91 



investigations of pathologists, and though still deeply enveloped in 

 mystery and uncertainty, as to some important points, has in many 

 respects been fully and clearly illustrated ; but the subject cannot 

 be dispatched in the small space remaining at their disposal. They 

 will, therefore, pass it by, and hastening at once to another subject, 

 will say something of therapeutics. 



Here, again, they meet with much new and important matter. 

 In endeavouring to fulfil this part of their duties, it has occurred to 

 them as the most feasible plan, to take up one or two of the most 

 important or novel medical articles, in succession, and view them in 

 the newest or most improved aspects. 



84. The Materia Medica probably has no article on its list more 

 interesting, as well as important, than quinine. Some account of 

 the therapeutical history of this medicine, at the present day, may 

 not, perhaps, be without its use. Without attempting the labour 

 more than Herculean, of digesting all that the last few months has 

 given to the world on this point, the Committee will exercise the 

 privilege of selection. 



85. Of the Doses of Quinine and the time of administering it. — 

 Dr. Upshur gives it during the paroxysm in remittent fever, in any 

 quantity, till the patient complains of noises and buzzing in the 

 ears. He has never lost a patient where these effects followed a 

 moderate quantity of the medicine. But when unusually large doses 

 fail to induce them, the case generally proves fatal. His dose in 

 remittent fever is ten grains every hour ; in intermittent, five grains 

 every two hours, till the effects mentioned are produced. 



Dr. Byrne gives it in the hot stage. In mild cases the dose 

 is unimportant, provided ten or twenty grains are introduced within 

 a certain number of hours before the expected exacerbation. But in 

 severe cases, that quantity must be given in one or two doses at the 

 utmost. 



Dr. Van Buren gives in remittent fever, twenty or twenty-five 

 grains at a dose, as soon as the skin becomes moist, and repeats it at 

 the end of from four to eight hours. In intermittent, he prescribes 

 fifteen to twenty grains, from six to twelve hours before the chill is 

 expected. In two-thirds of the cases thus treated he found it unne- 

 cessary to repeat the dose, and does not remember an instance where 

 he had to give a third dose. 



Dr. Graves gives a large dose at the commencement of an 



