44 . TURNBULL ON RANUNCULACE. 
time that he was affected with sharp gout in the knee. There was 
much error in the state of the biliary system. I prescribed mer- 
curial evacuants, sudorifics, and sedatives. After six days of this 
treatment, although improved in his general condition, he com- 
plained of continued suffering from the sciatic nerve, and great, 
though not equal, distress from the knee. The Veratria ointment 
was rubbed in upon each affected part. It produced the sensations 
of heat and electric-like prickings for nearly an hour, and very 
decidedly relieved the complaint. It was repeated three or four 
times with complete success. The skin became irritated, as if by a 
strong rubefacient, but no sore followed. The patient was highly 
gratified by the effects of the remedy.”’ 
CASE IIL. 
“¢ ANoTHER patient, too anxious for the quickest relief, used the 
remedy on the second day of an attack of acute gout in the foot, the 
part not being so exquisitely tender as to prevent moderate friction. 
Active evacuants had been taken at short intervals with full effect. 
The proportion of the Veratria was ten grains to the ounce. No 
articular sensations ensued from the friction, and no apparent 
benefit resulted. Five grains of Veratria were added, and the 
friction was followed up for a longer time. Now the patient be- 
came very sensible of the peculiar sensations before mentioned. On 
the following day, there was a very manifest abatement of the gout ; 
and the patient acknowledged the improvement. In conjunction 
with its further use, I prescribed the mild colchicum aperient draught 
and alteratives. ‘The recovery was uninterrupted, and a favourable 
convalescence was established in the course of a fortnight.” 
External Application of Veratria in Dropsy and Paralysis. 
Brsrpxs the diseases mentioned in the preceding chapters, I have 
employed the Veratria ointment in two others, Dropsy and Paralysis. 
In my account of Veratria, several cases of these are mentioned in 
which friction with the ointment appeared to have been of great 
service ; but although the Veratria most certainly acts as a diuretic, 
as well as a powerful stimulant of the nervous system, subsequent 
consideration has made it appear doubtful whether or not the amount 
of effect produced, was not augmented by the other treatment 
pursued at the same time. The subject, however, is open to in- 
vestigation, and on this account I shall give such genernal directions 
for the use of the ointment in these diseases, as may be sufficient 
for such as may wish to try its effects, leaving it to future experience 
to decide upon the utility of the treatment. : 
In dropsical cases it is indispensably necessary before the Veratria 
be applied, that every attention should be paid to all the organs, 
upon a derangement of which, either in structure or friction, the 
