14 TURNBULL ON RANUNCULACES. 
products as yet obtained that are fit for administration, are the sul- 
phate, tartrate, and acetate. | | 
According to Professor Turner, and M. Courbe, they are crys- 
tallizable, when prepared from pure Veratria ; but the difficulty in 
obtaining them in this state must, for some time at Jeast, render it 
necessary to make use of the more common and more easily pre- 
pared form. In this condition they have, when solid, very much 
the appearance of resins; they-are friable, and- can be reduced to a 
fine powder, which is of a brownish aspect. They are all very 
acrid when applied to the tongue, and leave a sensation of heat and 
tingling in the part of the mucous membrane with which they may 
have been brought in contact. | 
When given in the doses to be presently mentioned, like Vera- 
tria itself, they in general give rise to the following effects: a sen- 
sation of warmth in the stomach, which gradually extends itself over 
_ the abdomen and lower part of the chest: after the dose has been 
repeated once or twice, the same feeling is experienced in the lower 
extremities, and particularly in the feet ; the upper extremities and 
head become also affected in the same manner : and if the medicines 
be pushed further, a sensation of tingling, exactly similar to that 
eaused by frictions with Veratria ointment manifests itself in vari- 
ous parts of the body, and sometimes over the whole surface of 
the skin ; this is generally accompanied by considerable perspira- 
tion, and some feeling of oppression, and all these effects are aug- 
mented by heat, or by the use of warm diluents. To this sueceeds 
a sensation of coldness; and should their administration be still 
continued, the stomach becomes affected, and a degree of nausea 
takes place, followed by vomiting. In a few instances only have 
they acted as diuretics, and in still fewer as purgatives. No nareotic 
effect has been observed to arise from their use. 
In their action upon disease, the salts of Veratria, when given 
internally, are possessed of powers very similar to those exercised 
by the base when rubbed upon the skin. The particular diseases in 
which they appear to be of most service, are tic douloureux, gout, 
and rheumatism, especially in the two first named. In the treat- 
ment of these, any of the salts may be employed ; but the tartrate 
1s upon the whole to be preferred, as it is less liable than the others 
to give rise to irritation of the stomach ; either of them, however, 
may be had recourse to with safety. The best method for exhibiting 
them is the form of pill, made according to the following preserip- 
fion 3 : 
R—Tart. Veratrie .  , ; Seteaenelt 6 5 on. li. 
_ Pulv. Rad. Glycyrrhiz. Sie dit - - ‘pr, Xil. 
Mucilag. Acaciae q- 8. Misce 
bite et divide in pilulas equales duodecim, quarum sumat unam tertia quaque 
ora, 
The dose of the tartrate ordered above is sufficient to begin with, 
and it may be augmented, until the quantity given amounts to a 
grain and a half, or two grains in the course of the day : beyond 
