180 NAT. ORDER. — SOLANACE^E. 



says, " was verified by numerous experiments made at the bed-side ;" 

 and he also adds, " I have seen the best effects follow the employment 

 of the alcoholic extract of the Nux vomica, not only in cases of both 

 partial and general paralysis, but also in many other states of weak- 

 ness of the constitution, both general and partial." Dr. Fouquier, of 

 Paris, has tried the Nux vomica very extensively, and in many cases, 

 he says, with perfect success. He gives it in the form of powder or 

 alcoholic extract ; four of the former, or two of the latter, from twice 

 to six times a day. In half an hour after administration, the paralysed 

 muscles have, in some cases, begun to evince contraction ; sometimes, 

 however, it produces a tremulent effect, stupor, and a sense of intoxi- 

 cation ; and when pushed too far, generally tetanus, and other dis- 

 tressing symptoms. Dr. Good says, " like all other powerful medi- 

 cines, in their first and indiscriminate application, the Nux vomica ap- 

 pears sometimes to have been highly beneficial, sometimes mischie- 

 vovis, and sometimes to have produced violent effects upon the nei*vous 

 system, without an important change of any kind." A grain of the 

 alcoholic extract, absorbed from any part of the body, or mixed with 

 food, destroys a dog of considerable size, by inducing pai-oxysms of 

 tetanus, which, by their continuance, stop the perspiration, being enough 

 to produce asphyxia ; when the dose is much stronger, the animal 

 appears to perish entirely from the action of the substance on the ner- 

 vous system. The action of this extract on the healthy human body 

 is precisely the same, as if the dose be sufficiently large, death soon 

 follows with the same symptoms. The traces of the asphyxia, which 

 caused death, are alone observable on dissection. On man, when 

 affected with paralysis, the effect is the same ; but it is particularly 

 manifested in the paralyzed parts : it is there the tetanic symptoms 

 occur, with a creeping sensation, which announces the action of the 

 remedy. 



