70 ORD. XXXVII. Dumose. RHUS TOXICODENDRON. 
tice by Dufrenoy, a physician at Valenciennes, about the year 1788. His 
attention was drawn to this subject, by finding that a young man, who had 
a dartre on his wrist, of six years standing, was cured by accidentally be- 
coming poisoned with this plant. It was first brought into notice in this 
country by Dr, Alderson of Hull, as a remedy for paralysis; and under his 
direction, it appears to have proved an efficacious remedy. Dr. Alderson 
relates several cases in which it perfected a cure, and others in which it 
proved of very considerable benefit. The first symptom of amendment was 
always a feeling of pricking and irregular twitching in the paralytic limbs; 
these effects were soon followed by a gradual return of voluntary motion, 
and feeling in the affected parts.* Dufrenoy administered an extract of 
this plant in several cases of palsy, four of which, he says, were cured by it. 
Dr. Givesius relates five cases of paralysis, four of which were cured, by 
taking the dried leaves of this plant, in doses of one-fourth of a grain twice 
a day.t The good effect of this medicine, however, in paralysis, does not 
appear to be generally confirmed; we have pushed it in some cases to a 
considerable extent without deriving any benefit; and we are told by Dr. 
_ A. Dunean, “ that he gave it in larger doses, without experiencing the same 
success; but that it in general operated as a gentle laxative, notwithstand- 
ing the torpid state of the bowels in such patients.” We are also told by 
Dr. Alderson, that this plant has been frequently employed in cases of 
dyspepsia and atonic gout, and with more success than any other tonic; and 
he further says, “ I could easily adduce, from my own practice, and that of 
several of my friends, a variety of cases of stomach complaints, where it 
has been highly serviceable.” Dr. ieee adenineresd a strong infusion 
of the plant, in doses of a teacupful, to a patients. 
It appeared to act as an immediate iaesieast to the stomach, producing 
some uneasiness in that organ, also promoting perspiration and diuresis. 
From variety of constitution, and those peculiarities which are called 
idiosyneracies, (which experience alone can fully inform us of) no one ean - 
pretend to say to what extent such a medicine as the Toaicodendron ouglit 
to be administered at first; and as convulsions and other untoward symp- 
toms have been brought on by a too rapid increase of quantity, it is neces- 
sary to employ caution in the exhibition of this plant. This uncertainty ‘of 
* Vide Essay on the Rhus Toxicodendron, by J. Alderson, M.D. 4th edit. 
‘+ Bulletin des Sciences Medicales, Sept. 1825. 
