POKE. 47 
naturally expect, when it is recollected, that no 
emetic is altogether comfortable in its operation. 
Dr. Fisher of Beverly* informs me that whenever 
he has used the Phytolacca, it has performed its 
duty as an emetic perfectly well, and that in one 
patient, a female of irritable stomach, in whom 
previous emetics had always excited severe 
spasms, ten grains of the Phytolacca operated ef- 
fectually, and no spasm followed. 
I have sometimes observed slight narcotic 
symptoms during the operation of Phytolacca, 
particularly vertigo. But others have not always 
met with this symptom. Dr. George Hayward of 
this town, who has had much experience with this 
medicine, the results of which were communicat- 
ed to the Linnean society, and afterwards publish- 
ed in the New England Journal, October 4817, 
states that in doses of a scruple, he never notic- 
ed any dizziness, or stupor from it, although he 
had always been particular in his inquiries to 
know if any such symptoms took place. The 
aboye dose was administered by him in nearly 
thirty cases, in all of which, except in one case, it 
operated as an emetic and cathartic, usually three 
or four times, thoroughly, though not severely, 
generally commencing its operation on the stom- 
* Letter dated November, 1815. 
