even in the dose of a table-spoonful every hour, without the slightest functional disturbance being created. Under this treatment the amelioration is generally perceptible on the third or fourth day. If, how ever, the colic, constipation, insomnia or pains persist, the baths, simple or alkaline, purgatives and opium must be repeated, and in case of vomiting, clysters must be used.

In those cases in which the cramps are very severe, in which there is trembling, with or without delirium, and in those in which epilepsy exists, opium must be exhibited in large doses, 4, 6, or 8 grains in 24 hours, and the dose of the persulphate also increased.

In cases of general and local paralysis M. Sandras administered strychnine internally, and externally in the form of ointment. The strychnine thus employed ought to be continued, commencing by the smallest dose, until the patient experiences slight tetanic attacks, of short duration, and having their seat particularly in the paralyzed parts. Such is the basis of the treatment employed by M. Sandras, to which, he affirms, the most inveterate and rebellious cases ultimately yield. He had treated in two years, from July, 1844, to July, 1846, 123 cases, of which only three terminated fatally, and one of these was from an intercurrent pneumonia. 120 recovered entirely; 25 of this number in less than eight days, 26 in less than fifteen days, 17 in less than three weeks, 26 in less than four weeks, 13 in less than five weeks, and 13 in two or three months.

Physiological Action of the Iodide of Potassium.

By M. M. BoyS DE LOURY & COSTILHES. (Gaz. Med. de Paris.) In an article on the therapeutic action of different medicines used at St. Lazare, in the treatment of Syphilis, these gentlemen remark that they have paid particular attention to the effects produced by this article, and that they occur in the following order:

1. Action on the Intestinal Canal.—The first day, the dose being 0.75 gramme, (about 10 grs.) slight pain and heaviness in the large cul de sac of the stomach; the pain 'is, however, not always present; the appetite is usually increased; it is remarkable how soon after the taking of the Iodide, the desire for food arises.

The following days these symptoms diminish or disappear. The second day, the dose being 1.00 gramme, (upwards of 15 grs.) heaviness of the head, colic and diarrhoea.

2. On the Urinary Secretion.-This is more abundant the first day, that is, the patient passes more than he drinks. This symptom is almost constant. The urine is clear, and transparent-the patients

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urinate more by night than by day; sometimes, however, the urine is not increased. In larger doses, 2 to 3 grmes., the urine is sometimes increased in proportion to the increased dose of Iodide; sometimes it remains normal.

3. Eruption. The most frequent is the pustule of acne, which shows itself from the end of the first to the second day. It most frequently occurs on the face; it does not usually last as long as the treatment, that is, it diminishes or disappears in 15 to 20 days. Ecthyma more rarely. Neither papular erythema nor purpura hemorrhagica were observed; in one case an eczema impetiginodes was seen. 4. Pruritus very seldom observed.

5. Conjunctivitis--The conjunctiva was sometimes influenced when the iodide was given in doses of 1 to 2 grms. Both conjuctivas may become inflamed. It principally occurred during the first days of the use of the medicine, and was characterized by general vascularity and chemosis.

6. Menstruation -Although this medicine is spoken of by most authors as an emmenagogue, M. M. B. & C. often remarked a decrease in the quantity of the menstrual fluid. Once the discharge re-appeared a week after the menstrual period; but this may have been only a coincidence.

7. Discharges from the uterine cavity were not perceptibly increased. 8. As invariable and immediate effects, the authors never once missed seeing the decrease or suspension of the pains of the bones after the first or second day of treatment. No other antisyphilitic agent possesses so prompt and constant an action.

9. Salivation. This is a rare symptom in women, it was only seen once. M. Ricord observed it more frequently, perhaps, because he gave the medicine in larger doses. The saliva remained thin, the mucous membrane of the mouth uninflamed and unaltered; the salivary glands not swollen-a true hypersecretion, without peculiar smell. 10. Effects on the Circulation, none.

11. On the Respiration and Bronchi.-Notwithstanding the number of cases submitted to the action of this medicine, the authors never observed any peculiar coryza, characterized by considerable increase of thin mucous secretion without any tendency to pass into a purulent state, nor of bronchitis with sputa which continue stationary, without attaining a purulent character.

12. Accidents produced by the Iodide.-The authors object to giving the Iodide in as large doses as some physicians administer it. M. Biechy relates two cases, in which serious accidents were produced.

In the first, the patient being benefitted by doses of of a grain, gradually increased to 15 grains, thought by doubling the dose to double the advantage received. The three first days he suffered from general uneasiness and intense headache; the fourth day he was affected in his lower limbs, his sight disturbed, and his hearing almost gone; on trying to walk, his legs gave way under him, and his arms had lost all power. Finally, having taken a few steps, he fell unconscious; on coming to himself, he remained in a state of langour and weakness, which did not disappear for several days after the suspension of the medicine. In the second case, death ensued; but it was doubtful if it could be attributed to the Iodide.

Treatment of Placenta Prævia.

(DR. WEST'S Report on Midwifery.)-Seventeen instances have been recorded in the English journals during the past fifteen months, of detachment of the placenta before the birth of the child in cases of placenta prævia. In the case recorded by Dr. Simpson, to whom it had been communicated by Mr. Cripps, the placenta was removed by an ignorant midwife, and ten hours elapsed before the child was born, during which time, however, no hemorrhage took place. In 16 out of the 17 cases the bleeding is said to have ceased immediately on the detachment of the placenta; but Dr. Everitt mentions that, although the flooding abated on the separation of the placenta, it did not entirely cease until after the application of cold externally; and he insists on the fact as proving that in cases of this kind the hemorrhage comes from the uterine as well as the placental ends of the lacerated veins. The life of the mother was preserved in every case but one, and then the previous hemorrhage had been so profuse as almost to exhaust the patient, who died three hours after delivery. All the patients were still-born, except in the case related by Mr. Stickings. [As far as the well-doing of the mother is concerned, the results of these cases must be regarded as favorable; but, on the other hand, the lives of 17 out of 18 children were sacrificed, at least half of whom would probably have been saved by the ordinary practice. In many instances, too, there appears to have been no reason why the child was not turned and extracted first, the os uteri having been well dilated, or yielding and dilatable. In such cases it seems not unfair to assert that the child's life was sacrificed to the desire of performing a new operation. Several of the cases are so loosely worded that little can be gathered from them, while some have either been so carelessly observed, or so incorrectly related, as to render them quite untrustworthy.]-(Lond. Med. Gaz, Mar, 1847.)

PHARMACY.

Adulteration of Medicines.

[CONTINUED FROM NO. 4.]

Camphor. Before speaking of the adulterations of this article, we must refer somewhat to its natural history, and the method of procur ing it. It is the product of the Laurus Camphora, and the Dryobalanops Camphora, both forest trees, and growing to a considerable height in the Islands of Borneo and Sumatra, in the East Indies. Every part of the tree gives out a considerable smell of Camphor, and the wood is much sought after, as a material for chests, drawers, &c. because its peculiarly aromatic smell, renders it impenetrable to ants and other destructive insects. The oldest trees are the best, and the Camphor is found in perpendicular veins, near the centre of the tree, or concreted in the knots of the wood.

The natives at the proper season of the year, cut the trees down, and the trunks and branches are divided into junks from three to four feet in length. These they split into several pieces, and they discover the Camphor in a white concrete form, lying between the fibres of the wood. Having provided themselves with an iron instrument, shaped like a hare's foot, they lightly scrape out from the interstices of the wood the pure concrete, taking care that no part of the wood is removed with it.

This is the best quality of Camphor, and from its expensiveness, is rarely obtained. The concrete Camphor being removed, the natives continue their work with rather more force, and collect all the smaller particles, not being generally solicitous to avoid detaching some of the minute woody substance. This being obtained, they industriously scrape off every part that has a Camphorated smell, which, being reduced to a gross powder, by the process of scraping, exceeds both the others in bulk. It is then refined.

Another species of Laurus, which yields Camphor, grows in Japan, but does not afford the article so plentifully, nor so good as the first. The Camphor is not contained in concrete masses, so that, in order to procure it, distillation must be had recourse to. For this purpose, the roots and extremities of the branches are cut into chips, and suspended in a net, within a sort of still, the bottom of which is covered with water, and the top fitted with an earthen head, containing a quantity of straw. The water is kept boiling for a long time, at the end of

which, the Camphor is found sublimed, and adhering to the surface of the straw, the steam penetrating the net, and carrying the Camphor along with it to the top of the still, where it is deposited on the

straw.

In this state it is imported into Europe, and is impure. It is of a greyish colour, in small grains, contains much dust and foreign subIt is refined before being used.

stances.

For a long time, the Hollanders were the only people who were acquainted with the process of refining, and almost the whole of Europe was tributary to them for this substance. The English and French have become acquainted with the manner of refining the article, and preparing it for themselves. The process consists in uniting 30 or 50 parts of quicklime with the impure Camphor, and submitting the mixture to a new sublimation.

In this process, the lime retains the impurities, and a portion of the Camphor; hence, to extract the latter, the lime is submitted to a strong heat in an iron pot, with a head to it, and the sublimed product refined by a second sublimation.

Camphor, tho' not often adultered, may be imitated artificially; but this is not often practised, on account of its expensivenees. It may be obtained from the oils of rosemary, mint and sage, and also, by passing a stream of Hydro chloric acid gas through Spirits of Turpentine.

Camphor, so obtained, differs from that procured from the Laurus and Dryobalanops Camphora. The latter substance, when submit. ted to the action of Nitric acid, aided by heat, undergoes decomposition, and Camphoric acid is formed. The Camphor obtained from the essential oils, and from the labiated plants, is not dissolved by the Nitric acid, and Camphoric acid is not formed It is therefore questionable, whether this substance is identical with Camphor. Guaiac-Various adulterations are described as being practised on Guaiac "Though, I have found this substance, says Pareira, in the shops of this country of unequal degrees of impurity, I have never had reason to suspect that sophistication had been practised on it." But, it seems that it is sometimes adulterated, and that, with the common article rosin. This adulteration may be practised, as it bears considerable resemblance to that article. Where suspicious are entertained, they would be determined by throwing the suspected article upon lighted coals, when the odour of the rosin will determine its presence. It has also been adulterated with amber, but this very rarely.