Sanguinaria canadensis

Volume IV — Main text

SANGUINARIA.

StugKH^ria amadnsh, L. Blood'root, red-root, puccoon. Nat. Ord., Papavtracea.

I. Provings, — I. a. Dr. Downey took, 2 h. after breakfast, 20 gr. of fresh root. 10 m., burning in stomach ; 25 m., considerable nausea, which recurred at intervals for an h., &ce very pale with it (40 m.). Pulse was 76 before experiment; 10 m., 78, full and strong; 15 m., 80; 20 m., 84 ; 25 m., 86, very irregular and not so full ; 35 m., 87. It then fell gradually, varying in character according to nausea, till in 80 m. it was 72 ; 90 m., 74.

b. Same took 8 gr. of the "saponaceous or extractive matter." 20 m., slight nausea ; 40 m. disposition to vomit, short-lasting ; 50 m., nausea nearly gone. Pulse, 76 before experiment, after 20 m. was 79, diminished in fulness and force ; 30 m., same, very small ; 50 m., 81, considerably fuller. It thence fell, showing only a little irregularity, till at 75 m. it had reached its initial point.

c. Same took 8 gr. of resin. No symptoms. Pulse, 74 before ex-

periment, rose to 77 in 20 m., and was a little fuller. After 30 m. it declined again.

d. Same took 8 gr. of leaves made into pills. 15 m., warmth at stomach. 25 m., fulness of head, with slight vertigo. 30 m., wrim cold, and profuse sweat on forehead. 40 m., slight nausea. 55 m,, slight involuntary motion of muscles ; still fulness of head and vertigo, which in 80 m. merged into dull headache, with extreme languor, pain lusting some h. Pulse rose from 76 to 84. in 40 m., and was then small ; it fell in 45 m, more to starting-point.

e. Same took 4 gr, of aqueous extract. 25 m., pleasant warmth at stomach ; slight involuntary motion of muscles. 75 m., dull pain directly over eyes ; extreme languor, 95 m., disagreeable sensation at stomach, which continued for remainder of d. Pulse rose from 76 to 86 in 35 m,,and was then small, but with considerable tension. At 95 m. it was 73, and smaller than usual.

f. Same took 3 doses of a concentrated decoction of seed-vessels and seeds at 20 and 45 m, intervals. 35 m., glow of warmth over body; 50 m., perspired freely ; 70 m., torpor of whole system, with very frequent yawning. He was not entirely free from effects for 2 h. Pulse rose from 76 to 83 in 30 — 35 m., thence sinking ; at 70 m. it was 76, and extremely irregular ; at 90 m. same, nearly as full as usual, but not so strong, and fluctuating. (Allen's Eniyclopadia^\\^if'i^*

1. a. Mr. Young took 23 gr. of powdered root made into pills with honey. 15 m., burning in stomach; pulse very quick, without much fulness. 30 m., great nausea j 35 m., 6 or 7 full vomitings.

b. Same took 8 gr. of aqueous extract. 40 m., much nausea, shortly after relieved by free emesis. In both experiments there was some ardor urinse. {I6id.)

1. Mr. Rees took 8 gr. of alcoholic extract of dry root. No symptoms. Pulse, 80 before experiment, rose to 89 during 65 m. {Ihid.)

2. Mr. Bartram took 8 gr. of gummy extract. No symptoms. Pulse rose from 78 to 83 in 30 — 35 m., thence declining. {Ibid.)

3. Mr. Pre N'DERG AST took 4 gr. of powdered leaves. 15m., slight warmth at stomach. 40 m., great debility. 60 m., slight nausea, continuing several h., slight tremors, and very frequent yawning. Pulse rose from 76 to 82 in 30 m., thence declining. [Jbid.)

4. Mr. WooLTON took 5V doses of decoction. 45 m., vision somewhat affected ; pale face. 55 m,, great languor, with irresistible propensity to yawn, lasting some little time. Pulse, 80 before experiment, at 15 m. was 84, very strong and full ; at 20 m., 87, smaller but tense ; then gradually but variably falling, and at 90 m. 78, nearly of natural fulness, but very irregular. [Ibid.)

5. Dr. Jeanes, after decanting tinct. of root, and preparing ist and 2nd dils., observing that he was affected by the drug, noted the following symptoms : — Nausea, as if vomiting was about to take place, and feeling as diarrhoea would ensue ; slowly shooting pain in 1. ear, forehead, sternum, 1. chest near axilla, and r. chest about 7th rib ; cramp and pain in 1. calf; transitory and slight but peculiar sensation in fauces,

• The next 5 experiments are also reported by Dr. Downey,

as if something acrid had been swallowed. Discharge of flatus, and then of faeces, abated nausea, &c. ; but there followed prickling sensation in tongue and roof of mouth ; pain in one or more incisor teeth and in a decayed molar, — in latter slowly shooting and thrilling, passing off as a "grumbling pain." {Mat. Med. of Amer. Provings.)

1. Dr. HusEMANN gave to J. H — (woman) and F. H — (man) some globules of 6th dil. in e. and following m.

a. J. H — on waking in m. had crawling feeling at tip of tongue and acrid sensation extending over whole tongue ; rheumatic pain came on in r. shoulder, worse in forenoon, when she had retained arm long in same position, drawing down into elbow. Next m. woke with pain in carious tooth of r. upper jaw and in r. forehead extending to ear ; toothache aggravated by cold or hot drink, but relieved by warm. She had frequent hacking cough while eating and when lying down at n. for several d. } and on 7th d. menses, right to time, were much more copious than usual, and with them there was pain in r. forehead and head with feeling as if eyes (especially r.) would press out of head.

i. F. H — felt prickling at tip of tongue 15 m. after dose. Next m., on waking (earlier than usual), feeling of dryness and rawness, as after acrid things, extending from r. side of tongue over whole organ ; two stools during d". ; in e., while walking in open air, sense of extreme weakness in lower extremities ; transient pressive pain in r. forehead, only when standing still, and therewith pain deep in 1. ear. Next m. and the following, pain in a lower r. carious molar after cold drink ; in afternoons pain in forepart of head as from fulness ; pressure on head at vertex, disappearing while walking ; drawing in calves into instep, worse in r. than in 1. ; pain in top of r. shoulder. On 2nd d. great weakness in lower limbs, and pain in loins, relieved by bending forward. On 3rd d. he remarked that by drawing tips of fingers lightly over r. cheek, crackling was felt in ear of that side (it was not so with the 1.) ; about 2 p.m. feeling in eyes as if exposed to acrid vapour ; hiccup while smoking ; very weak in lower limbs while walking ; sticking on 1. side of tongue ; heat in throat, inspiration of cold air pleasant and alleviating (e.) ; boring pain above in forepart of head ; p.m., hot burning streaming from r. clavicle and axilla towards hepatic region. On 4th d. stiffness and drawing in bend and sides of knees } acute stitches in r. breast, in region of nipple. On ist d. soft stool, later d. rather costive. The 8tb d., p.m., twisting pain above 1. groin at mid-point, worse while sitting, standing, or bending to r. side, increased by pressure, better whilst walking erect; after a time pain went from this spot round to 1. hip, and then upwards to back on short ribs. iJbU.)

1. Dr. Bute proved ist dil., manner unknown. Extreme moroseness. Vertigo, with singing in ears (immediately) ; confused and dull feeling in head, relieved by flatulent eructation (soon) ; heaviness of brain ; determination of blood to head, with whizzing in ears, and transitory feeling of heat, then sensation as if vomiting was about to take place, instead of which followed slight cutting-drawings in abdomen, and then a stool ; dull pain in head } headache while lying down ; — , with chill i — f beating, worse from stooping and motion ; — , beat-

3°

ing,with vomiting of bitter water ; — , with nausea and chill, then flying heat from head to stomach, lasting 6 h. ; paroxysmal headache in e., with tickling in throat and cough ; sensation as if head were drawn forward ; pain in all upper part of head ; severe, quick, darting pain in r. forehead and temple at 5 p.m., lasting about 5 m., repeated at 7, and at 1 1 sudden pain through forehead like a brief electric shock ; pressive drawing in forehead ; periodic stitches in 1. temple ; pain in vertex ; enlarged veins on head; scalp on one side seems loose; soreness of scalp to touch. Dimness of eyes, p.m., with feeling as if there were hairs in them ; pain and tenderness in r. eye, with burning and profuse lachrymation, soon followed by fluent coryza, with flow of clear water from r. nostril, — two diarrhoeic stools in e., with cessation of all symptoms (5 h.). Pains in ears, with headache ; every stroke of a hammer in a neighbouring blacksmith's shop is painful in r. ear ; beating under cars at irregular intervals, often only two strokes ; beating whizzing in I, car. Fluent coryza, with frequent sneezing; — , watery, acrid, making nose sore ; alternations of fluent and stuffy coryza ; heat in nose ; smell in nose as of roasted onions ; loss of smell and taste. Redness of face ; distension of veins of face, with excessive redness and feeling of stiffness; feeling of fulness in face; violent burning heat and redness of face. Sensation of dryness of lips (in 3 provers) ; stiffness of jaws ; jerking in both maxillary bones, extending towards eyes; looseness of teeth, with salivation ; toothache when picking teeth ; pain in upper teeth ; pain in a hollow tooth, especially when touched by food ; tongue white coated, with loss of appetite ; a piece of sugar-cake tastes bitter, thereupon burning in fauces ; slimy taste in mouth ; in e., pain, with feeling of swelling in throat, worse on r. side, and most perceptible when swallowing ; for i h. feeling in throat as if it were swollen up and would suffocate him, with pain on swallowing, and aphonia (3 h.) i dryness in throat, not relieved by drinking ; burning in oesophagus ; craving for he knows not what, with loss of appetite ; craving for piquant food ; disinclination for butter, which leaves a disagreeable after-taste ; frequent malodorous eructations, with disposition to vomit and paleness of face ; spasmodic eructations ; eructations of gas, followed by tickling in throat, producing cough (immediately) ; regurgitation and disposition to vomit ; extreme nausea with great salivation ; nausea after eating ; — , not relieved by vomiting ; — , on stooping ; '— , periodic, with loss of appetite ; — , long continued, with chill ; qualmish nausea, obliging to vomit, followed by headache, with rheumatic pain and stiffness of limbs and nucha ; vomiting and diarrhoea ; vomiting, with craving to eat in order to quiet the nausea ; soon after eating feeling of emptinesss in stomach ; pressing in stomach ; jerking in region of stomach, as from something alive; great weakness of digestion; severe and continual pain in hypochondria, with vertigo and debility; all n. abdominal pain^ like the menstrual ; paroxysmal pain in abdomen ; in m. colicky pain in upper abdomen, and then diarrhoeic stool ; in n. digging colic, with pain in sacrum ; cramp in abdomen, passing from place to place ; violent pains like thrusts of a knife in abdomen, followed by diarrhoeic stools as thin as water ; beating in abdomen ; repeated ineffectual desire for stool, with sensation as of a thick mass in

rectum ; p.m., frequent pressure for stool, but flatus only passed ; diarrhoeic stools, with great flatulence j single watery stool after severe cutting pain in bowels (i h.) ; 5 natural stools in a d. ; food passes undigested in stool. Frequent micturition, also at n. ; abdominal pains, as if menses would appear; menses a week too early, with black blood. Dry cough woke him from sleep, and did not cease till he sat up and discharged flatus upwards and downwards; cough, slight or hacking ; pressive pain in chest and back ; simple pain in thorax ; sharp stitches in r. chest ; stitches from 1. chest to shoulder ; stitches in 1. short ribs on moving and turning body ; nipples sore and painful ; severe soreness under r. nipple, aggravated by touching ; stitches in both breasts. Pain in 1. nucha ; soreness of nucha to touch ; burning in soles and palms ; pain in both shoulders ; violent pain in 1. shoulder, e., on every motion ; sudden rheumatic pains in shoulder-joint ; rheumatic pains in arms and hands ; — , in r. forearm and 1. foot, e. ; redness of hands and severe burning ; violent pain, as from a boil, in r. palm close to index ; numb pain in ball of r. thumb ; pain as from a boil at root of r. thumb-nail, then in 1., and from these to all fingers in succession J rheumatic pain in r. ring-finger just above 2nd joint ; cutting pain in 2nd joint of 1. middle finger ; stitches in tip of r. little finger ; pain as from a bruise in 1. hip-joint, while walking, but worse when rising from a seat ; rheumatic pain in 1. hip ; continual stitches under r. outer malleolus as from a bee-sting ; sticking pain in r. ankle ; needlelike stitches in instep, m., in bed, and p.m. coldness of feet. Great weakness ; pain in parts where bones are least covered by flesh, but not in joints, on touching painful spot pain shifted elsewhere ; pulsation through whole body. Sleeplessness at n. ; he wakes atn. with affright, as if he would fall ; dreams of frightful and disagreeable character ; — , of a sea voyage which he had undertaken. £., in bed, chill and shivering in bed ; shaking chill with pain under scapula on motion. {Ibid.^ and N. Archiv, ii, 2, 1x4.*)

1. (No information as to dose, &c.) Great pain on the top of the whole 1. side of head, especially in eye ; some pain in 1. foot. Pressive pain in 1. eye. Pricks in upper eyelid. Great auivering before eyes. Tongue as if scalded. Greasy taste. Violent pain iu r. hand, the whole arm is painful even when lying quiet and warm in bed ; he has also pain in 1. foot, sometimes on the top, sometimes in heel, sometimes in toes. (Freitag, N. Arckiv, loc. cit.)

II. Dr. M. A. Tinker, health good, took, April loth, i866, at 3 p.m., 10 dr. of tinct. of dry root. 30 m., temples feel pressed together, with darting pains in eyeballs. 40 m., sense of constriction across chest, with inclination to breathe deeply, which much increases constriction, and causes tearing pain through breasts, especially r. 45 m., drowsiness, coming on gradually, causing indisposition to move or make any mental exertion ; sharp piercing pain midway between sternum and r. nipple, surfoce feels tender on pressure, i h., head feels dull and inclined to ache in temples, r. most ; sense of weariness and lassitude throughout system, yawning, disposition to lie down. 6 p.m., pain in r. breast, very permanent and increasing, extending to stomach and

• For the references of the symptoms the N. Archiv has been used j for their ren> dering the American version. — Eds.

causing sickening sensation. 9, dull heavy pain at root of nose, with dizzy sensation as from alcohol ; also same feeling of lassitude, inducing her to retire early, iith. — Pain in r. breast has persisted all n., also troublesome dreams and restless tossing about, with painful sighing re< spiration and considerable dyspnoea. 7 a.m., severe aching in temporofrontal region, and dull heavy pain about root of nose, with considerable coryza and stinging sensation in nose ; mouth clammy and feverish ; appetite and taste much impaired ; weight as from indigestion in stomach ; dry cough, with considerable tickling in throat-pit, and crawling sensation extending down beneath sternum ; pains through hips and down r. leg, very severe in ]st joint of r. great toe, like gout. Latter pain lasted 2^ h. i cough became very severe, causing considerable pain beneath upper sternum, with no expectoration, and lasting 2 h. At noon repeated dose. Intense burning pain between breasts, most severe on r. side j feeling of weariness and lassitude all through system ; dull pain at root of nose, with tingling sensation as in coryza; band-like constriction across forehead, just above eyebrows; pressing pains in both temples, with occasional darting pain through head ; head feels dizzy, she cannot turn for fear of falling ; sharp piercing pain inr. breast, just beneath nipple, very difficult to take a deep inspiration, and some dyspnoea; spasmodic constriction directly beneath lower jaw and across throat, very distressing (lasting 2 or 3 h.) ; again sickening pain from r, breast to stomach ; shooting pains through bowels extending to lower extremities ; very severe headache, now tearing, now boring, over and about r. eye, extending to temple ; r. eyeball is very painful, especially on attempting to roll it outward and upward, sight dim, and considerable effort and rubbing of eye is required to see anything distinctly — a feeling somewhat like snow-blindness ; inability to fix mind on any subject ; some feeling as of indigestion ; disposition to yawn and take deep inspirations, which cause intense tearing pain in r. breast (there is also pain in 1. breast, but less severe), it extends downward to stomach and bowels, causing borborygmus, and upward to r, shoulder, making it difficult to lift arm to head ; wandering rheumatic pains through both lower extremities, r. most severe ; dryness in throat, with teasing dry hacking cough ; moderate pain in back of head and neck, gradually extending downwards to region of kidneys, where it is very severe, dull, and heavy. 3 p.m., slight flushes of heat, followed by chills, and in less than an h. face flushed, with fever, hands hot, qualmish feeling with great lassitude and weakness all over ; great increase of heat through r. shoulder and clavicle to r, breast, extending to stomach and bowels, pulse 86, resp. hurried ; pain along inner border of r. scapula, with heat and chills alternating, and extending down to kidneys, where there is great heat and pain, — pain from thence seems to penetrate into r, iliac fossa, then to sigmoid flexure, then down into rectum, where it caused a very peculiar spasmodic pain of the most excruciating intensity for 15 m. ; sharp pain in r. ankle, also in great toe-joint ; rheumatic pain in lower extremities ; sneezing very frequently, with tingling in nares ; throat very dry, with tickling cough ; headache, very severe through whole forepart of head, extending down into cheek-bones (for 2 h.) ; both eyeballs very sore, with frequent sharp piercing pain darting

through them, with dimness of sight. 9 p.m., recurrence more than once of pain through bowels to rectum; severe rheumatic pain in lower extremities, so severe in r. ankle and great toe-joint as to cause serious lameness in walking, — some swelling in toe-joint. 12th. — Very restless all n. ; now (6.30 a.m.) severe headache ; pain in chest, through loins, and in extremities, with very feverish state of system^ severe dyspnoea, sighing respiration — in fact, all the principal symptoms increased, including the weariness and lassitude, so that she is scarcely able to keep on her feet ; mouth foul and breath foetid ; eyes feel very weak, lids smart on closing them tightly, tears start if opened to light, eyeballs tender to touch ; dull heavy pain across kidneys, urine deeper-coloured, and not quite as easily voided ; pulse quick, feeble, and compressible. On taking a little exercise, frontal headache increases, with nausea ; pain very severe in 1. temple, at times like clavus, with violent throb* bing of temporal arteries. After a slight breakfast (eaten without appetite) dull heavy load in stomach as from something quite indigestible. Lassitude and restlessness increased, and she was hardly able to attend to anything ; severe temporo-frontal headache, with soreness and beating ; pain about root of nose, in cheek-bones, in breasts up to r. shoulder, down back (especially severe in loins) and legs to feet. 2 p.m., light chills, followed by hot flushes, for 1 5 — 20 m. (pulse 95), when burning fever set in, with exacerbation of all symptoms ; bursting headache ; painful coryza ; eyeballs paining much on moving them ; tearing burning pain beneath sternum ; very irritable and morose, impatient at least trifle ; severe dyspncea ; head very tender to touch, as also other spots where pain had been severe. 10 p.m., fever subsiding and pains abating ; pulse 65, easily compressed ; very languid, she had taken to bed since fever set in ; urine very high coloured, depositing a reddish sediment ; return at times of the spasmodic distress in rectum; considerable burning in stomach. 13th. — A very restless n., till towards m. perspiration broke out freely, when pains abated. Now (7 a.m.) head aches ; throat feels raw (also mouth), with some dysphagia ; still severe pain in r. arm (including scapula), in loins and down legs ; head dizzy at times ; vertigo and faintness on rising quickly from stooping posture or turning head suddenly. lO a.m., ^intness ; no desire for food ; less depressed. 12.30 p.m., mouth and throat still very sensitive, making it quite difficult to masticate ; desire to take deep inspirations continues, with the tearing pain in r. chest ; . pulse 75; moving scalp still painful, eyeballs very tender to touch; sharp darting pains from temple to temple. Return of fever about 2.30, less severe than yesterday, passing off between 8 and 9.

The drug symptoms now died away one after another during the next few d. ; the fever recurred for 4 or 5 d., subsiding in force, but always about 2 — 3 p.m. ; pain beneath sternum and in r. chest, dyspnoea, inclination for deep breathing, and dry hacking cough, were most persistent. {Trans, of Amtr. Inst, of Hom.^ 1870, p. 408.)

II. Poisonings. — i. Four persons took "a good drink" at a demijohn of tinct. of S., supposing it to be brandy. They were soon seized with severe racking and burning pains in stomach and bowels, with

VOL. IV. 3

intense thirst i and all died the next d. [yfm. Joum. of Med. Sc.^ 1841, ii, 506.)

1. b. root sometimes powerfully excites the catamenial secretion, and occasionally it has been known to produce uterine haemorrhage. In large doses, it nauseates strongly ; but independently of this effect usually occasions a quickly disused and transient, but very peculiar nervous thrill, which pervades the whole system, and often extends to the furthest extremity. When pushed to an improper extent, it sometimes occasions vomiting, but more frequently burning at stomach, faintness, vertigo, impaired vision, insensibility, coldness, extreme reduction of force and frequency of pulse, with great irregularity of heart's action and often palpitation, great prostration of muscular strength, and sometimes, though rarely, convulsive rigidity of limbs. In a few instances neuralgic pains have been produced in various parts of the system, and sometimes a violent but transient gastrodynia. In full emetic doses it speedily excites vomiting, but without producing much nausea or depression of strength ; if pushed, however, in this capacity, it occasions great anxiety, and the above-mentioned symptoms of narcosis. (TuLLY, Best. Med. and Surg. Journ,^ vi, 246.)

Note. — For Dr, Filling's proving, sec Appendix,

Sanguinarinuni, alkaloid obtained from Sanguinaria, O^H'^NO* (said to be identical with the " Chclcrythrin " of Chelidonium).

1. Proving!. — I. a. I have repeatedly witnessed all the effects of S. root, save the neuralgic pains and the convulsive affections, from the use of tartrate of sanguinarine. In large doses at once, or large quantities in the 24 h., it produces vertigo, dilatation of pupils, appearance of a cloud before the sight, staring and protrusion of eyes, peculiar haggard expression of countenance, nausea, epigastric uneasiness, coldness of surface, particularly of extremities, cold sweats, irregularity and diminished frequency of pulse. From a single large dose, these symptoms begin in course of 4 h., and disappear entirely in about 3 h,

i>. After trying various doses, Dr. Terry took 3j at once, with production of all the preceding symptoms. The mydriasis was very great, the strongest sunlight being incapable of producing the least contraction. While effects were at their maximum pulse was prcternaturally full and flowing, without bounding, hardness, or any sign of irritation. About 20 h. after, stool passed in which there was a very unusual quantity of bright yellow bile. (TuLLV, he. cit.)

1. In doses of gr. -j^ — i, S. acts simply as an "expectorant," without disturbing the stomach. In those of gr. J — ^ every 2 h., it produces nausea and sometimes vomiting. In those of gr. ^ in solution every 10 m., it almost uniformly causes vomiting after second or third dose. In those of gr, g— f every 3 h., continued for 2 d. or more, it generally reduces pulse by 5 — 15 beats per m. (Thomas, Proc. of Amer. Med. Assoc, 1863, p, 2ig.)

2. J. H. W — proved nitrate of S., in 3X trit. He is 44, stout, and usually healthy. Dec. I2th, 1877, at 10 a.m. took a grain dry on tongue, which caused bitter taste and acrid burning. In 15 m. observed water trickling from r. nostril. Pain was soon felt in r. eyeball.

a sore aching, extending to supra-orbital region, then across forehead and to root of nose ; watery mucus flowed freely from both nostrils, attended by violent sneezing every few m., with profuse lachrymation, dimness of sight as if he looked through gauze or mist, redness and soreness of inner corners of eyes, which feel swollen, tears flowed over cheek. In 4 h. secretions of nose, eyes, mouth and throat had considerably increased. Heat and burning of these parts (without thirst) was very marked. 2.30 p.m., repeated dcse, with same local effects, which passed off in 15 — 20 m. There was increased flow of mucus and saliva, with sneezing and burning pain in forehead and root of nose, aching and soreness of Eyeballs, increased lachrymation ; pain became more severe on I. side of head, and there was slight aching, with soreness, all over head and scalp. 3-30, obstruction of nostrils, with soreness, roughness and rawness of r. tonsil, which became painful and caused dysphagia, obstruction of Eustachian tube, difficulty in distinguishing sounds, roaring in r. ear. 9, took a third dose. This time affection of nostrils and eyes seemed continuous with the local effects of the drug. Mucus from nose thicker, having sweetish taste and yellow colour i throat very uncomfortable. Retired at lO and slept poorly ; restless from feverishness and irritable condition ; nothing but a red and irritable spot visible in throat. In m. raised great quantities of thick, yellow, sweet-tasting mucus ; this continued all d., as did sorethroat, but latter was better towards e. In 6 d. all symptoms had disappeared. (Owens, Trans, of Amer. Inst, of Hom,^ 1878, p. 248.)

1. S. G. W — , a healthy woman of 23, took i gr. of same a t 10 a.m. In | h. burning in both nostrils, with watery secretion from them } pain in 1. eyeball extending above orbit and to I. side of head } drawing in 1. temple. In 2 h. watery discharge from nose had increased, attended with sneezing, burning had extended into forehead and probably frontal sinuses ; eyes were suffused with tears, which flowed down r. cheek ; redness of lids and conjunctiva. At 2 p.m. repeated dose, which was followed immediately by marked acrid effect on mouth ; burning in nostrils ; pain in eyeballs as if sore, and aching and pressure in eyes. There was heat and tension behind mid-sternum ; sense of tightness in chest, inducing short hacking cough j she occasionally raises thin frothy mucus, which 'is very tenacious ; burning in CESophagus and stomach. At 6 p.m. took a third dose, and at 10 a fourth. After former, watery coryza was greatly increased, also the burning of the mucous membranes ; borborygmus and pain in abdomen, as if diarrhoea would set in. After last dose there was greater sense of dryness ; cough became harsh, leaving soreness and rawness in throat and chest, with scraping raw sensation in pharynx ; eructation of putrid flatus, though she had eaten nothing since m. She passed urine nearly every h. during n. ; by m. quantity was found to be 28 oz., and a whitish sediment was deposited. There was also during n. frequent borborygmus with sharp cutting pain, as if stool or flatus would pass. As soon as she began to move in m. she raised a quantity of thick, yellow, sweetish-tasting mucus; this continued all d., with great apparent dryness of nose and throat. For 8 d. more there was free dis-

charge of same mucus from nose and air^passages, and slight dizziness therewith. (IhU.)

1. Dr. Owens (who personally observed the above), xt. 55, stout and healthy, inhaled an extremely minute quantity of the finely-pow. dered nitrate. It caused all the catarrhal symptoms experienced by the previous provers, with the aching in eyeballs and 1. side of head, in him associated with stiffness in muscles of 1. neck and shoulder, as if from exposure to cold or damp. This was in Feb., 1878. In Nov., 1877, he proved 3X trit. like the others, taking 1 gr. three times a d. Eftects were identical, and did not extend beyond head and upper airpassages, save that after tst n. urine showed a bright yellow sediment. {Ibid.)

III. Experiments on animals. — i. a. Dr. R. M. Smith found the most marked feature in poisoning bv S. to be complete prostration and adynamia, usually preceded by a state of excitement, in which occur clonic convulsions. In cold-blooded animals a small dose produces first hurried breathing and mydriasis ; breathing then becomes slower, and convulsions usually occur, or a spasmodic rigidity of all the limbs takes their place. After a large dose the animal may pass into collapse imme* diately. On opening chest, heart is found either at rest in systole or beating feebly ; it responds fully to electricity, but other muscles are more strongly irritable, save near point where poison was injected, where contractility is almost lost. Autopsy shows no lesion but venous congestion. In warm-blooded animals collapse always occurs sooner or later. Hypodermic injection causes local irritation and muscular inco-ordination. If thrown into stomach, the poison causes nausea and vomiting, and in some even where it is given hypodermically cmesis is produced. Profuse and long-continued salivation is a constant symptom. P.M. examination reveals no lesion but venous congestion and entire abolition of intestinal (peristalsis. Pupils are dilated.

b. Dr. Smith now made numerous experiments with a view to ascertain the meaning of these and other phenomena. He arrives at the following conclusions: — (i) S. destroys life through paralysis of the respiratory centre ; (2) its clonic convulsions are of spinal origin ; (3) it has no effect on motor or sensory nerves ; (4) its adynamia and prostration result from its depressing action on the spinal ganglia and the muscles ; (5) it decreases reflex excitability through irritation of SetschenofTs centre, and by ultimate paralysis (from large doses) of the spinal ganglia ; (6) it produces in mammalia fall of pulse and bloodpressure — with latter preceded by temporary rise if small doses are given, such fall being due to paralysis (after, it may be, primary irritatationj of the vaso-motor centre and of the heart itself, probably of its muscular tissue ; (7) it slows respiration by prolonging pause after expiration, and this from loss of tonus of respiratory centre (here again small doses show primarily opposite effects) ; (8) it always dilates pupils and lowers temp. ; (9) it diminishes muscular contractility when introduced into circulation, and completely paralyses striped muscular fibre when applied locally. [Land. Med. Record^ '879, p. 1 1.)