22 FLORA HOMCEOPATHICA. 



An instance has occurred to the author, where a patient was 

 severely affected after taking soup flavoured with these leaves, 

 great prostration and violent tetanic spasms being the chief 

 symptoms. 



The well-known and remarkable murder of Sir Theodosius 

 Boughton, by Captain Donellan, is an example of the effect of 

 the distilled laurel-water producing convulsions ; and notwith- 

 standing the evidence of Hunter, all writers on medical juris- 

 prudence are now of opinion that the verdict was a just one. 



Medical Uses (Homceofathic). — This remedy exerts its 

 chief action on the brain, spinal marrow, great nervous trunks, 

 and ganglionic system ; therefore on the nerves of circulation 

 and respiration. It produces in the head cramp ; torpor, para- 

 lytic exhaustion, or annihilation of nervous power, particularly 

 in the nerves of sensation and motion, and in the ganglionic 



system. Laurocerasus has been employed with success in many 

 of the following conditions. Clonic and tonic cramp. Fainting. 

 Tetanus. Opisthotonos. Trismus. Epilepsy. Apoplexia 

 nervosa. Sopor. Typhus cerebralis et abdominalis, with in- 

 cipient paralysis of the brain. Melancholia. Hypochondria. 

 Hysteria. Acute and chronic inflammation of the liver. 

 Tearing, drawing, shooting pain in the hard and soft parts of 

 the face. Spasmodic contractions of the muscles of the face. 

 As a palliative in cancer of the uterus (Rau). Catarrhal 

 hoarseness and rawness of the voice. Catarrhal and nervous 

 aphonia. Angina pectoris. Cyanosis from hereditary or or- 

 ganic defect in the heart, etc. etc. (Noack and Trinks, op. cit.) 

 Antidotes.— To large doses, Ammonia. Strong Coffee. 

 According to Mccnch and Orfila, Mucilaginous substances. 

 Oil of Turpentine. Bergongi gives as an antidote a solution 

 of Tartar emetic, as Laurocerasus neutralizes the excessive 

 action of that drug. Chlorine, internally and externally. Cold 



affusions. To small doses, Camphor. Coffea. Ipecacuanha, 

 and Opium. 



