332 Remarks on the Use of Piperine. 



For the following interesting communication on the use of 

 piperine, I am indebted to Dr. J. S. Rose, of Philadelphia, 

 who was the first to employ it in this city. 



I have employed the piperine, prepared by Mr. Carpenter, 

 in twenty cases of intermittent fevers, and am decidedly of 

 the opinion that it will be found by all who may be disposed 

 to try its virtues, a more certain and efficient remedy than 

 any preparation of bark heretofore used. 



I have also used it in two cases of low nervous fever or 

 typhus. I was induced to employ it in these cases by ob- 

 serving, that in intermittents it did not prevent (in the first in- 

 termissions) all the stages of the paroxysm ; at the time the 

 patient expected his chill he found a gentle diaphoresis, which 

 continued to increase for two, three, and in some cases, for 

 four hours ; on the next day, however, (of the expected re- 

 turn) there was nothing like diaphoresis or fever ; the patient 

 passed this period without the least inconvenience, and re- 

 mained exempt from a relapse, which is not always the case 

 after the use of quinine. These fa'cts led me to believe, that 

 in typhus, when we wish a stimulating diaphoretic, nothing 

 is better adapted, not even volatile alkali, which I have 

 proved satisfactory to myself. In this form of febrile action, 

 when the animal powers are about to yield to the influence of 

 disease, and the patient falls a victim to the timidity of the 

 practitioner, I have boldly withheld all other remedies, and 

 administered the piperine in doses of two grains every two 

 hours, until eight grains had been taken ; in one of these cases, 

 the low, muttering delirium now began to subside, the skin be- 

 came moist, and the patient, sensible of his improvement, pro- 

 nounced himself better. On the following day, the same doses 

 were administered and repeated, for three, four, or five days, 

 when I found no fever ; the strength increased, and the patient, 

 with an inclination for food, was certainly convalescent. These 

 two were the only cases of typhus I have treated since I be- 

 came acquainted with this valuable remedy. But these alone 

 would incline me to say, with one of our professors, " as well 

 might we deny the power of bark in intermittents, or mercury 

 in syphilis," as piperine in the cases alluded to. Yet I am not 

 prepared to adopt his language fully and call it a Panacea. 



J. S. R. 



I subjoin the following important results from the use of 

 piperine, by Dr. J. C. Rousseau, of Philadelphia, whose ex- 



