404 GENERAL NEUROSES, OR UNKNOWN ANATOMICAL ORIGIN. 



scription for it, so I had a bottle of it analyzed by my colleague 

 Hoppe-Seyler. The analysis showed that the blue mixture consisted 

 of a solution of bromide of potash ( 3 jss vj) colored with indigo. 

 Both patients had taken the remedy in considerable doses. At first 

 only two tablespoonfuls were given daily but after ten days four, 

 after ten days more six spoonfuls ; after that the dose was increased 

 more slowly, being gradually raised to ten, fifteen, and twenty table- 

 spoonfuls. So it appeared that in this case, as in most others where 

 secret remedies prove useful, it was not the remedy but the mode of 

 using it that was the secret; and I thought it probable that the 

 contradictory assertions about the action of bromide of potash were 

 greatly due to the fact that different observers had not given it with 

 equal perseverance and in the same doses. I determined to imitate 

 the treatment of the " specialist " where practicable, and induced other 

 physicians to do the same and I became convinced that, thus used, 

 in large doses for a long time, although it will not cure all cases of 

 epilepsy, it will in many cases relieve the attacks for a considerable 

 period, and in some will even remove advanced impairment of the 

 psychical functions. Neither in my own practice, nor in that of 

 others, have I, of late, seen a case where the intervals between the 

 attacks did not grow longer. Even patients who had previously 

 received no benefit from the bromide of potash began to improve, when 

 the dose was raised to eight or ten tablespoonfuls of the above solution 

 daily. On long-continued administration of the bromide of potash, I 

 have often observed a papulous exanthema, and in one case an exten- 

 sive furunculosis which disappeared on stopping the medicine, and 

 again recurred after it had been resumed. After taking large doses 

 of the bromide for a time, some patients complained of loss of appe- 

 tite, confusion in the head, and catarrh of the air-passages, just as 

 they do after protracted use of preparations of iodine. Lastly, in two 

 cases there was some psychical change, evinced by great restlessness, 

 and diminished mental activity. In most cases, there were none of 

 these unpleasant concomitants ; hence I feel justified in urgently recom- 

 mending further trials of the bromide of potash in epilepsy, especially 

 in long-continued and large doses. 



To these specifics may be added a large number of medicaments 

 which have been recommended with more or less urgency. Among 

 these are assafostida, folia aurantiorum, radix paeonse, viscum album, 

 oleum terebinthina, and oleum animale Dippelii, indigo, and others. 

 It is a good rule, in administering specifics, to give them exactly 

 in the form and dose prescribed, and not to pass too soon from one 

 article to another; and, on the other hand, to bear in mind the 



