Botanic Remedies 329 



bility and in all asthenic conditions of whatever 

 nature." 



This is a fair estimate of veratrum. To it may 

 be added that excessive doses depress both circu- 

 lation and respiration; that even coma may be 

 induced, but that fatal results are very rare. Vera- 

 trum is prompt in action, and a dose continues its 

 effects rarely over two hours. For this reason, when 

 pushing veratrum to effect, keep the patient re- 

 cumbent and administer doses only an hour apart, 

 watching the pulse and stopping the drug at the 

 first indication of nausea. If the patient seems sus- 

 ceptible and vomits from ordinary doses, a little 

 opium may be given along with the veratrum. 

 Cases are rare in which veratrum should be given 

 over a longer period than thirty-six to forty-eight 

 hours. Also veratrum is an early-stage remedy for 

 sthenic cases, and it has no place in chronic condi- 

 tions except transiently. 



THERAPEUTICS. Large doses are employed in the 

 treatment of puerperal convulsions or eclampsia. I 

 have given as high as 30 minims of a concentrated 

 tincture in this condition, repeating the dose on a 

 descending scale as the pulse came down. Such 

 dosage, of course, is extreme. It is common prac- 

 tice to give hypodermatically 10 drops (5 minims) 

 Norwood's tincture at intervals depending on the 

 case. A little morphine is commonly given with 

 the veratrum. This treatment has long been very 

 favorably viewed; but objections are now arising. 

 Recent writers are urging the employment of mor- 

 phine, and no chloroform, croton oil or veratrum, in 

 eclampsia. Venesection and hypodermoclysis, with 

 enemas of 1 part glycerine, 2 parts magnesium sul- 



