CALABAR BEAN OPHTHALMIC USE. 317 



the extract would probably be hardly advisable in any other 1863. 

 than professional hands. Atropine 



The method of applying atropine to the eye, by soaking a dlscs> 

 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. 1 Such paper should be cut into small pieces 

 from 4 to | of an inch square, the proportion of atropine being 

 so regulated that a single square shall represent a drop of the 

 ordinary solution of two grains to the ounce. Paper prepared 

 on this principle with a solution of Calabar Bean answers Calabar Bean, 

 extremely well, and promises to afford the most definite method 

 of regulating the quantity of the remedy to be applied. The 

 following is the process which T have adopted. One ounce Troy 

 of the bean, reduced to fine powder, is to be thoroughly ex- 

 hausted 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 occur 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 con- 

 tained in which has been removed by boiling ; 2 it should be 

 immersed in the solution four times, and be allowed to drain 

 and dry between each immersion. Of paper thus prepared, a 

 piece measuring Jth 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 Glycerine 

 in the proportion of 2^ grains of extract in 100 minims of 

 pure glycerine, has also been tried and found to answer well, the 

 glycerine in no way interfering with the action of the extract. 



Further experiments may suggest still better preparations: for 



1 Bulletin de la Society de Pharmacie de Eruxelles, Mars, p. 93. 

 - Mr. Streatfeild recommends green paper, as white paper when soaked 

 with tears is not always easily distinguished from the conjunctiva. 



