EXTERNAL APPLICATION OF VERATRIA, ETC. 85 
tion, but it still continued unabated in violence in the remainder of 
the affected region : to this part he was also ordered to apply the 
ointment ; and the pain there, in like manner, yielded to one appli- 
cation : no return of the symptoms has taken place, and he is now 
in good health. 
Along with the hemicrania, there existed in this patient a consi- 
derable degree of irritability of the heart ; but a few frictions with 
the same ointment, made over the left side for five minutes every 
night, along with an occasional aperient pill, sufficed to remove this 
symptom permanently. 
CASE IX. 
Mrs. F., about thirty-eight years of age, had for the period of 
four years suffered from intense pain, confined to one spot in the 
loins, and which was not increased by motion. It came on in 
paroxysms, so frequent in occurrence, and of such duration, that she 
never experienced a longer interval than two days betwixt them; 
and her sufferings were augmented to such a degree during the 
period of gestation, that she was compelled to confine herself to bed 
for a great part of the time. 
To bring about the removal of this affection, the patient had pre- 
viously submitted to bleeding, generally and locally ; and blisters, 
tartar emetic ointment, frictions with stimulating embrocations, 
along with plasters of various kinds, but without in any degree allevi- 
ating the pain: she had also taken internally almost every medicine 
calculated in any way to procure an abatement of the disease, but 
still no relief could be obtained. . 
When this patient first put herself under treatment, several of 
the remedies previously had recourse to were again employed ; and 
along with these, frictions with croton oil were ordered over the 
seat of the pain, until a free eruption came out, but without effect. 
As a last resource, the Veratria ointment made with twenty grains 
to an ounce of lard, was directed to be applied in the usual way, 
and ina very few minutes every vestige of the pain had disappeared. 
She has been since entirely free from it, and is now in the enjoy- 
ment of the best health. 
CASE X. 
A youne lady, about twenty-four years of age, has been affected 
with most violent pains in the loins and thighs, during the men- 
strual period, for about eight years. The pain has in general con- 
tinued, without intermission, for three days, and has then subsided 
of its own accord. . 
Many attempts have been made in this case to effect a cure; the 
patient has taken opium, preparations of morphia, Dover’s powder, 
