THE ORDEAL BEAN OF CALABAR. 243 
The method of applying atropine to the eye by soaking a piece of 
thin bibulous paper of definite size in a known quantity of solution of 
atropine and then allowing it to dry, has been recommended in this 
country by Mr. Streatfeild and in France by Mr. Leperdriel.* Such 
paper should be cut into small pieces from + to 4 of an inch square, the 
proportion of atropine being so regulated that a single square shall re- 
present a drop of the ordinary solution of two grains to the ounce. 
Paper prepared on this principle with a solution of Calabar Bean answers 
extremely well, and promises to afford the most definite method of re- 
gulating the quantity of the remedy to be applied. The following is 
the process which I have adopted. One ounce Troy of the bean, re- 
duced to fine powder, is to be thoroughly exhausted by hot rectified 
spirit (838); the solution so obtained is to be filtered and evaporated 
until extract begins to deposit on the bottom of the dish, which will 
oceur when the solution has been reduced to about ten fluid drachms. 
When cold this solution is to be passed through a small filter, and is 
then ready for the paper. This may be thin writing-paper, the size 
contained in which has been removed by boiling;T it should be im- 
mersed in the solution four times, and be allowed to drain and dry be- 
iween each immersion. Of paper thus prepared, a piece measuring 
one-eighth of an inch square placed within the lower eyelid commences 
to act in about twenty minutes and continues to produce its effect during 
Several hours. Its presence in the eye occasions no uneasiness beyond 
that which is attributable to the drug. 
A solution of the extract of Calabar Bean in glycerine made in the 
Proportion of 24 grains of extract in 100 minims of pure glycerine, has 
~ also been tried and found to answer well, the glycerine in no way inter- 
fering with the action of the extract. 
Further experiments may suggest still better preparations : for some 
hints respecting those here mentioned and for numerous careful obser- 
' Nations upon them, I have to thank Mr. Charles John Workman of the 
Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, Moorfields, and Mr. Bader of 
Guy's Hospital. — Pharm, Journ. and Trans., June and July, 1863, with 
‘Corrections by the author. {See also “ On the Employment of the Al- 
'kaloid of the Calabar Bean in Prolapsus of the lris;" by T. Nunnely, 
Esq.— Lancet, July 18, 1863, p. 65.—En-] Bst 
* c " ign : , , p. 98. 
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5 not always easily distinguished from the conjunetiva. ps 
