INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION OF VERATRIA, ETC. 13 
now prepared from the seeds of the Veratrum Sabadilla: so much 
so, that it has been described as a new principle by MM. Geiger 
and Hesse, under the name of Colchicine —one of the most 
prominent properties of which, according to those gentlemen, is to 
produce violent purging and then vomiting. 
T'wo counter-experiments are related by them: in one of which 
a small dose of Colchicine was given to a cat: at the end of an 
hour it was violently purged ; vomiting next came on, and then 
death ; and upon examination, it was found that violent inflamma- 
tion had taken place in the stomach and intestinal canal, with san- 
guineous infiltration throughout their whole extent. The second 
experiment was made upon a younger cat, and a smaller dose of 
Veratria was administered : the animal died very speedily, but 
neither vomiting nor purging are mentioned as having been pro- 
duced: and upon examination, it was observed that the superior 
part of the cesophagus was the only portion of the alimentary tract 
where inflammation had taken place ; and it was remarked that this 
part had escaped injury in the animal which had been poisoned by 
the Colchicine.* These facts might of themselves be sufficient to 
account for the great difference in the observed action of Veratria 
above alluded to; but it ought also to be kept in mind, that it is 
very probable the alcaloid, from the large quantity which has been 
lately brought into the market, may now be made ina state of 
greater purity, from that dexterity in its manufacture which prac- 
tice alone ean give. Whichever explanation of the circumstance 
may be adopted, it certainly appears that pure Veratria, or any of 
its salts, may be substituted for preparations of colchicum, not only 
with perfect safety, but with considerable advantage, provided an 
ordinary degree of caution be observed in its exhibition. 
The best form of administering it is that of pill ; and the follow- 
ing prescription is the one I generally make use of :— 
R—Veratriz : : : 6 : : : : or. ii. 
Pulv. Rad. Glycyrrh. . . ° : : ‘ pr. Xil. 
Ext. Hyoscyam . - . : : : or. Vi. 
M. fiat mass. in pilul. aequal. duodecim. divid. quarum sumat unam ter in die. 
For the two last ingredients it will sometimes be found advan- 
tageous to substitute a few grains of compound rhubarb pill, espe- 
cially when there is a tendency to costiveness. ‘This prescription [ 
have found very useful in the treatment of painful spasmodic affec- 
tions, rheumatism, gout, &c. It has also been used in diarrhoea with 
considerable effect ; and in this disease one pill ought to be given 
after each stool, until the relaxed state be removed. After a few 
doses have been taken, the patient generally experiences a sensation. 
of warmth in the stomach, which extends over the abdomen, chest, 
and upper and lower extremities : this is succeeded by a feeling of | 
tingling in various parts of the body, and frequently a degree of 
perspiration is induced. 
Veratria has been combined with several acids ; but the only 
* Jour. de Pharmacie, Mars 19834. 7 
Q% 
