176 Dr. jVIttchell on the Physiological Actions of Spar tine and Scoparinc. 



under the drug had voided more than double the amount of urine which 

 they had passed in the same time formerly, and double also of the 

 amount passed by the third rabbit, which was left in the old state with- 

 out receiving any of the medicine. The same three animals were kept 

 during a third period of two days, and at the end of that period the 

 urine they voided had reached the original standard. Before performing 

 this experiment in so conclusive a manner, I had made repeated observa- 

 tions on single rabbits, where, however, the liabilities to error were con- 

 siderable. Yet, although the results in this case were of a satisfactory 

 nature, I repeated the observation, employing three other rabbits, and 

 obtaining almost the same results. 



Obs. II. I gave to a young dog, whose urinating powers I had tested 

 as well as I possibly could, 5 grain doses of the scoparine, repeated at 

 intervals of eight hours ; and I found that, when under the drug, he invari- 

 ably passed an amount of urine considerably above the standard of health. 

 This experiment I repeated several times. 



Obs. III. When I had reached this point in the research, I felt at all 

 events satisfied that the substance was harmless in moderate quantities, 

 and I accordingly exhibited it in 5 grain doses to A. B , a young man 

 in good health, and leading a life having an average share of out-door 

 exercise. In his case it had been ascertained during a lengthened train 

 of experiments, for another object, that the average amount of urine 

 passed daily was 34 oz., and that the widest range was only 5 oz., or 

 from 32 to 37 oz., while at the same time it was shown that the average 

 specific gravity was 1023. Now, how did the use of the scoparine 

 affect these figures ? The third dose had not been taken when there 

 was an evident increase observed in the secretion from the kidneys, and 

 this continued during the whole period of its use, and disappeared on its 

 withdrawal. But to what extent was this increase observed? The 

 average rose from 34 to 80 oz. daUy, and at the same time the specific 

 gravity fell to 1010. And it is worthy of note, (as confirmation of a 

 continued diuretic action,) that during the latter period of its administra- 

 tion considerable thirst was experienced. This was not, however, gratified, 

 the solids and fluids being in quantity and quality as nearly as possible 

 the same, when the average was 34 oz., as now when the average was 

 80 oz. And it has still further to be noted, that a return to the former 

 high specific gravity at once followed its discontinuance. This observa- 

 tion was repeated several times on the same person, and afterwards on 

 others.* 



That this is a diuretic principle, therefore, we can have no doubt. It 

 increased the whole amount voided, lowered the specific gravity, created 

 thirst when persevered in, and, in the case of the rabbits, rendered clear, 



* Among these I mention Dr. Pereira, to whom Dr. Stenhouse sent a small 

 quantity, and who experienced in his own person an evident diuretic action from a 

 single 5 grain dose, the quantity voided amounting to 78 oz. He considers it a 

 diuretic, but not a powerftil one. 



