PUERPERAL FITS. 501 



action ; and this injection was repeated two or three times with the 

 same effect. 



' ' After waiting for half an hour, the fetus was not discharged 

 nor brought forward : therefore a scruple of the ergot of rye was 

 then made into an infusion with two ounces of water, and one- 

 third of it given as a dose ; in half an hour another one-third of it ; 

 the injections of warm water and soap being also continued. Soon 

 after the second dose of the infusion, a dead puppy was expelled ; 

 the bitch rapidly recovered, and, with the exception of deficiency 

 of milk, is now quite well. 



" ' This case would seem to prove the great power of the ergot 

 of rye over the uterus ; but, until more experiments are made, it is 

 necessary to be cautious in ascribing powers to medicines which 

 have not been much tried in our practice. It is not improbable 

 that the warm water and soap might have, roused the uterus into 

 action without the aid of the ergot : and it is therefore necessary 

 that those who repeat -this experiment should try the effects of the 

 medicine unaided by the auxiliary.' 



" The Professor adds, that the great power which this drug is 

 said to have on the human being, and the apparent effect in the 

 case just given, suggest the propriety of instituting a further trial 

 of it, and of our extending our observations to cattle, amongst 

 •which difficult -cases of calving so frequently occur. 



"Mr. Simpson thus concludes some remarks on ergot in diffi- 

 cult parturition : — ' This medicine possesses a very great power 

 over the uterus, rousing its dormant or debilitated contractility, 

 and stimulating it to an extra performance of this necessary 

 function after its natural energy has been in some measure de- 

 stroyed by forcible but useless action. The direct utility of the 

 ergot was manifested in cases where the uterus appeared quite 

 exhausted by its repeated efforts ; and certainly it is but fair to 



