SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 435 



respect to these diseases, probable. But I have had no expe- 

 rience of its use in such cases. 



A much safer metallic tonic is to be found in the preparations 

 of iron ; and we have seen some of them employed in the cure 

 of epilepsy, but have never found them to be effectual. This, 

 however, I think, may be imputed to their not having been 

 always employed in the circumstances of the disease, and 

 in the quantities of the medicine, that were proper and neces- 

 sary. 



MCCCXXXVI. Of the metallic tonics, the most celebrated 

 and the most frequently employed is copper, under various pre- 

 paration. What preparation of it may be the most effectual, I 

 dare not determine ; but of late the Cuprum ammo-niacum has 

 been frequently found successful. 



" The combination of copper with an ammoniacal salt, I 

 learned from the Acta Natur. Curios., and first introduced it 

 into the practice of this country ; and it now stands in our 

 dispensatory under the title of Cuprum ammoniacum. In 

 many instances it has proved a cure of epilepsy, and thereby 

 discovered its astringent and tonic powers. It is employed by 

 beginning with small doses of half a grain, and increasing these 

 by degrees to what the stomach will bear. I find it commonly 

 more manageable than the blue vitriol ; and in many instances 

 have carried the dose to five grains, and in some still further. 

 In many cases it has proved a cure of epilepsy : but in many 

 others it has entirely failed in being such. When in the course 

 of a month it has not shewn any good effects, I desist from its 

 further use, as I suspect that large quantities of copper intro- 

 duced, may, like lead, prove hurtful to the body : and therefore, 

 in cases of periodical epilepsy, after giving the medicine con- 

 stantly during one interval, if the disease still continues, I after- 

 wards give the medicine only for some days before an expected 

 accession ; and in this manner I have had success. M.M. 



MCCCXXXVII. Lately the flowers of zinc have been re- 

 commended by a great authority as useful in all convulsive 

 disorders ; but in cases of epilepsy, I have not hitherto found that 

 medicine useful. " In my own practice, I have not found the 

 flowers of zinc of remarkable benefit, nor do I find my fellow- 

 practitioners giving a more favourable report ; and in conse- 



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