68 TURNBULL ON RANUNCULACES. 
very remarkable. The paroxysms were much diminished in 
severity, and did not continue more than one or two hours. The 
pain, which had formerly been very acute, she described as being 
much less severe, and called it a “burning twitching.”’? The parts 
were less tender on pressure, and she could sit up without causing 
pain in the gluteal muscles, which she could not do three days 
since. | 
“Infricet. unguent ter die. 
“Dec. 2d. Two days-since,in the morning, she had a more 
violent paroxysm of pain than she has had since her admission. 
After it had continued an hour and a half, the ointment was applied, 
and in ten minutes she was much relieved. The paroxysms do not 
now last more than twenty minutes, and she says they have never 
been so slight before. _ | 
“6th. The pain has now resumed its intermittent character. 
On the 3d, 5th, and 7th, she had a short and slight paroxysm in the 
evening ; each being less severe than that preceding it. 
‘¢ Quine. sulph. gr. v. 6 tis horis. 
“9th. The pain returns every other night, but is gradually de- 
creasing in duration and severity. : | 
“There is a man in Luke’s Ward, under Dr.. Roots, who has a 
painful affection of the sciatic nerve, for which he used Veratrine 
ointment for some time without any benefit. He has used the 
Aconitine for a week, and a very decided mitigation of the pain 
followed its application. 3 : | 
“Dr. Roots informs me that he has used the same remedy in 
private practice, in three cases, with similar success.”’ 
In conclusion, these are the principal circumstances which occur 
to me at present, as worthy of mention in regard to this new class 
of remedies. The facts which have been adduced, appear to bear 
out the position advanced at the commencement—that there exists 
a class of active principles in the Ranunculacex possessed of 
similar properties when applied to the surface of the skin, and 
acting in a similar manner in the same diseases ; and if I succeed in 
calling the attention of the profession to them by what has been 
stated, my object in making this communication will haye been 
answered. ay 
