41 



An Essay towards the Calculus of Functions. Part II. Ry C. Bab- 

 bage, Esq. Communicated by William Hyde Wollaston, M.D. 

 Sec. R.S. Read March 14, 1816. [Phil. Trans. 1816, p. 179.] 



Experiments and Observations to prove that the beneficial Effects of 

 many Medicines are produced through the Medium of the circulating 

 Blood, more particularly that of the Colchicum autumnale upon the 

 Gout. By Sir Everard Home, Bart. V.P.R.S. Communicated by 

 the Society for Improving Animal Chemistry. Read March 21, 

 1816. [Phil. Trans. 1816, p. 257.] 



The Eau medicinale of Husson, says the author, has most fortu- 

 nately been discovered to be a specific remedy for the cure of gout ; 

 and he considers it to be now ascertained, by experiments of different 

 persons, that this medicine is a vinous infusion of the Colchicum au- 

 tumnale, or Meadow Saffron. He therefore hoped that an endeavour 

 to ascertain its mode of action would be interesting to the Society 

 for the Promotion of Animal Chemistry, whose objects are not con- 

 fined to mere chemical combinations, but include the effects of gal- 

 vanism on the nerves, and of mineral and vegetable solutions on the 

 blood, and thereby on the healthy and morbid actions of life. 



Although the late Mr. Hunter had ascertained, by experiments, 

 that medicines injected directly into the circulating system produce 

 in general the same effects as when taken into the stomach, he was 

 not aware that even in the latter case (as has been proved by later 

 experiments) these effects are not produced till they have reached 

 the circulation by means of the absorbent system. 



With respect to mercury, which appears to be the only specific 

 hitherto known for any disease, it is completely established (says 

 the author), by experiment, that this remedy, when in the circula- 

 tion, is as effectual for the cure of recent chancre from the original 

 application of venereal matter, as for constitutional symptoms in 

 consequence of its absorption into the circulation. 



It is observed, that the effect of Colchicum autumnale on gout is 

 more rapid than that of mercury on the venereal disease, which ad- 

 mits of explanation, upon the supposition, that one is more rapidly 

 received into the circulation than the other. With respect to the 

 powers of this drug, the author speaks from experiments on his own 

 person, having himself taken it at least six different times, for relief 

 from local symptoms of gout, which it has removed, once in six 

 hours, and at others in less than twenty-four hours. 



With a view to ascertain the effects of this medicine introduced 

 directly into the circulation, he substituted a dog as the subject of 

 experiment. This dog's pulse in a natural state was 140 in a minute. 

 In five minutes after injection of thirty drops of a vinous infusion of 

 colchicum, diluted with a drachm of water, into the jugular vein, the 

 pulse became fluttering, accompanied with a tremulous motion of 

 the muscles, and nausea, but without retching to vomit. In less 

 than a quarter of an hour the pulse intermitted, and was 180 in a 





