N. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND HYGIENE. 549 



N. MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, AND 



HYGIENE. 



BROMIDE OF POTASSIUM IN EPILEPSY. 



Du Saulle has lately presented the result of his experi- 

 ments in the treatment of 207 cases of epilepsy by bromide 

 of potassium. He finds that this treatment does not produce 

 any mischievous effects, provided that it be of perfect chem- 

 ical purity. He has had patients who have taken from one 

 to two drams daily for a long period without any evil results. 

 The ill effects recorded from the use of this drug; in his opin- 

 ion, are experienced only when it is not of the best quality. 

 Of the 207 cases referred to, in 17, absolute suspension of the 

 epileptic symptoms ensued for from two to four years; in 28, 

 absolute suspension for from twelve to twenty-two months; 

 in 33, considerable amelioration ; in 93, partial amelioration; 

 and in 110, failure. He considers the bromide of potassium 

 to be of the utmost possible value in this disease, if properly 

 administered, and very likely to effect, if not a cure, at least 

 a considerable improvement of the symptoms. 20 A, March 

 10,1872,310. 



ARTIFICIAL EPILEPSY. 



M. Brown Sequard succeeded in producing epileptic symp- 

 toms in Guinea-pigs by means of a hemi-section of the spinal 

 marrow, or by the section of the sciatic nerve ; and Dr. 

 Prevost has observed the same phenomena in amputating 

 the thigh of these animals. To produce a nervous attack, it 

 is only necessary to excite the so-called epileptic zone, which 

 includes the half of the face corresponding to the member 

 amputated, when the animal immediately falls into convul- 

 sions. The excitability of this zone is enfeebled after a time, 

 and it becomes always more and more difficult to provoke a 

 new crisis. It is suggested that the study of this artificial 

 epilepsy will doubtless throw some light on the genesis and 

 nature of this disease. Mem. Soc. Physique de Geneve, XXL, 

 1870,351. 



