EXTERNAL APPLICATION OF DELPHINIA. 5] 
ceiving a succession of small electric sparks on an uncovered part of 
the body ; whilst Delphinia gives rise to a sensation of burning, not 
unlike that which manifests itself a short time after the application — 
ofa blister; but not to an unpleasant degree, unless the friction have 
been carried too far. They differ also in the duration of the effect 
produced, as that caused by Delphinia is generally more powerful 
and durable than when Veratria is used. i330 
In the great majority of instances, Veratria may be rubbed upon 
the skin for the usual time, without causing any great degree of 
redness on the part ; but in almost every casé,a blush pervades the 
surface, over which the Delphinia has been applied, and this con- 
tinues during a length of time, varying from a few minutes to an 
hour or two, but in no instance, as yet observed, has it gone on to 
eruption. This property of stimulating the capillaries of the sur- 
_ face of the skin, may add much to the power of Delphinia, particu- 
Jarly in paralytic cases. | 
So far as the comparative merits of the two substances have been 
examined, they appear to be of nearly equal value as medicinal 
agents, for in most instances they seem to have the same power in 
removing similar diseases. There are one or two particulars, how- 
ever, in which they differ, and which in certain instances may give 
a preference to the Delphinia. The diseases in which it has been 
chiefly employed, are tic-douloureux, paralysis, and rheumatism. 
In the first of these, when the affection is seated in the tongue, or 
at the point where the infra-orbitary nerve escapes from its fora- 
men, the use of the Delphinia is to be preferred, because it can be 
applied to the tongue, or rubbed on the gums without occasioning 
irritation ‘of the mucous membrane, a circumstance of great import- 
ance in the treatment of these forms of the disease. It appears also, 
upon the whole, better adapted to the treatment of paralytic cases 
than the Veratria, but principally on account of the property just 
mentioned, which it possesses, of exciting the circulation in the dis- 
eased part. i . 
The manner of applying Delphinia is the same as that already 
recommended for Veratria. It may be used either in the form of 
ointment, or in solution in alcohol, and the proportions to be em- 
ployed in either case, may vary from ten to thirty or more grains 
to the ounce, according to the severity of the affection, in the treat- 
ment of which it is to be prescribed. The duration of the frictions, 
also; should be nearly the same ; that is to say, from ten to twenty 
or more minutes, or what is better, until the pungent sensation 
produced by the rubbing shows itself. In short, the two substances 
are so nearly alike to each other in their effects upon the system, 
and in the manner of their application, that the instructions which 
have been already given in regard to Veratria, are equally appli- 
cable to Delphinia, except that the latter may be with safety applied 
in affections seated in the parts within the cavity of the mouth. 
For this purpose a solution in alcohol is preferable, as being less 
objectionable on the part of the patient, and it ought to be rubbed 
