheeks here and there, on eyebrows, and on chin; small, white, miliary vesicles on a red ground, at 1. wing and tip of nose ; yellowish spots of size of sixpence, of irregular shapes, and slightly itching, on r. cheek, m. ande.; red humid tetter (after 8 d.) on upper lip, which is swollen and painful when touched ; heat at skin of scrotum, redness and slight dampness between scrotum and thigh ; superficial excoriation at glans and prepuce; boil on pubes ; red spots, slightly itching, on sternum and r. axilla; red itching spot on 1. arm. p. Sleep. Drowsiness in daytime ; restless sleep at n.; coldness of feet, knees, and thighs at n.; frightful or lascivious dreams ; frequent waking; wakes early, and is unable to fall asleep again ; sour-smelling sweat at n.; profuse inodorous sweat in m. q. Miscellaneous.-Excessive sensitiveness todamp and cold ; paroxysms ofspasms and other hysteric symptoms. (Mat. Med., sub voce.)

1. June 18th, 4 p.m., 10 dr. of C.; 7 p.m., 20 dr. ; 9.30 p.m., 20 dr.-19th, 7 a.m., 20 dr.; 7 p.m., 30 dr. 8.30 p.m., urine increased in quantity, smelt strongly of C., frothy, dark yellow, strongly acid.- 20th, 8.30 a.m., 30 dr. ; 7 p.m., 40 dr. Urine as yesterday. 9 p.m., severe aching in r. elbow.joint, last n. it was in r. shoulder.-21st, 9 a.m., 40 dr.; 4 p.m., 40 dr. Urine as yesterday. When walking, severe pain in r. ankle-joint.-22nd, 8 a.m., 40 dr.; 1 and 3 p.m., diarrhea ; 10 p.m., 40dr. In bed, severe pain in 1. wrist.-23rd, 8 a.m., 40 dr.-24th, 8 a.m., 40 dr. When walking, aching in knee. 2 and 10 p.m., 40 dr. At n., frequent micturition, much clear urine. -25th, 8 a.m., 40 dr. At 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., liquid stool ; 8 p.m., without pain.-26th and 27th. No pains,constipation.-28th, 9 p.m. , 50 dr.-29th, 8 a.m., 50 dr. Severe pain anteriorly in r. ankle-joint, when walking and when at rest. 10 p.m., 50 dr. Frequent urging to urinate, even immediately after passing urine, lasting several h., at

same time persistent tickling in glans ; the same at II p.m. in bed. Constipation.-30th, 8 a.m., between 60 and 70 dr. Two stools, drawing in urethra.-July 1st, 7.30 a.m., 70 dr.; 9 a.m., liquid stool, also at noon . 4 p.m., 70 dr.;; 10 p.m. , liquid stool.-2nd, 7 a.m. , no pain ; no urging tourinate. Increased discharge of mucus from rectum. Several small stools and all d. urging to stool. 10 p.m. , 70 dr. At n., vomited 4 times.-3rd, 8 a.m. , copious loose stool, also in e.-4th . Loose stools m. and e.-5th . At noon and several times during d., loose stools. The following d., normal stools m. and e. After every dose, frequent eructation with odour of C. In all 2 oz. of C. were taken. (LEMBKE, N. Z. f. h. Kl., xi, 161.) 4. WEICKART took Ziss of the " Mistura copaibæ," containing about 20 gr., 3 h. after a full meal. The urine passed after45 m. gave no precipitate or turbidity with nitric acid, but some passed after 1 h. 20 m. became opalescent on addition of either nitric or acetic acid. The same reaction occurred with that passed 2 h. after, but not with the next instalment, passed 9 h. after taking drug. He subsequently took Ziij of mixture 2 h. after a full meal. Urine passed after 20, 40, and 60 m. gave no reaction, but a turbidity was produced in that passed I h. 25 m. after taking dose, and the precipitate was abundant in that discharged 50 m. later. Twelve h. after taking medicine, urine became only faintly opalescent on addition of acid, and it was not further noted. (Guy's Hosp. Reports, 1876, p. 1.) 5. a. BERNATZIK took 18 grm. of the oil in 3 doses during 12 h. It caused acceleration of only a few beats per m. in pulse and rise of a fraction of a degree in the temp., with-after a time-violent gastric and intestinal disturbance, characterised by vomiting and purging. Complete strangury was not produced, but there was some difficulty in passing the urine, which caused decided burning in the urethra. b. Inhis experiments with the balsam,B- exhibited 15 grms. inside of 5 h. It acted as an emeto-cathartic, causing a great deal of pain and irritation . (H. C. WOOD, op. cit.) 6. KÖNIG, medical student, took at 8 p.m. 2 tablespoonfuls of an emulsion of oz. cop. in 4 oz. vehicle. After each dose increased secretion of saliva and frequent eructations. Next d., 8 a.m., 2 tablespoonfuls. Between 11 and 12 a.m., rumbling and flatulence in bowels, with feeling as if bellyache were coming on, soon going off. 4 p.m., 2 tablespoonfuls. After I h., griping, inclination to vomit, 2 liquid fæcal stools in 2 h. Fæces and urine smelt of cop., the urine was more copious and more frequently passed, with slight itching and smarting in urethra before and after micturition, but not lasting long. On 3rd d., 7 a.m., 2 tablespoonfuls. After h.,great inclination to vomit and colic ; this went off after perspiration. No appetite all d. 2 p.m., 2 liquid stools in rapid succession. 7 p.m., a firmer stool. ( WIBMER, ii, 184. ) II. Poisonings. A patient affected with gonorrhea, after the inflammatory stage had passed, took 3ss of cop. Next m. the discharge had stopped, but all over body and even on face large wheals appeared like urticaria. At same time constipation and some fever. The eruption went off after a purgative, on which the discharge reappeared.

The patient again took cop., and had a return of the urticaria. (RÖMHILD, Med. Ztg. v. Ver. f. Heilk. in Preussen, 5th Jahrg., No. 36, p. 181.) 2. A recruit, æt. 20, had gonorrhea, and by advice of his comrades took in 5 or 6 d. about Ziss of cop. The discharge was much diminished, but after 2 d. of malaise there came on with strong rigor, followed by great heat, an eruption consisting of lentil-sized, red, elevated spots, dark in their centres, where they were most elevated. The eruption resembled measles, and was combined with itching and pricking in skin. The fever declined on the 3rd d. The eruption became paler, sharply defined, and remained elevated. After 7 d. the cutaneous surface appeared marbled, spotted, pale bluish-red, and the sharp definition of the several spots was effaced. After 14 d. the eruption had quite disappeared. It left the face before the chest and arms, and lingered longest on the legs. No desquamation. (GROSSHEIM, Ibid., 6th Jahrg., No. 8, p. 36.) 3. A man æt. 20, had been taking 150 dr. daily for gonorrhea. On the 4th d. the discharge diminished considerably, but an eruption came on similar to the above, only that the spots were larger and more elevated in the centre. The 3rd d. the eruption disappeared from the face, the 4th d. from the chest,but it remained on the arms till the 6th d., and on the backs of the hands till the 14th. No desquamation . (Ibid., p. 37.) 4. Lieut. v. X- had been taking 150 dr. of cop. daily for gonorrhea. On the 5th d. the discharge ceased, and 2 d. later, when he had ceased to take the drug, an eruption like nettlerash appeared. It came first on the forehead, then on the backs of the hands, and afterwards on other parts of the body. In 8 h. the eruption was general ; it was attended by burning in skin, slight soreness of throat, and a feeling as if sweat were going to burst out, which it did after patient got into bed. The eruption consisted of discrete elevated red spots and wheals like those caused by bug-bites ; it was confluent onlyon ears and backs of hands. The 6th d. the redness was quite gone, and where the eruption had been the skin was of a brownish yellow, like the so-called liver spots. No desquamation, except on ears, where there was a bran-like desquamation. After 4 weeks the brown spots on the skin could be seen when the patient was in the cold. When the eruption disappeared the gonorrhea returned. (LÖWENHARDT, Ibid., 8th Jahrg. , No. 32, p. 159.) 5. A man affected with gonorrhoea was treated with cop. 3j n. and m. On the 3rd d. thedischarge was gone. On the 4th d. there broke out an eruption resembling variola discreta in its 3rd d. The spots were dark red, slightly elevated ; they reached their height in 12 h., and then declined aud became petechial spots, which spread around and became confluent. There was slight pain and moderate headache. The eruption was gone on the 5th d. (LISLE, Rec. de Mém. de Méd., v. xxiii, p. 108.) 6. A phthisical patient, æt. 40, had taken, on account of profuse expectoration, from Jan. 26th to Feb. 4th, about Ziss cop. with ziss tinct. opii, when an eruption came all over body, resembling roseola,

only the spots were larger and more elevated, some confluent from the first on some parts of chest. On leaving off the medicine the eruption went off in 4 d., and there was very little desquamation. (LANGE, Deutsche Klinik, 1853, No. 36, p. 397.) 7. J. McK ., æt. 22, 3 weeks since contracted a first gonorrhoea, for which he used injections of sulphate of zinc. These arrested the discharge for a time, but it returned, and he began to take the oil of C. May 19th.-He took 2 tablespoonfuls, having taken one on 2 or 3 d. previously. After each dose he vomited a little. On 20th discharge stopped ; he had a rigor, and noticed his face swollen and red. Went to business without taking food. On 21st had great thirst, nausea, vomiting, complete anorexia, restlessness, with increased swelling and redness of face. Arms and legs, and finally body, became red and swollen. When seen I found whole body edematous ; face of dusky yellowish-red colour ; edema worst about eyelids, which could not be opened ; some sticky discharge at margins of eyelids ; surface of skin on face and neck raised rather like measles. This is more observable where raised eruption terminates, next the hair and at lower parts of neck. Over body is a dark red smooth eruption, studded with innumerable points of a deeper colour scattered over surface. Hands and feet somewhat resembled face in appearance. Throat was inflamed, of dusky redness, with edema of uvula ; no difficulty in swallowing. Complained of no pain, but of feeling very ill ; was sick and restless, and had no sleep, tossing about all n. There was no difficulty in passing water, which was rather dark in colour. Intense thirst ; tongue very foul, fur yellowish-white and thick ; bowels not moved for 2 d. Temp. 104° ; pulse 140, small and thready. In e., temp. 103° ; sorepulse 130, stronger ; has felt head going round during d. and slight throat ; penis cædematous ; bowels moved slightly ; otherwise much the same. 23rd.-M. , temp. 101.6° ; pulse 108, stronger. Eyelids canbe opened, showing conjunctivitis, with smarting, and copious, slightly purulent discharge ; small vesicles, like sudamina, with more opaque contents, began to appear last n. over face, hands and feet ; otherwise better. E., temp. 102.2° ; pulse 100 ; increase of vesicular eruption , which is now more general ; urine examined, but nothing abnormal found. 24th.-Edema and vesicles subsiding, save on back of hands, where latter are large and purulent ; photophobia and lachrymation very great ; on looking into eyes slight erosions ofthe conjunctiva seem to have occurred. E., eyes same, tears very smarting ; otherwise improving. 25th.-Has not slept during n. from short dry cough, but all symptoms better. 26th-Still improving ; epidermis desquamating generally ; has scratched it off back of hands, leaving them sore ; eyes well. 27th.-Convalescent He had for savebell., treatment acon., for rhus., desquamation. and merc. corr., with, for first 24 h., 3j of brandy every 2 h. (W. A. KENNEDY, Monthly Hom. Rev., xx, 479.) 8. a. When the dose has been unduly large, it occasions some heat and tenesmus in urinating, as well as a frequent desire to pass water, and even hæmaturia,* and at the same time a feverish excite- * " I saw," says Kraus, " hæmaturia brought on by it, followed by verydangerous

ment of the whole system, fulness and frequency of pulse, headache, and thirst. b. Its cutaneous eruptions were first noted in 1814, by Montégre, who described certain red spots as appearing on the skin whenever the urethral discharge was suspended. Delpech noticed a miliary eruption connected with gastric disturbance. Armstrong also observed itching and an eruption of the skin produced by C. In 1828, Dr. Hewson, of Philadelphia, published a notice of several such cases. In two of them the eruption resembled urticaria, and in two others it had the character of roseola. c. As regards the action ofC. upon the nervous system, it may be stated that Ricord met with cases in which too large a dose, or the untimely administration of the medicine, occasioned alarming symptoms. In one temporary hemiplegia was produced, which ceased upon the occurrence of a rubeoloid eruption ; and in another an attack of convulsions terminated in like manner. Macotri observed a case in which large doses produced rigidity of the muscles of the trunk, and partial paralysis of the facial muscles. (STILLÉ, op. cit.) 9. The effects of C. upon the respiratory tract are shown, according to Ricord, by its producing irritation inthe larynx and the bronchi ; dryness also in the larynx, huskiness in the chest, and dry and painful cough, in connexion with which there is expectoration of a semi-purulent, greenish, and nauseously smelling mucus. ( PHILLIPS, op. cit.) 10. Very serious injury may be done to the gastro-intestinal canal, and to the kidneys, by the use of this agent in too large doses. The author has known gastro-intestinal catarrh topersist many months after a course of the balsam ; and he has reason to believe that desquamative nephritis and fibroid kidney have resulted from its free administration for a lengthened period. (BARTHOLOW, op. cit.) 11. C. F-, æt. 43, July 10th, 1846. Was quite well till 3 weeks ago, when he contracted gonorrhea, for which he took from a druggist a copaivamixture, after a time doubling the doses prescribed. Urethral discharge had in a few d. entirely ceased, when a new train of symptoms set in,-much pain in lumbar region, urine scanty and very high coloured. When he presented himself at the infirmary his legs and thighs were cædematous, besides a little effusion into abdomen. His urine was of a smoky colour, and very albuminous. Hesoon recovered under treatment. No other cause of renal dropsy was traceable. (Med. Times, xix, 144. ) 12. It is now some years since I expressed my belief that the so-called " gonorrheal rheumatism " originates fromthe administration of C.; and I take this opportunity of stating that further experience and observation have confirmed this opinion. I had, last February, under my care a gentleman, æt. 19, of a strumous habit of body, labouring under gonorrhoea, for which he had been ordered aC. mixture, two d. after taking which he was attacked by acute rheumatism in knees and feet, which rendered him a complete cripple. He had been in this miserable state a fortnight when he applied to me. I immeischuria of 36 h. standing, almost instantaneously relieved by a poultice of hyoscyamus over the genital organs " (PEREIRA, op. cit.). VOL . II . 26

diately ordered him to discontinue the C., and substituted the iodide of potassium with sarsaparilla ; he was almost immediately relieved and shortly cured. ( MADDOCK, Lancet, 1838-9, ii, 337. ) 13. S. C , March 28th , 1827, came under treatment with urethritis. Balsam of C. was administered in doses of 15 gradually increased to 35 dr. 3 times a day. April 5th .-Yesterday he suffered anorexia, and afterwards felt nauseated. 6th. This m. on waking he found his head, face, body, arms, hands, legs, feet, and even palms and soles, thickly studded by a bright crimson papular eruption. On the finer portions ofthe skin it is slightly elevated into little prominences, sothat each conecanbe distinctly felt on passing the hand over it. They appear to be numerous, and so thickly set on inflamed bases as to render him quite crimson, and they tingle excessively. This eruption had barely disappeared by the 15th. (JUDD, Urethritis and Syphilis, p. 47.) 14. H. R-, et. 28, took for gonorrhea each d., for 8-10 d., 4 to 6 capsules of C. (= 1 grm. 20-1 grm. 80). Heat, irritation, and erythema of surface supervening, he left it off, but after a time resumed it in same manner. The eruption which now appeared was a modified pemphigus, and was generalized over the whole body, commencing at the flexures of the joints. Where the skin was thin the bullæ aborted, but where it was thicker they were regularly raised and more or less lasting. There was much anasarca of the limbs. The discharge from the patches deprived of their epidermis was excessive, of an offensive odour, and very viscid. After 6 weeks of emollient treatment the pemphigus disappeared in a general desquamation. (HARDY, Moniteur des Hôpitaux, 1869, p. 141.) III. Experiments on animals. -1. According to Mitscherlich, the oil is poisonous to rabbits in doses of zj or more. The symptoms produced by it are hurried breathing and palpitation of the heart, restlessness, frequent micturition, loose alvine discharges, which at length become mucus and blood, and finally death by asthenia. The gastro-intestinal mucous membrane after death does not exhibit inflammation, but only a partial destruction of the epithelium . (STILLÉ, op. cit.)