Expulsion ofTcenia by Oleum Terebhithince . 307 



cathartics, as recommended by Madame Nouflet. In this 

 plan he persevered for the space of three months, in which 

 period he discharged, at two different times, about eight 

 yards of the taenia. In April 1810, he again applied to 

 me, in consequence of labouring under his former com- 

 plaints ; adding, that he imagined, from the long use of the 

 plant I had recommended, his pains, and particularly the 

 dyspepsia and general debility, had increased. 



At this time I ordered the oleum terebinthinae rectifica- 

 tum, in a dose of nine drachms by weight,-and after it a 

 little honey to remove the heat and unpleasant taste it might 

 occasion. In a week after taking the oil, he called upon 

 me agreeably to my request, and gave me the following in- 

 formation : That, as far as he could judge, in swallowing 

 this medicine, it occasioned less heat than would have re- 

 sulted from taking the same quantity of brandy, or other 

 spirit ; and that the taste and heat it produced were soon 

 removed by the honey. 



In about three hours after taking this dose, a laxative 

 motion was produced, without any discharge of taenia : but 

 soon afterwards, with the second stool, more than four 

 yards of the worm were discharged, and also a quantity of 

 matter, resembling, as the patient expressed it, the substance 

 and skins of the taenia. On the surface of this evacuation 

 he noticed the oil floating, together with the taenia and the 

 substance mentioned. It produced little or no pain, and 

 certainly much less than the purgative he had taken after 

 the use of the male fern. The subsequent motions con- 

 tained no taenia, nor any of the substance before noticed. 

 He experienced no pain or heat in the urinary passages, 

 though the urine continued to impart a terebinthinate smell 

 for three or four successive days. 



My patient has since remained in perfect health, enjoy- 

 ing a degree of comfort to which he had been a stranger 

 for the preceding half year. 



From this andother instances, I am induced to conclude, 

 that the best method of taking the oil is without any ad- 

 mixture; and that the dose of nine drachms occasions very 

 little inconvenience : and further, that this quantity, per- 

 haps owing to its quick purgative effect, excites no irritation 

 in the urinary passages, although it imparts its peculiar 

 smell to the urine. 



I do not recollect that it has been heretofore observed, 



that the oil has been evacuated in its original state. It 



might hence be inferred, that it is most efficacious when 



v U2 exhibited 



